La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls is going green with a paperless bidding system at its annual fundraiser, "Hoopla," on March 13. Guests will receive a "smartcard" and keypad to track their bids. Electronic screens will display high bids to attendees, and competitive bids can be entered without hovering near a coveted item.

This year's theme for the March 13 school fundraiser is "Get Smart." Go to www.lapietra.edu.

ISLE MCDONALD’S RECYCLING USED OIL

Next time you scarf down that sinfully salty Big Mac and side of french fries, thank McDonald's for being so eco-friendly. The major fast-food giant puts all that grease to good use – converting it to biodiesel.

Hawai'i McDonald's is part of a global biodiesel program following the company's efforts that started seven years ago in Austria. The restaurants' waste oil that used to end up in landfills now returns to the fast-food chain as cooking oil and fuel for McDonald's distribution trucks after being treated at Pacific Biodiesel's Sand Island plant.

Visit the Science Channel at science.pacific www.network.tv/GreenPicks.

— Alyssa S. Navares, www.PacificNetwork.tv