Participate in a “share fair” and give new life to old treasures, learn how to mend clothing from expert stitchers, get crafty with a plant-stamping activity, and enjoy free food and drinks — all while learning sustainable habits! — at a University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu Earth Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, at the Outdoor Learning Space.
The event is presented by the UH West O‘ahu Student Activity Fee Board in collaboration with the UH West O‘ahu Student Organic Garden and Nā Pale O Kualaka‘i Aloha ‘Āina Club.
There will be raspberry iced tea with fresh fruits — raspberries, blueberries, and oranges — served in reusable mason jars for students to take home, as well as poi stew made with ingredients from our very own UH West O‘ahu Student Organic Garden (all while supplies last, must be a UH West O‘ahu student with a validated ID). Attendees will also be able to engage with various student organizations and campus departments throughout the celebration.
Pueo Share Fair
One of the highlights of the Earth Day event is the Pueo Share Fair, which will be open to students, faculty, and staff. The fair is an opportunity to reduce waste, reuse items, and give back to others.
Participants are welcome to bring gently used clothing or household items in good condition for the fair, and find their own hidden treasures others brought to take home. (Even if you do not bring an item, you are welcome to take something home!) Any leftover items from the Pueo Share Fair will be donated to charities and nonprofits.
Organizers are currently accepting donations for the Pueo Share Fair and offer this list of possible items to bring:
- Clothing (all styles and sizes are welcome)
- Accessories
- Household Items
Is your item in good condition? Some things to consider:
- Are any parts broken or missing affecting the use of the product?
- Check for any extensive stains, rips, or tears.
- If damage is unfixable/repairable, don’t bring items.
- Would you give this item to a good friend?
If rip, tears, and stains are not big inside (per say about ½ inch), organizers will be able to put it out at the fair.
Dropoff instructions:
- Drop off your items in advance, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. now through Tuesday, April 21 (excluding the weekend), at the Student Life Center in Campus Center 214, next to the elevators.
- Stop by anytime during the Earth Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, to drop off items and take home anything that you can make use of!
‘Āina-to-Kino Workshop: Visible Mending
Another activity that will be part of the campus’ Earth Day celebrations will be the UH West O‘ahu Student Organic Garden event, ‘Āina-to-Kino Workshop: Visible Mending, also taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m in the Outdoor Learning Space.
Participants can bring to the workshop an article of clothing/textile with small holes or tears that needs mending, and get hands-on support from experienced stitchers using “sashiko” stitching, a traditional Japanese form of functional embroidery.
Learn how to visibly mend clothes, which workshop organizers say is a great way to prolong the life of your clothing, resist consumer culture/fast fashion, and decrease waste. They also note the mental health benefits of this practice — meditative with its repetitive, rhythmic stitching.
For more information about ‘Āina-to-Kino Workshop: Visible Mending, email tasiay@hawaii.edu.
Cardboard donations, volunteers
Earth Day event organizers are also looking for:
- Cardboard donations to support the UH West O‘ahu Student Organic Garden. The cardboard, which can be dropped off anytime at the event, will be used for sheet mulching (weed suppression) for the garden. The donations should be brown cardboard at least 2 feet by 2 feet, larger pieces preferred; preferably with any staples and tape removed; and uncoated, regular cardboard (no glossy or slick-finished boxes, like cereal boxes).
- Volunteers to help make the event happen! To volunteer, sign up here.
To learn more about the Earth Day event at UH West O‘ahu, email safbwo@hawaii.edu.
Th Earth Day event and the ‘Āina-to-Kino Workshop: Visible Mending are among the “50 Acts of Pueo Pride” — events highlighted as part of the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu’s 50th anniversary in 2026.
