March 24, 2011
Volume 95: Issue 12
Ke Alaka i THE LEADER
r e d i s a e S THE
GUIDE
to
GOOD CLEAN FUN!
SPECIAL ISSUE
Front cover: Pictured at Temple Beach, Lael Prince, Nathan McDonald, Sarah Chandler, Dave Borchardt, Keli’i Wesley, and Leonardo Li. For more photos and the story, go to page 6, Photo by Sam Sukimawa
Table of Contents
Ke Alaka i March 24, 2011 • Volume 95: Issue 12
Amanda hansen e di tor-i n - c h ie f
KENT CAROLLO art director
Valerie bagley e di tor-i n - c h ie f
LEEANN LAMBERT advisor
SENIOR EDITORS Ni col e Cl a rk B l ake Ba x te r
graphics TEAM Joan Yau Naomi Yanga
photo EDITOR Sam Suki m aw a
VideO EDITOR Lindsay Bancroft
4
‘A Winter’s Tale”: Shakespeare play sells out several nights in a row
6
More on the Shore: Creative beach activities
10
Fun ideas to improve your legal bonfire
16
Try these rainy day pastimes to brighten a dreary day
photoGRAPHERS B art Jo l l e y De w e y K e i t h l y Amy Smith
Multimedia journalists Carrie Collingridge, Ma g g i e J o hns o n, Jam es Choi, Kel s ey E l d er Aaron Puzey , Na tha n P a ck er , Tay lor Rippy, A b b i e J o nes , As hl en Q uirant e, Marissa El d er , M a r ni Va i l , Xa unta l Bright m an , Sav a nna h P i p k i n
INTERNS
web design
R ac h e l A u Ie on g S u zann e Tu ttle
Rachel Au Ieong Ad manager A aron Knu d s e n
Email: kealakai@byuh.edu AD INFO: KEALAKAIADS@GMAIL.COM Phone: ( 80 8 ) 6 7 5 - 3 6 9 4 Fax: (80 8) 6 7 5 - 3 4 9 1 Office: C am pu s A loh a C e n t e r R o o m 1 34 News Center Box 1920 BYUH Laie, HI 96762
Publisher Print Services
Edi tori al , ph oto su bm ission s & d i s t r i b u t i o n i nqu i r i es: k e alak ai@by u h .ed u . T o s u b s c r i b e t o th e RSS FEED or to v ie w a d d i t i o n a l a r t i c l e s , g o to keal a k ai. by u h .e du .
2
Ke Alaka‘i
Robert R. Holland D.C., L.M.T.
CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE THERAPY Specializing in Medical Massage and Soft Tissue
Rehabilitation for Whiplash Injury, Neck Pain and Back Pain No Fault Insurance Accepted
KAHUKU-NORTHSHORE 56-119 Pualalea Street
TEL:293-0122
Bike path dedication unites community Six roasted pigs, raffles for bikes and a performance by Laie’s own Joe Ah Quin highlighted the dedicated of what is known to locals as “The Bike Path.” The construction of the Malaekahana Bike Path broke ground in September of 2010 and after months of construction, the path was dedicated on the morning of March 22nd 2011. The 1.2-mile-long and 9-foot-wide project stretches from Laie to Kahuku, providing students and community members a safer path than the ditch that existed before. This was a collaborated effort that had many
contributing hands. Contributions included donations from Local businesses such as Iosepa Electric, Laie Concrete, and Hawaii Reserve, Inc. Community members that contributed their time and efforts to this project attended the dedication. Kevin Shlag, board member of the Laie Community Association said, “More than 275 people from Sunset Beach to Punaluu volunteered more than 800 hours of service for this project.” Trent Johnson, senior in political science from California said, “The benefits of this path are a lot. To name a few it gives a safe way for the community to exercise, it provides a rout for students to go to and from school and it is a fun family environment where friends and family can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Hawaii. The significance of this bike path is that it is the first physical accomplishment of Envision Laie. It is a huge step towards the community progressing.” The David O. McKay Center for
