The 2nd annual NIKE Reuse-a-shoe campaign for Earth Month kicks off with a press conference by Hannemann at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at Honolulu Hale.

More than a decade ago, Nike began collecting post-consumer athletic shoes of any brand and grinding them up to create a range of raw materials under the Nike Grind (NG) brand. That can be made into new sport surfaces like soccer fields, basketball courts and playground surfacing, eliminating waste and promoting physical activity.

Last year, more than 6,000 pairs of shoes and this year's goal is 10,000 pairs.

The Honolulu Fire Department started collecting shoes at their stations around the island months ago and will be dropping their collected shoes off at a drive-through curb service on Kalaimoku Street on April 29th.

Activities throughout Earth Month include:

i School Shoe Recycling Contest - Collect old shoes and your school can win a customized Nike equipment package for your school. Schools may call Niketown at 808-983-5804, for a packet.

i Creative Recycled Kicks Contest - Kids and grown-ups can win a new pair of Nike shoes by turning an old pair into something useful or a piece of art. The contest will be held at our main event on April 29th.

i Save on a new pair of shoes at Niketown – Bring in any brand pair of athletic shoes to recycle throughout April, and get a discount coupon worth $10 off on a new pair of Nike footwear. (Minimum $50 purchase. Only one coupon per purchase, not to be combined with any other offers.)

i Reuse-A-Shoe Community Shoe Recycling Day at Niketown, April 29th, 9 a.m.~2 p.m. - Help build a "mountain' of shoes for recycling, visit environmental displays, listen to music, enjoy free refreshments from Jamba Juice, and find out who won the school and Creative Kicks contests.