Goodwill Goes Glam! presented by Bank of Hawai’i Foundation — Goodwill Hawaiʻi’s signature fundraiser that supports its workforce development programs — returns this year from July 16 to 18 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Tickets are still available here.
To celebrate its 15th year, Goodwill Goes Glam! has collabed with Buddah Mochi on an exclusive "bucha bag," included with the purchase of a ticket for the Gala Dinner and VIP fashion show. The special-edition anniversary bag will be available for purchase as supplies lasts across the three-day event for $20, according to the nonprofit’s COO Casie Busi.
“It’s really exciting,” she told Aloha State Daily. “The show itself is going to be a little bit different this year with a live Broadway-style performance by Kristian Lei and the Honolulu Broadway Babies, in addition to performances by Hawai‘i Krump Movement.”
Hawai‘i-based fashion and lifestyle designer Valerie Joseph, founder of POSHd, is producing the fashion show, as well as the “DJ Edit” of curated home décor to view or purchase as a collection. She’ll also be doing styling sessions, including the viral color matching.
“Looking back at the last 15 years, we are so grateful for all the support,” Bui said. “It’s also afun way to provide opportunities to local fashion industry and creatives. I think the main message is that we’re not just a thrift store. Donating to Goodwill and shopping in our stores make a direct impact to community.”
She added that in January, Goodwill Hawaiʻi began setting items aside for the sale, which is free to attend for the public. Parking is available at McKinley High School for free, while at the Blaisdell costs a fee.
Close to 4,000 shoppers are expected to be in attendance in total, which has increased from about 2,800 shoppers when the event first started in 2012 and spanned four days, per the nonprofit. This year’s fundraising goal remains the same as last year at $400,000.
Monies raised from Goodwill Goes Glam! are “reinvested back to into our community,” Bui said.
“It supports programs for free job placements and services that help thousands of local people from backgrounds of low income, immigration, incarceration, those with any type of employment barriers and gives them the ability to become self-sufficient and empower them through work.
She notes that its mission is possible through partnerships with for-profits and nonprofits, alike. Not to mention, being a part of Goodwill’s nationwide network. Bui said that after the Kona Low storms in March, “everyone helped each other,” and they were able to disperse 90,000 vouchers across three islands for affected families to redeem at their stores through the end of the year.
“Similar to how things donated to our stores get a second life, our aim is to give people a second chance in life.”
Goodwill Hawaiʻi served about 9,000 individuals statewide thanks to $22 million in revenues from its retail stores, among grants and other philanthropic funding, according to its 2024-2025 annual report.
Bui says new stores such as the one in Hilo that opened in February are typically funded via capital campaign. On Oʻahu, the expansion of the flagship Goodwill Store and Donation Center on Beretania Street cost $11 million over 2.5 years. Last month, the Kāneʻohe store reopened after major renovations, per Instagram.
She joined the nonprofit, which has approximately 485 full- and part-time employees, in July 2024 after a nearly 20-year career at Aloha Petroleum. When making the career shift, she said that besides from looking to give back, she grew up thrifting and continues to enjoy it.
“I’m seeing it from all angles now. Doing great work and running like a business — operationally we have the same struggles from rent to wages,” Bui said. “What resonates with me is whenever I come across people who have got help from our programs, just seeing that effort, the fruit, of how we made a difference in their lives.”
For more information, visit goodwillhawaii.org.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
