Baha'i members mark holiday

At sunset Monday, members of Hawai'i's 27 Baha'i communities will celebrate one of their major holidays, the birth of Bah‡'u'll‡h, the Persian nobleman who in the 19th century founded the faith.

The Baha'i begin their celebrations at sunset and end at sunset the next day — in this case, Monday evening to Tuesday evening.

"It's the equivalent of Christmas for Baha'i," explained Craig Quick, a member of the faith organization that teaches the oneness of God and the oneness of humanity.

Quick estimated there are about 3,000 Baha'i in Hawai'i. The largest of the 27 communities is the Honolulu division, which goes from Hawai'i Kai to Red Hill and whose members meet at the Baha'i Center, 2165 10th Ave., he said.

Quick estimated that this year's celebration will draw 75 to 100 people to that center, where there will be remembrances of the key points of Baha'u'llah's life, culminating in his exile, as well as devotions.

Tuesday is considered an excused holiday from school by the state of Hawai'i for school-age followers of Baha'i; the adults abstain from work that day.

For more information: 595-8698 or Craig Quick at 271-9898, or go online to nsahawaii@hawaii.rr.com.

Habitat hires new director

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, which is looking for other faith-based organizations and community service providers to serve as partners in its efforts to house the needy, has hired Herlinda Lopez as director of church and community relations.

The organization's goal is to build 50 homes next year, including a 45-home affordable housing subdivision in Kapolei.

Lopez will contact places of worship and community organizations and determine partnership opportunities, "seeking alliances with like-minded organizations serving O'ahu's low-income population," according to executive director Jose Villa.

Honolulu Habitat for Humanity is located at 98-025 Hekaha St., No. 201-A, 'Aiea, HI 96701. Call 486-7792, or e-mail Herlinda-Lopez@habitat-hawaii.org.

Events planned for AIDS Day

World AIDS Day events are being arranged around town, including a "Time for Healing, Prayer and Remembrance" service Dec. 1 at First Christian Church, 1516 Kewalo in Makiki.

Ke Anuenue O Ke Aloha, a church, is sponsoring this event, which will include remarks by pastor Jimmy Hutcherson of Ke Anuenue and music by the Honolulu Men's Chorus, harpist May Eleanor Kong and the Judd Street United Church of Christ Choir.

For information: 924-3060.

Tibetan scholar to give lectures

Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso, a Tibetan scholar and yogi,Êwill be giving a series of lectures in Honolulu next month, including a free public talk at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa

Gyamtso a teacher of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, will speak on "The Science of Mind, the Middle Way and Realized Masters' Songs of Realization" at the Buddhist Study Center, 1436 University Ave.

On Dec. 2, he will give a free 7 p.m. lecture on "Appearance and Reality in the 21st Century" at the UH Art Auditorium.

Gyamtso lived as a yogi-ascetic for five years, wandering the caves and charnel grounds of Tibet. He is known for his spontaneous songs of spiritual realization (called "dohas" in Sanskrit) and has taught widely in Europe.

For more information: Nancy Branch, 347-1909.