Honolulu Weekly

Re-use Hawaii / Just a minute or so down the road from the bustle of Restaurant Row is a four-month-old warehouse full of old goods and young, energetic people. Welcome to Re-use Hawaii, a “home deconstruction” (as opposed to demolition) crew that dismantles commercial and residential buildings and salvages all re-usable material for sale to contractors and individuals. Re-use is a perfect example of the expansion of sustainable practices outside the realm of die-hard converts and into the wider economy—repurposing construction materials isn’t just for people who want to lessen their impact on the environment.

The financial and cultural advantages to utilizing Re-use Hawaii are also compelling in their own right. Materials salvaged from deconstructed buildings are considered a donation to Re-use, which is a non-profit organization. For those on that side of the equation, it’s a great tax benefit. On the consumer side, all materials available for purchase at the Re-use warehouse are generally 50–75 percent less expensive than going retail rates.

True, you are paying for used materials. But Re-use offers construction materials and hardware that are rare or impossible to get today on the island. All lumber in Hawaii is now imported, but the salvaged lumber from deconstruction, after all, is an inherently local product. Find for purchase rare redwood and mahogany planks (both are naturally termite resistant) and koa and ‘ohia floors. The planks of old-growth wood have a vertical grain with fewer knots and are “true dimension,” volunteer coordinator Kevin Landers said, pointing out that contemporary boards labeled with the same measurements are thinner. As for furniture and other hardware, “Clawfoot bathtubs go fast,” says warehouse manager Jordan Hart. Old-fashioned, thick glass doors are other examples of vintage fixtures available (if you get lucky enough on the timing of your visit).

There is an air of vision and of creativity in the young but fast-growing warehouse. Freshly painted signs now make it easier to find old-fashioned ceiling fans, flooring, literally everything including kitchen sinks. The staff offices being built have floors made from the old Punahou gym, with the lounge area housing green couches that once belonged to a bank. The eclectic nature of the offices-to-be is coordinated well and is an inspiring model for the possibilities of remodeling with used materials.

The future is bright for this organization and the community it hopes to serve. Youth outreach, workshops and a volunteer program are just a few of the plans in the works. For the time being, even those without a construction background can help Re-use by doing things such as removing nails from lumber. There are hopes for the warehouse to be open on weekends soon, as well.

As amazing as the work Re-use is doing, co-founder and co-executive director Selina Tarantino (with Quinn Vittum), Hart and Landers are all reluctant to give themselves titles of authority. “It’s a very flat organization,” they said. They want to stay committed to the cause and focus on the community.