Ke Alaka'i New Student Issue Spring 2024

Graduation accomplishment food fest diversity

TEAM MEMBERS

Advisor_Leeann Lambert

Editor-in-Chief_Ranitea Teihoarii

Managing Edior_Abigail Harper

Managing Edior_Bella Chimedbaatar

Art Director_Yichi Lu

Lead Photographer_Yui Leung

Copy Editor_John Andrew Quizana

Journalist_CJ Shinihah Notarte

Journalist_Winslette Quiray-Santiago

Journalist_Emelia Mike

Journalist_Myco Chillian Marcaida

Journalist_Daravutdy Si

Journalist_Emmie Siebert

Journalist_Chenoa Francis

Journalist_Linda Laulu

Journalist_Mutia Parasduhita

Journalist_Sharini Shanmuganathan

Journalist_Chrysanthemumolive Tiafau

Journalist_Karl Aldre Marquez

Journalist_Kylee Denison

Journalist_Rahel Meyer

Journalist_Mahana Tepa

Journalist_Lexi Langley

Journalist_Nichole Whiteley

Journalist_Kylee Denison

Journalist_Levi Fuaga

Journalist_Jieun Shin

Journalist_Xyron Levi Corpuz

Journalist_Viviana Chuah

Journalist_Anna Stephenson

Journalist_Abbie Putnam

Journalist_Lauren Goodwin

Graphic Designer_Sugarmaa Bataa

Graphic Designer_Katie Mower

Graphic Desinger_Emily Hendrickson

Graphic Designer_Marlee Palmer

Graphic Designer_Elinor Cash

Graphic Designer_Malcolm Timoteo

Graphic Designer_Moevai Tefan

Graphic Designer, Photographer_Enkthuvshin Chimee

Graphic Designer_Forrest Christensen

Photographer_Joseph Ariono

Photographer_Zane Saenz

Photographer_Uursaikh Nyamdaleg

Photographer_Marwin Villegas

Photographer_Kristen Staker

Photographer_Pristine Shek

Photographer_Mark Daeson Tabbilos

Photographer_Camille Jovenes

Photographer_Bilguun Enkhbaatar

Aloha

seasiders!

NEWS CENTER: Box 1920 BYUH Laie, HI 96762

Editorial, photo submissions & distribution inquires: kealakai@byuh.edu

To view additional articles go to kealakai.byuh.edu

CONTACT:

Email: kealakai@byuh.edu

Phone: (808) 675-3694

Office: BYU–Hawaii Aloha Center 134 ON THE COVERS: Front and back covers designed by Art Director Yichi Lu. Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

The Ke Alaka‘i began publishing the same year the University, then called Church College of Hawaii, opened. It has continued printing for more than 60 years. The name means “the leader” in Hawaiian.What began as a monthly newsletter, evolved into a weekly newspaper, then a weekly magazine and is now a monthly news magazine with a website and a social media presence.Today, a staff of about 20 students work to provide information for BYU–Hawaii’s campus ohana and Laie’s community.

Graphic by Emily Hendrickson.

C O NTENTS

BYU-Hawaii Campus

6 President Kauwe’s inauguration

10 Hawaii - the Sunshine State

12 Managing culture shock

14 100 Things to Do Outside Your Room

16 Gathering Minds: BYU-Pathway

18 Chiseled Dreams: Senior art major

22 Taking care of your mental health

27 The Gathering Place: Laie

28 Timeline of Laie

30 A floating classroom: Iosepa canoe

32 The history of the Iosepa 34 Peacebuilding: A prophecy in progress

38 Academic Advising

40 Empower Your Dreams competition

42 How to make leis

44 Food Fest 2023

48 Culture Night

52 McKay Lecture by Yifen Beus

54 The synergy of doing simple things

56 A love of science, curing cancer

60 Genuine Gold: Graduating senior

63 Best of Oahu: Hawaii bucket list

64 Safety: Prevent, defend, react

67 Begin your journey to success

68 Understanding personal wisdom

72 Canoe races at Kahana Bay

74 Great Ideas competition

76 BYUH Orchestra tours Maui after fire

78 Figuring out your Holokai at BYUH

80 Library has more than just books

82 How to travel around campus

84 Financial aid and scholarships

90 Students share research at conference

93 Where to camp on Oahu

94 Hiking the Hawaiian hills

96 To ride the bus, get a HOLO card

98 Malama aina or care of the land

100 Surfing and its connections to culture

104 Key Hawaiian words

106 Parking on campus

108 Yoga: Breathing with nature 110 How to make otai 112 Fitness Center special hours 114 BYUH Store’s services 116 On-Campus Internship course

118 Average salaries for various majors

120 The Mail Center in the Aloha Center

122 Banyan Dining Hall

A NATIVE SON OF HAWAII called as president of BYU–Hawaii

President of BYUH, John S.K. Kauwe III says, “Together, we will continue this work”

BY KYLEE DENISON

Silence prevailed as President and Sister Kauwe, Elder and Sister Holland and Elder and Sister Christofferson, among others, walked into the Cannon Activities Center. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best as President John S. K. Kauwe III was inaugurated as the 11th and youngest president of BYU–Hawaii on Oct. 19, 2021.

Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and commissioner of the Church Educational System, conducted the meeting. The event started off with a musical number, “From This School,” performed by the BYUH Concert Choir, composed and directed by Erica Glenn and accompanied by Stacy McCarrey on the piano.

Greetings to the president were given by Cy M. Bridges, the community representative and grandfather in the community. He then chanted and spoke in Hawaiian.

The faculty was represented by Tevita Ka’ili, dean of the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts. In his remarks, he said the faculty commits to “working collaboratively across campus and with students … to achieve a high caliber of academic excellence through [President Kauwe's] vision of sustainability.” He emphasized the faculty is committed to seeking “for unity, diversity, inclusion and equity” under President Kauwe's leadership.

The student representative was Savaira Veikoso, the student manager of clubs. She said she did not know “old men could skate” until she met the newly inaugurated president. She later referred to both President and Sister Kauwe as the parents of the BYUH family and thanked them for inviting the students into their home, keeping them safe from COVID-19 and allowing them to come back to campus.

The alumni representative Justine Tavana, who graduated from BYUH in 2003, stated, “The Kauwes’ love for [others] is evident in the way they serve.” She said the alumni place their full confidence in

President Kauwe and know his “impact will be felt for good for many generations to come.”

After reviewing President Kauwe’s life, Elder Gilbert said, “Today, we inaugurate a bright, educated and administratively capable president, but above all, we inaugurate a president who wants to do what the Lord directs him to do.”

President Kauwe was then inaugurated by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who stated, “In doing so, I confer upon you all the rights, responsibilities, authority and prerogatives necessary to act as the university's chief executive officer, its institutional spokesman and overseer of its assets. I also confer upon you the responsibility to be the university’s chief moral and spiritual officer, this being the most important and most demanding of all your duties as president of this university.”

President Kauwe's second cousin, Kiana Serrao, a junior from Utah majoring in biology, said after the ceremony, “Once Elder Holland officially inaugurated President Kauwe, I felt the spirit change. It was so cool.”

The newly inaugurated President Kauwe then addressed students, faculty, his family and friends with a parable of blackberries. When living in Utah, he said he and his family grew blackberries. By working hard, they saw and enjoyed the fruit of their labors, he added.

“Unfortunately, blackberries don’t grow well in Laie,” President Kauwe explained. “They simply require [a] different climate. Knowing this, it would be a waste of time and resources to focus on growing blackberries in Hawaii,” he continued.

“Fortunately, there are many fruits from all over the world that can’t be grown in Utah, but they thrive here,” such as mangoes, said President Kauwe. Likewise, he said, “Students and programs that thrive here in Laie may not succeed so readily in Provo or Rexburg.

President Kauwe giving a speech at the inauguration ceremony on Oct. 19, 2021.

Photo by Mark Daeson Tabbilos.

... Students and programs that are thriving in those places may not do so here in Laie.”

The growth of BYUH will also be seen in new buildings and training for students, said President Kauwe. The university’s success will be measured “by faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility and diligence. Obtaining these outcomes will leave no doubt that every dollar and every ounce of effort spent on this university was well spent,” he explained, emphasizing how the mission of the university is to help people follow Jesus Christ.

Throughout his speech, his repeated theme was, “Together, we will continue this work, and we will succeed.”

In his closing remarks, President Kauwe extended an invitation to all faculty, staff and students, urging them “to prayerfully ponder how [they] can fulfill [their] role in this important effort.”

Elder Holland then addressed the crowd. He emphasized the mission of BYUH and how its role within the CES schools is to focus on the “Pacific Asia oriented area of the church.” The number of students accepted from the mainland must be monitored, he added.

“What we’ve done in the past has led us marvelously to this day, but in no way is it sufficient for the trajectory the church and the university are now on.” He added the goal should be to serve more students in less time.

His next words were, “Every now and then … school is supposed to just be fun. Now, most days you won't think that, but today is one of those. So I command all of you, I am in charge today.”

Seth Thomsen, a senior studying business finance from Mililani, Hawaii, said the inauguration was “full of energy, especially when Elder Holland said he wanted us to have fun.”

Elder Holland continued, “We have looked far and wide to find the best to lead out in this next chapter of the quest. We have found

him, who will be the youngest president ever to serve here, and a true native son of these beautiful islands of his ancestors. ... For me, that may be the most significant indicator of the growth and maturity of this university of all the indicators that we are celebrating today.”

Amelia Meli, a senior majoring in biology from Kaimuki, Hawaii, described the inauguration as “historic” because of all of the cultures that come together at BYUH under a native Hawaiian president.

Maria Fonoimoana Latu, a longtime community member who works at the Academic Multimedia Lab, said after the ceremony, “It is an amazing day for our campus. … It is such an honor we have somebody that’s [Hawaii's] own [as president]. The Spirit there this morning was indescribable.”

At the end of the inauguration ceremony, President Kauwe said he feels humbled because he and his family know they are meant to be serving at BYUH, and they feel support from both church leaders and individual students. •

Left top: Members of a local halau perform for the Kauwe's at the Flag Circle at the close of the parade around campus.

Left bottom: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland saying goodbye to President John S. K. Kauwe, his wife, Monica Kauwe, and their son after the ceremony.

Right: President Kauwe embracing Elder D. Todd Christofferson after his official inauguration by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

Photos by Mark Daeson Tabbilos.

rainbo W

World-class surfing and tropical sunshine are only a few reasons

to love the culturally rich islands of Hawaii

BY LAUREN GOODWIN

awena Murray described the scenery of Hawaii as a “work of art,” including its beautiful beaches and surf. Pilialoha Haverly expressed gratitude for being raised in a place where people “innately love and trust” each other. Mahinalani Pulotu said the ocean is her

BYU–Hawaii students and a Laie community member said there are plentiful reasons to treasure the sunshine state.

What do you love most about haWaii? Haverly, an alumna from Hauula, Oahu, with a degree in Hawaiian Studies, said, “The people are what I love the most. I have lived in Hawaii all my life and I have been blessed to be surrounded by not just friends, but to have the majority of my family . . . nearby.” She said she also enjoys the landscape, yearround sunshine, beaches and “luscious green mountains.”

Pulotu, an alumna from Kailua Kona, Hawaii, with a degree in social work, said the ocean holds a special place in her heart and is what she loves most about Hawaii.

“The ocean is a great food source for many. It brings peace and cleansing for all who are in it, and there are so many activities to enjoy from it,” she said. “It’s the biggest playground Hawaii offers.”

Murray, a Laie community member from Lahaina, Maui, said she enjoys the natural beauty that surrounds the state.

“Year round, without fail, from the sky to the ocean and everything in between, [is

a] work of art,” she shared. “I am so blessed to live in such a gorgeous place.”

What is your favorite food from h aWaii?

“I love going to a family luau and being able to see all the good food people have made,” Haverly shared. “But if I had to choose some of my top favorites, in no particular order, it would be poke and rice, chicken long rice with rice or a good laulau with poi and rice for dessert.”

Pulotu said her favorite Hawaiian food is lomi salmon, which is pieces of cut up salmon mixed with tomatoes, onions and other condiments. Murray said her favorite Hawaiian food is kulolo, which is a dessert made primarily of taro and coconut.

What is a big holiday in haWaii?

King Kamehameha Day, on June 11, is a big holiday in Hawaii, Haverly said. “Before COVID hit, there would be parades with what we call pa’u riders. That is what the parade is very well known for.”

A pa’u rider is a woman horseback rider who wears a long colorful skirt and many different types of leis, explained Haverly. There are eight riders called pa’u princesses, one for each of the Hawaiian Islands, she said, and each rider wears a specific color that represents their island.

“There would [also] be floats with hula dancers and singers,” said Haverly. “Even bands from different high schools or colleges would join the festivities.” Pulotu shared the holiday is in celebration of King Kamehameha and how he conquered and united the Hawaiian Islands.

Murray said another holiday that is big in Hawaii is May Day, also called Lei Day, which is held on May 1 and celebrates “the sharing of aloha, stories, hula, adornments and food.”

What do you think haWaii is knoWn for?

According to Pulotu, Hawaii is known most for surfing and Duke Kahanamoku, “Who was a huge figure in the sport of surfing and swimming.” Haverly said, “As cliché as it is, Hawaii is pretty well known for its white sand beaches and the surf. We have some beautiful beaches on all the islands and some pretty amazing surf and surfers who live here.”

What is a unique and significant cultural practice of haWaii?

Hula is one of the most significant cultural practices, Haverly said. “We learn the meaning of the songs, … how to make leis, how to be as one and how to connect and become closer to our ancestors and the land on which we live.”

In a halau, or hula school, Haverly said she wrote and printed out the lyrics to every song in both Hawaiian and English. Although the English translation isn’t perfect, she said it allows the dancers to have a deeper connection to the song they are dancing to.

Pulotu said Hawaii organizes the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Big Island, every year in celebration of King Kalakaua. The festival is a week-long event where hula dancers from all over the world come to compete and perform in honor of King Kalakaua, she explained.

“King Kalakaua was the last king who reigned in Hawaii. He was a ‘merrie’ king and brought back the arts of music and hula, which had been suppressed for many, many years due to missionary teachings,” she continued.

Murray said the principle of aloha is very unique to Hawaii. She explained, “It means love and trust, and I think that’s where the ‘kick back’ vibe of Hawaii originates from because we innately love

and trust one another.” She said this sense of aloha and trust is expressed by calling someone auntie or uncle or leaving house doors slightly opened or unlocked.

What is a traditional piece of haWaiian clothing?

Pulotu said a few of her favorite pieces of traditional clothing are lauhala hats, Ni’ihau shell leis and kihei, which is a shawl that ties over one shoulder.

Haverly stated the lei po’o, or the head lei, is her favorite piece of traditional clothing because she enjoyed making them and bonding with her mother and sister. She said, “Sometimes I get together with aunties and cousins to make lei po’o, talk story and laugh together. It’s a really fun time.”

Murray said her favorite material is kapa, or bark cloth, because of the hard work that is put into making it. The material is made out of the bark of a Wauke or Mulberry tree, and the bark is pounded and soaked in water for multiple days to create the cloth, she explained. “The [delicate process] is what makes it so special and unique to Hawaiians.”

What is it like going to byuh having groWn up in haWaii?

Attending BYUH can be a bit of a culture shock, said Murray, because most of the students are from other parts of the world. She said she had to learn to understand the way others lived and vice versa, which pushed her to learn more about people than she had expected.

Haverly said being able to take Hawaiian Studies courses has helped her learn more about her culture. “I have learned a lot about my Hawaiian culture, my ancestors and the things they went through and how they lived,” she shared.

aloha

Having grown up in Hauula, studying so close to home is something Haverly said she really loves. “I also get to see friends that I grew up with and be able to make new friends with people from all over.” •

MANAGING CULTURE SHOCK

Students urge others to withhold judgment when they encounter culture shock and be open to learning about cultural differences

BY ELLE LARSON

On a campus with students representing more than 70 countries, BYU–Hawaii students said they are no strangers to experiencing culture shock, but acknowledging differences, embracing practices and finding similarities are essential to getting over the shock.

An article from Brown University says most people who move to a new country or new location within a country experience some form of difficulty adjusting to the new culture. This discomfort is commonly referred to as “culture shock,” explains the article.

acknoWledge differences

Siwoo Park, a sophomore from Gwangju, Korea, majoring in vocal performance, said Americans’ courteous phrases surprised her when she arrived in Hawaii. “Everybody blessed me when I sneezed,” she explained with a smile, emphasizing how because Koreans don’t typically do that, she didn’t know how to react.

She said she was also confused when people in Hawaii would apologize for small things like passing by her or when she told them an unfortunate story about herself, such as when she was late to class. At first, when people would casually apologize to her, she said she would emphatically assure them, “Oh no, it’s not your fault!”

Park explained, “In Korea, [they] don’t have those phrases” and added people only say they’re sorry when they sincerely mean it.

Living in Libya as a child also brought some cultured shock, Park said. While she was there, she explained the town celebrated Eid Al-Adha, which Andrew Webb on Culture Trip says is a Muslim Festival to celebrate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Families butcher a sheep and use it for a big feast later that week, Webb explains.

Park said she watched the sheep’s head be cut off when she was only 10 years old. “I saw the blood and [the sheep was] screaming,” she described. “It was really, truly a culture shock.” Although the sheep was delicious to eat, she said she still hasn’t quite gotten over the shock, even after all these years.

