Second Chances with Re-use Hawai‘i

April 6, 2026

Photo of the Re-use Hawai‘ii storefront in Salt Lake, Honolulu, Hawai‘i — The Re-use Hawai‘i store in Salt Lake, Honolulu, Hawai‘i is open daily.
Photo courtesy Re-use Hawai‘i

By: Quinn Vittum and Re-use Hawai‘i

A volunteer lifts a heavy reclaimed plank at Re-use Hawai‘i, dust rising in the morning sun. Nearby, a young person in our workforce development program measures and sorts wood, learning skills they will carry into the future.

In moments like this, you can see the invisible ripple of choices: the wood saved from the landfill, the skill gained, the confidence built. Every choice we make matters. Every time we throw something away, it leaves a mark, often somewhere we do not see.

Most of us rarely witness the ripple effects of our trash. But for families living near landfills, the impact is immediate, including increased traffic, environmental strain, and uncertainty about what comes next. In Hawaiʻi, this urgency is impossible to ignore. Oʻahu’s current landfill capacity is limited, and while the City searches for a replacement, there is no simple solution. Every one of us has a role to play in reducing what we send to the landfill.

Part of that role begins with understanding where our waste comes from. Construction and demolition materials account for roughly 35% of Hawaiʻi’s overall waste stream, the single largest contributor. Yet most people never see this debris. It disappears behind construction fences and into hauling trucks, out of sight and out of mind. When we do not see a problem, it is easy to feel disconnected from it. How do we make the invisible visible? How do we help people recognize their power within this system?

Photo of Re-use Hawai‘i workers at a deconstuction site. — Crew members salvage materials at deconstruction projects across the state.
Photos courtesy Re-use Hawai‘i

For 20 years, Re-use Hawaiʻi, has stepped into that question, transforming what looks like waste into opportunity. This year, we celebrate two decades of giving second chances to materials and people. We are proud of what we have built and grateful for the community that has made it possible. Friends, neighbors, donors, contractors, and volunteers, every action, large and small, contributes to this shared impact.

During Earth month, we reflect on our place within a living ecosystem. We are connected and interdependent, responsible not only for the land but for one another. Our tagline captures this belief: Re-use Hawaiʻi gives second chances to people and materials. In nature, nothing is wasted; everything transforms and finds new purpose. That principle guides the circular economy we champion through deconstruction services that reclaim lumber, tree milling that diverts wood from disposal, and workforce programs that employ individuals who are rebuilding their lives.

Every reclaimed plank, remodeled home, and second chance job becomes part of a larger story of community resilience, a story still being written and inviting participation.

Photos of furniture, tools, and other materials available at the Re-use Hawai‘i store — Furniture, tools, hardware, and other materials can be found at the Re-use Hawai‘i store.
Photos courtesy Re-use Hawai‘i

We invite everyone to visit Re-use Hawaiʻi to step into our ecosystem, experience our mission firsthand and explore ways to contribute to a healthier, more resilient Hawaiʻi. Caring for the ʻāina and each other is not just an idea. It is a daily practice. Together, through collective action and conscious choices, we can create ripples that last for generations.