The Dalai Lama will make his first visit to Maui in April, the Maui Dharma Center said yesterday.

On April 24, he will give a free talk on "The Human Approach to World Peace" at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. The talk will start at 2 p.m.

On April 25, he will discuss "Eight Verses for Training the Mind." That talk is $20, and tickets will got on sale Feb. 3.

Security will be tight at the cultural center during the two talks, and attendees are asked not to bring any large bags, cameras or tape recorders. Cell phones are allowed, but no cell- phone camera photos may be taken.

The visit will mark the third time the Nobel Peace Prize winner and the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists worldwide has visited the Islands. He came to O'ahu and the Big Island in 1980, and again in 1994.

His visit in 1994 drew thousands to the Blaisdell Center, where he talked about compassion. He also spoke at a joint session of the state Legislature, and attended the dedication of the Wood Valley Temple on the Big Island.

In anticipation of the visit, schoolchildren are being asked to create art and literary projects to present to the Dalai Lama. When he arrives, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center will be decorated with children's prayer flags.

For more information on the visit, go to www.mauidharmacenter.org or call 579-8076 on Maui.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.