Two Challenges
The Digital Divide
The Digital Divide
The Digital Divide
In Hawaiʻi, 8.2% of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders have no computer in their household, compared to 4% for our state's total population.
Electronic Waste
The Digital Divide
The Digital Divide
E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream and accounts for 70% of toxic waste in landfills. Yet less than 20% is recycled, and many of the advantages of recycling our island's e-waste, such as through reuse and precious metals recovery, largely benefit other communities.
The Response: The IT Reuse Hawaiʻi Project
collection
refurbishment
refurbishment
Computers are donated directly or received through e-waste collection at Mr. K's Recycle & Redemption Center. Data is securely wiped.
refurbishment
refurbishment
refurbishment
Hawaiʻi Community College IT students and other volunteers refurbish and recycle computers.
distribution
refurbishment
distribution
Computers are distributed to low-income individuals and families to achieve life goals through partners such as Hawaiʻi First FCU Community Resource Center.
training
refurbishment
distribution
New owners access free online digital literacy classes and other resources through the Hawaiʻi Public Library.
About IT Reuse Hawai1i
Project Objectives
- Strengthen our Island by sustainably and safely retaining assets and reducing e-waste.
- Support the life goals of low-income individuals and families in employment, education, financial empowerment, and access.
- Enhance IT education through hands-on experience.
Our Goal
Distribute 1,000 computers to Hawaiʻi Island individuals and families over the next 5 years
Secure Data Destruction
We provide complimentary data sanitization that is compliant with DOD, HIPAA and NIST 800-88. Donors receive documentation of verified data destruction for each device. Components that can't be reused are responsibly recycled through end recyclers that are R2 or e-Stewards certified.
We accept functioning Windows laptops and desktops that are ideally less than 10 years old.
Project Partners
- Hawaiʻi Community College
- Mr. K's Recycle & Redemption Center, Inc.
- Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union & Community Resource Center
- PCs for People - Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR)
- Hawaiʻi State Public Library - Hilo
- Pacific Pro-Tech Services
Project Team
- Michele Mitsumori, Project Coordinator, IT Reuse Hawaiʻi
- Dr. Carrie Butler, Program Coordinator & Assistant Professor, Business Education & Technology, Hawaiʻi Community College
IT Reuse Hawaiʻi is a project of the Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. EIN: 99-0279188