Intercultural Understanding played a significant role in representing the student body of BYUH in the volunteer efforts towards the path. Mason Isom, currently serves as an intern overlooking the student involvement in the organization and a junior in international cultural studies from Hauula, HI. Mason said, “It was a great opportunity for students to get involved in a community project. Helping build the path brought the students and the community together.” President Steven Wheelwright was also in attendance at the dedication. He said, “Without the combined efforts of HRI and Envision Laie, the path wouldn’t have happened. It’s a significant move forward towards building a more unified community. I feel that it is extremely important for students to get involved in these projects. In 10-15 years, they will be a part of communities. Be involved. Start now.” -J ame s choi
‘TheWinter’s Tale’ Shakespeare’s epic depicts battle between good and evil
“It is requir’d you doe awake your Faith.” These eight small words set the tone for the Shakespearean play “The Winter’s Tale” put on by the Fine Arts Department the weekend of March 16th. The Winter’s Tale told the story of King Leontes, his Queen Hermione and those closest to them while depicting the epic battle between good and evil. “They really did a masterful job,” said Daniel Malinconico, a freshman in international cultural studies from New Jersey. “They did an excellent job portraying emotion, they had a great grip on Shakespearean dialect and you could really feel the emotions behind their words.” Though the moral of the story was serious, the play was riddled with a fair amount of humor. “It’s wonderful to hear the audience laugh at the jokes” even though most of the audience is not used to Shakespearean English, said Angela Broderick, a senior in English from Arizona. Angela Broderick played Dorcas and a member of the media. With only 85 seats in the house, the audience was able to sit on stage around the performers. The performers walked up and down the aisles and interacted with the audience. “There’s more of a chance to get involvement with the audience and it gives them the chance to play off one another’s laughter,” said Erich Baehr, a community member participating in the play through the role of Florizel. Even students, like Lacee Kurtz, who were working had the ability to enjoy it. “I love ushering and getting to watch the play,” 4
Ke Alaka‘i
Students, faculty and community combined in the production of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale,” performed on the McKay stage March 16-19. Photos by Amy Smith
said Kurtz, a sophomore education major from Ohio. Those who participated enjoyed portraying and meeting different people and portray characters unlike themselves. “I most enjoyed getting to pick a fight onstage, when in reality I love the people I’m fighting with,” shared Broderick. Mariah Hunt, junior in international cultural studies from California who plays a palace attendant and cleaning lady said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to work with other people. There are a lot of good actors in this play. It’s nice to get to interact with people that I wouldn’t normally interact with,” Baehr said, “My favorite part of my character is that I get to by dynamic – I fly off the handle when I’m mad, I act like a moron when I’m confused, I get to spout off beautiful poetry to the character I love, I basically get to be Prince Charming for a week,” depicted Baehr. Malinconico said her favorite part was Paulina. “She did a wonderful job of chastising Leontes over the death of the queen. She was a powerful woman who wouldn’t bow to masculine dominance. If you missed it you really missed out on a hidden treasure of the school.” Baehr encouraged students to attend the plays. He said, “It’s really important to come to these plays and keep on supporting the theater program. BYU-Hawaii needs it.”
