Question: I am moving into a smaller place, and I can’t take all of my tools with me (plus I won’t have a need for them because I doubt I’ll be doing many home repairs where I am going). I have a jointer-planer, table saw and drills. All are clean and in good working order, but they are used. I checked some charities but they didn’t want them because they said they weren’t pristine enough for resale. It would be a shame to throw them away, and I am in no condition for a garage sale. Do you know of any nonprofit organizations that might accept these tools as a donation? I also have some smaller tools that are technically used because they are out of the box, but I barely got a chance to use them once, if at all. They are like new; I still have some of the boxes. My wife would say I am a “tool addict,” but my projects over the years improved the value of our home so she let me get away with it. These tools mean a lot to me and I would like to see them get a new home and maybe get a tax deduction.
Answer: Yes. Try Re-use Hawai‘i or the HNL Tool Library, both of which are at 200 Keawe Street, in Kakaako Makai behind the John A. Burns School of Medicine. These affiliated nonprofit organizations accept donations of new or used tools in good condition and can provide a receipt verifying that you have made a tax-deductible donation, said Carolyn Murren, the warehouse manager for Re-use Hawai‘i.
Re-use Hawai‘i provides space at its Kakaako Makai warehouse for the HNL Tool Library — which allows paying members to borrow tools for do-it-yourself projects — and also accepts donations on its behalf. When you drop off your tools, be sure to specify to which entity you are donating, as Re-use Hawai‘i and the HNL Tool Library will put your donations to different uses.
Tools donated to Re-use Hawai‘i may be sold, as are the building materials this licensed contractor salvages for reuse from Oahu buildings it deconstructs. Those given to the HNL Tool Library will be added to the inventory of tools available for members to borrow.
The tool library doesn’t accept donations of gas-powered tools or equipment so large and heavy that moving it requires lifting equipment, according to its website. You said your tools are in good condition, but we’ll mention for the benefit of other readers that this organization also considers donations of certain broken tools that staff members might be able to fix. You can contact them first to check whether they want your specific tools and to confirm when they’ll be open. Use the online contact form at 808ne.ws/toolcontact.
As noted, because the tool library has limited hours, Re-use Hawai‘i will accept tools as donations for itself or for the tool library. Re-use Hawai‘i is open as a retail location seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk, Murren said.
Or, to potentially save yourself a trip, email photos of the tools you wish to donate to donations@reusehawaii.org to verify that they are acceptable. You may also call 537-2228 for more information.
Auwe
Crime against seniors seems to be getting worse. This is not acceptable! We shouldn’t be afraid to go to the bus stop for our morning errands. — Chinatown resident
Mahalo
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the Hawaii Prince valet attendants for helping me with my stalled car Thursday at around 2 p.m. I had just finished dining at the 100 Sails Restaurant and Bar when my car stalled outside the hotel after stopping to make a call. The guys were so helpful. The unfortunate thing was that one guy who helped me left so fast I did not tip him. I also did not get his name. Sorry. Anyway, I am grateful for their help. Thank you! — Ted A.
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