As Hawai'i slides toward ecological crisis and the state government toys with gas caps, and hems and haws on recycling, some innovative individuals are trying to make a difference. Today Bob and Kelly King, the owners of Pacific Biodiesel, will talk about "On the Road to Energy Self-Sufficiency: A Vision to Make Hawai'i More Sustainable." If you really care about preserving your island, head to the University of Hawai'i's Krauss Hall, Room 012. The talk will be from 7 to 9 p.m, and it's free. Call 956-8246 for information.

BOOK SERIES

FIRST UP: KILLER COCONUT PLOT

If TV's "Monk" is on your TiVo list, check out "Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii" (Signet Mystery, $6.99), the first in a series of "Monk" books by Lee Goldberg, a California writer who has written for the series and who also penned "Diagnosis: Murder" scripts. In this one, Adrian Monk, the hand-washing, rule-making, slightly cracked investigator from the USA Network show, follows his assistant to the Islands and ends up embroiled in the mystery of a wealthy tourist who was killed by a falling coconut. Just the sort of thing the fear-plagued Monk would expect to happen.

— Wanda Adams

FINAL WORD

"An invitation. And a hot gift bag. I used to be homeless, so seeing an hors d'oeuvre tray is still exciting."

Ice-T | the actor and rapper, on what it takes to get him to a party, in New York magazine