The Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii is holding a daylong forum next week aimed at businesses that want to use Hong Kong as a launching pad to do business in mainland China.

The event, set for May 14 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, will feature more than two dozen government, trade and legal experts. Speakers include Donald Tong, Hong Kong commissioner for economic and trade affairs; Simon Galpin, director general of Invest Hong Kong; and Louis Ho, regional director of the Americas for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

"A lot of businesses think that because China is open now they can go right in," said Barinna Poon, president of the National U.S. Hong Kong Business Association. "But you could end up running around so long that you end up wasting time and money.

"What we are trying to do is provide the information intelligence for businesses on how to use Hong Kong as a gateway to China," she said.

The association also has invited Mainland and Hawai'i business leaders who have launched successful ventures in China and elsewhere in Asia to share their experiences.

Sessions will cover a range of issues, from the macroeconomic environment and growth sectors in China to using the Hong Kong legal system to launch and manage business transactions in China.

There will be a special session on using the upcoming Hong Kong Food Expo as a way to get into the Asian food market.

"Forum delegates will gain practical knowledge and make important connections with the speakers and with each other," Poon said.

The deadline to register for the event is Tuesday. Information about registration and a full list of sessions is available at www.ushkfo rum.org.

The nonprofit Hong Kong Business Association of Hawaii was founded in 1996 and has about 60 members.