- XAU NTAL BRIGHTMA N
getting x-rays with the other positive cases, she had seen her own doctor and was okayed to continue attending school. However, there was no further There were two questions about tuberculosis contact between her and her doctor, or with and the tsunami that stood out at the Presi- the Health Center, allowing the TB to progress. President Steven Wheelwright and his dent’s Q&A on March 21. advisors assured audience members that if the They discussed a situation where there was the lack of adequate treatment and case was discovered to be contagious, then those who were exposed would be informed. correspondence about a student who tested Two questions were asked regardpositive for tuberculosis (TB). The student’s name was not disclosed, but some of the at- ing the tsunami: how the tsunami watch itself tendees expressed concern about the possibil- was handled, and about the decision to hold ity of the disease having reached a contagious school the following day. Bliss answered the first part of the stage, and whether students and faculty who question about the safety procedures: “I think had been exposed would be informed. there were a few little bumps,” he said. Mike Bliss, who had reviewed the Helena Hannonen, a business mansituation, answered, “I just found out about this [recently], so I am not sure of all the de- agement professor, asked about aspects the tails. But my next thought is to find out what school’s reaction to the warning, including a stage this is in and whether that’s an issue.” less-than-thorough campus sweep. “I wonder about a few of the things He said the student had tested positive and, rather than following the usual procedure of that were missing in the disaster procedures.
Presi dent’s Q&A addresses a possible TB contagion and post-tsunami concerns
For one thing, a campus sweep,” said Hannonen. “There were students in the accounting lab… and the gym that didn’t know what was going on.” Bliss said security had swept the campus but may have missed some areas. Both Wheelwright and Bliss said there was “no set policy for this yet” and there would be a meeting to evaluate university policies. The decision to hold school the following day may be one thing that looks negative from hindsight. Wheelwright commented that “philosophically, it is always the case that students and faculty take [individual] responsibility for deciding if it is safe to go to school.” With respect to those who may have suffered grade penalties for not attending classes on March 11, Wheelwright suggested students first talk to their professor and then, if they still feel they are being treated unfairly, to appeal to the department heads.
-KELSEY ELDER
MARCH 24, 2011
5
Good Clean Fun! THE SEASIDER GUIDE TO GOOD TIMES
Pictured: Leonardo Li, Nathan McDonald, Dave Borchardt, Keli’i Wesley, and Ambree Klem. Photo by Sam Sukimawa
6
Ke Alaka’i
More on the Shore:
Pictured: Rachelle Christy, Sarah Chandler, Kayla Afoa, Marvelyn Santeco, and Lael Prince. Photo by Sam Sukimawa
way to bring everyone together and challenge each other. 3. Sports and Aerobics- Exercising on the beach is a great way to tone and build muscles. Jasmine Hansen, a junior in international cultural studies said, “Volleyball s we live next to the North Shore, the like Kahana Bay Beach Park are ripe with and Frisbee are so much fun and playing on beach is oftentimes the foundation of our opportunities for fishing. Places like Sharks weekend fun. Even when we aren’t swimCove and Three Tables are popular locations the beach and under the sun just makes exming or tanning, the beach is in the backto spearfish on the North Shore amongst the ercising more desirable.” Sports like football, Frisbee, soccer, and volleyball are a perfect drop, playing a role in our leisure activities. spearfishing community. Here are some fun, creative activities that 2. Picnics- No matter the meal, the way to make exercising more enjoyable. After can be done any day or night and are sure to beach is always a good place to have a picnic. all the fun in the sand, swimming can be a make the beach a bigger blast than ever. Whether it’s muffins at sunrise or a romantic great way to cool off and burn some calories. dinner at sunset, the beach is one of the best Tread water or race your friends to make swimming more physically challenging. 1. Fishing- What better way to places to eat. If you’re the competitive type, Continued on Page 8 relax and get free food then fishing? Spots BBQ cook-off on the beach could be a great
CREATIVE BEACH ACTIVITIES A
Early B i r d s
march 24, 2011
7
4. Go Fly a Kite-They don’t call this side of Oahu the Windward side for nothing. When the wind picks up and the clouds cover the sun a bit, don’t fret, fly a kite instead. Kite making is simple and cheap and can be a fun date idea. If you don’t feel the creative spark flowing, go to Foodland and pick up a kite that embodies the kid in you; kites with Hello Kitty, Spiderman, and Dora the Explorer can lead to a day of childlike fun and tend to be decently priced.