She said she knew the culture in the United States would be different than what she was used to, so she prepared by watching the American sitcom “Friends.”

Once she acknowledges cultural differences, she said she tries not to question or get upset over how people behave. “If I face culture shock, I think, ‘[People] are different. [They] all have different personalities.’”

embrace practices

Lydia Wilson, an alumna and April graduate from Suva, Fiji, majoring in business management, said she experienced culture shock when serving a full-time mission in the Marshall Islands because she expected the Marshallese island life to be similar to what she was accustomed to in Fiji. Instead, she said she found the culture and mannerisms of the people she served were far from

what she expected. To get over the shock, Wilson said, “I told myself I needed to be like them, to think like them and to try to understand them.” Though it was against her nature, she said she started to talk like the Marshallese people, sit like them and make rice balls with her hands.

She stopped questioning why they acted the way they did and mirrored it instead, she said. As she adopted Marshallese mannerisms, she said the people she served accepted her and she became a crowd favorite.

Wilson said to overcome culture shock, people need to accept themselves and their culture and then accept and respect the culture around them. “Be aware of the people around and accept them for who they are,” she suggested.

Williams said students should be careful to not let themselves be victims of culture shock by not letting it stop them from accepting and learning the culture around them. “[I] can’t be a Fijian in Hawaii without becoming aware of Hawaiian traditions and culture,” she explained.

find similarities

Hadlee Charlton, a freshman from Mountain Green, Utah, majoring in elementary education, said when she first came to BYUH, she was shocked by the high concentration of different cultures she had never been exposed to before.

She said she expected to experience different cultures on campus, but explained, “I don’t think [people] can really predict how it’s going to affect [them]. [They’re] thrown into it and immersed in it all at once.”

She said one day a classmate spoke about an American mannerism that is offensive in his culture, which triggered a moment for her to recognize her limited perspective and acknowledge how big the world is.

Though it was shocking at first, she said she appreciates the culture she’s experienced since coming to BYUH. “I’ve learned so much about other people, the world and myself. It’s caused me to reflect on my own culture and see the world with a bigger perspective than what I was limited to before I came here.”

She said students can find peace amidst culture shock by embracing their situation and being curious. “If [they] hear something that is a little bit of a shocker,” she advised students to “ask questions and try to understand.”

Charlton said if students worry about their differences from others, they will just stress themselves out. She recommended students try to focus on their similarities rather than their differences. She said she believes it is possible to find at least one similarity with every person they meet. •

Lydia Wilson enjoying a Spam musubi. Photos by Sugarmaa (Kendra) Bataa.

100 things to do outside your room

BYUH students offer ideas for getting out of the house, including attending club activities and having a potluck meal with friends

BY ELLE LARSON

Hao-wen Chih, a freshman from Lexington, Kentucky, studying marine biology.

Walk and chill at the Laie Hawaii

Temple

Study in the library

Get an açaí bowl at the Seasider Cafe

Swim at Bikini Beach

Play Pokémon Go

Get a job

Walk around Hukilau Marketplace and see the sights

Go to open gym and play badminton

Play Frisbee on Saturday night

Attend club events

Daichi Manabe, a sophomore from Japan, majoring in business management marketing.

Surf at Castles Beach

Watch dolphins at Makua Beach

Go to Foodland for spicy poke

Get your hair cut with a friend

Drive around the island

Go to 7/11 for a drink

Go to McDonald’s and stress-eat sugar

Learn Jiu Jitsu on the grass

Go to L&L BBQ

Run on the beach

Amella Pena, a junior from Draper, Utah, majoring in peacebuilding.

Go surfing at Puaena Beach

Snorkeling at Electric Beach

Hike Wiliwilinui

Go to the gym to lift weights on the machines

Mermaid dive in the ocean (dive down and come up like a mermaid)

Night swimming

Pick a destination to watercolor

Catch a frog when it rains

Play leapfrog across campus

Sophie Randall, a sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska, majoring in peacebuilding.

Make dribble castles (take wet sand and drizzle it into a pile)

Hike Laie falls

Walk across the ocean to goat island

Take a nap in the sun

Open gym volleyball every night in the

Old Gym

Climb a tree

Play tennis

Read a book on the beach

Walk on the beach

Write in your journal

Ada Palmer, an elementary education freshman from Scarsdale, New York.

Pet campus cats

Go to the dining hall

Go on a walk around campus

Go to class

Pick up your mail

Go to the beach

Go to church

Play board games

Go to guidance counseling

Get ice cream at the Seasider

Jezreel Gabut, a sophomore from Básayas, Philippines, majoring in hospitality and tourism management

Go to the C-Store and buy ice cream

Get tutored at the Heber J. Grant building

Play basketball with your friends

Throw out your trash

Attend ward family home evening

Talk to a stranger and make a new friend

Play an instrument

Get groceries at Foodland

Group study at the library

Look for inspiration in nature

Audrey Pryde, a freshman from Twin Falls, Idaho, majoring in biochemistry.

Go ziplining at Kualoa

Paint palm trees in your sketchbook

Go swimming at the pool

Play intramural sports at the turf field

Go to the weekly devotional

Go to music concerts on campus

Get chips at Foodland

Find a shaded spot to read

Teach yourself how to play piano in the practice rooms at the Cannon Activities Center

Walk at night around campus with roommates

Modesta Terry, a junior from the Solomon Islands majoring in business management with a focus on human resources.

Play basketball at the Cannon Activities Center

Go to work

Watch movies outside with friends

Bike the bike path in the evenings

Visit friends and family in Laie

Stargazing

Babysit at Temple View Apartments

Minister to your friends

Sunday potlucks outside the library

Hannah Meine, a freshman from Canada majoring in marine biology.

Do homework at the Hukilau marketplace under the pavilion

Do little acts of service throughout the day

Eat with someone new in the dining hall

Go to the movie nights at the Little Theater

Go to the Hub and play board games

Play foosball in the lounge

Walk around campus and find the first open bench to study in a new area

Check out a movie and a movie room in the library to watch

Stick sticky notes on people’s cars

Emma Luna, a sophomore majoring in marine biology from Rio Rico, Arizona. Spend quality time with your unit mates in the common room

Do yoga

Have movie nights in the McKay Building courtyard

Have dance parties at the hale pavilion

Meditate outside the library on the benches

Walk behind the campus

Go to the Swap Meet in Honolulu

Watch the sunrise at Laie point

Watch the sunset at Sunset Beach

Ranitea Teihoarii, a junior majoring in marine biology from French Polynesia.

Go to the beach to get a tan

Try new food and restaurants

Go on hikes in the mountains

Go for a bike ride to Kahuku and go to the food trucks

Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra). Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

Gathering Minds

BYU-PathwayConnect

participants

and

BYUH

180+ countries

41,111 students

U.S. & Canada

50 states 24,144 students 63% 37%

students says the online program builds bridges to help gather Israel

BY KARL ALDRE MARQUEZ

BYU-PathwayConnect stands as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking to further their educations with low-cost tuition, said Michael Adam Caducio, a sophomore majoring in hotel and tourism management from the Philippines. PathwayConnect is a one-year, reduced-cost online program that prepares students to start or finish a degree, says The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website. Caducio explained, “The knowledge we gain from our education helps us to be influential and eventually helps in assisting in gathering Israel.”

History

According to BYU-Pathway Worldwide’s website, the program was designed to help individuals in a flexible and affordable way to earn college credits and valuable skills in the comfort of their own homes. It says the program’s mission is to develop disciples of

Jesus Christ in their homes, the Church and communities.

The website says the program’s history started with a prophetic statement given by President Henry B. Eyring to Ricks College, the university that later became BYU-Idaho. President Eyring said Ricks College would “find direct ways to move the blessing of education… from this campus out into the lives of men and women everywhere.”

The program started in 2009 with 50 students but has now grown to 61,000 students from 180 countries.

Touching lives

Minka Sonia Otuonye, a recent graduate of the PathwayConnect program from Nigeria, said she was motivated to enroll because she loved education when she was growing up. However, because of the socio-economic problems in her country, she said she had to

stop school. The program was introduced to her country in 2018. She said during her time enrolled in Pathways, she saw how much the Church values education. It reminded her that it is a commandment from God to get one.

“I have learned valuable lessons about leadership and the principles of a fixed and growth mindset throughout my time as a student in the Pathway program,” she said, “These key learnings helped me to grow as a person and a daughter of God.”

Christian Cabalza, a sophomore majoring in accounting from the Philippines, said he enrolled in Pathways because he saw an opportunity to learn and grow spiritually and secularly. He said he was attracted to the structure of the program that allowed him to have freedom with his time while studying and a lot of real-life applications every week.

He said aside from the typical classes he took in high school, the program helped him

Photo by Christin Hume. Graphics by Forrest Christensen.

65,255 38,798 33,238

Certificates & Degrees

value education and learn from the doctrines of the Church.

“My academic goals helped me to reap success in my classes, which led me to study and apply the same principles I learned at BYUH,” Cabalza said.

Caducio said he heard about the program after his two-year service as a missionary for the Church. He said upon learning about the program, he was eager to enroll and see what it offered him. His missionary service and experiences propelled his desire to further his skills and enroll at BYU-Pathway Worldwide, he said.

and they helped him stretch his abilities and achieve goals within a specific time frame.

Caducio said his academic goal during his time at Pathways was to set a specific study time for his assignments. He would typically take two or three hours a day, he said, to dive in with the materials and prepare himself for the weekly discussions.

Caducio said the program elevated his study habits and gospel learning, which led to his admission to BYUH. He said his established learning patterns at PathwayConnect helped him apply the same principles in the university.

Caducio said the program educates people about secular subjects and emphasizes that the knowledge acquired is crucial for the gathering of Israel.

His enrollment in the Pathway program led one of his close friends from another religious sect to look into the program. Caducio believes his friend’s experience serves as a testament to how programs associated with the Church consistently reach out to touch lives and guide people to understand the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Otuonye said she had a similar experience. “Upon finishing the course, I met with my friends who were interested to know more about the program. I gave them the link to enroll, and little did I know that I was also helping them to follow Jesus Christ.” • Total Served

“The [PathwayConnect] semester was filled with meetings and discussions throughout the week where we had the chance to lead the discussions on assigned topics and help out with its application,” Caducio explained.

The modules at Pathways had him set smart goals every semester, Caducio said,

Growing in knowledge and wisdom

Caducio shared a quote from Brigham Young that encapsulates the mission of Pathway for anyone who enrolls. He said, “If you wish to become like your Heavenly Father, you must grow in knowledge and wisdom.”

Taking care of BYUH’S

MENTAL

health NEEDS

As the number of students seeking help from BYUH’s Counseling Services rises, Counseling Services professional Steve Smith says building a strong community can help overall mental health issues

BY KYLEE DENISON & NICHOLE WHITELEY

Sierra Allred, an alumna from Oregon with a degree in intercultural peacebuilding, said she was going through a difficult period in her mental health in September of 2021, and she felt the need to turn to BYU–Hawaii’s Counseling Services for help. She said when she went into the counseling center, they handed her a form to fill out that would determine her levels of needs.

“Everyone is worthy and deserving of the resources it takes and the time it takes to heal their heart and help resolve their mental health issues,” said Allred.

Sister Carol Skinner, a counselor at BYUH Counseling Services, who worked as a licensed psychologist for 20 years before serving her mission here, said she helped develop this new system for the counseling center intake form to ensure the students with the most urgent care are prioritized.

She said the first layer is anyone in an emergency, who will be seen within 24 hours. She said an emergency is defined as “current suicidality with intent.”

The next layer is for students with urgent needs and is defined as people who have had a past history of suicidality but nothing current, Skinner explained. They are seen within seven days.

The third layer is general problems, and she said, the fourth layer is a peer mentor to help with generic issues if the students are willing to see them.

Allred said when she went into the counseling center, she was not in crisis, so they could not get her an appointment for two months. “I have experienced depression in the past, and when you’re in that space and you feel like you can’t get help, it’s a very hopeless feeling.”

She said although in her situation she found ways to cope without the counselors, “it was definitely discouraging because if you want to talk to someone, you should have

that.” She said if she were contemplating suicide or dealing with depression and still had to wait one to two months, “It would be scary.”

Skinner explained, “It is important for the students to understand that if they are in crisis, we will see them. ... We will make space for all the students.”

She encouraged students to just walk into the counseling center if they are in crisis because they will make sure they get you in.

an incre asing demand

In mid-November 2021, Counseling and Disability Services at BYUH had an evaluation, in which they brought an outside reviewer named Steve Smith.

Smith was part of the BYU in Provo counseling center for 30 years as a training director in the counseling psychology department and served in administration for the counseling center and as director of the counseling center.

When asked if the wait time Allred had experienced was common among other universities, Smith said it was not uncommon to have a waiting period of six weeks. He said the wait time to get in the counseling center at BYU in Provo for those with non-crisis cases is five and a half to six weeks as well.

“The demand has risen everywhere in the country. ...Without enrollment increasing, the number of students asking for help is going up. And that is happening in every counseling center I know of in the country.”

He said this trend is not new to post COVID-19 university life.

In the first year of his directing the counseling center at BYU in 2011, Smith said, the counseling center served about 3,500 individuals in a calendar year, and in his last year as director in 2021, he said they helped 6,000 in a calendar year.

At BYUH, the numbers have also increased between 2020 and 2021 according to Skinner. She said Dr. Eric

Orr, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Sciences and a member of BYUH’s Counseling Services, told her they had 10 hospitalizations in the Fall 2021 Semester. Normally they only have one or two hospitalizations in an entire academic year, Orr said.

Skinner said the intake form system they created is working to combat these increasing numbers, even with their lack of counselors available for the students.

“The four-tier system really helps us identify people with the greatest need, and so far, fingers crossed, it’s working. I still fear that we could miss somebody. I pray every day, let there be space for people who need it. Our students are really, really suffering.”

Smith said no one really knows why the numbers have increased, but he believes it is partly due to the decrease of stigma for those who seek counseling. Gen Z especially, “are more willing to seek help,” said Smith.

Allred said although many of this new generation of students are willing to seek help, the shortage of space available for students has opened the door for guilt.

She said when she did go in after two months of making the appointment, she felt guilty because, “I know there’s a lot of other students who need help a lot more than I do.”

She said her friends have also expressed this concern where they make an appointment when they feel they need it, but when they finally get in, they feel guilty because they have worked through what they were struggling with, Allred shared. “I don’t think [a student] will seek out help if they feel like their situation is not as bad as someone else’s,” explained Allred.

emotional drain

Smith, along with Student Life Vice President Jonathan Kau, acknowledged BYUH’s Counseling Services employees hard work to help as many people as they are able.

Allred expressed her gratitude for how mental health services have helped her in the past. She said she didn’t have access to mental health services when she was struggling in high school, but she was able to receive help during her mission.

She said the changes she saw after getting help were “like night and day. Because if you feel like you don’t have a place to turn or people to listen, and it feels like no one cares and you are very alone and very hopeless.”

“After you get the help and the resources that you need, … it’s like a weight has been lifted.”

Due to the lack of counselors, Skinner said, her job can be very draining and she often works longer than she is supposed to because she wants to reach as many students as possible.

“The emotional drain affects me physically.” She said not only would more counselors allow more students to be helped, but also it would increase the quality of the help students receive because the counselors would not be as mentally, physically and emotionally stretched.

She said there is a gear shift that has to take place in the counselors’ heads as they go from one client to the next, and that becomes more difficult the busier they are.

Smith said, “This university... [is] working hard to get people in as quickly as possible... Right now they are keeping their heads above water, but they are having to swim pretty quickly to do that.”

Kau said, “I commend the Counseling Services team for all they are doing to meet the needs of students.”

While Kau and Smith acknowledged the hard work the counselors do and the struggles with a lack of counselors, Kau said, “There are limits to what the university can provide.”

It is not a simple matter of just hiring more counselors to keep up with such an unprecedented increase … we need to look at this and see what is reasonable and what is needed.”

responsibility

Kau said while he wants to help keep students in the classroom and help them as much as possible, it is not the sole role of the university to provide all counseling and medical services students may need.

“We cannot provide all [the] resources. We will do what we can to help students succeed,

but students may also have to find their own additional support. They have a medical benefit. They have access to Counseling Services. But there are limits, unfortunately.”

Smith agreed with Kau. “You can’t add enough counselors ultimately to stem the tide and meet the demand.” As director of the BYU in Provo counseling center, Smith was also part of the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors, with more than 600 college counseling center directors who agreed with that same conclusion, said Smith.

Skinner agreed that at most universities this is the case: students should not rely solely on the university to provide mental health care. However, she added, “There’s not enough mental health services in this area that our students can easily access.”

Skinner said due to BYUH’s large number of international students, students without cars and the lack of mental health resources nearby, the situation at BYUH is more difficult than other universities where students can more easily turn to mental health care outside of the university.

Because of this, she said, the responsibility of the students’ mental health care falls back on the university.

Smith explained part of the responsibility of this problem may be to add a counselor, but another aspect is trying to address what the particular mental health issues are on a certain campus.

This is done through effective outreach called primary prevention, he said, which includes QPR training, suicide prevention, stress management, etc.

According to the Suicide Prevention Research Center, QPR training stands for “question, persuade, and refer” and is a suicide prevention training designed to teach the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond.

