WEDNESDAY

STARTING A BUSINESS IN HAWAI'I, a half-day workshop on how to be an entrepreneur, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Jan. 16 at Honolulu Design Center, 1250 Kapi'olani Blvd.; learn about licensing, legal structure, business plans, marketing and customer relations; the event and parking are free; sponsored by the Small Business Administration. Register: 541-2990, ext. 215, email david.brown@sba.gov, or online www.sba.gov/hi (Spotlight/Online Registration).

THURSDAY

John DeFries, president and chief executive officer of the Hokuli'a development on the Big Island and founder of Native Sun Business Group will be the featured speaker at the NATIVE HAWAIIIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE's luncheon meeting. DeFries' presentation will focus on bridging the gaps between developers and communities through responsible and responsive development. Registration and networking will begin at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and the program starting at noon. Cost for members is $20 and $25 for nonmembers. At 1451 Queen Emma St. For more information call Pauline Worsham at 951-5373 or e-mail at pauline@pmwconsult.com. Maui Young Business Roundtable business meeting 6 p.m. Jan. 17 at a Wailuku residence; guest speaker, Jocelyn Romero Demirbag of Hawaii Community Foundation on the foundation's mission and vision for 2008. RSVP with Keith Regan, 808-357-6009.

SATURDAY

INFOMERCIALS: HOW DO I CAPITALIZE? sponsored by Helping You, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Jan. 19 at O'ahu Veterans Center, 1298 Kukila St. in Salt Lake. Learn about the power of this billion-dollar industry and how you can use it to your advantage. Free. Limited seating. E-mail, mnlpereira@hawaiiantel.net.

UPCOMING

BECOMING KAMA'AINA: How Mainland Brands Establish Themselves in the Local Market, networking luncheon sponsored by International Association of Business Communicators Hawaii Chapter, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 23 at The Plaza Club; networking and registration 11-11:30 a.m., buffet lunch 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., program 12-1 p.m.; featured speakers, Eddie Spencer, general manager of California Pizza Kitchen, which has aculturated nicely in Hawai'i, and Brie Heath, communications manager of Target, scheduled to open in Hawai'i in 2009; fee: IABC members $25, non-members $35, student members $15. Register by Jan. 21 at 585-7931, ext. 105, or at www.iabchawaii.com.

HAWAI'I VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION DEAL OF THE YEAR AWARDS LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at The Plaza Club; honorees include Darren Kimura, founder of Sopogy, HR BioPetroleum, TalkStory Productions and Cardax Pharmaceuticals; fee: HVCA, Corporate Planners, Hawaii Angels, DualUse Council, Bytemarks and HSTC members, $29; nonmembers $39, students $25; aloha attire required. Register: www.hvca.org or 262-7329 (Gail).

YBC'S ENTREPRENEUR PANEL III: THE NEXT GENERATION: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Merrill Lynch Conference Room, 1001 Bishop St., Pauahi Tower, 28th Floor; featuring, Donn Takaki Jr., president, HawkTree International, holding company for Island Movers, Pro- File Record Systems, ICES and Pacific Courier; Stan Masamitsu, president, Tony Auto Group and Grelyn Rosario, owner of eight McDonald's restaurants on Maui; fee, $20 for YBC members, $30 for nonmembers by Jan. 17, includes heavy pupu and soft drinks; parking extra, $4 on-site parking available after 5 p.m.; send payment to YBC, 1000 Bishop St., Suite 405, Honolulu, HI 96813 or at www.youngbusinesscouncil.com.

The Professional Women's Network monthly luncheon meeting, Jan. 24, Ala Moana Hotel; keynote speaker Barbara Pellegrino to talk about "Treasure Mapping Your Way to Success." Fees: members $26; sponsored guests $35; nonmembers $40. Information: 533-4800; e-mail, reservations@pwnhawaii.org; online at www.pwnhawaii.org.

FREE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE by AARP and Aloha United Way volunteers 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday through Jan. 25 at the Princess Ruth Keelikolani Building, 830 Punchbowl St.; first come-first serve; bring photo ID and enter through main doors on Punchbowl Street; also at locations throughout the state Feb. 1-April 20, call 211 for the site nearest you. www.hawaii.gov/tax.

THE STATE OF HAWAI'I'S ECONOMY, a lunch seminar sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, 12-1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Manoa Grand Ballroom; featured speaker, Dr. Pearl Imada Iboshi, state chief economist and administrator of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Research and Economic Analysis Division; $20 fee includes lunch. Register: 949-5531 or at www.honolulujapanesechamber.org

Business meetings of general interest are listed in the "Coming Events" column throughout the week. Submit notices at least two weeks in advance to: Alan Yonan, Business Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax to 525-6763; or e-mail comingevents@honoluluadvertiser.com. For e-mailed releases, include information in the body of the message, not in an attachment.