Support Goodwill: Donation FAQs

What happens to my donations?

When you drop off gently used clothing and household wares to Goodwill donation locations, across Oahu and in Hilo, you are helping someone find a job. The items are sorted, tagged, examined for quality control and sold at Goodwill’s retail locations. Goodwill’s retail operations have proven to be highly effective in generating the revenue needed to support the agency’s job placement and employment services, furthering the reach of the agency’s mission. Also, Federal law provides that clothing and household goods must be in "good used condition or better" for tax deductions.

What donations does Goodwill need the most?

Goodwill Industries is looking for any of the following items that are in clean, saleable condition. Our definition of clean, saleable condition is.....you would give it to a good friend.
* Women's, men's and children's clothing
* Kitchen and housewares
* Dishes, pots & pans, cooking & serving containers
* Shoes and boots
* Books
* Linens and domestic items
* Stuffed animals
* Collectibles

There are exceptions regarding certain items. Please call (808) 836-WORK (9675) for additional information.

How do I know if Goodwill cannot use something?

Some items cost more to transport, repair or refurbish than they can be sold for in our stores, taking money away from our mission. Others are not recyclable or contain hazardous waste, and present potential liability issues. Goodwill cannot use or cannot accept and therefore declines donations of the following items:

* Toys - Due to the recent product recalls and safety concerns, Goodwill is currently not accepting any toys with the exception of stuffed animals.
* Any Disassembled Machinery or Furniture; Wall/Bathroom fixtures
* Aquariums (Used; needs cleaning)
* Baby Car Seats, Strollers, Swings, Cribs, High Chairs, Booster Seats, Walkers, Bouncers, Playpens, Gates, Changing Tables, Used Baby Bathtubs
* Beds, Bunk Beds, Mattresses, Box Springs, Bed Frames, Hospital Beds
* Bicycles (Used, Rusty or Needing Repair; Tires must be inflated)
* Car Parts, Tires, Wheels or Tool Sheds
* Chemicals, Paints, Poisons, Oils, Etc.
* Computers, Laptops, Old Monitors (except flat screen), Accessories - Mouse, Keyboards,
Printers, Scanners; Fax Machines, Copy Machines
* Display cases or store fixtures
* Electronic equipment that needs to be cleaned; or need repair
* Exercise Equipment; Stationery Bikes
* Firearms, Weapons
* Furniture (Office/Home)
* Halogen Lamps
* Ironing Boards that are used; need repair
* Lawn Mowers
* Major Appliances (i.e. Stoves, Refrigerators, Washers, Dryers, Water heaters.)
* Metal Desks, Metal Cabinets
* Microwave Ovens that need cleaning; or need repair
* Newspapers, Magazines, Encyclopedias, Textbooks
* Non-Framed Mirrors
* Outdoor Swing Sets
* Tanks - Helium, Propane, Oxygen (Scuba)
* Tires
* Toilet Seats, Bed Pans
* Torn, Dirty, Stained or Damaged Items
* TV Consoles; TVs larger than 19" or older than 5 years
* Used Bathroom, Kitchen, Light Fixtures
* Vacuum Cleaners that need to be cleaned; or needing repair; or missing parts/accessories. Dust bags must be removed before it can be accepted
* Wall to Wall Carpets and Pads

It's best to call (808) 836-WORK (9675) to double-check the acceptability of questionable items.

What's an ADC?

For added donor convenience, Goodwill has developed our community Attended Donation Center (ADC) program. This innovative program provides staffed donation drive centers in various neighborhoods throughout Oahu. Visit our Goodwill ADC locations at:

Hawaii Kai Park and Ride

Kahala Mall (near California Pizza Kitchen)

Kapahulu (Campbell Ave.)

Kapolei (on Kamokila Blvd. next to Ace Hardware)

Pearl City Shopping Center

Royal Kunia Park and Ride

Town Center of Mililani

Waipio Shopping Center

Windward City Shopping Center (near Starbucks)
Our friendly Goodwill Donation Attendant will help you with your donations and provide you with a donation receipt for tax purposes.

For a current list of Goodwill ADC sites and hours of operation, please visit the "Locations" section of our website. Or, call us at 836-WORK (9675).

How can I donate on the weekend?

For your convenience, all of our retail stores are open 7 days/week. All Goodwill retail stores accept donations and the cashier will gladly provide you with a donation receipt for tax purposes. Our Attended Donation Center (ADC) program provides staffed donation drive centers in various neighborhoods throughout Oahu. Visit our Goodwill ADC locations at:

Hawaii Kai Park and Ride

Kahala Mall (near California Pizza Kitchen)

Kapahulu (Campbell Ave.)

Kapolei (on Kamokila Blvd. next to Ace Hardware)

Pearl City Shopping Center

Royal Kunia Park and Ride

Town Center of Mililani

Waipio Shopping Center

Windward City Shopping Center (near Starbucks)

Our friendly Goodwill Donation Attendant will help you with your donations and provide you with a donation receipt, for tax purposes.

Doesn't Goodwill repair things anymore?

Goodwill asks that donations be in clean, resaleable condition. Why? Don't you repair things any more?

No, items are processed and sold as they are. The costs and liability associated with cleaning and refurbishing items has risen dramatically in the past several years. The better the condition of the donation, the more it helps keep collection, processing and waste disposal costs in control - which benefits our job training and employment services programs.

			PROMOTIONS Redeem your HI5 cans and bottles with Goodwill!				MISSION Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Inc. helps people with employment barriers to reach their full potential and become self-sufficient.