“Does the university have a responsibility to provide for the comprehensive mental health of every student that comes? I don’t think so. I think their responsibility is to provide for dealing with those issues that get in the way [of their studies] and helping an individual deal with them.

“And if a person’s struggles are so great, then they may need to take some time away from the university,” said Smith.

Smith said he admires his colleagues at BYUH who are trying to find that balance.

Allred said the amount of time it took to resolve her situation would not have changed meeting with a counselor because, “For me, I feel empowered with a lot of tools to help get myself out of dark places because I have been there in the past and I have gone through counseling and therapy so I have been given the tools.”

However, she said, she felt that it would’ve been more helpful if she could have talked to someone closer to the moment that was causing her distress. “I think the role of the counselors is: if you don’t have those tools, they’re going to give you those tools. But they’re also going to keep you accountable and help you practice them so you are more prepared in the long term.”

building community

Smith’s advice to students on how they can individually help is to get the QPR training and to have an “awareness of persons who struggle, a willingness to sit and talk, a willingness to engage ...

“Building community is one of the most important things you can do,” continued Smith. BYU campuses have a big advantage because of built-in communities, he said. Participation in church events helps build that community where they can then invite others to come, said Smith.

Allred said during those two months she was waiting for help from Counseling Services, she found other resources on campus that helped her cope with her struggles.

One of the places that she said she found a community was the yoga classes held several times a week on campus. “I think the yoga class is great. It’s very grounding. … Everyone in that space is very welcoming.” She said there are many places around campus or clubs students can join that can help them through hard times.

Smith said, “If someone is struggling or is suicidal, is it your job to make sure they are okay? It absolutely is not. But can you be part of the solution by building a strong community.”

For more information about BYUH’s Counseling Services visit www.counseling. byuh.edu. • Graphics by Marlee Palmer.

“ you can be part of the solution by building a strong community.

”

STEVE SMITH

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The Gathering Place

The Church in Laie from 1850 - 2024

BY MYCO MARCAIDA & RANITEA TEIHOARII

Anciently known as a pu’uhonua or a place of refuge, Laie was once a small branch of 70 saints, “where transgressors of the law or the native customs could come to be safe and cleansed of their transgressions before returning to society,” according to the book “Gathering in La’ie”.

Laie has been set aside as a gathering place for Latter-day Saints in Hawaii since 1865, continues the book “Gathering in La’ie”. According to the book, Laie will influence millions of people seeking to know this town and its significance.

Laie through the years

Riley M. Moffat, an alumnus and retired BYU-Hawaii professor originally from Arizona, said he witnessed the changes and growth of the Laie community since 1968. “President Hinckley said Laie is unique in having the spiritual, educational and cultural aspects that no other place in the world has,” Moffat added.

Moffat was the lead author in writing the book “Gathering to La’ie” that includes faith-nurturing stories and the different phases Laie went through, said R. Lanier Britsch, a retired history professor at BYU in Provo and writer of the forward of the book “Gathering to La’ie”.

Labor missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started building the first and second phases of the Church College of Hawaii and the construc-

tion of the Polynesian Cultural Center from 1955 to 1963, according to the book “The Polynesian Cultural Center: Ambassador to the World”.

With the college’s and PCC’s establishment, the books says the population and economic opportunities grew in Laie for both townspeople and students. According to the book, the construction of the PCC provided work and income for CCH students.

Memories of campus life

During his time as a student at BYUH, Moffat said he worked as a sanitation engineer or a garbage collector and helped with landscaping for the PCC. “Before the tourists came in the morning, I collected the garbage, and in the afternoon, I would help with landscaping and bringing stones from the hills to build the villages in the PCC,” he added.

Philip Bruner, an associate professor in the Faculty of Sciences, said he studied at BYUH, then known as the Church College of Hawaii, in 1966. The student body was smaller and allowed everyone to know each other, at least by sight, he added.

Bruner added the first dorms, Hale 1 and 2, were built by the labor missionaries before second stories were added to them.

Roughly 40 percent of the student body was composed of nonmembers, and there were hardly any haoles, or white people, at Church College of Hawaii, he said. When he

was a student, the college had less than 1,100 students, Moffat added.

Serving in the Church

While serving as a bishop in Laie from July 1988 to June 1993 for the Laie Sixth Ward, Moffat said general authorities often visited Laie and would sometimes show up unannounced at church.

Moffat said meeting general authorities were unforgettable experience. When Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf visited Laie, Moffat was invited by the school to give him a tour around campus. He gave another tour to the Prime Minister of Samoa and his party, he said.

As a president of the alumni organization at BYUH in 1991, Moffat said he visited New Zealand for an alumni reunion with other BYUH leaders. “The Area Seventy down there was John Sonnenberg, and I had the chance to [speak alongside] him during the program,” he added.

One of his interesting and memorable experiences as a bishop was planning funerals, Moffat said.

“We will miss those who have passed away, but we knew we would see them again,” he added.

Another memorable experience for him was helping members with their mission applications, and at one point, his ward had 16 full-time missionaries out in the mission field, said Moffat. •

A group of pioneers in front of the Laie Hawaii Temple in 1920. Photo from the BYUH Archives and Special Collections.

Dec 12, 1850

Arrival of 10 gold mining missionaries in Hawaii: Henry William Bigler, Hiram Blackwell, George Q. Cannon, John Dixon, William Farrer, James Hawkins, James Keeler, Thomas Morris, Thomas Whittle and Hiram Clark.

1854

Active Latter-day Saints begin to move to Palawai on Lanai, designated as the gathering place for Hawaiian saints.

1855

The Book of Mormon is translated by George Q. Cannon and Jonathan Napela and published for Hawaiian saints.

January 26, 1865

Francis A. Hammond, co-president of the “Sandwich Island Mission” called by Brigham Young, negotiates to purchase his 6,000 acres plantation in Laie.

1868

Planting and harvesting sugarcane becomes the economic engine of Laie to support its LDS Hawaiian population.

1883

I Hemolele, the New Laie chapel, is dedicated in the presence of King Kalakaua.

1885

Joseph F. Smith arrives on his third mission to Hawaii. He encourages the people to stay in Laie, and prophecies of its eventual beauty and abundance.

1900

The Jubilee celebration of the Church is presided over by President George Q. Cannon who also prophecies a temple will be built in Hawaii.

1919

President Heber J. Grant dedicates the Laie Hawaii Temple. The temple symbolizes a gathering of all saints on earth and beyond.

July 21, 1954

The First Presidency announces the establishment of The Church College of Hawaii.

Feb. 12, 1955

President David O. McKay breaks ground for the Church College of Hawaii and prophesies, “ [...] from this school, I tell you, will go men and women whose influence will be felt towards the establishment of peace internationally.”

1958

President McKay dedicates the newly constructed campus.

1959

The Church College of Hawaii is licensed as a two-year institution.

1961

The CCH reached full accreditation as a four-year-degree-granting institution of higher learning.

1962

The CCH number of students registered on campus has increased by 1,000 students.

1963

President Hugh B. Brown dedicates the Polynesian Cultural Center.

1964

The CCH has a strong international representation of students from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, Tahiti, Taiwan and Tonga.

1967

Laie celebrates its centennial anniversary since 1865.

1974

The CCH receives a new executive head, Dan W. Andersen, and a new affiliation and name, Brigham Young University–Hawaii.

GeorgeQCannon

Timeline of

Laie Templeinthe1930s ChurchCollegeofHawaiidedica

1977

BYU–Hawaii Campus Stake is organized by Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of Twelve Apostles.

1979

Rededications of the Laie Hawaii Temple by President Spencer W. Kimball after the temple’s renovation.

1981

Dedication of the Lorenzo R. Snow Administration building and the George Q. Cannon Activities Center. The BYU–Hawaii Second Stake is organized.

1987

President Alton Wade improves image of BYUH strengthening student government and community relations, and modernizing processes and facilities.

1994

President Howard W. Hunter blesses the people of Laie and rededicates the land.

199

Presided by President Gordon B. Hinckley, BYUH’s Pioneers in the Pacific conference celebrates the faith and courage of the early Saints in the Pacific Islands.

2000

Focusing on the Hawaiian values of language, aloha (love), ohana (family), ho’opono (correct behavior), and lokahi(unity), the Napela Center is started.

2003

Elder Jeffery R. Holland dedicates a new stake center building on campus.

2005

BYUH celebrates its 50th anniversary.

2007

The Area Presidencies of North Asia, Asia, Philippines, Australia, and Pacific Areas forms partnership for greater student recruitment and returnability.

2009

The I-WORK program, an international financial aid program is introduced.

2010

President Thomas S. Monson rededicates the Laie Hawaii Temple.

2011

The ground breaking of the first phase of the new construction at BYUH is presided over by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

2015

The 60th Anniversary of BYUH and 150th anniversary of the Church in Laie is celebrated.

2020

COVID-19 causes the discontinuing of enrollment for 2020. Support for students who couldn’t return home was provided by BYUH.

July 1, 2020

President John S.K. Kauwe is called as the 11th president of BYUH. He is the youngest president of a university owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kauwe is a descendant of a native Hawaiian, Kaleohano.

2021

BYUH opens a remote program for the Winter and Spring Semesters. In the Fall Semester, students were invited back on campus.

October 2023

The PCC celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Photos by Mark Tabilos, Brigham Young University of Hawaii’s Archives and Special Collections.

A floating classroom

The Iosepa has been integrated into the Laie community over the years by teaching people how to sail

BY EMELIA MIKE

The Iosepa canoe last sailed eight years ago, says the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Instagram page. This year, in 2024, the canoe is voyaging again for the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture. “The festival happens every four years, so they choose a different place to host it, whether Polynesia, Melanesia, or Micronesia,” said Mark Ellis, the director of Voyaging Experiences at PCC. “Hawaii is honored to host the festival from June 10 to the 15 this year,” he said. The eight years of not sailing was due to high maintenance cost, the COVID-19 pandemic and inconsistent weather, said Robecca Salleh, a sophomore from Malaysia majoring in biology, who works as a

demo guide at the Iosepa Section of the PCC. The canoe festival was the motivation that got the crew to get the boat back in operation, she said.

Ellis said the BYU-Hawaii canoe first launched in 2001 as a floating classroom to teach the students navigation through voyaging. The Iosepa has been a part of the community since it was first launched, said Roy Kaipo Manoa, the Hawaiian Village cultural expert & presenter at PCC. “I remember [the Iosepa] being out in the field where McDonald’s is now,” he said.

According to Manoa, William Wallace, also known as Uncle Bill, was the director of the BYUH Jonathan Napela Center for Hawaiian Language and Culture Studies. He used the Iosepa to teach students to respect the land and the ocean while using these resources. Manoa added, “As an islander, the sea has always been our refrigerator. If we needed something to eat, we would go to the sea together, and in return, we would pay respect by taking care of the ocean.”

This year the community came together and prepared the Iosepa for its journey, ensuring it is seaworthy for the festival, said Ellis. “We put in a lot of work, like repairing the inside and out of the canoe and varnishing it,” Ellis said. The sailing crew consists of BYUH students, faculty, PCC employees and community members. Training sessions were held twice a week to ensure competency among the crew, he explained.

Salleh said the canoe and those working on it have taught her no matter where people are from, their ancestors were intelligent people and the traditional knowledge that was passed down from generation to generation must be cherished.

Salleh shared her sailing experience saying, “I had the chance to present our beloved Iosepa at the Canoe Festival 2024 in Kualoa, and we chanted the Hiki Mai before we sailed it to the ocean.”

Salleh expressed gratitude for the knowledge she gained and for being able to teach others about sailing skills, such as navigating by the stars, learning sailing knots, and making ropes from natural materials. •

Bi-weekly training sessions for Iosepa crew members at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Photos by Moevai Tefan. Graphics by Elinor Cash.

IOSEPAS’ Story

The Iosepa was named after several religious figures named Joseph

BY ANDREW QUIZANA & ABIGAIL HARPER

In the ancient annals of maritime history, where the whispers of the wind mingle with the crash of the waves, there exist stories of Polynesian canoes. The story of the Iosepa canoe is a testament the legacy of these vessels has endured with the seafaring culture of the people.

The story of these boats begins with the Polynesian migrations. Guided by the stars, constellations and swells, navigators traversed vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean, settling new lands and shaped the cultural landscape of the Oceanian region. At the heart of these voyages were the canoes – Polynesian vessels crafted with care from the resources of the islands. Made from towering trees and adorned with intricate carvings, these canoes were more than just modes of transportation; they were floating works of art, embodying the spirit and soul of the Polynesian people, said Herb Kawainui Kāne, co-founder of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

One of the most remarkable chapters in the history of these canoes unfolded during the 19th century when the Pacific Islands were colonized. As indigenous cultures faced displacement and assimilation, the tradition of canoe building became more than just a practical skill – it became a symbol of resistance and cultural pride. “In the face of adversity, Polynesians continued to work on

their craft, passing down their knowledge and expertise from generation to generation, ensuring the flame of Iosepa Canoes would never be extinguished,” said Bill Wallace III, the first director of the BYUH Hawaiian Studies program and founder of the Iosepa.

The Iosepa, the Hawaiian word for Joseph, shares its name with Joseph F. Smith because of his connections to Laie and the Polynesian Utah settlement of the same name, says BYUH’s website. Iosepa also shares the name with other scriptural figures and people of significance to our faith, writes the website.

President M. Russell Ballard, the greatgrandson of Joseph F. Smith, dedicated and launched the Iosepa on Nov. 1, 2001.

A canoe being carved. Photo by Sam Merrill.

On his mission, a woman named Naoheakamalu Manuhii nursed Smith back to health from a severe illness. She and her husband both received the gospel from the missionaries and, years later, Smith promised her she would live to see the temple built, says Marlowe.

More than 60 years later, Manuhii heard he was returning to visit the islands. She waited for days on the steps of the Honolulu mission house. She had gone blind, but when they arrived, she was waiting on the Honolulu pier and called out “Iosepa.” He ran and hugged her, saying “Mama, Mama, my dear old Mama.” By that time, he was prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Marlowe wrote she brought Smith the best gift she could afford: A few choice bananas.

Smith passed away before the Laie temple was completed, but Manuhii was one of the first to attend. She was in her 90s and was carried through to receive her endowment and sealing to her husband. While in the temple, she heard Smith’s voice say, “Aloha,” when a dove flew through an open window. She passed away a week later and a statue of her resides next to the temple in her honor, says Marlowe.

A different kind of voyage

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a Polynesian settlement was established in the distant land of Utah. In his thesis presented to the Department of History in Hawaii, Dennis Atkins said this colony was established by Hawaiian converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who faced discrimination and isolation in the main Utah settlements. Atkins added the colony was named Iosepa in honor of Joseph F. Smith and church leaders encouraged them to establish a community where they could live their customs, culture and religion without facing the prejudice they encountered in the other parts of Utah. “This community became a symbol of hope and resilience for Polynesian immigrants seeking for a better life. Despite being thousands of miles away from the ocean, the settlers of Iosepa remained deeply connected to their maritime heritage and culture, through crafting canoes from local materials,” he added.

According to his thesis, entertainment also became a significant aspect of their lives. Hawaiians performed traditional and songs

and dances, becoming popular entertainers in surrounding communities. Despite enjoying a generally happy and healthy community life, Iosepa faced challenges due to its isolation, lack of early telephone and mail services, and occasional illnesses including leprosy. A store was eventually established, easing access to necessities.

By 1917, twenty-eight years after its founding, the experiment of Iosepa came to an end, with most Hawaiians returning to the islands. The town’s lands, cattle, and improvements were sold, and its buildings were dismantled or repurposed.

Spirit of exploration

“As we reflect on the epic journey of the Iosepa Canoe, we are reminded of the profound impact that these vessels have had on the course of human history,” said Mark Ellis, director for Voyaging Experiences. He said the canoes are more than just boats. They are symbols of courage, perseverance and the unbreakable spirit of the Polynesian people.

According to the Polynesian Cultural Center website, the legacy of the Iosepa canoe continued to grow, transcending geographical borders and cultural barriers. The canoe tells a story of exploration, resilience, love, and the enduring bond between humanity and the sea, says the website.

According to the Polynesian Voyaging Society website, canoes are made to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential programs. They added these programs will inspire students around the world and their communities to respect and care for themselves and their natural and cultural environments. •

“ They are more than just boats. They are symbols of courage, perseverance, and the unbreakable spirit of the Polynesian people.”

Graphics by Malcolm Timoteo

Joseph F. Smith

Peace: A prophecy in progress

Generations of peacebuilders have made the David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding what it is today and are its hope for the future, says faculty members

BY ABIGAIL HARPER

From left to right: .David Whippy, Maclaine Day, Chad Ford, Amanda Ford and Michael Ligaliga, from the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts.

Photo by Yui Leung.

The world needs women and men who are committed to something higher than political, religious or cultural tribalism and are committed to the vision of a community with one heart and one mind, said Chad Ford. The polarization of the world is reaching a tipping point where bad things will happen, he said, unless it is reversed by people who know how to collaborate with others who are deeply unlike them.

Ford, a professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, said he and his former students, who are now his colleagues, have created BYU–Hawaii’s intercultural peacebuilding, or IPB program to teach rising generations how to build bridges with their enemies.

