Two Mainland-style Lenten fish fries — featuring a menu of pollock, fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, macaroni and cheese and drinks — will be offered from 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 20 and April 3 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Kailua.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are available at the door: adults, $12; children (6-12), $8; 5 and under, free.

Information: 266-2222.

FOUNDATION OPENS HAWAI'I AFFILIATE

Hawaii Christian Foundation, a local affiliate of The National Christian Foundation, has opened in Hawai'i.

Its purpose is to offer expert counsel and "giving solutions" to individuals, families, churches, ministries and professional advisers, while spreading the Gospel.

Since 1982, the network has granted more than $1.8 billion to 15,000 churches and ministries worldwide.

President/executive director of the local affiliate is Tom Rulon, longtime local estate planning expert.

For information, call 524-5678, or www.hawaiichristianfoundation.org.

JEWS TO OBSERVE PURIM HOLIDAY

Purim, the Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from a plot to annihilate them — as recorded in the biblical book of Esther (Megillah Esther) — will be celebrated at two observances locally:

• "The Megillah According to Disney," featuring a potluck "nosh" at 5:45 p.m., and Purim service and reading of the Megillah at 6:45 p.m. on March 9, at Temple Emanu-El. Information: 595-7521.

• Participants are asked to dress in 1960s attire for the "Purim in the 60s" event, sponsored by Chabad of Hawaii, 5 p.m. March 10 at Ala Moana Hotel, 2nd floor.

The event will feature a "flower power" costume contest, Megillah readings (5:30 p.m.), '60s games and activities, music and kosher all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet.

Tickets are adults, $20; children, $10 (ages 2-12); discounts for students.

• There will also be Megillah readings at 7 p.m. March 9 and at 9 a.m. March 10 at Chabad House, 410 Atkinson Drive.

Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar — celebrated this year on March 9 and March 10, beginning at sundown the previous secular day.

EVENT FEATURES SPEAKERS, CONCERT

John Rosemond, a parenting columnist and consultant whose articles appear weekly in The Honolulu Advertiser, and author Don Piper, whose "90 Minutes in Heaven" describes his pronounced death and subsequent return to life after a devastating traffic accident, will be among participants in the three-day annual Hawaiian Islands Ministries at Hawai'i Convention Center.

The convention is scheduled from 5 to 9:45 p.m. March 12; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. March 13, and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 14.

Also featured will be Nick Vujicic, who surfs, despite being born without arms or legs.

Among offered workshops are discussions on helping those entrapped in the sex trade, and the illegally imprisoned worldwide; as well as sexual abuse of children in churches and organized childcare situations.

Among nationally known Christian speakers participating are Francis Chan, Tony Campolo, Ellie Lofaro, Paul Sheppard and Peter Chao.

There is also a youth program and a worship concert March 13 featuring Shawn McDonald.

For registration and costs, call 988-9777, or www.himonline.org (online registration over; tickets available at the door).