BUGS IN THE DARK

You don't need to look under a rock for green fun — or maybe you do, if you want to join the Hawai'i Nature Center's "Night Insect Safari." At the nocturnal event, parent-and-child teams will have the chance to check out what happens to the tiny creatures of our ecosystem when the sun goes down. Keiki must be at least 6 years old to participate; the two-hour safari begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $16 per person or $16 for a parent/child team (members get a discount); 955-0100 or www.hawaiinaturecenter.org.

SAVE THE PLANET

WRAP IT UP WITH MUGS, ART

Need teacher presents? Buy packs of items like cocoa, chocolate bars and the like and then divide them up and package them in pretty mugs (check out the selection at second-hand shops). With a recycled ribbon and a handwritten note from the student, it'll warm an educator's heart. Another recycled tip: Look at your kids' artwork or coloring books, especially holiday-themed ones, to wrap up gifts for the family. That way, it's treasured before it's opened, too.

— Advertiser news services

FINAL WORD

"There's also a very advanced way of using wind technology — it's drying your clothes outside."

— Robert Mechielsen , founder of Studio RMA in Los Angeles, whose designs for environmentally friendly homes often include cutting-edge features like solar panels, but jokes that many green solutions hail from the 18th century, such as installing awnings.