Goodwill Hawai‘i relocating Hilo store, donation center to new campus

Goodwill Hawai‘i announces that the Hilo store and donation center is relocating to its Hawai‘i Island campus.

The new location at the campus, located at 17 Maka‘ala Street, offers a larger retail space, more parking and convenient donation drop-off point.

A grand opening celebration at the new location is set for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 13, featuring free Goodwill gift cards for the first 100 customers — age 18 and older — in line. Festivities will include giveaways, refreshments and entertainment by KWXX’s Breakfast Lūʻau host Kat.

“We are excited to be entering this new chapter for our Hilo store and donation center, and to be able to provide a more meaningful experience for our shoppers, donors and the entire community who have been incredibly supportive of our organization for the past 20-plus years,” said Godwill Hawai‘i President and Chief Executive Officer Katy Chen in an announcement about the move and grand opening. “This transition represents an important milestone in Goodwill Hawai‘i’s continued investment in Hawai‘i Island and the communities we serve.”

The move marks the second phase of Goodwill’s long-term plan to consolidate its retail business and human services programs at one integrated location to better serve the East Hawaiʻi community.

It’s a $6.25 million site — consisting of four buildings and purchased in 2023 by Goodwill Hawai‘i — that has been undergoing renovations to upgrade the infrastructure and bring the buildings and parking lot up to code to accommodate the various needs of Goodwill programs and services.

Employment programs, adult day health for individuals with disabilities and immigrant resource center relocated to the new campus in 2024.

Goodwill is building an all-new 12,000-square-foot air-conditioned retail store and processing center as part of the final phase of the project. It is expected to be completed by 2027.

A recycling center, offering textile recycling and secure document shredding services, also will be located at the new campus.

The current Goodwill Hilo Store and Donation Center, located at 266 Kanoelehua Ave., will remain open for normal business hours through Feb. 7.

Revenue generated in Goodwill stores is reinvested back into the community and support free job training, education and mentoring programs for more than 8,000 Hawai‘i residents annually.

One-third of the people who received assistance from Goodwill last year were from East Hawai‘i.

Visit the Goodwill Hawai‘i website for additional information or with any questions about the nonprofit organization’s mission and programs.