N igh t O w l s
1. Night swimming- There’s nothing like the thrill of poor visibility and Oahu’s late night waves to get the adrenaline going. 8
Ke Alaka‘i
Come partake of the natural rollercoaster readily available to you on the North Shore. 2. Star-Gazing- The heavens are beautiful to behold when on the beach. Take a friend and stop to appreciate the wonders of the universe. Name constellations and talk about your horoscopes. Kaytlyn Sierra Murphy, a sophomore from Utah said, “I think my favorite place to look at the stars at night is on the beach. It is so beautiful. The stars fill the entire sky and disappear into the water. The world we live in is absolutely amazing.” 3. Movie Madness-Who says you can’t have the best of both
Pictured: Lael Prince, Nathan McDonald, Keli’i Wesley, Leonardo Li, Addison Kirk, and Dave Borchardt. Photo by Sam Sukimawa
worlds? Take the lackadaisical attitude of the indoors and combine it with the excitement and ever changing backdrop of the outdoors for a picture perfect evening. Jennifer Ruggles a freshman art major from Texas said, “The beach is relaxing to be at while watching a movie. Instead of worrying about all the noise in lounges or the GCB you can have quiet at the beach.” Whether you’re into horror, comedies, romance, or action films, the beach can enhance your movie watching experience. 4. Camping- Camping is a fantastic way to build friendships and experience the great outdoors. According to www.andHawaii.
Pictured: Keli’i Wesley and Rachelle Christy. Photos by Sam Sukimawa
com, Malaekahana Beach Park, Sand Island State Recreation Area, Kahana Valley State Park, and Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area are the best campgrounds on the island and are located right near the shore. They also report, “Most state parks have a campsite fee of $5.00 or $10.00, and you need a permit (free).” The beaches of Oahu are truly gathering places for all who appreciate them. So go out and enjoy the sand, the water and the sun!
-MA RISSA ELDER
march 24, 2011
9
Be yo n d S ’ m o re s S’mo res and Starbur s t s —y ou c a n n e v e r go wr on g wit h t h e s e c a m p fi r e cl a s s i cs . Ho wever, if yo u’ re lo o k in g t o a d d s om e v a r ie t y t o y ou r c a m p f ir e m e n u w e’ve co m piled a f ew recipes that will h a v e y ou r t a s t e b u d s b u r n in g f or s om e op e n- f l a m e f un . B a n a n a B o ats
C am pf ire cupca ke s
Pocke t P izza
Ingredients: 1 banana Mini marshmallows Chocolate chips Tin foil Hot dog stick or grill
Ingredients: 3 oranges 1 box cake mix
Ingredients: 1 package pita bread 1 can spaghetti sauce 1 cup grated cheese 1 package sliced, pre-cooked pepperoni Optional: sliced olives, pineapple chunks, peppers, etc.
Directions: Slit banana down the long way, without removing skin. Fill the banana with marshmallows and chocolate chips, then wrap the banana with tin foil. Cook until chocolate chips are melted. Check and make sure it is not burning every so often. When it is done, put it on a plate and use a spoon to eat it out of the skin. Taken from: http:// dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/nature/camp/ recipe.htm
Directions: Cut the oranges in half. Remove the insides and save for a healthy snack. Prepare the cake mix according to package cupcake directions. Fill each hollow orange cup about halfway with the cake batter and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Cook batter side up in hot coals for 5 to 10 minutes or until done. This is also a great way to cook muffins while your camping. Taken from: http:// www.summitcampinggear.com/recipes.html
Directions: Cut each pita in half and spoon spaghetti sauce into pocket spreading it evenly. Add cheese, pepperoni, and other toppings. Wrap in foil and place in coals. Cook for a couple minutes, flip, and cook another two minutes. Taken from: http:// www.boyscouttrail.com/content/recipe/ recipe-189.asp - Ashle n Quirant e
