See a more comprehensive listing at www.honoluluadvertiser.com/islandlife.

SPECIAL

"LIVE ENERGY LITE," kickoff of Energy Awareness Month, sponsored in part by the state and Hawaiian Electric Co.; with entertainment, energy tips, the state's clean energy future plans, and "wizardry" by the Mad Science of Hawaii "scientists," 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Oct. 3; Pearlridge Center, Uptown Center Court; free; information, 543-7511.

"SUSTAINABILITY FOR BUSINESS," new University of Hawai'i-Manoa Outreach College 2009 noncredit course series, including "Sustainability 101: Concepts and Applications," "Optimizing Building Assets," and "Solar Energy: Understanding the Value Proposition for Hawai'i's Businesses"; fees; registration, 956-8400, or www.outreach.hawaii.edu/noncredit/courses.

"NAME THE BABY SEA TURTLE" contest, at Maui Ocean Center's Turtle Lagoon; entry names must be in Hawaiian and include definition; mail to Maui Ocean Center, 192 Ma'alaea Road, Wailuku, HI 96793 (include your name, phone number and/or e-mail address); winners' announcement Nov. 1; information, 808-270-7000.

UPCOMING

"OCEAN STEWARDSHIP IN PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONAL PARKS," discussion by National Parks Service marine ecologist and photographer, Larry Basch, on marine treasures and stewardship efforts in Pacific parks, including information on coral reefs, human-caused ocean environment dangers, climate change research and other scientific data; one of the "After Dark in the Park" series, 7 p.m. Sept. 29; Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai'i; $1 donation (also: $10 park admission applies); 808-985-6014.

AHAHUI MALAMA I KA LOKAHI general membership meeting, and chance to learn about the organization's environment efforts; lecture by Floyd McCoy on geology of the Kailua ahupua'a; 6 p.m. meeting, 7 p.m. speech, Oct. 2; Windward Community College; Hale 'Akoakoa, room 105; time/information: Kaimi Scudder, 593-0112, or www.ahahui.wordpress.com.

"COMPOSTING WITH WORMS," one of the "Growing Green" series of UH Outreach College, noncredit workshops on green practices at home and garden; 3-4:30 p.m. Oct. 4, Olomana Gardens, Waimanalo; $20; registration, 956-8400,www.outreach.hawaii.edu/non credit.

BE A GREENIE

FREE GARDEN MULCH:

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1269 Iwaena St., self-service; www.boardofwatersupply.com; 748-5041.

• Available from city Department of Environmental Services, useful for ground cover, moisture retention, weed suppressant, erosion control and soil enhancement; 768-3200; www.opala.org.

FRESH DAYS, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente; shop for affordable, fresh, locally grown produce, and get information on shopping and eating healthier, and food samples; information, 432-2270:

• Honolulu Clinic, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fridays, main entrance and lobby area.

• Moanalua Medical Center, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursdays, main entrance.

• Waipi'o Clinic, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, front entrance and main lobby.

SIERRA CLUB is looking for hike/outing leaders (information, Stan Oka, 429-9814, or Deborah Blair, 955-4168), and for people willing to sign up as new Facebook friends; information, 538-6616.

WEED AND POT CLUB, Maui Nui Botanical Garden Weed & Pot Club meets 8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 150 Kanaloa Ave., Kahului, to do beautification and maintenance work; tools, gloves, drinking water provided; wear shoes; 808-249-2798.

KAUA'I GARDEN HELP, volunteers needed to protect rare plants and ecosystems at National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua'i; help needed in administration, conservation, education, development, etc.; 808-332-7324, ext. 228, or volunteer@ntbg.org.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, the O'ahu Na Ala Hele Trails and Access program needs volunteers to weed, pick up branches, plant, water and fertilize native plants as part of the Makiki WAI (Watershed Awareness Initiative) forest restoration project. Bring long pants, long-sleeved shirt, shoes or boots, gloves, insect repellent, water and lunch; families welcome; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., four Saturdays monthly; meet at Makiki forestry base yard above new Hawai'i Nature Center (from Makiki Street, take a left onto Makiki Heights Drive; the area entrance is before first hairpin turn); 973-9782.

Niaulani nature walk, guided tour through an old-growth forest; 9:30 a.m. Mondays, from Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Niaulani Forest WorkDay, volunteers needed to preserve the rainforest; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. third Sunday of each month, Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus, Volcano Village, Big Island; 808-967-8222.

TUESDAYS AT KANAHA, weekly beach cleanup and plant maintenance, coordinated by Community Pride at Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays at the park; Valerie Vines Magee, 808-264-1454.

CHUN'S REEF BEACH/COAST CLEANUP by Adopt-A-Beach Hawaii and Save The Sea Turtles International; noon, last Saturday monthly, from 61-529 Kamehameha Highway, Hale'iwa; trash bag, gloves and purified water provided; bring hat, sunscreen and beach shoes; 637-2211.

WAIMEA VALLEY offers a number of daily guided activities, including wildlife walks; music, storytelling and crafts with Waimea kupuna; history walks; native plant walks; lei-making; Hawaiian games; fees; information, 638-7766,www.waimeavalley.net.

WAIMEA VALLEY GREETER, volunteers needed one day a week for 2 1/2 hours; 638-7766.