The editor of Peer News, a Web-based Hawai'i news service that is set to debut in coming weeks, will be the keynote speaker at an event exploring the local news media's challenges and transformation.

John Temple, the former editor and publisher of the Rocky Mountain News who has joined Pierre Omidyar's Peer News in Honolulu as editor is scheduled to give the lunch talk at the March 18 event at the Plaza Club.

"NewsMorphosis 2.0" will feature discussions about the state of the local media with a number of local media executives, including Honolulu Advertiser Editor Mark Platte and KGMB9 News Director Chris Archer.

The speakers will explore the changes occurring because of emerging technologies.

Other panelists invited to speak include journalists who have followed technology's increasing affect on the news business, including Michael Freedman, founding executive director of George Washington University's Global Media Institute.

The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and has a registration fee of $85. A premium seat is also available for $110 that includes entry into the speakers cocktail party the night before the event.

Registration is available at www.thinktechhawaii.com/events.html. For more information, call Gail Caveney at 262-7329.