Why it matters

Peacebuilding as an area of study matters for two reasons, said Ford. One is no matter

what profession a person goes into, conflict will be part of their professional life, he said. “There was a Stanford Business Review article that asked CEOs what skills they wished they had or learned, and conflict resolution was the overwhelming theme,” Ford cited.

The IPB curriculum’s focus is on keeping the program very flexible, said Maclaine Day, an adjunct faculty member in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts. “The majority of our students are double majoring in something,” she said. It’s an opportunity for students to study their interests and peacebuilding because peacebuilders are needed in every profession, she added.

The second reason IPB matters is because conflict will always be part of one’s personal life, said Ford. “[Peacebuilding] becomes the most crucial skill as a parent, spouse and ward member,” he added. The most popular IPB class is interpersonal peacebuilding that

Space that has

been

covers conflict theory in relationships with parents, siblings, dating partners, spouses and children, Ford said.

Foundational & groundbreaking

A peacebuilding program with the combination of the tried and proven models of Western, Indigenous, Pacific and Asian perspectives and the lens of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ creates a unique space at BYUH, said Ford.

Michael Ligaliga and David Whippy, both assistant professors in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, “have brought to the table their own pioneering work connected to the indigenous cultures they grew up with,” said Ford.

Ligaliga shared, “A lot of my work is looking at peace and conflict theory and what aligns and doesn’t align in the Pacific.” When he was working for New Zealand’s Govern-

harmed needs to be healed.

ment Centre for Dispute Resolution, he said he did a lot of research on developing frameworks of conflict in the Pacific. There are a lot of taboos with conflict, Ligaliga said, but he has used the frameworks he created to address family violence, substance abuse and mental health. During the Winter 2024 Semester, he said he took some students to New Zealand to address school suspension rates.

One of the foundational philosophies of the IPB program Ligaliga brought was the concept of va, he said. Va is a Pacific notion that all things have a relational space, he explained. Ligaliga said understanding va includes being mindful and taking care of that relational space. “That’s a very Pacific framing,” he said. Space that has been harmed needs to be healed, explained Ford. “We are not the only program that sees peacebuilding through a Christological lens,” said Ford, but BYUH is the only one thinking about it through the Restoration, he added. “To me, Jesus is about restoration,” said Ford, not just the Restoration of the gospel, but also our relationships to our Heavenly Parents and to each other.

Liberating the captive and mourning with those who mourn are the same things peacebuilders are trying to do, explained Ford. “Peacebuilders can’t heal individual sin the way Jesus can,” he said, “but we can address where so much of sin comes from.”

Ford said he believes sin comes from losing sight of the humanity and divinity of our brothers and sisters. When people no longer have what Paul calls “the eyes of the heart” in the New Testament, they feel enmity, which leads to hate and sin, explained Ford.

Defense against the dark arts

On Feb 12, 1955, President David O. McKay said in his dedication of BYUH that “from this school, I’ll tell you, will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally.”

Twenty-nine years later, Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave a speech focused on President McKay’s vision for peace at Eric B. Shumway’s inauguration as president of BYUH. “I was a junior sitting in the Cannon Activities Center

hearing that speech, and it was the first time I had heard about that stuff,” said Ford. This led President Shumway to seek ways BYUH could more directly fulfill the vision, Ford explained.

In 2005, Ford came back to BYUH as a teacher to create an academic program for peace. “It was a tough sell,” he said. “A lot of our colleagues were a bit skeptical,”he added. Toward the end of that year, Ford said, some students approached him and asked why there weren’t more peacebuilding classes. He told them to be patient with the process, but one day the same students came back with the fifth Harry Potter book, he said.

In the book, Ford explained, the school’s headmistress outlaws the class called, “Defense Against the Dark Arts” where Harry, the protagonist, and a group of students met secretly to learn anyway. Ford said the students asked if they could study peacebuilding without credit like the characters in the book. They were powerful advocates for what they were learning, he said. They talked to people and professors, Ford said, and slowly people began to warm up to the idea of an IPB program. The

program eventually began with an introduction class in 2008, he said.

Terry Moeai, the Student Leadership & Service Senior manager, was in the first group of ‘Harry Potter’ students. Moeai said there was a lot of historical baggage he and his classmates brought to their meetings. For example, one of his fellow classmates said Hawaiians were better off because of the arrival of Captain Cook. “That was really difficult,” said Moeai, because as a Hawaiian he reminded his classmate it was a Western worldview of technology. The native Hawaiians were skilled people who sailed the Pacific without any kind of modern instruments, he said, but over half of their population was obliterated because of sickness. “When we talk about worldviews, everyone has a different perception of how they see the world,” Moeai said. What kept the group together was being Latter-day Saints, he said. “Our values were unitedly the same even though our worldviews were different,” he added.

Conflict leads to progress and change, said Moeai. The dedication of the Aloha Center says the building will be a laboratory for theoretical frameworks to build peace internationally by engaging in difficult conversations, said Moeai. The conversations sound like, “I might not see the world through the lens you see

it,” said Moeai, ”but I can understand why and how you behave that way.”

Moeai said he wanted to be an influence for peace that wasn’t just the absence of war but an attitude of love and acceptance for people who think and behave differently.

Not what they expected

Day said she came to BYUH in 2014 with no intention of studying peacebuilding. She said she attended an Arbinger Institute workshop, an early form of the peacebuilding program, for extra credit. “I hated it,” she said. “I didn’t like being told I was a big contender and the source of many of my conflicts.”

What did catch her attention was hearing that the head of the peacebuilding classes, Ford, was away on sabbatical in the Middle East, she said.

“My grandfather is Palestinian,” Day added. “I wanted to meet the teacher who was doing work in the Middle East to learn more about my ancestry and what’s going on over there. I was grasping for connections to that part of my life,” she said.

She signed up for Ford’s IPB introduction class, and then another and another IPB class. One day, her advisor said Day’s major was international cultural studies with a certificate in mediation and that it was time to graduate.

Ligaliga said, “I’m a deejay. I [came to school] just wanting to learn how to download music.” After going to a workshop like Day did, he said it helped him better understand the problems in his personal life. Ligaliga added he was jumping between many majors at that time, but switched to study the closest thing to peacebuilding that was offered and stayed on track.

Whippy was similarly lured into peacebuilding through a different route, he said. One semester he was three credits short and had an afternoon spot to fill, Whippy said. “I’m a big basketball fan. If you follow basketball, you follow ESPN. If you follow ESPN, you follow Chad Ford,” he explained, referencing Ford’s other job as a basketball analyst. He signed up for Ford’s class, and while there was no talk of basketball, Whippy said he fell in love with peacebuilding.

Drinking from the well

When Day was a student, she said the IPB program was mostly mainland women. “I laugh a bit because out in the field it is male dominated,” she said. In the past two years of teaching in the program, she said she’s had students from more than 25 countries and more of a balance between male and female. “It’s not a major meant just for women, and that is

one of the stereotypes we’ve worked hard to overcome,” she said. “It’s encouraging to see our numbers reflecting that,” she added.

The future of the program aligns with the school’s target area of Pacific and Asia, said Ford. They have a good start in the Pacific, with Whippy and Ligaliga being fruits of that, he said, and there is a growing number of students in the program from the Philippines, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Ford said he expects his students will also be pioneers in their countries. “My hope is that one or two of them will come back to our campus and pave the way for our students from Asia,” he said.

Ligaliga, the first graduate intern to come back to campus and teach after getting a master’s degree, will be taking Ford’s place as head of the program after the Spring 2024 Semester, Ford explained. “I was influential in starting the program, and my fingerprints are all over it,” he said. “But there is a point when the person who starts [a project] needs to get out of the way and let the next generation innovate and create.”

That has been really hard for him, he said, but “part of loving something is being able to open your hand and let it grow beyond you.”

There is a phrase often used in the IPB program that says, “We drink from wells we did not dig,” said Ligaliga. He explained he cannot plan the future of the program without acknowledging the past and everything Ford has done to build the program.

Bringing it home

When Whippy was a student field director, he got to travel to Israel, he said, where Ford had him facilitate an Arbinger workshop with Israeli and Palestinian children.

“I was sweating,” said Whippy, because he was so nervous. The experience “stamped in me the belief this could be taught around the world,” he said. “If I can teach peace in a space with a history of conflict like Israel, it should be easier if I take it to the Pacific and to my family.”

Whippy said his dissertation was on creating a peace education model specific to his home country of Fiji. His country’s educational system is a compulsory standardized curriculum from first to 10th grade, he explained, so he wanted to know where peace can fit in, either as its own discipline or connected to a pre-existing one. His results from survey-

ing teachers was huge positive support, he said that peace education needs to be its own subject. Teachers also wanted it to be taught in teacher training so they could create classroom atmospheres conducive to peace, he said.

Fiji has a history of ethnic conflict, Whippy explained, so the main part of the new peace curriculum would be learning about other ethnicities’ languages, cultural practices and history.

Other parts would include environmental and spiritual learning as well as conflict resolution skills contextualized from Western-centric syllabi, he said.

Talking about how he brought peacebuilding into his home made Moeai emotional. “Growing up as a Polynesian there is only one way, and it’s top-down,” he explained, “As a child in the Pacific, your life belongs to your family, and if expectations aren’t met, it usually results in some very extreme behavior towards you.”

He was going to college and raising his children at the same time, he said, and his education helped him and his wife be more aware of their children’s needs and give them more freedom to learn and experience life. •

I might not see the world through the lens you see it, but I can understand why and how you behave that way.”

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EMPOWER YOUR DREAMS

Every year BYUH hosts an entrepreneurial competition with the prize being money for student’s businesses

BY MYCO MARCAIDA

More than 40 business student teams competed in the annual Empower Your Dreams competition. The top three winners were:

1. Shoesiety by Michael Valiant and Dandy Nugraha

2. Virtuso by Elena Nicole Tippets, Mace De Guzman Gamil and Francis Gomez

3. YOI by Samuel Suzuki

Cash prizes were given to the winners during the awarding ceremony held at the Heber J. Grant Building. First place winner, Shoesiety received a $6,000 check. Second-place winners received $5,000 and the third-place winner received $4,000.

Above: A participant holds up a competition T-shirt. Right: Winning student teams are pictured along with the judges and university administrators. Photos by Enkthuvshin Chimee.

DREAMS

Shoesiety Bags first place

Michael Valiant, a freshman from Indonesia majoring in business management, said their missionary experiences inspired their business. Valiant added Shoesiety focuses on solving the problem of smelly shoes. “In our culture, it is necessary to take off one’s shoes when entering someone’s house, and we noticed that at times, it has become a problem,” he said. Shoesiety started in August 2022 and is based in Indonesia, said Valiant.

Dandy Nugraha, a freshman from Indonesia majoring in computer science, said they started the business immediately after their missions. “In the process, we did our own research through the help of a mentor back home who specializes in chemical formulas,” he explained.

Difficulties with distance and communication were present when they started making plans for the business, said Nugraha. “But success is bound to happen if people are willing to try. You’ll never know if you don’t try,” he added.

Awards ceremony

According to willescenter.byuh.edu, the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship Business Competitions at BYU-Hawaii, funds and aims to align with BYUH’s mission, to prepare students to be leaders and strengthen communities. The competition caters to teams ranging from one to four people.

Five judges were invited to judge the competition and announce the winners at the awarding ceremony held April 4.

Choosing winners required robust discussions among five judges, said Joanna Ormond, an alumni from Australia and executive director/ owner at ESC Corporation. “We judged based on sustainability, your knowledge, how you present your business, and based on criteria from the mission of the Willes Center and BYUH,” she added. Ormond encourages students to say yes to opportunities. “You don’t want to regret anything so when opportunities come. Just say yes!” she added.

Corey Blake, an alumnus and senior brand director of Boncom, said the students of BYUH have so much potential. “As I visit every time, I honestly say it is not going to get much better than the last time, but every time I am surprised at how great the students are doing,” he added.

A $500 scholarship was given to Christmas Island Shuttle & Car Rental, Get Connected, Kiddett, Medease, Pinoy CCTV Security, Rockasbing, and USA Connect as part of the prizes for the rest of the top 10. A $200 scholarship for “Best Show” was given to HI Delivery based on a public booth showcase judged by an audience.

Above: Participants show the famous local “shaka” sign for a photo. Below: A group gathers for a selfie.

Photos by Enkthuvshin Chimee.

Graphics by Yichi Lu

Lei Making

BYUH alumna explains how to create three types of leis and connecting back to the land

BY ABIGAIL HARPER

Pilialoha Haverly, an alumna from Hauula who studied secondary education, explained when creating leis, “You took from the land so you’re gonna give back to the land. Traditionally you don’t throw away your lei, but you give it back to the ‘aina.”

“You have to have the right na’au when you make a lei. The right heart, the right spirit. You can’t be angry or grumpy or not want to make it. If you do, the lei is not going to turn out very well.”

prep Work

• Collect ti leaves.

• Clean the ti leaves - if you don’t, you can get sick from wearing it.

• Soften the ti leaves by microwaving them for about fifteen seconds.

• Cut some of the ti leaves into sections with pointed tips.

maile lei

The ends of the lei should reach mid-thigh.

• Cut along the spine of the ti leaf, giving you two sections.

• Twist the ti leaf section.

• Using your big toe as an anchor, twist the ti leaf so it is ropelike. Then cross the two sections over each other. Twist, cross, twist, cross.

• Add the smaller ti leaf sections into the twists.

• Add a small leaf, twist, add leaf, twist. Continue until finished.

• When the leaf starts to get short, add another ti leaf and twist it into the rope to add length.

haku lei

These can be worn around the head, ankles or wrists.

• Snap the spine of the leaf and pull the spine out.

• Cut off half of the leaf.

• Repeat the first two steps for three leaves.

• Tie the stems of the leaves together.

• Pinching the ends between your toes, braid the three leaves.

• Add a small ti leaf into the middle section of the braid at every cross-over.

• Continue braiding to desired length, then tie the ends together.

plumeria lei

The lei should lay mid-chest in the front, and shoulder blades in the back.

• Using biodegradable string and a lei needle, thread plumeria flowers and pull them down the string.

• Continue to desired length.

• Tie string together, making sure there aren’t any gaps between the flowers.

Pilialoha Haverly making leis with ti leaves and plumeria flowers.

Photos by Uurtsaikh Nyamdeleg.

Graphics by Marlee Palmer and Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

Food fest 2023

BYUH club members and attendees say enjoying food from home and around the world makes Food Fest iconic

BY LINDA LAULU AND EMELIA MIKE

The Flag Circle at BYU-Hawaii was transformed into a food paradise on Nov. 4 as students, faculty and local community members gathered for Food Fest 2023. This annual club fundraising event united people from diverse backgrounds by celebrating international flavors.

Food Fest 2023 felt like home, said sophomore Shota Omija, a psychology and intercultural peacebuilding major from Japan.

“I love being here because I have the chance to taste food from home again and cultural food from different countries,” he said. He said his favorite dish was the Mongolian baby pork rib and gave a special shout-out to the Canoe Club’s orange otai.

Willie Irava, Fiji Club’s vice president of activities and sophomore from Fiji majoring in business management, explained the mild spiciness of Fijian Chicken Curry Rice distinguished itself from a traditional curry due to its lighter flavor and noticeably less

Latin America Club members serving food.

Photos by Yui Leung.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

creamy sauce with tomato chutney as a side. Irava expressed his excitement for the cultural exploration and culinary adventure Food Fest provides saying, “It is a good experience to explore different cultures and try new things.”

Elaine Omae, a Papua New Guinea attendee, said her favorite food was the Tahitian Club’s crepes. “As a dessert and sweets lover,” she said, “the crepes were satisfying and tasty.” She expressed she enjoyed spending time with her friends at the event and suggested more back-up food stocks and preparation to avoid food shortages and long wait times.

Avalon Liao, a junior majoring in graphic design from China, helped sell China Club’s “Sweet Moment” dessert. The refreshing treat was made with ice-cold milk, honey, marshmallows, sweet beans and green jelly. Liao explained the dessert took inspiration from a traditional Chinese summer treat but was given a contemporary twist to cater to the preferences of the younger generation. “We added a pandashaped marshmallow to make the dessert look interesting,” Liao said.

The Malaysia Club served Pisang Goreng, which is a banana fritter appetizer popular in Southeast Asia. Eliza Nacar, a sophomore majoring in social work from the Philippines, said Pisang Goreng has become one of her

favorite foods since she started assisting the Malaysia Club with Food Fest. She said, “I really enjoyed the sweet condensed milk and the salty cheese because they boost the flavor of the crispy banana.”

The Hip Hop Club performances were Audrey Pryde’s favorite part of Food Fest, she said. A senior from Idaho majoring in biology, Pryde said she enjoyed the Food Fest as it was her last before graduating. “It has been really fun to see the atmosphere light up with community members and their friends and families who came together and had a great time,” she said. She hopes Venmo or credit cards will be an option in the future to buy tickets, as a way of encouraging more students to attend. •

Top left: Korean Club’s sign lighting up their booth. Bottom left: Hong Kong Club members promoting their popular egg waffle.

Right: Meat kabobs barbecuing over the grill.

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

Culture Night:

Uniting students through performances

Clubs Leadership Council and Student Leadership and Service highlight the importance of Culture Night at

BYU-Hawaii.

BY CHRYSANTHEMUMOLIVE TIAFAU

In an effort to enrich the BYU–Hawaii experience for all students, the Clubs Leadership Council and Student Leadership and Service stated clubs are formed to enhance the BYUH experience for all students through a living laboratory of opportunities that promote learning, leading and building.

