TODAY

USDA Rural Development, talk on the USDA Rural Development Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program, 7 to 8:30 p.m., University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Sherman Laboratory, near East-West Road and Maile Way. Topics include eligibility requirements, project parameters and tips on applying. The talk repeats Wednesday, same time, at Waialua Community Center Cottage 2. Information: 808-933-8313 (Big Island).

SMEI, an organization for sales and marketing professionals, presents dinner, with destination marketer Rob Dondero of R&R Partners, discussing his success in building the Las Vegas brand; 5:30 p.m. at Kahala Hotel; registration/information: www.smehonolulu.com or phone/fax 942-7000.

TOMORROW

LILi'uOKALANI TOASTMASTERS meeting, 12:05 to 1:05 p.m. at Liliuokalani Building, 1390 Miller St.; guests welcome. 587-3811.

USDA Rural Development, information on eligibility and applying for USDA renewable energy and energy efficiency loans and grants, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Waialua Community Center Cottage 2. 808-933-8313 (Big Island).

THURSDAY

NATIVE HAWAIIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE luncheon meeting, 11:30 a.m. at The Pacific Club, 1451 Queen Emma St.; featured guest Clyde Namuo, with an overview of the recently negotiated Public Lands Trust Settlement; $25, members $20, checks payable to NHCC. Information: 951-5373 (Pauline Worsham), e-mail pauline@pmwconsult.com.

FRIDAY

REGISTRATION DEADLINE for E HOOWAIWAI I KA PONO, 12 session NxLevel entrepreneur's course designed to encourage business expansion; 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 25-June 2 at the Small Business Development Center; fee $500 (scholarships available for Native Hawaiians); sponsored by Hawai'i Maoli. Information: 696-1970 (Chanel Blackwell).

EXCHANGE CLUB OF DOWNTOWN HONOLULU features speaker Kam Napier, editor of Honolulu Magazine, talking about how the publication fits into the magazine world, noon-1:30 p.m. at Oahu Country Club; lunch $20. Information: 524-0330, ext. 2 (Ed Kemper).

UPCOMING

HAWAII VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION, panel discussion on the 21st-century style of doing business, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at The Plaza Club, 20th floor; featured will be Bee-Leng Chua, executive director of Hawai'i Pacific University's Entrepreneurship Center; John Webster, director of Chaminade University's Hogan Entrepreneurial Program; and Robert J. Robins, a University of Hawai'i professor of entrepreneurship; $39, members $29, students $25; aloha attire required. Register: www.hvca.org, 262-7329 (Gail).

HOW TO MARKET YOUR BUSINESS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT workshop, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. March 12, Pacific Disaster Center Training Room at Ke Alahele, MEDB Center, 1305 N. Holopono St., Maui R&T Park, Kihei; aimed at Maui/Big Island small businesses that want to sell goods or services to the federal government; $30 fee includes materials, lunch and refreshments; presented by the Maui Economic Development Board. Information: info@hightechmaui.com.

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 525-6763; or e-mail comingevents@honoluluadvertiser.com. For e-mailed releases, include information in the body of the message, not in an attachment.