Bonfires are legal... if you follow the rules Social events and gatherings in Hawaii often draw up the prospect of having a bonfire to light up the action. However, bonfires are regarded as a risk and require adherence to legal procedures and permission. “Usually bonfires are a part of school or other social functions,” said a representative on the Fire Prevention Bureau at the Honolulu Fire Department. A copy of “Fire Safety Guidelines for Bonfires” can be obtained from any local fire department or from the Honolulu Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau (HFDFPB) at 808-723-7153. “We have guidelines that we provide to people requesting to do a bonfire,” said a representative with the Fire Preven10
Ke Alaka‘i
tion Bureau. According to the bureau, the first step is to get permission from the property owner of the location at which the bonfire is planned. The next step is to get permission from the Fire Chief via a written request submitted 14 days prior to the event, including the time, date, and location. Third is to inform the Honolulu Fire Department Communication Center (808-523-4411) 10 to
20 minutes before lighting the fire. The fire must be at least 50 feet away from any buildings, structures, or other combustible materials, like bushes, trees and grass. A garden hose has to be kept on hand in case the fire grows out of control and flames need to be extinguished. In addition, a designated individual who is knowledgeable and capable of tending fires is to remain onsite at all times. Fires are also permitted at campsites in the cooking receptacles and fire pits, which are provided, as long as the fire is being used for the purpose of preparing food. “You have to be cooking something, not just burning wood to keep warm or light up an area at the beach,” said the Fire Department. - CARRIE CO LLINGRIDGE
Pictured: Nathan McDonald, Keli’i Wesley, Leonardo Li, Addison Kirk, and Dave Borchardt. Photo by Sam Sukimawa
Beating Bonfire Boredom
guard. The guard is given a flashlight and chooses an object to protect, such as a large piece of driftwood, a coconut, or a bag of marshmallows. Everyone else is a ninja. Their is to approach the object undetected STUDENTS FIRE UP CREATIVE JUICES WITH COOL ACTIVITIES goal and touch it. The guard attempts to catch the ninja by shining the flashlight on them and calling their name before they touch the f you are bored at bonfires, BYU-Hawaii education-elementary education from Utah. object. The flashlight is only allowed to be on students have some ideas for creative activiAnother option is to see who can for 3 seconds at a time, and if the guard calls ties to engage in, whether you are throwing eat a marshmallow in the most layers, peeling out the wrong name the ninja is safe. But if the bonfire or crashing a friend’s. off only the toasted portion, eating it, and they are caught, they are out. The first ninja “It’s just not a bonfire without then re-toasting the marshmallow. to touch the object or the last ninja to keep marshmallows,” said Monique Mullenaux, a If you’re enjoying the marshmalfrom getting caught wins! senior majoring in psychology from Arizona. lows and are in the mood for a good laugh, a “Usually at a bonfire we sit around The possibilities for bonfire activities using game of chubby bunny is in order. The goal and sing while someone plays the uke or marshmallows are nearly endless. You can of this game is simple: stuff as many marsh- guitar. We swim, catch crabs, or just hang begin with the standard fallback of making mallows in your mouth as possible, then try out and talk story,” said Arianna Ahlstrom, s’mores—classic and delicious. and say “chubby bunny” without losing any a junior in exercise and sports science from For competitive folks, there’s the of the marshmallows. Be prepared—it gets North Carolina. option of having a marshmallow-roasting pretty amusing! contest. “I love having a contest to see who “Playing a game of Ninja is always can get a marshmallow the most golden a ton of fun,” said Kelsey Evans, a junior in - XAU NTAL BRIGHTMA N brown without burning it. I always win,” elementary education from California. To said Jordan Forte, a sophomore in special play Ninja, one person is selected to be the
I
MARCH 24, 2011
11