The CLC and BYUH SLS leadership stated clubs give students the opportunity to “develop a sense of belonging at BYU–Hawaii, apply principles learned in academic programs, serve the campus and community by sharing their hobbies, talents, cultures, traditions and interests and learn and practice leadership. … Student leadership trains student leaders, implements and supports their requirements, and creates guidelines and procedures for all student clubs.”

Culture Night is a two-day event held at the Cannon Activities Center and is also broadcast live on the BYUH streaming page via YouTube. According to CLC and SLS information, participation in Culture Night is optional for all clubs. “It is a celebration of cultural diversity and promotes peace internationally,” they said. CLC and SLS

said Culture Night not only allows clubs to showcase their talents and contributions but serves as a platform for them to further develop their leadership skills.

Jacquie Alisa, the student activities coordinator for SLS and Laie native, spoke about the importance of Culture Night for students. “We believe that Culture Night echoes the school’s mission of preparing students to become lifelong disciples in their chosen field because it allows them to further develop their leadership skills by instructing, planning, organizing and executing a cultural performance for their members,” said Alisa.

She explained Culture Night fosters a sense of unity and inclusion with the community and students by inviting members of the community to assist clubs with advice on how to incorporate cultural techniques into songs and dance movements to enhance their performances. She said, “Community members who are alumni may participate in supporting clubs as musicians.” She added, the community is also welcome to watch the Culture Night performances.

According to Alisa, Culture Night provided a platform for all willing country cultures to present a significant part of who they are as people. When students on campus learn a dance or song from their own culture or another, she said, “It is a moment in time and the various culture clubs all unite to celebrate as the people of Jesus Christ.”

Fatima Dagohoy, a junior majoring in biology from the Philippines and supervisor for the CLC, said she believes every performance from previous Culture Nights were outstanding. “They highly depict the unity and inclusivity within our community. I was heavily moved by the Afro-world performance. The message of their performance made me realize the school’s vision of bringing international peace. It was heartfelt and filled with passion,” said Dagohoy.

Student supervisor of Leadership for Clubs, Sirawit Kitwongpak, a senior majoring in accounting from Thailand, said, “My highlight [from previous Culture Nights] was to see all cultural performances come together in one place and on one stage, to help each culture represent themselves on an international stage.”

BYUH SLS and CLC leaders encourage students to join a club each semester. Additionally, they said students could participate in a variety of events scheduled for the upcoming semesters such as Food Fest on Nov. 2 in Fall 2024, Culture Night in March during Winter 2025 and a variety show in June in Spring 2025. •

Left: India club performing. Top right: Men from Cook Islands club dancing. Bottom left: Samoa club’s men performing. Bottom right: Latin America’s club dancing with fans.

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers. Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ)

During the 2023 Culture Night, 1,200 students from 31 clubs performed. The clubs that performed were:

1. professional accounting society

2. hapkido

3. haWaiian

4. hong kong

5. indonesia

6. afro World

7. hmong

8. singapore/ malaysia

9. kiribati

10. thailand

11. aotearoa

12. vietnam

13. tahiti

14. korea

15. cook islands

16. tonga

17. rock n roll

18. lahu’i va’a

19. hip hop

20. cambodia

21. taiWan

22. intertribal

23. Japan

24. mongolia

25. png

26. filipino

27. india

28. china

29. latin america

30. fiJi

31. samoa

Left: PNG club Right, top left: Hawaii club; Right: Mongolia club contortionist; Middle: Samoa club; Bottom left: Taiwan club; Bottom right: Japan club.

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

DAVID O. MCKAY DEVOTIONAL

2023 David O. McKay faculty lecturer Yifen Beus discusses the way film can help people view the world differently

BY ABIGAIL HARPER

After giving her David O. McKay Lecture on the ways film can help us see the world through different lenses, Yifen Beus said she was asked by a curious faculty member, “Do you think directors think of those things when making the film or is it film critics who tease out complexities?”

During the question-and-answer panel about her work, Beus said her colleagues’ questions and comments in response to her work is similar to film critics’ comments; they help her tease out the complexity in her own research.

While framing her talk, Beus said, “We, as an audience, offer our willing suspension of disbelief when engaging a fictional world, and better yet a willing suppression of prejudice when engaging an unfamiliar or strange world with our eyes seeing and our ears listening.”

Filmmaking is usually seen as an invention of colonizers, she said, but Oceania filmmakers have modernized their storytelling by repositioning themselves in a cinematic space. She shared two clips from different films that illustrate Indigenous filmmaking.

One of the clips was from the movie Seediq Bale, set in Beus’ homeland, Taiwan. It is a dramatization of the 1930 Wushe Incident, an anti-colonial rebellion by one of Taiwan’s Indigenous groups, the Seediq, during Japanese rule. During the panel discussion, Dale Robertson, a retired political science professor, asked Beus how she would respond to someone who says that colonization is not their fault and they should not dwell on it because it causes feelings of guilt.

Beus said she would use herself as an example as someone who is Han Chinese, one of the groups that colonized Taiwan. “Self-referentiality is very important,” she said, “we need to recognize where we are coming from. We take the guilt and move it toward a positive direction together as a community because that is productive.”

She also emphasized that she does not want to speak for Indigenous people but wants to speak with them. To engage in the kind of work Beus discussed, she encouraged everyone to come to the film forums held on campus. •

Left: Yifen Beus speaking to the audience about her research in film.

Right: A portrait of David O. McKay.

Photos by Joseph Ariono.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

The of doing

small & simple things synergy

English professor illustrates how everyday decisions can add up to great things – or not – by sharing stories of her ancestors and from her own life

BY LINDA LAULU AND LEEANN LAMBERT

Assistant Professor Caryn Lesuma shared during the BYU-Hawaii devotional on May 28 how her upbringing in Laie and the faith of her ancestors profoundly shaped her life and others lives through the enduring impact of making small and simple choices.

A member of the BYUH Faculty of Arts & Letters, Lesuma highlighted the lives of her ancestors, such as the faith and sacrifices of her great-great-grandfather Pinemua Soliai in American Samoa and her great-grandmother Lorraine Soliai Hill Cravens, who have significantly impacted her family’s faith and service in the gospel and the Church. Soliai was instrumental in getting his village to allow the Church’s missionaries to teach people there, and Cravens missionary service in the San Diego area brought hundreds to the Church.

“Both Papa Soliai and Grandma Noanoa died long before I was born,” said Lesuma, “but stories like these help me to feel closer to them and to understand my own responsibilities as their descendant. When I defend my faith and share the gospel, I am honoring their

legacy and setting an example for my own children and nieces and nephews.”

However, Lesuma also warned “the power of small and simple things goes both ways. It can lead to great things, or it can lead to awful things. Sometimes… the consequence comes by choosing NOT to act,” said Lesuma. She shared when she was college, she failed to do the small and simple things like regularly studying and attending her calculus class. She ended up failing a course for the first time in her life and had to retake the calculus class.

“As a former valedictorian, this was the absolute lowest point of my academic career,” she said. But how did this happen? “Well, I’ll tell you,” Lesuma recounted. “I sometimes missed class to sleep in or study for other classes. I told myself that I would cram before the final and that it would all work out somehow. I didn’t attend office hours or tutoring, and I didn’t give my best effort to my daily assignments. When it was time to study, I usually chose to go out and do fun things with my new college friends instead. Now, arguably none of these small actions would have had a big effect if they happened only once or twice

during the semester. But enacted consistently over the course of the semester, they added up to a failing grade.”

Christian Tanicala, a freshman from the Philippines majoring in mathematics and intercultural peacebuilding, referenced a scripture from the Book of Mormon included in Lesuma’s talk, specifically Alma 37:6-7. He said, “This is where she shared about ‘small and simple things, great things brought to pass.’

That begs the question of how to make small and simple things happen in our everyday lives at BYUH.”

Tanicala added, “I like how she taught us to set our mind to consider even the smallest decision. Though small, making it and thinking about it can make a big difference in our life.”

He added Lesuma’s speech clarified that decisions determine destiny, and while big things matter, small things are just as important.

Lesuma said as a wife and mother who works full-time, she doesn’t always succeed at doing the small and simple things. “But I have a testimony that as I continue to try my best, the overall cumulative impact of my willing efforts will echo positively into the eternities. I know

that each and every one of us has tremendous power to bless our families and our communities by adding our efforts to the efforts of those who came before us.”

Jezel Asong, a freshman majoring in psychology from the Philippines, emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and living as a disciple of Jesus Christ at all times. She stated, “Whatever circumstances you are in, always learn to have fun and be a disciple of Jesus Christ. After all, no matter how seemingly small our choices are, they will echo through eternities.” •

Left: Caryn Lesuma giving her speech at the devotional. Right: Lesuma interacting with BYUH students and Laie community members.

Photos by Yui Leung. Graphics by Yichi Lu.

A love for science and a wish to cure cancer

Graduating senior Gerome Romero says he believes if there is creation, there is also a creator

BY ELI HADLEY

Gerome Romero does research in the Science Building labs and poses outside of it in his graduation robes.

Photos by Camille Jovenes. Graphics by Yichi Lu

Gerome Romero, a senior majoring in biochemistry with an emphasis in neuroscience from the Antipolo, Philippines, said he plans to earn a doctoral degree and eventually become a professor. Romero said he contributed to a peer-reviewed journal with a team of researchers led by Dr. Georgi Lukov, a professor in BYU— Hawaii’s Faculty of Sciences.

Love of God and science

Romero said he sees no conflict between believing in both science and the existence of an intelligent God. “I feel like science basically testifies of God. If you look around you, everything that is happening has a reason and scientists can only find an explanation at a certain point… And I feel only a divine creature can explain it [fully]. I find a lot of beauty because if you look around creation, it’s perfectly made and it just makes me feel happy.”

Romero said this reminded him of a quote, “If there is a creation, that means there

is a creator.” As Romero sets out to earn a doctorate in biochemistry, he said he desires to keep his faith just as strong as his earthly knowledge. He said wherever he ends up for graduate school, he will remember to keep his covenants and have faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Redeemer. He said although there are some people in scientific fields who do not believe in God, a person cannot let the opinions of others affect their faith. “I feel like if you have a strong perspective about God, everything will work fine,” he said.

Romero spoke about why he loved science so much. “I feel like there will be no engineering or there will be no technology if there’s no math and science because I think those are the foundations of the other two. So, I feel like learning or being proficient in science will basically open up bigger opportunities,” he said.

As a child, Romero said he loved reading books and always knew he was meant to do something related to science with his life. “I

was actually a chemical engineering student back home. But after my mission I decided to transfer to BYUH and the closest one to my [engineering] major was biochemistry,” he said.

His ultimate goal in life, he said, is to help find a cure for cancer. “I remember when I was a kid, both my maternal grandparents died of cancer. And I remember telling my parents ‘You know what, Mom? When I grow up I’ll be the one who discovers a cure for cancer.’”

Hard work pays off

Recently, under the direction of Lukov, Romero contributed to a research team whose peer-reviewed research paper was approved for publication by MDPI Publications, a world-renowned scholarly journal. He said, “It’s amazing because we’ve been working on this paper for almost two years.”

Romero shared the details of Lukov’s team’s effort to use a synthesized hydroxychavicol, a compound that can induce cell

death, on cancer cells to see what part of the structure would affect the cancer cells’ growth. Based on the team’s research, a certain part of the hydroxychavicol compound was found to decrease the rate of the cancer cells’ reproduction. Romero said, “[The results of the research] could basically open opportunities for cancer treatment.”

Romero expressed science was a process one had to stick to. He said a researcher will not always get their desired result on their first try. As part of science, he said there are a lot of repetition, errors and trials. He said, “You always have to do your best. You have to work hard. That’s why we’ve been working for almost two years on this experiment. And after a lot of experiments, tears, hard work and a lot of effort, everything went well,” he said. Romero added in the field of science, “There’s one thing you should never do and that’s to give up. Never give up because quitting won’t benefit you. Have a lot of patience as well.”

Romero said Lukov has been a great sup-

port for him throughout his academic career. He said he is grateful for the opportunity he had to be part of Lukov’s research team. “Without Dr. Lukov, I don’t think I’ll be able to do this experiment and be exposed to this type of research environment. Dr. Lukov is like a father figure but a knowledgeable father because he’s very nice and his critiques and suggestions are delivered in a way that will encourage and motivate,” said Romero.

Becoming a Leader

Romero arrived at BYUH in Winter 2020 with seven other Filipino students, only a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am very social and I remember being stuck in my hale for almost five semesters,” he said. Romero said being in quarantine tested his mental capacity and showed him his inner strength. BYUH introduced hybrid classes in early 2021, which were conducted partly in-person and partly online. During this time, Romero said he decided to run for the position of president

of the Filipino Club, where he served from Winter 2021 through Fall 2021. He said despite being a freshman, not knowing anyone and the lack of people on campus because of the pandemic, he still decided to run for the presidency. He added, “The other candidate was very popular at the time because he was the vice president of that current officership... I remember people telling me not to run for president because I’m too young and I’m inexperienced.” Romero ended up running and won 56 percent of the vote, he said.

According to Romero, never before in the history of any club at BYUH has a club reached 360 members in one semester. This happened during his administration in Fall 2020, a major feat considering he was elected during the pandemic when many students were off-island, he said. During this time, Romero said he was very busy with his classes and working as a tour guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center. He said the experience of being a club president helped him better manage his time. In the future, Romero said he believes he will be able to use the time management skills he learned to use his time wisely in his studies and research.

Jasmin Meman Perez, an accounting major and a senior from Tuguegarao, Philippines, said she met Romero back in 2021 when he was the Filipino Club president. It was her first time on campus because the pandemic prevented her from coming to the university. “He never hesitated to reach out to me and ask me to be a part of his presidency so I became his treasurer at that time. Ever since then, I’ve loved hanging out with Gerome. He’s such a good friend and such a good leader. Both my husband and I look up to him.”

Shannel Paningbatan, a senior double majoring in psychology and social work from Quezon City, Philippines, said she also met Romero when he was the president of Filipino Club. “During that time, I saw how good he was with people and with leading. He’s very smart and a very social person. You can rely on him for anything that you need.” Paningbatan said Romero is a very spiritual person who often attended “Come, Follow Me” with her and other students and always had profound insight into what was being discussed.

Perez said in preparation for her wedding, Romero volunteered to be the master of ceremonies. She said, “[My husband and I] had a

hard time setting up for the reception because it’s just the two of us and we didn’t really have families to help us around. But Gerome was just so kind and loving to be a part of our special day [as the master of ceremonies]. He is generous and loving.”

When Perez’s son was born, she praised Romero for being a great godfather by showering him with gifts and caring for him. Admiring how Romero never wanted anyone to get left behind, she said, “When he leads, he’s not in front of you, but he walks beside you to get you along the way.” She described Romero as very influential and hopes he can always influence people around him to be better.

Paningbatan said he can do a lot of good for his home country. “If he ever comes back to the Philippines, he will bless a lot of Filipinos, especially in healthcare in our country,” she said.

Future plans

Although he has already been accepted into a Ph.D. program for biochemistry, Romero said he is also applying to other schools to have more options. However, he said he is leaning more towards going to a church-run university. Romero said, “My plan right now is to go into industry like working in laboratories. As I grow older, I want to enter academia because teaching is one of my passions. I love teaching people, so being a professor afterward is my dream as well.” He said given the opportunity, he would want to come back to Laie and teach at BYUH in the future.

To any underclassmen who might be struggling, Romero said, “Don’t be afraid of being rejected. Rejection is part of life…It’s part of your progress as a human being and if you just continue moving forward and never give up on all of your dreams, everything will be okay and successful.” •

Romero visits popular places on campus, smiling in front of the David O. McKay Building and browsing the shelves at the Joseph F. Smith Library.

GENUINE GOLD Class of 2023

As the main character in her own story, Crystal Tania shares the plot twists that have created her own Hawaiian roller coaster ride while studying communications at BYU-Hawaii

BY ABIGAIL HARPER

Crystal Tania, a communications major from Indonesia, knows people won’t remember what she says at the Fall 2023 graduation as the nominated student speaker but believes they will remember how she made them feel, she said.

During her internship in Boston over the summer, Tania said she helped the company’s new employees. The day after conducting a training, a woman approached her by the elevator and asked if Tania was from BYU-Hawaii. “I was shocked,” Tania said. Most people, if they ask, assume she goes to UH Manoa, Tania explained. She asked the woman how she had known. The woman told Tania she had visited the Polynesian Cultural Center a month prior. The same feeling the woman had felt interacting with BYUH students at the PCC she felt during Tania’s training, she said.

Surely she had forgotten what was said to her at the PCC, speculated Tania, but she remembered how she felt. As she moves forward in life, Tania said the biggest thing she will have taken away from her time at BYUH is the Aloha Spirit.

Communications

The first class she took in her major was intercultural communications. She said it helped her with the culture shock she felt when she came to BYUH. “I learned that people do things they grew up perceiving as normal,” she said, “and so do I.” For example, eating a bag of chips with a pair of chopsticks might seem weird to some, she added with a laugh, but to her it was a good way to keep her fingers clean.

