On the Facebook page “Sell your stuff @ BYU–Hawaii,” students are able to buy textbooks, fans, food, and even cars. International and domestic students find it’s great to get used stuff for cheap, and it’s good for students leaving to get rid of stuff.
“It’s great for a college campus because we are so far away from other kinds of stores,” said Bethany Hatch, sophomore studying psychology from Canada. “You get to reuse what everyone else has been using for super cheap, super accessible, and it’s super close.”
As of Aug. 17, there were more than 7,700 members on the page and the number continues to climb as more people get added. This may include community members and former students who have either left or remained in Laie.
“I used to serve here as a missionary,” said Loren Sharmaine S. Gementiza, a freshman studying accounting from the Philippines. “I know a lady and she did a garage sale, and she usually posts in ‘sell your stuff.’ It’s been helpful for her to get rid off that stuff. I think it’s good to have students take advantage of that.”
Talking about the thousands of members on the site, Genesis Danielle Cahigas, a graduate in biomedical studies from the Philippines, said, “It’s a whole community now. It’s a small community, but they help each other out.”
“Sell your stuff” has also been a good way to get attention and find things that have been lost or stolen. On Feb. 25, 2015, an engagement ring was lost but was found again when posted on “sell your stuff,” according to the Ke Alaka‘i website.
“It’s the best way to get the attention of people,” said Cahigas. “It’s a good page to ask someone [for help]. It’s like a community base. So if you want help with the community, it’s easier to get help from the page.”
Bikes have been stolen and sometimes found on the website. “It’s a nice community aspect,” said Hatch. “Everyone was able to connect and know about this bike. They found it, and it’s kind of like an opportunity. It’s a bonding experience almost. I feel like helping each other is how we grow stronger as a collective.”
“Sell your stuff” is very helpful for new freshmen. Some freshmen, especially those coming internationally, do not have essential items. “It’s helped us,” said Gementiza. “It’s very convenient, especially for us, because we’re a freshman and we don’t have sufficient stuff. ... We get that stuff that we need to have. Books, alarm clocks, and things that it pops up.”
Nozomi Takashima, a freshman from Japan studying accounting, said she always “checks the page. When I came here, I had nothing to live [on].”
While “sell your stuff @ BYU–Hawaii” may be a good place to sell secondhand goods, it is also a good place to meet new people and offer service. “You have the chance to meet a stranger,” said Gementiza. On the page, she purchased a book she needed at a price she could afford. “It was like she was sent by an angel,” said Gementiza of the person who sold her the book.