BAck to Fads CHILDHOOD TRADITIONS BYU-HAWAII STUDENTS CHERISH BYU-Hawaii students are products of an era full of some of the best children’s toys and board games. From Furbie to Hot Wheels, the market for children’s play things was certainly booming while students on this campus were growing up. Here are some of the most popular childhood fads of our generation. Some of the popular board games began to spring up in department stores that got movie makeovers were Clue, Operaand markets across the world. Some of the tion, and Trivial Pursuit. Other classics such popular robot based toys included Animorphs as Chess, Checkers, Mancala, and Go either Stuffed Transformers and Rocket ‘Em, Sock ‘Em were revived or remain popular now. Animals robots. Stuffed animals were YongWoo Lee, a sophomore in extremely popular accounting from South Korea remembers one during the early Dolls & particular series that he really enjoyed. He 90s. Animals said “Gundam robots were my favorite. They Action Figures such as Beanie Babies practically walked off the shelves. According were based off a cartoon from Japan. I don’t Dolls and action figures were have it anymore, [because] I gave it to my very popular back in the to www.aboutbeanies.com, “Ty has made cousin.” day. Most notable are over $6 billion selling plush toys.” PopularWilliam Vakameilalo, a sophomore Barbies, Bratz, Teenity like this spurred stores where customers majoring in education from Laie said, “We age Mutant Ninja could customize their stuffed toys, like Buildused to love Rocket ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Robots.” Turtles, Action Force, a-Bear, which, according to the Build a Bear and G.I. Joe. website, opened in October 1997. Kaycee Barbara Denise Ariza Solar, a Higa, a sophomore in education from Calijunior in international cultural studies from Board fornia, said, “My favorite childhood Santiago, Chile, said, “My favorite toy was Games toy was, Barbie, because you could this monkey that you could put your hand in dress them up and make them whoit and press his tongue and it would make a Board games are timeless entertainment for ever you wanted them to be.” squeaky noise. I still have it.” families and friends of Others share similar memories all different shapes and about their special stuffed friends. Serena International sizes. With an explosion Smith, biology major from Utah said, “My Sensation of epic movies during favorite toy is my stuffed duck. It was this And the winner is….Tamagotchi! Tamastuff animal. I used to drag that thing every- our childhood came the explosion of board gotchi was popular almost everywhere where.” games based on movies in the world. Made in Japan in 1996, or cartoons. Tomagotchi is a small digital pet. It Cameron Kober, a demanded the love and care of its owner Robots sophomore in Political Science from Florida, to survive and has a special place within the said, “I was really into Star Wars hearts of millions as one of the most beloved As technology Monopoly. It was fun. We used toys of all time. advanced, robots to play during the summer as a of all different family. I think we still have it shapes and sizes somewhere.”
12
Ke Alaka‘i
-MA RISSA ELDER
Best Songs
TO SING AROUND THE CAMPFIRE BYU-Hawaii may be the ultimate place for round-the-campfire singing. It seems as though we’re surrounded by a lot of talented musicians and singers, perhaps a product of musically inclined LDS culture. To top it all off, beach bonfires and cookouts abound on weekend nights, building the perfect environment. Another wonderful reason to love this place—there’s never a ukulele out of reach. Let us review some of the best campfire songs: The classics: “Kumbaya” is a phrase spoken by the Gullah people of the Sea Islands meaning, “come by here.” According to www.theroot.com, the Afri-
can American spiritual song of the 1930s grew in popularity during the 1960s folk revival. It’s often the go-to tune of campfires today as well. The song was initially linked with spiritual unity, friendship and compassion. “Wimoweh,” or “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” was actually written in 1939. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that Disney adapted the song for “The Lion King” movie. Get some epic moonlit harmonies going with this classic and make some memories.