She said a reading in the class about a society called Acirema was very impactful to her. People in this society put pig hair on the end of a stick to put in their mouths, she explained. They also have potions that can change their appearance. “Turns out Acirema is America spelled backwards,” she said. The pig hair on a stick was a toothbrush, she explained, and the potions were things kept in the bathroom like makeup and hair products. “I saw [those things] as weird, not knowing it was me too,” she said, adding that the reading solidified her desire to be a communications major.

Will Gombos, the senior program manager of learning & development at Moderna, the pharmaceutical vaccine company Crystal interned with over the summer, said Crystal is “incredibly welcoming and puts you at ease.” Wilma Imanuelia, a senior studying business management, grew up with Tania in Indonesia and is her unit mate. Similarly to

Tania posing in front of the science building in her graduation robes.

Photo by Kristian Galang Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

Gombos, Imanuelia said Tania is good at communicating and connecting with people. It is no wonder her major is communications, Imanuelia said with a laugh.

“I cannot speak highly enough of her,” said Gombos. Tania’s willingness to push outside of her comfort zone and be undaunted by challenges stuck out to him, he said, while they worked together. He said rarely do interns connect with people beyond their team, but Tania developed relationships with people in other teams and upper management.

Battling imposter syndrome

Faculty deans nominated students to be the graduation speaker. The nominees were interviewed by Academic Vice President Isaiah Walker, and then offered assignments such as saying prayers or giving the student speech. Tania said when she got the first email from Walker, she thought she was in trouble. “Turns out it was the opposite,” she said with a laugh, and a few days later received another email telling her she had been chosen to be the commencement student speaker.

Public speaking is something she has loved since high school, Tania said. “It would be a humbling opportunity and honor to do that one last time before I leave this sacred place,” she said. As excited as she was to speak, she said it took several days before she got the courage to write the talk. “Imposter syndrome is one of my biggest enemies,” she said, “but in the last few years, I’ve learned how to combat it.”

“Imposter syndrome is the evil whisper in your head saying you are not enough,” explained Tania. In the days after being chosen, she said she wondered if she was really qualified to be the student speaker. She saw friends posting graduation photos and inspiring stories, she said. Compared to them, she said she wondered if she was the right person for the job.

Many of Tania’s skills are very hard to teach people, said Gombos. Her ability to be curious and ask questions comes naturally to her, he explained, and he would tell the doubts in her head that she already has the abilities she needs within herself. The nagging feelings of self-doubt are not gone, Tania said, but she has been better about facing them. “I know I’ve worked hard to be in this position, so let’s not look sideways,” she said.

Tania titled her speech “Navigating Life’s Plot Twists” and shared one paragraph that was her favorite part. It read, “We are all the main characters of our stories. Heavenly Father is the director and producer. Our struggles, as I like to call them plot twists, are necessary for character development because main characters are never boring. Luckily, we have professors and mentors who care about us, acting as the guides in our storylines. Just as movies leave us eagerly anticipating sequels, our lives hold the promise of exciting adventures beyond.

Crystal Tania with her graduation cap.

Photo by Giovanni Boenari

At the groundbreaking of the school, President David O. McKay prophesied that from this place will go forth men and women of genuine gold. “I would never on a daily basis call myself genuine gold, you know?” Tania laughed. “But I’m proud to be part of that prophecy.”

Gombos said Tania made a cultural impact at Moderna. The company, he explained, believes in creating a space of belonging first, then inclusion. With those two ingredients comes diversity, he said. Tania brought this equation to life, he added, and her personality drove home the idea of starting with belonging.

Going to school at BYUH was a dream fulfilled for Tania, she said. She loved the grandiose things, like Culture Night and Food Fest, she said, but will really cherish the small moments. “Walking through the McKay hallway and saying, “Hi,” to everyone I pass by is a favorite moment for sure,” she said. “When else can you pass down a hallway feeling like a celebrity?”

Volunteering at school events, interacting with professors, friends who become your family, cooking in the hale’s and walking home from the temple with wet hair were all the small things she said made time here a meaningful experience. Imanuelia said they love going to the beach, taking selfies and creating memories. Tania can vibe with anyone, Imanuelia said, and so they are always vibing.

The first time Tania applied to BYUH she was rejected, she said. She was told they had reached their quota for IWORK students that semester, but she had good credentials and was encouraged to apply again. “It still stung,” she said. Her high school friends were accepted to universities and had plans while she took an unexpected gap year, she said.

“Looking back, I don’t regret that year. It was what I needed,” she said. She got a job doing administrative work for expatriates, she explained, which helped her open up to diversity and communicate with people from other places.

Getting to BYUH

Tania’s father is a BYUH alumnus. She said she grew up hearing stories from him about BYUH and saw his Facebook friends from around the world wishing him happy birthday. “I liked that,” she said, “but it wasn’t until I was 12 that I made up my mind to go to BYUH.”

A BYUH Admissions representative came to an annual church youth camp in Indonesia Tania attended, she said. Imanuelia was there with her and said Tania asked the representative a lot of questions. After that, the two of them worked hard and would check in with each other on their progress to get into BYUH, Imanuelia said.

After that meeting, Tania said she was motivated to do well in Seminary and English. Similar to a spelling bee or mathlete competitions, there are English competitions in Indonesia, she explained. Tania said her high school English teacher saw a lot of potential in her and encouraged her to join a competition hosted by a prestigious English prep school.

“I always try to bring my 101 percent to everything I do,” said Tania. It started as something to try out, said Tania, but after she won the first round, she said she thought, “Oh, I guess I have something in me. Let me work hard to win.” She did win, Tania said, first place. She and her sister both got the prize of traveling to Hong Kong.

A dream fulfilled

Tania posing in her graduation robes.

Photo by Kristian Galang

Graphics by Marlee Palmer.

Prevent, Defend, React

Local police, Campus Safety & Security and 2 self-defense teachers explain how students can prevent and react to dangerous situations

BY NICHOLE WHITELEY AND CHENOA FRANCIS

Michelle Blimes, adjunct faculty in the Faculty of Education & Social Work and Faculty of Arts & Letters, teaches an empowerment self-defense course and gave students tips on how to handle themselves in a potentially dangerous situation. Blimes said a large part of her curriculum is teaching her students how to trust themselves and have confidence in their feelings, intuition and actions in any situation.

Blimes covered the definition of harassment and stalking, different types of consent and non-consent, what to do in pressurized settings, how to set boundaries and how to trust yourself.

Iona C. Teriipaia, from Campus Safety & Security, said a preventative safety measure is to “notify housing or [your friends] when you are going out.” He said when going out with a friend group, be aware of your surroundings, observe and also avoid dark areas.

not leave valuables in the car, especially if they are visible. He continued, “A lot of crimes [happen] because of opportunity, … so you want to reduce opportunities.”

Ah Loo explained it is crucial, when in potentially dangerous situations, to try and avoid the situation and to immediately call the police. He said, “Some situations are unavoidable. But the situations that are avoidable, you just want to be aware and respond as safely as you can.”

hoW to recognize suspicious activity or unsafe behavior and people

resources to turn to on and off campus

BYUH and PCC Security offers a pamphlet that covers and educates students on Everbridge Alert [a system that provides immediate emergency notifications via text or email], things to know before buying a car, having a bike, having a car on campus and safety tips. The safety tips offer information on sexual assault and other crimes, telling people to “make smart choices. Be aware of your surroundings, never go anywhere alone with someone you don’t know well [and] participate in group outings.”

Teriipaia said when going out or traveling, look to be vigilant and alert and be aware of the people around you who may seem suspicious or make you uncomfortable. He said one way to determine if someone may have questionable intentions is if they are watching you continuously. He advised students to “move away and keep distance.”

Hunter Ah Loo, acting major for District 4 which covers the Kaneohe Police Station, Kailua Police Station and Kahuku Police Station, shared a few precautionary recommendations for avoiding dangerous situations. He said, similar to Teriipaia, being in pairs always helps the situation. “You’re less of a target when you have numbers around you.” He recommended people lock their doors and

Reka Bordas-Simon, a resident of Laie, teaches a self-defense class with Blimes once a month, different from the course Blimes offers for credit. She explained being aware of how you feel in any situation is critical. “Many times when we think of self-defense, we think of someone jumping out of the bushes to attack us, which can happen, of course. But most assaults actually happen by someone we already know.”

According to the National Institute of Justice, “Eighty five to ninety percent of sexual assaults reported by college women are perpetrated by someone known to the victim.”

This is why in any situation, Blimes said the best thing to do is “listen to your own gut feeling and intuition.” If the situation feels unsafe, Blimes and Bordas-Simon advised to leave as soon as possible.

Bordas-Simon added, “If something feels off, it’s probably off. Really trust yourself.”

When looking for unsafe signs or behavior Blimes said, “I don’t think there are certain signs to look for because everybody’s behavior is different. There’s lots of different ways we can interpret nonverbal behavior. It may be what the person means, but maybe not, so just listening to our gut feeling is really important.”

Director of BYU–Hawaii Campus Safety & Security Anthony Pickard said suspicious activity can be identified by recognizing people who don’t belong in the area. He said, “You see something, you report it. … There is no harm in reporting it to local authorities.”

The messages from Everbridge, according to Campus Safety & Security, inform students of hurricanes, tsunamis, active shooters and more.

The Campus Safety & Security website shows students how they can receive alerts on ongoing events happening on campus through Everbridge:

“To receive emergency alerts from BYUH’s emergency mass notification system, please sign up by following these instructions:

Step 1: Login to Student Center.

Step 2: Click on ‘Main Menu’ > ‘Self Service’ > ‘Campus Personal Information’ > ‘Phone Numbers.’

Step 3: Click on ‘Add A Phone Number.’ Step 4: Select the phone type by clicking on the drop-down in the first column and choose ‘Campus Alert’ from the drop-down list.

Step 5: Enter or update your phone number in the field next to that phone type, then click ‘SAVE.’”

Pickard said whether students live on or off campus, they should report any suspicious activity to local authorities by calling 911, the Honolulu Police Department or the BYUH safety hotline, which is open 24/7 at (808) 675-3503.

Other resources for off-campus students living in Laie, Punaluu, Hauula or Kahuku include the shuttle service provided by BYUH Campus Safety & Security Monday through Friday at 10 p.m. and midnight, shared Pickard. When walking home at night or grabbing food from Foodland, Pickard advised students to walk in groups.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

The recent campus curfew lift doesn’t impact regulations BYUH Safety and Security has set in place for on-campus students, said Pickard. From midnight to 5 a.m., BYUH Security officers check IDs and driver’s licenses of incoming vehicles driving on campus.

hoW to react in a dangerous situation

Ah Loo said in a dangerous situation, “Safety of yourself and others around is always a priority.” To avoid confrontation, he said, “The key is to remain calm and think ‘Safety first.’”

He added the goal is to get out of or avoid the dangerous situation and notify the police when you are safe. However, if avoiding is not possible, he said the best thing to do if a confrontation arises is to de-escalate the situation. There is no set way of dealing with every situation, Ah Loo explained, but he advised to remain calm and to not agitate the person further or make the situation worse.

physical self-defense

Blimes said learning simple self-defense techniques can help someone get out of a dangerous situation. “The thing I like about empowerment self-defense skills is that they’re very easy and anybody can do them even with any kind of skill level or physical ability.”

Bordas-Simon explained learning selfdefense skills are so essential because they transfer to muscle memory. Blimes added as you practice these simple skills and build that muscle memory, even in a panicked state your body can recall how to react to the danger.

Often in a dangerous situation, BordasSimon said people will freeze instead of fighting back. So, she said, “Knowing the physical skills is not enough,” which is why empowerment self-defense teaches more than just physical defense. It focuses on mental and verbal defense as well such as yelling, BordasSimon explained.

CYBER

In the self-defense class Blimes and Bordas-Simon taught they had the women attending practice using their voices to yell “No.” They said they taught the women to use a loud, powerful “No” because it sets your boundary clearly and notifies others around you when you are in an unwanted situation.

Bordas-Simon said many women feel uncomfortable practicing their voices, but it is crucial to do so. “So many attacks can be prevented by just yelling,” she added.

“It’s your right to yell,” Bordas-Simon said. Both women said it is important to know each person has the right to say no, to leave a situation and to set boundaries for themselves. This could be in an escalated situation like discussed before, or in a calm situation such as turning down a date that you are not interested in. •

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CANOE RACE 2023

Students

represent their

home countries as they paddle canoes at Kahana Bay

BY ELIJAH HADLEY

Abrisk breeze skimmed across the ocean waves in Kahana Bay on the morning of Saturday, March 25. The bay served as the playing field for the annual canoe race, which was put on by Seasider Sports & Activities. With fifteen teams made up of students and alumni from BYU–Hawaii, those who competed said they were glad to enjoy the experience and spend time with their friends.

The team Fenua Maohi, which was made up of mostly Tahitians, emerged victorious in the final race. They were awarded first-place medals and a trophy, along with black shirts with the word “Champion” emblazoned on them in red letters.

Chesser Cowan, an alumnus from New Zealand who graduated in Spring 2021 with a degree in intercultural peacebuilding, was part of the winning team. Of the victory, he said “It feels amazing, [and] doing it with friends is even better. We’re very close, and so … we were all in sync.”

Santhosh James, a freshman majoring in computer science from India, said he participated in the canoe race to expose himself to different cultures. His team, called Jai Balaiya, consisted of mostly Indian students and ended up coming in second place at the final race.

Before the canoe race at Kahana Bay, James said he had only rowed once in a canoe and wanted to have the experience again by racing. “It’s

not easy for everyone to get this kind of opportunity, and the college provides it… We are all so excited to participate,” he said of his team.

Although Julie Simaima, a member of the Green Team and a senior from Samoa majoring in communications, said sleeping in on Saturday morning was appealing to her and her friends, she said they still showed up. “[We’re] just enjoying the ride with our friends and colleagues. Because when we leave this school we’ll get to look back at these memories and these moments… And even though we’re not gonna win, even though we’re not gonna hold that trophy, we’re just gonna go for the food and for the fun.” •

Left, bottom and middle right: Students paddling in the race. Top right: Winning team of the race.

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers. Graphics by Yichi Lu.

GREAT IDEAS COMPETITION

Students take part in BYUH’s 2023 Great Ideas business competition where they can earn a money prize

BY SHARINI SHANMUGANATHAN

Each Fall Semester, the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship sponsors the Great Ideas Competition. “It is an opportunity for students to think about, build, and scale their business ideas. This is an opportunity for students to have a positive impact on themselves, their community, and the world,” says the center’s website.

Students can work by themselves or in a team to “identify a need, plan a solution, and present their ideas,” the website continues. “There are no registration fees to enter the competition.” Cash prizes are awarded to the top three teams in each category, and students from all majors and minors are welcome to participate in the event, the website says.

The Fall 2023 Great Ideas Competition Public Booth Showcase, which was held on Nov. 8, gave BYU-Hawaii students the chance to think, create and expand their business ideas in front of sponsors from the Willes Center and other interested students, faculty and community members. Students either presented their ideas as individuals or in groups as well.

Cynthia Snelson, a sophomore from Malaysia majoring in TESOL, said, “It was very rewarding. It was very nerve-wracking at first, but once I passed that first stage, it became better because I had a lot of opportunities to share about the business and share my experience as well.”

The Fall 2024 competition is scheduled for November but participants should sign up on the Willis Center website and are encouraged to join in the pre-event meetings. Look for more information about how to participate when students arrive on campus.

Left: Student’s watching speakers pitch their businesses during the 2022 competition. held in the Hawaiian Theater at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Right: Student finishing her presentation.

Photos by Yui Leung and Pristine Shek.

Graphics by Yichi lu.

The happiest songs

BYUH’S STUDIO JAZZ ORCHESTRA VISITS MAUI TO INSPIRE JOY

BY EMMIE SIEBERT

University officials decided BYU-Hawaii’s Studio Jazz Orchestra would go to Maui after the devastating effects of the wildfires there, said Director Daniel Henderson. “Music has the power to influence, heal, lift, and inspire,” he said, and the concert’s theme was “The Happiest Songs on Earth.”

An audience member from Maui, Lyla, got up and danced during the song “Come to The Mardi Gras.” She said, “Isn’t it wonderful

to live your life in song?” She added, “I am almost 90, and I know the words to all of these songs!” She stayed dancing for the rest of the show.

Light in the dark

The goal of going to Maui, said Henderson, the director of the Studio Jazz Orchestra and associate professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, was not to go over there and say, “Hey, look on the bright

side of life,” or “Everything is going to be fine.” But rather when dark clouds are overhead, to cling to hope and know, “the sun peeks out of the clouds from time to time,” Henderson explained.

Henderson added most of the songs the orchestra played emerged from some of the darkest times of history, referring to the Great Depression in the 1930s. There’s poetry behind that, he said, that when the world was struggling, songs of joy, love and light were made.

After the orchestra arrived on Maui, he surmised, “It’s not just Lahaina. Everyone is struggling.”

“I spoke with some whose homes had burnt down,” Henderson said. Some were bursting with gratitude for the orchestra’s performance, he said, and others were quietly admiring. Henderson said he also heard back from stake presidents, bishops and ward members from various wards who said they were all grateful the orchestra came to Lahaina.

Jamboree Jones

Another audience member, Sean, originally from South Africa, but who has lived on Maui the past 40 years, attended the orchestra’s final performance. He said, “I am so grateful the kids get to experience this kind of thing on Maui.” Sean said he was touched by

songs on earth

the song, “Accentuate The Positive,” because it was his mother’s favorite. It was so special to tell his child about these songs, Sean said.

