All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

COMING UP

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT," film/lecture/discussion series on sustainability, opens with the film "King Corn" (two college graduates who follow an acre of corn from seed to dinner table), 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 23, Thurston Memorial Chapel, Punahou School; free; 944-5718.

"SYNTHETIC POLYMERS ENTERING THE MARINE FOOD WEB," lecture by Charles Moore, founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, on how society's waste is showing up in ocean creatures, part of the monthlong Marine Debris Awareness Month lecture/film series; 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, Hanauma Bay theater; free; 393-2168, www .b-e-a-c-h.org.

KALANI HIGH SCHOOL RECYCLING DRIVE of computer print cartridges and cell phones, sponsored by new school sustainability club, Ko'ohonua, 4-7 p.m. Oct. 24, fronting school gym; 377-7744, ext. 265.

ALOHA 'AINA EARTH DAY, monthly schools fundraising project, recycling from scrap metal to beverage containers and computers, sponsored this week by Roosevelt High School; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 25; Stevenson Middle School parking lot; Rene Mansho, 306-1876.

WORM COMPOSTING WORKSHOP, 10 a.m. Oct. 25; Halawa Xeriscape Garden; $30 fee, includes mini-bin and starter worm colony; registration, 382-0432 .

SIERRA CLUB KAPALAMA LOOP HIKE, 6-mile, strenuous hike in 'Alewa; Oct. 26; reservations/information: Randy Ching, 942-0145.

BE A GREENIE

HAWAI'I OCEAN GUARDIANS KID'S CLUB AND CONTEST is seeking original stories, poetry or art works, from students grades K-8, focusing on the ocean and sensitive coral reef ecosystems; entry deadline extended to Oct. 24; www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education.

HAWAIIAN ISLAND HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, is accepting applications for seats on its advisory council; applications accepted from various public sectors, including business/commerce, citizens, commercial shipping, conservation, ocean recreation, tourism, whale watching, fishing and Native Hawaiian interests; Christine Brammer, 397-2651, ext. 252; www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education.

WAIMEA VALLEY GREETER: Volunteers needed one day a week for 2 1/2 hours; 638-7733.

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

NATIONAL GARDEN HELP: Protect rare plants and ecosystems by volunteering at National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kaua'i; help needed in administration, conservation, education, development and more; 808-332-7324, ext. 228, or volunteer@ntbg.org.

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 Work Day: Volunteer to preserve the beauty and diversity of the rainforest; 9 a.m.-12 p.m., third Sunday of each month; Volcano Art Center, Niaulani campus; free; 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.

MAKIKI FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT, volunteers needed to weed, pick up branches, plant, water and fertilize native plants as part of Makiki Watershed Awareness Initiative forest restoration project. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., fourth Saturday of each month; call 973-9782 for information.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: For the Environment, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "For the Environment" in the subject line. Deadline is 10 days before the event.