sung around campfires as Mormon pioneers crossed the plains in the 1800s. Reflect and connect by singing this well-known, spirit-bringing song in the environment it was penned. The modern:
Weezer’s “Undone (The Sweater Song)” hit American radio waves in 1994. Whether you hate it, never heard of it, or can’t get enough of it, give it a chance around the smoldering firewood. Best sung in large groups and with fervor, the The spiritual: lyrics will be stuck in your head for days. “Free Fallin’” was originally done by 8236-697 Cohort 3, 4 Honolulu Oct Petty 2010 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” is a popu-20 Tom in 1989, though John Mayer and lar Christian hymn written almost 300 years ago. Japanese many other artists felt the need to remake the Version After some research, listeners and singers will jam in recent1 years. Regardless, the song remains x 5.5” find various renditions of the hymn by all BYUH sorts 4.25 a hit 22 years later, making it a modern favorite. of artists, from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Don’t think you’ve heard it? Turn on any radio Sufjan Stevens. Gather round the campfire and station and listen for an hour—you’ll likely hear make your own. one rendition or another. “Come, Come Ye Saints” was actually -TAYLOR RIP P Y
健康な日系1世～3世ですか？ 何世代にもわたり、人々は治験に参加することによっ て新薬の試験に協力してきました。あなたにもそれが 可能です。 新薬に関する治験8236-697のコホート3と4への参加資 格を得るには、以下の条件を満たす必要があります： • 年齢が20～65歳の日系1世～3世 • 概ね健康であること（服薬を日 常必要としない方） • 非喫煙者または喫煙量の少ない 方が優先されます • コヴァンス社での滞在（10泊） と外来来院（7回）が可能なこと すべての治験に関連する検査費用は無料です。また、参加者 には、最高3750ドルの報酬が支払われます。 ご協力いただけますか？ありがとうございます！今すぐ 877-708-7092に電話するか、77982にALOHAとテキスト送信、 あるいはTestWithTheBest.com にアクセスしてください。
One Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste., 400 Honolulu, HI 96813
MARCH 24, 2011
13
Tuvaluans gather to learn skills from SIFE students. Photo courtesy of Kylie Turley
SI FE me mbers tea ch worksh o ps i n T u val u If you ask nicely—or if you don’t ask at all—the legendary James Ritchie will tell you the story of King Toa, the man that rose to greatness and inspired a nation. A dream, months in the making, came true in early March as a team of SIFE
club members boarded a jet for Tuvalu, led by “King Toa,” otherwise known as Toa Sailusi. He began small, as most do. Tuvalu is a small country made up of eight coral atolls totaling 10 square miles and home to just 10,000 people.
So what is it that makes some call him “King?” For starters, he was the first individual to come to BYU-Hawaii from Tuvalu. From there, he pursued an education, met and married a beautiful woman, and began to raise a family. Today, he serves as a hero to his people and an inspiration to both the Tuvaluan community and BYUH. BYUH Assistant to the President and SIFE Advisor, Bill Neal, accompanied the team on their trip. Taking notice of Toa’s influence, Neal said, “By coming home, having successfully graduated from college as one of their native sons—even in a corporate jet—helped fulfill his dream and gave these students a vision of their possibilities. I think that by the end of the week each of the youth were making plans to do better in school, so they could qualify for scholarships and grants to further their education.” Having left his homeland initially to serve a mission, Toa returned after two years only to leave again with his sights set
on BYU-Hawaii. His influence has been felt for good internationally ever since, as he continues to serve his people. On their recent journey to Tuvalu, SIFE members spent a week teaching workshops in business and entrepreneurial skills, preparing citizens for the migration away from their homeland to take place within the next two or three decades. The nation is projected to disappear in the near future due to rising sea levels, leaving its people with no other option than to leave their established homes and beloved land. Upon arriving, the whole island gathered to greet BYUH’s SIFE team members on the runway. Many had never seen a jet before and they watched as Toa returned home to his family and village. Over the course of the next few days, Toa’s influence was felt by many. He became a symbol. As a native Tuvaluan, he stood for what each of the children and youth could become when they took full advantage of their potential.