A song that resonated with the orchestra more than Henderson said he anticipated, was “Jamboree Jones,” a song originally by Johnny Mercer about a football game. “But more than a football game, it really is about finding a redeemer, savior and helper when you need it the most,” said Henderson.

According to Henderson, the song starts with a football team who finds themselves in the unfortunate desperate situation of being down 17 to nothing with 1 minute to play, as the lyrics say. Henderson said, “It’s hopeless. You can never come back from that!” He continued, the football team tries with all their talent, skill and coaching, but they can’t do it.

Finally, Henderson said, the football team gets help from an outsider who is the least likely person to be of any help. Henderson said, “Up in the stands, there is this lowly clarinet player named Jamboree Jones.” He continued, the clarinet player summoned all of his energy and power and spirit into his music.

Henderson said in the song, “It turns the whole crowd berserk. They go nuts. They start

screaming, cheering and yelling.” He said the crowd’s spirit was infectious so the football team runs up the field and down the field, as the song lyrics say, and the team wins!

“Really, this is a story about how sometimes we need a Jamboree Jones in our life.” Henderson posed the questions, “When have we been down 17 to nothing? Do we know anyone who has only about a minute left to play, as the lyrics say? Can we as an outsider step in and say, ‘You don’t know who I am,’ like the lonely clarinet player, and help those around us?” Henderson said, “We all feel down 17 to nothing sometimes.” Sometimes people can feel like they only have a minute left to play, then, in comes their own Jamboree Jones, he said.

Sean said, “Your conductor puts out so much positivity and joy.” Sean said he was inspired by the connectivity between the conductor and the orchestra. “It seems like oneness,” he said, “It is just phenomenal.”

The primary purpose

“My primary purpose is first, the education of my students,” said Henderson. He said a tour can offer experience, contexts and mo-

ments students cannot get on campus. He said college is a time where students are divided because their crowded schedules force them to divide themselves. He explained, “One hour is science. The next hour is religion, then music, then lunch. The next hour is crying over how bad your date went last week, then work and then homework and then catch a little Netflix and call your parents.” Henderson said he views the tour as a time where he has his students for four days undivided, and how special that time is to leave an impact on the students. The result of the tour, Henderson said, “From an educator’s perspective, we made enormous progress musically.” He said by the end of the tour, the orchestra really felt the power of the music. Very few people in the orchestra are trying to make a career in New York or Hollywood, said Henderson, but “for the students to rediscover the love of music made me really, really happy.” To get to spend four days with them morning till night was terrific, Henderson said. •

Far left: Dr. Daniel Henderson in his office on campus at BYU-Hawaii. Photo: Enkthuvshin Chimee. Graphics: Yichi Lu

The Studio Orchestra plays during an outdoor concert on Maui. Dr. Daniel Henderson leads the band. Photos by Emmie Siebert

HOLOKAI

BY HADLEY WURTZ

To graduate from BYU–Hawaii, students must complete their degree within the Holokai system, a trisectioned system allowing students to choose their major(s) and minor(s) from three categories: Arts & Humanities, Math & Sciences, and Professional Studies.

According to the BYUH Holokai website, Holokai is the Hawaiian word for a voyage when “Pacific Islanders sailed to new lands in voyaging canoes using the stars and waves for navigation.”

The website states the purpose for students to chart their voyage wth the Holokai academic system “allows you to have both breadth and depth of knowledge in a combination that will set you on your voyage to your own personal destination in life.”

“In order to earn a BYU–Hawaii degree, students must complete 120 credits and a combination of one major from one category and two minors/certificates (or additional majors if they fit within the 4-year allotment) from each of the remaining categories [within the trisectioned system],” states the Holokai website.

Along with the required courses for a students chosen major and minors within the three categories of study, students must also complete the following core classes within their curriculum.

Once you have decided your academic plan or if you have any questions, contact your Academic Advisor. For more information, refer to holokai.byuh.edu.

core classes + maJor and t Wo minors/certificates in three different areas + religious education = byuh degree.

Below are the three categories of study and the available majors and minors to choose from within each category. •

core classes

• Holokai Foundations (1 Credit Hour)

• Mathematics Requirement-Quantitative And Logical Reasoning (3-5 Credit Hours)

• Reading/Writing/Speaking (6 Credit Hours)

• Religious Education (8-14 Credit Hours Depending On Transfer Credits If Applicable)

CORE

Photo by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

MORE THAN A BUILDING FULL OF BOOKS

Staff share about the special spirit and services offered by the Joseph F. Smith Library

BY ELIJAH HADLEY

For years, the Joseph F. Smith Library has opened its doors to the students of BYU–Hawaii and members of the Laie community, providing a quiet space to read and study. Beyond the library being an area for study, its staff members said the building offers a greater spiritual refuge from the difficulties of life and helps to bring people from diverse backgrounds together.

the still, small voice

Becky DeMartini, assistant professor and head of instructional services at the library, said she enjoys the peace found in the building, and how it seems to affect the students who walk through its doors.

“I love getting to meet all the new students and getting to help them,” she said. “It’s fun to be in this academic setting, always learning new skills and new ideas. There’s also

almost always nice people here in the library. People are here to relax and learn.”

“Around the corner [from her office] is the temple display, for the 100th year celebration for the Laie Temple. In general I would say that the library is a place of love and respect where people are trying to help each other, so I believe in general there’s a good spirit,” DeMartini said.

For Stephanie Robertson, an assistant professor and outreach librarian for the Joseph F. Smith Library, the library is a place where the spirit is invited, “because we know we can hear the still, small voice better. But also because I feel everyone who teaches here or is a student here has some kind of special story about how they came here or what drew them here.”

Alipate Latu, the Joseph F. Smith library circulation supervisor and an alumnus of

BYUH, also said he sees spiritual benefits students can reap from the library. “I see all these students from all these different countries. I walk around and I see them studying and I know they’re all from different cultures. I’ll talk to a few of them and say hello. I can tell who’s a new student and who is not. I like to welcome them to the library and tell them if they need anything, to let me know.”

He continued, “We would get a connection going. They would tell me the story of how their family converted to the church.” Latu remarked on the relative ease in which library patrons and staff “can go from just a regular conversation to a spiritual conversation.”

“It’s a place for [library patrons] to be spiritual. … A place of peace and quiet, to study. If you’re in a dorm, it’s kinda loud, but when you come over here, there’s a quiet place that’s very peaceful,” Latu said.

Latu explained how the Joseph F. Smith Library possessed items not found anywhere else in the world. “I think we’re kind of a small library, except for maybe high school libraries. One of the very unique things we have here is the archives. A history of everything here in the community; in Laie and around Koolauloa. One of the other very neat things here is an original copy of the Hawaiian Book of Mormon,” he added.

He said the library offers services for students to help them save money, such as the textbooks on reserve, which can be checked out for two hours at a time in the library.

“If students need help with their research, we have the librarians. Especially when they’re freshmen, they might not know how to do MLA, APA and other types of research like that. The librarians will be able to help them with their research paper,” Latu continued.

Students are also able to reserve study rooms for several hours to meet as groups, and may check out markers and other materials such as laptops and headphones. Latu emphasized that a student’s ID card is required to be presented at the circulation desk when borrowing an item.

As an outreach librarian, Robertson said the Joseph F. Smith Library has a purpose beyond being used by students for studying and homework.

“We love to have everyone come to our library if that’s helpful to them. If it’s a good environment for them to get done the things they need. Community members can come, and they can use the community computers with some help from our student workers. They can scan things at our scanners. Also our faculty, if they have particular textbook needs, they can talk to our access and acquisitions librarian to get help for the resources for their courses ordered or made available.

“I was a student here. I taught as an adjunct faculty member since 2009, and I’ve only been an actual librarian for a year now, and I don’t even know all the resources. It’s been a learning curve for me to see what is available, because we have so many e-resources that I feel like I could click on a new one everyday and not be done for years.

Looking to the future, Latu said he believes in the next few decades, the library will continue to grow, but may move away from physical books and more towards digital ser-

vices, “because everything’s online now. Back then, everyone would have a dictionary. Now everyone has a dictionary on their phone.”

Even with an increased use of e-books and online services, Latu said the library will still be in need of its employees working at the circulation desk. “The digital world is a good thing. Everything is easy to access. Moving forward, it’s gonna be interesting,” said Latu.

personal connections

Latu said he was put on the right path by the library. While a student at BYUH, Latu worked as a tour guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center, guiding tours from Waikiki down to Laie. However, through help and encouragement from his wife, he found a new job as an assistant supervisor in the Pacific Island Studies room.

“My major was Pacific Island Studies,” he said, “but I always wondered, ‘Why the library? It’s a pretty boring place,’” he continued with a laugh.

After enjoying his time as an assistant supervisor for several years, Latu said he was promoted to a full-time circulation supervisor and has been at the library ever since.

Robertson said she originally did not get into BYUH when she applied as a freshman. When she transferred over, she viewed being on the campus as a new beginning for her life and stated the library gave her a strong feeling she was needed and wanted.

“I remember the very first week of class sitting up in the quiet study area and saying to myself, ‘Okay, this is a fresh start. This is a special place and I want to do my best. I am going to commit to being in this good environment to give myself the best chance to succeed as much as possible.’ And really for the first time, setting aside time to be mindful and study. That was back in 2004.” •

Left: The front of the library.

Photo by Sadie Madriaga Wesley.

TRANSPORTING AROUND CAMPUS

From bicycles to

mopeds, students

share

their

diverse choices for a better mobility around the campus

BY MUTIA PARASDUHITA

BYU–Hawaii students shared their effectiveness in riding wheeled devices, from classic bicycles and boards to trendy electric scooters. Despite their preferred device, they all agreed it’s very convenient to transport within the campus and around Laie.

Steven Tee, a freshman majoring in vocal performance from the Philippines, said out of any other option, he chose to use a traditional bike because he didn’t need to buy gas or charge it. “I don’t like walking too much, so I don’t need to rush for classes but arrive faster.” He said the average cost of a standard new bike could be around $100 to $180 but it can go higher if you try to find good quality. He said, “If you decide to buy a second-hand bike around the campus, make sure to ask how much it was when they first bought it, and you can bargain.”

A junior from the Philippines, Jade Magracia, said, “I chose e-bike because it is convenient for campus commuting. The size is small and makes parking easier for me. It helps me quickly zip through the campus from TVA, and I don’t need to do any physical exertion.” She said she bought it for $300, but if the size is bigger, it can be more expensive. She said something to consider with an e-bike is the battery life and rainy season. According to Magracia, it’s hard to estimate the distance she could reach until the battery is out and she has to wipe the bike if she bikes through the rain to keep the machine in good performance.

A junior majoring in computer science from Taiwan, James Chen, said he chose to use a traditional scooter because it is affordable. He said he got the brand-new scooter for $50 and it’s enough to fasten his mobility to hop from one class to another. He said, “If you have [a higher] budget, I would suggest buying the electric one because sometimes you’ll get tired of pushing it.”

Rannod Vandyarto, a senior majoring in biochemistry from Indonesia, said, “I chose to use an electric scooter because it’s not bulky, I can fold it, and I don’t get tired because it uses a machine.” He said he bought his e-scooter for $300 that already included the digital lock. He said the lock helped assure him his e-scooter wouldn’t get stolen because the machine won’t work when the user doesn’t know the pin. But he encouraged everyone to lock it with the traditional lock too.

E-scooters and E-bikes should be parked away from exits, walls and other vehicles. Use the bike racks on campus and secure them with a lock. Experts advise putting an air tag on them in a hidden spot in case they get stolen.

Bike

Scooter

ElEctric bikE

ElEctric scootEr

Marvel Ariono, a freshman majoring in biology from Indonesia, said he chose to ride a penny board because the size is small being only 27 inches. He said the advantage of a penny board is that it is handy and light. Ariono said it doesn’t take much space to keep it and it only costs between $20 to $30. He explained the challenge for this small vehicle is there is less space to put your feet when riding it. “There are many people who say the penny board is harder than any other kind of board. I feel it’s a lot cooler when many people can’t ride it,” he added.

Raj Jerry, a freshman from Malaysia majoring in TESOL education, said his skateboard has helped him get to the education building. According to Jerry, the price average of a skateboard is between $50 to $70, but it depends on the quality. He said people need to make sure they can ride it before buying a skateboard, because it requires a good balance to avoid accidents. He said, “When I first started to ride a skateboard, it was hard for me to learn to balance. Even if you are already good at it, you can fall easily if you don’t pay attention to the ground conditions.”

longboard skateboard

A junior from Tahiti majoring in visual arts, Edelweiss Chonger, said she loves to ride a longboard because the wheels don’t make a lot of noise when she rides it. She said there is a variety of sizes, heights and shapes for longboards, so it’s better to consider the personal needs before buying it. Chonger said, “The bigger the body the slower it goes and harder to maneuver, but the bigger the wheel, the faster it goes.” She shared the average price for a longboard is around $60 to $100.

Jonah Crandall, a junior from Colorado majoring in biology, said a moped is helpful to transport from campus to his off-campus housing. Crandall said it doesn’t require much gas to commute around campus. “It only takes about $5 and for it to last for a week or two. As a student, Crandall said he had to be mindful about the budget, so he bought a second hand moped. If people want to buy a second hand moped, he suggested people check the mileage and registration. He added if the mileage is too high and there is no registration, it’s not a good one to purchase. Crandall suggested waiting until nearly the end of the semester to get a good price because many people need to leave the island and need to sell it as soon as possible. •

Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra), upklyak on Freepik.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS & REQUIREMENTS

BYUH financial aid website gives information on the different on-campus scholarships available to students

BY ANTONIETTE YEE-LIWANAG AND RANITEA TEIHOARII

Federal Financial Aid Programs:

sap - satisfactory academic progress

To remain eligible for federal financial aid, students are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). These SAP standards are designed to ensure the appropriate and efficient utilization of federal financial assistance in support of students’ educational goals. The requirements establish a clear distinction between satisfactory academic progress and mere progress towards graduation. To receive financial aid, students must fulfill the following criteria:

• Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 or higher throughout their enrollment.

• Complete all graduation requirements within 150 percent of the minimum hours required for their degree.

• Successfully complete at least 67 percent of all attempted credits in which they are enrolled.

the teacher education assistance for college and higher education ( teach ) grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a grant not based on financial need and offers a maximum of $4,000 annually to students who are currently enrolled in an eligible program. To qualify, the student commits to serving as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field at a low-income elementary or secondary school for a minimum of four years within eight years of program completion. Before receiving the TEACH Grant, the student must sign an agreement committing to this service and must also undergo all required counseling.

To be eligible for the TEACH Grant, students must meet the following requirements:

• Enrollment in an eligible academic program.

• Enroll for at least 12 credit hours each semester.

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

• Have an approved academic plan in place.

• Complete both TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling.

• Sign the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

• Complete the exit counseling process.

Photos by Lexie Kapeliela and Unsplash. Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

federal pell grants

Federal Pell Grants are grants provided by the U.S. Government to students, offering financial assistance without the need for repayment. To potentially qualify for Pell Grants, students must satisfy the eligibility criteria outlined below and demonstrate their financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information provided in the FAFSA is used by the federal government to assess whether a student is eligible for Pell Grants.

Eligibility requirements include:

• U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or other eligible non-citizenship status.

• Admission to BYU-Hawaii as an undergraduate student in a degree-seeking program for the current or future academic year.

• Not possessing a prio- bachelor’s degree or paying graduate-level tuition.

• Meeting all Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

• Absence of default on a federal student loan or any outstanding refund owed for federal grant attendance at any educational institution.

federal stafford loans

Federal Stafford Loans are loans offered by the Federal Government at a low-interest rate. These loans provide a fixed 5.498% interest rate for the 2023-2024 academic year and are aimed at assisting students who need additional financial support beyond their personal and family savings.

There are two types of Stafford Loans:

1-Subsidized loans are the more favorable option as the government covers all interest payments while the student is enrolled in school at least half-time and for a six-month grace period after graduation or withdrawal.

2-Unsubsidized loans start accruing interest 60 days after disbursement. Students have the choice to make monthly payments on the interest while they are still in school.

To be eligible for Federal Stafford Loans, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or meet the criteria for other eligible non-citizens.

• Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.

• Have been accepted into BYU-Hawaii as a regular student pursuing an undergraduate degree, teacher certification, required recertification, or prerequisite courses for admission to a graduate degree program for the current or upcoming academic year.

• Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

• Receive the loan award by the final day of eligible enrollment and not exceed federal loan limits.

• Not be in default on any federal student loan or owe a refund on a federal grant.

the federal parent plus loan for undergraduate students ( plus )

The federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a loan available for parents on behalf of their dependent undergraduate students. Repayment of this loan commences, and interest starts accruing 60 days after full disbursement. Demonstrating financial need is not a requirement for PLUS Loans. The loan amount may be awarded up to the estimated cost of attendance for a given enrollment period, minus any other financial aid received during that time. Approval of PLUS Loans is contingent on the parent borrower’s credit.

If a parent’s PLUS application is not approved, the student may become eligible for additional unsubsidized Stafford loans. In such cases, students can consult a financial aid counselor for further details.

Eligibility criteria for the PLUS Loan include:

• U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or other eligible non-citizen status for both the student and the parent borrower, along with a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent

• Enrollment in a degree-seeking undergraduate program and being classified as a dependent student by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements.

