KAHULUI, Maui — A three-day Sustainable Earth Celebration starts today at Maui Community College, featuring environmentalist and author Bill McKibben.

Free activities begin daily at 9 a.m. in the Pilina Building's student lounge and outdoors on the Great Lawn.

Today's topics include biofuels, the proposed solar telescope on Haleakala, county legislation dealing with sustainability, and the development of a "green" economy on Maui.

The Climate Change Film Festival runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., with documentaries on climate change, alternative fuels, and student involvement in climate change issues.

Tours of the Kaheawa wind farm and other sites are planned for tomorrow morning, followed by Mayor Charmaine Tavares' State of Maui's Environment address at noon.

Maui Electric Co. President Ed Reinhardt and MCC Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto will sign an Energy Charter at 1:30 p.m. symbolizing a partnership to promote the use of sustainable-energy technologies.

More documentaries will be shown starting at 2 p.m.

Bill Schulz, author and former executive director of Amnesty International USA, will give separate talks at 6 and 8 p.m. tomorrow and at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday's events also include the 9 a.m. planting of native plants at the MCC Peace & Justice Garden, and Keiki Corner storytelling at 10 a.m.

At noon, McKibben will deliver a keynote address titled "Deep Economy: What the World Looks Like When We Take the Environment Seriously."

Organizers of the Earth Day-related event include the Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights; the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui; Amnesty International Hawai'i; the United Nations Association Hawai'i; the Associated Students of Maui Community College; and MCC's Recycling Club, Political Science Honor Society and Sustainability Club.