“After the first day of our workshops, one of my highlights was when Toa’s village hosted a special celebration with food, speeches, dancing and singing for our SIFE team,” said team member Natalia Ferguson. “Toa had an opportunity to share his appreciation for the support from his village, the education he received, and the leadership growth through SIFE. We joined in their dances, and when we were asked to share a song. We sang a favorite children’s song, ‘I Am a Child of God’ and then we all sang Hawaii’s traditional ‘Aloha Oe’ prior to the close of the evening.” Though the team traveled to aid the nation of Tuvalu, individuals who went on the trip feel their lives were changed even more than those they went to serve. Kaleb Valdez, a junior studying corporate finance and pre-professional biology from Colonia Juarez, Mexico added his highlights from the trip. “The testimony meeting was powerful. The branch is small but the
members are strong. When they sing, it’s like their entire soul is singing and it cuts right to your spirit.” Valdez recorded his experience after arriving back in Laie. “Each time as the entire group came in together it was the most sublime sound and feeling I had ever experienced—the essence of music. The most uncorrupted sound born straight from the hearts of the people that had passed these songs down for hundreds of generations, affected me so deeply I knew I could never repeat the sound or describe it’s scope. It was like they were offering us their entire culture—their whole history. At the same time, in the back of all of our minds we knew how precious it was—we realized that we now had a responsibility to preserve this culture for all time.” March 16, the SIFE team won regionals for their various projects over the year, including Tuvalu. They will be going to the National SIFE Expo in May. -Taylor Rippy
MARCH 24, 2011
15
MUDDY
OUTSIDE? have some
Go o d C l ea n F u n
indoors!
Housemates Stefanie Chen, Ashlen Quirante, Dennise Ontiveros, Barb Argueta and Juyeon Seo enjoy cooking together at home. Photo by Amy Smith
Monsoon weather got you down? Take advantage of Oahu’s rainy days by doing the things you always find yourself wishing you had the time for. Let’s face it—as unproductive as it may be, most of us have probably spent a Saturday or two parked in front of the television. But if the rain is pouring down outside, why not make the activity at least semiproductive by making it a series marathon? Brush up on your Star Wars trivia because 15 hours of R2D2 is coming at you fast. But don’t stop there! Consider the possibilities: Lord of the Rings (a classic), Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Shrek, Spiderman, Ironman, Transformers, James Bond, Toy Story. If the forecast is predicting days of downpour, you may consider the ultimate challenge—Land Before Time—all twelve. Once the movie marathon is over, bust out the deck and play those games. Everyone knows a good card game. You know, the one you learned how to play that one New Year’s Eve, or maybe the fast-paced one you once whooped your cousins with at your last family reunion? Your fellow homebound roommates will enjoy learning and 16
Ke Alaka‘i
In all honesty, it’s unlikely that you actually have 2,400 friends. Spend your time indoors on Facebook deleting people you really have no recollection of knowing. Slim down that friend list to a group of people you actually want to maintain contact with. Keep in mind that your conversations, photographs, and status updates are out there for all of those people to see. You may realize you’d like your life to become a little more privatized. Your friend count may go down, but at least you’ll have that feeling of organiIngredients zational accomplishment! 1 3/4 cups white sugar Sleep. Make up for the late hours 1/2 cup milk spent studying (or otherwise) during the 1/2 cup butter past week or month. Get that sleep debt at a 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder healthy balance and you’ll be more prepared 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter to take on the world in the upcoming days 3 cups quick-cooking oats with more energy and less stress. But those 1 teaspoon vanilla extract aren’t the only benefits. According to www. huffingtonpost.com, sleep improves learning Directions: and memory, helps control metabolism and In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butweight, betters your moods and can help in ter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 1/2 keeping you disease-free. Sounds like a pretty minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter, good deal. swapping skills. “Speed,” anyone? Check out www.ehow.com for plenty of how-to’s on a plethora of card games. I bet all of that card playing and movie watching is making you hungry. Hungry for some no-bake cookies? Tasty and simple to make, these delicious darlings are scrumptious as bars or individual cookies. Make it a group effort—friend one does the mixing, friend two does the cooking. All enjoy.
oats, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened.
-TAYLOR RIP P Y