Our Story

Better Bunny was founded in 2024 with a simple yet powerful mission: to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome rabbits in need while educating the public on proper rabbit care. What started as a passion project quickly grew into Oahu’s dedicated rabbit rescue, built on compassion, teamwork, and the belief that every bunny deserves a loving, responsible home.

 

Our journey began when our founder, Kealalawai (Lawai) Diaz, rescued her first rabbit, Cottontail. Like many first-time rabbit owners, Lawai purchased Cottontail on impulse, unaware of how much specialized care rabbits truly need. The pet store provided little information, and with few resources available, she made many beginner mistakes. Realizing she didn’t know enough, she spent hours researching proper rabbit care—learning about their diet, housing, social needs, and medical requirements. The more she learned, the more she understood how misunderstood rabbits are as pets. If she had struggled to find reliable information, she knew others must be facing the same challenges. Determined to make a difference, she founded Better Bunny at 15 years old—not only to rescue and rehabilitate rabbits but also to educate the community and prevent others from going through the same struggles.

 

After Better Bunny was founded, Cottontail developed severe health issues, including paralysis in his back legs and GI stasis. Caring for him deepened Lawai’s understanding of the medical challenges rabbits can face and reinforced her commitment to helping other rabbits in need. His resilience became a symbol of Better Bunny’s mission—to give every rabbit, no matter their circumstances, a second chance at a happy, healthy life.

 

Better Bunny is more than a rescue—it’s a community. We work alongside local veterinarians, volunteers, and foster families to ensure every rabbit receives the medical attention, care, and love they need. Through our adoption program, we match rabbits with responsible families, and through our educational outreach, we empower pet owners with the knowledge to provide the best possible care.

 

As a volunteer-run nonprofit, we rely on the dedication of our team and the generosity of our supporters. Whether you’re adopting, fostering, donating, or simply spreading awareness, you are helping us save lives. Together, we can create a better future for bunnies in Hawaii.

 

Cottontail’s story was just the beginning. Thanks to him, Better Bunny exists today—and every rabbit we save is part of his legacy.

 

Thank you for being part of our story.