• Absence of default on a federal student loan or owing a refund on a federal grant

• Enrollment in at least half-time status (six hours per semester).

• Not exceeding federal loan limits.

IWORK

The IWORK (International Work Opportunity Returnability Kuleana) program is designed to support students from Oceania and the Asian Rim (South Pacific and East Asia) in pursuing a high-quality education at BYU-Hawaii and fostering self-reliance.

Eligibility requirements for the IWORK program include:

• Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for at least one year or more.

• First-time attendance at a university in the United States of America.

• Demonstrating financial need through the financial aid verification process.

• Hailing from one of the Pacific Islands or South East Asia countries.

• Parents must reside in their home country, not in the United States of America.

international W ork opportunity return - ability kuleana

Dean’s List Scholarship

Mentoring Scholarship

h olokai fo undations

The Holokai Foundations course at BYU-Hawaii is jointly taught by University President John Kauwe and Academic Vice President Isaiah Walker, along with other campus leaders. In this course, carefully selected peer mentors play a crucial role as exemplars of students who embody the principles of Holokai Foundations and strive to fulfill the university’s mission. As an incentive, chosen peer mentors receive a halftuition scholarship but are expected to meet specific standards and carry out associated responsibilities.

To be considered for the role of a peer mentor, students must meet the following criteria:

• Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0.

• Have completed at least 30+ credit hours at BYU–Hawaii.

• Commit to dedicating approximately 4-5 hours per week to perform service throughout the awarded semester.

Within these weekly service hours, peer mentors are accountable for the following tasks:

• Managing the attendance of assigned students during class.

• Facilitating class discussions effectively.

• Demonstrating consistent and faithful devotional attendance.

• Providing mentorship and guidance to assigned students.

• Responding to unit assessments promptly.

• Acquiring, honing, and applying effective mentoring skills and responsibilities.

• Participating in the improvement of the course curriculum and/or logistics.

• Serving as role models by exemplifying the principles taught in the Holokai Foundations course.

• Assisting in the setup and logistics for class activities.

dean ’ s list scholarship

Every semester, students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher are placed on the dean’s list and automatically considered for a $500 scholarship for the following semester. Those enrolled in the university’s work-study programs are eligible to receive the Dean’s List Scholarship without having to submit additional applications. The scholarship amount can reach up to $500 for the subsequent semester.

After grades for the preceding semester are posted and the cumulative GPA is calculated, qualifying students will receive an award letter from Financial Aid & Scholarships, notifying them about their scholarship. As a part of the process, students are required to complete a brief survey and write a thankyou letter, which will be shared with the generous donors contributing to the scholarship fund. Once the Financial Aid & Scholarships office receives these letters, the scholarship funds will be disbursed into the student’s account.

Departmental Scholarship/ Academic Program

departmental scholarship / academic program scholarships

Scholarships for academic programs are determined by the respective academic departments. Each program has its unique application procedure and criteria. For further details, students are advised to reach out directly to their academic program.

Mission Deferred Intent to Return and Return Missionary Voucher Program

mission deferred intent to return and return missionary voucher program

Mission Deferment Intent to Return and Return

Missionary Voucher are provided to students who have been admitted to BYU–Hawaii after serving a mission. By completing this process, students declare their intentions to either return to the university or decline readmission and can also apply for the RM voucher award if interested.

Deferment applies to students who have not attended or earned credits at BYUH and deferred their admittance to serve a mission, making them categorized as ‘NEW’ students. Admissions is responsible for managing the list of deferred students on a mission. On the other hand, discontinuance pertains to students who have attended and earned credits at BYUH, classifying them as ‘FORMER’ students. The Office of the Registrar manages the list of discontinued students on a mission.

Exceptional missionaries who have shown strong leadership and dedication to study and are from or have served in the Oceania and Asian Rim regions (South Pacific and the Far East) may qualify for an award equivalent to one-half tuition for one semester at BYU–Hawaii if they do not meet the criteria for the IWORK financial aid program. Mission presidents can nominate eligible individuals for this award.

To be eligible for this award, the prospective student must meet the following conditions:

• From or has served a full-time mission in Oceania and the Asian Rim (the South Pacific and the Far East).

• A returned missionary with an honorable release within the past year (must be admitted to BYUHawaii within 12 months of release).

• First accepted to attend BYU-Hawaii.

• Enrolled as a new freshman or new transfer student in a minimum of 14 credit hours for winter and fall semesters and 9 credits for spring semester. Former BYU-Hawaii students do not qualify.

• Committed to uphold the Honor Code.

leadership scholarships

BYU-Hawaii Student Leadership & Service has access to a variety of scholarship opportunities. Contact the Student Leadership and Service office located in the Aloha Center.

dependent or employer - based scholarships

Your parents’ employer might offer a scholarship program. Encourage them to inquire about the details at their employer’s human resources office.

External Scholarships

e X ternal scholarships

Likewise, there are scholarship opportunities available through off-campus organizations. Financial Aid and Scholarships encourages students to proactively research and apply for as many external scholarships as possible, as it can be a valuable endeavor. To explore these options, students may consider reaching out to various resources such as high school counselors, community and high school clubs, local organizations, businesses (including parents’ and previous employers), banks, local non-profit organizations, state and national scholarship programs, and scholarship search engines. It is essential to exercise caution when sharing personal information. The Department of Education provides guidelines to avoid scams while applying for scholarships.

For further assistance, students can explore additional resources, including the BYUH dedicated external scholarship database called:

Scholarship Universe, the Hawaii Community Foundation, Kamehameha Scholarship, Hawaii Education Association (HEA), ScholarshipExperts.com, ScholarshipOwl.com, Scholarships.com, Collegeboard.org, International Scholarship Opportunities, and the American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC)

How to use TheBus’s HOLO card to pay for transportation

BY ANNA STEPHENSON

Just as landline phones, iPods and printed-out assignments are fading into the past, so are paper bus passes on Oahu. Starting July 1, 2021, the Honolulu-based transit company TheBus no longer offered paper passes, including monthly and day passes. If you intend to ride the bus more than one round trip a day, you will need a HOLO card. However, getting a HOLO card is easy. With the lack of paper passes, you must pay individually for every route in the transfer. The funds on the HOLO card never expire.

TheBus website says monthly passes cost $80 and can be purchased after the 19th of every month to be valid for the following month. Also you can earn a monthly pass by simply using your HOLO card. Once you reach the $80 amount on your card, you can ride the rest of the month for free, says the HOLO website. Additionally, using a HOLO card and paying fare for two trips automatically grants you a daily pass with free transfers within two and one-half hours of riding. Individual trips are still $3 each. If you do not have a HOLO card, each bus trip, including transfers, will cost $3 in cash, exact change only. TheBus will no longer be handing out paper day passes, so you must pay each way.

1.Go to holocard.net and make an account with an email address and password. (You technically do not have to do this, but it’ll protect you in case of theft or losing the card.)

2. Then, go to the Laie Village Shopping Center Foodland customer service counter and ask for an Adult HOLO card. They cost $2. They will activate your card and give it to you. At this stage, however, you can’t use it to ride the bus. The card still has to be loaded and registered.

3. Register and load the card online using a credit or debit card. You can load the card with as much money as you want. (You can also load the card at Foodland. Just register it online and bring it back to the customer service counter, where you’ll need to pay cash to load it. Local 7/11 stores also can load cards.)

4. Return to your holocard.net account and select “Add HOLO card.” Input the card number and security code, then press the “Add card” button. From there, you can load the card, as well as check how much money is left on it if you’re not using a monthly pass.

5. The website also gives you an option to auto-bill your bank account or credit card every month.

To use the HOLO card, simply tap the card against the card reader at the entrance of the bus and wait for the shaka sign or the ukulele tone. On your way off the bus, you don’t need to tap again. If you’re running low on funds, the reader will flash yellow to remind you to reload the card. While you can keep your HOLO card in your wallet, take it out before tapping the reader. According to TheBus’s Frequently Asked Questions on its website this is important so the reader is able to detect the microchip on your HOLO card only, not your other cards. The reader will not take payment from the same card more than once within two minutes, so don’t worry about accidentally double-charging. Thus, you cannot pay for other people. Each passenger needs their own HOLO card.

If your card is lost or stolen, you should cancel it online and get a replacement card at Foodland or online. Register your new card and use the website to transfer the stored balance from your canceled card onto the new card. You can’t do this if you didn’t register your first card at a holocard.net account. Be aware, TheBus does not guarantee replacing HOLO cards will always be free.

According to Hawaii Public Radio, the HOLO card will be usable at the newly opened rail stations with the cost of a one-way trip being $3 and includes transfers made within two and one-half hours.

The changes may be difficult for some students. Amelia Meli, a junior from Kaimuki double majoring in biology and Hawaiian Studies, said she takes the bus fairly often but isn’t sure if she’ll get a HOLO card. “I’ll miss the one-day pass. It was useful.” She said she feels as though TheBus is primarily making this change to squeeze extra money out of card-less passengers who need to make transfers.

If you have friends or family coming to visit Oahu and they intend to take the bus, you could advise them to get a HOLO card. There are locations near the Honolulu Airport where they can pick one up.

If you qualify for reduced bus fares due to disability, are on Medicare, or are under 17 or over 65, you cannot get a HOLO card at Foodland. Disability and Medicare cards must be retrieved from TheBus Pass Office on Middle Street in Honolulu. Senior and Youth cards can now be retrieved from certain city halls, Foodland, Times Market and 7/11. If you prefer to purchase a HOLO card via mail, it can take up to 10 business days for it to be delivered. At this time, only Adult HOLO cards are available for purchase by mail.

Customer service representatives could not comment on if student discounts will become available in the future. •

Left: TheBus and an example of a HOLO card. Photos by Mark Daeson Tabbilos.

MĀLAMA I KA ‘ĀINA

A

Hawaiian phrase, it means caring for the land and so much more, and students say they are embracing

the call to respect the island

BY KYLEE DENISON

The literal translation for malama i ka ‘aina, according to the Hawaiian Dictionary, is “caring for the land.” In fact, it is even the name of the science curriculum for K-12 students in Hawaii, according to the Malama I Ka ‘Aina website. But for BYU–Hawaii students with Hawaiian heritage, they said it means so much more than that.

Kalani Jensen, a sophomore from Huntington Beach, California, majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said malama i ka ‘aina means “not only to care for but to respect the land that your ancestors made and built up for you.”

Kiana Serrao, a junior from Stansbury Park, Utah, majoring in biology, said malama i ka ‘aina means “taking care of the culture and the people who live there. It is being respectful to everyone who is here, not just the people, but the animals and the trees.”

A

call to action

While visiting the island when he was younger, Jensen said his dad would encourage him to pick up trash whenever they saw it.

“When we would go surfing, we pick up at least five pieces of trash out in the water.” He said he feels this concept is something instilled in most Hawaiians.

Jensen said local Hawaiians “respect the kapu, or the sacred land. They try to push to keep that land sacred … they fight really hard for what they believe and they fight really hard for their land.”

Listening to the locals is also important, Jensen said. If locals do not go on certain a hike, don’t go, he explained. People educating themselves about the island and leaving a place cleaner than it was found, are examples of malama i ka ‘aina, he added.

Being respectful

Serrao said when visiting the island in 2016, she and her family were walking along Bikini Beach when they ran into a local woman carrying a bag she said she fills up with trash on her morning walk every single day. “Just the little things like that,” she added, are ways to take care of the land.

“It is our responsibility, especially here in Hawaii as guests on this island, that we take care of everything. We don’t come in and disturb the ecosystem,” Serrao said, and students should be respectful of sacred lands.

Although it might make for a good photo, Serrao said it is important to give wild animals space. “It is disrespectful to the locals and to the animals,” she explained.

In fact, “endangered, threatened and indigenous species, including humpback whales, false killer whales, Hawaiian monk seals, the yellow-bellied sea snake, numerous species of dolphins and all species of turtles are protected” under Hawaii state laws, says the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources website.

Madison Richter, a junior from Ohio majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, said she is trying to be more environmentally conscious about what she consumes.

“Right now I am trying to learn the Hawaiian culture for how to take care of the land.” Richter shared she has been vegan for a long time, but after moving to Hawaii, she decided to take a break from being vegan in an effort to be more fully immersed in the Hawaiian culture.

“It is important for me to respect the culture by living it,” she continued.

Richter said she is respecting the culture by incorporating more Hawaiian foods and by going out and being in nature. •

Photos by Emarie Majors. Graphics by Emily Hendrickson.

Learning The Aloha

Information from the Collections of Waikiki website.

Photo by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ)

Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra)

Lingo Aloha

aloha

used when greeting someone and saying goodbye mahalo used to express gratitude; turn it into “Mahalo nui loa” to add emphasis da kine from the word “the kind” and used as a substitution word for all scenarios

keiki meaning child shoots a slang word used as “okay” or an acknowledgement grindz food or a meal; must be spelled with a ‘z’ shaka hand gesture meant as a greeting, farewell or sign of approval talk story meaning chatting and reminiscing with friends and acquaintances

PARKING PERMITS & RULES FOR BUYING CARS

BY RANITEA TEIHOARII

According to the Campus Safety & Security website, all students, faculty and staff are required to have a current BYUH parking permit. Here is some information on how to register your vehicle:

To register a vehicle, a person is required to fill out the permit form and pay online on the Campus Safety & Security website. After, a copy of the receipt must be brought in to the Campus Safety & Security office between 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday to receive a parking permit.

for vehicles and motorcycles you Will need:

• A current state vehicle registration card

• Current no-fault insurance card

• Current vehicle safety inspection card

• Valid driver’s license,

• A current BYUH ID card

• A payment for a $5 fee.

for bicycles and mopeds you Will need:

• A current state registration

• Proof of ownership or bill of sale (if none, a signed statement will suffice)

• Valid driver’s license

• A current BYUH ID card and a payment for a $3 fee.

Why get a byu–haWaii parking permit?

If you do own a car, bicycle or moped, you can enjoy convenient parking near Hales, TVA, classroom buildings, the Aloha Center, and other campus buildings. All students, faculty, and staff with cars, bicycles or mopeds are required to have a current BYU–Hawaii parking permit.

hoW do you get a parking permit?

In person: go to the Campus Security office next to the back entrance of the Auditorium on the Big Circle.

Online: https://safetyandsecurity.byuh. edu/publicsafety/parking-permits

What happens if i don’t have a parking permit?

Cars, bicycles and mopeds without a current parking permit are subject to parking tickets that will be given and posted to your student or employee account. After three or more unpaid tickets, your vehicle may be towed. Unpaid tickets may also create a block that won’t allow you to register for classes until they are paid.

remember:

• Anyone living on campus (Hales or TVA) who owns a car must have a current BYU–Hawaii parking permit AND park their car on campus (effective Jan 2014).

• Make sure you watch for signs that identify which lots you can use with your permit.

• BYU–Hawaii is a small campus and is designed to be a walking campus. You may not need a car - and could save some money by using alternative transportation like The Bus, Costco/Wal-Mart shuttles, and the on-campus Car Rental program by Hertz (www.hertz747.com).

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

WATERMELON PINEAPPLE ‘OTAI

’Otai (OH-tye) originated in Tonga but is now enjoyed across Polynesia

INGREDIENTS

• 5 cups shredded watermelon

• 20 ounces canned crushed pineapple with juice

• 13.5 ounces canned coconut milk

• 2-3 cups water

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine watermelon, pineapple and coconut milk.

2. Mix in 2-3 cups of water to desired consistency. Stir in sugar to taste.

3. Serve chilled with crushed ice if desired.

Recipe from Tara’s Multicultural Table.

Photos by Emarie Majors.

WOMEN’S AND MEN’S HOURS at the Fitness Center

BY LINDA LAULU

Since November of 2022, the BYU-Hawaii Fitness Center has held women’s and men’s hours for the students of BYUH to experience a new change of lifestyle through living a healthier one. For the latest update, Janelle Farley, the University Fitness Center and EXS Issue Room manager, said the women and men’s hours remain the same since it started. “Women’s hours are from 5 o’clock to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, while the men’s hours are from 5 o’clock to 6:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday,” according to Farley. Students who have been participating in these hours shared how it has impacted their lives until this day.

Una Taito, a senior from Magiagi, Samoa, majoring in social work and psychology, said her experience of going to the women’s hour with her friends and being highly motivated through the experiences of other female individual’s journey shared in the BYU-Hawaii’s Fitness Center have have helped her and her friends to keep going. “There were so many things I have learned from being involved in women’s hours at the Fitness Center,” said Taito. “Social support and accountability through having a workout buddy can provide motivation from the camaraderie and encouragement of like-minded individuals who share similar fitness goals,” she added.

As Taito continues to be consistent in attending the women’s hours, she talked about some of the things she witnesses throughout her journey that anyone can experience as well. She said the empowerment she has gained focuses on building self-confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness in women. It involves nurturing their talents and encour-

aging them to believe in their abilities and pursue their goals. “Womens hour helps me with social empowerment which focuses on challenging and changing gender norms, stereotypes, and discriminatory workouts that limit women’s participation,” she added.

Taito added she has learned to embrace of her body, as well as some of the things she had done to improve herself through regular exercise are positive changes in body composition, such as increased muscle mass and decreased body fat, significant benefits for mental health and stress relief, engaging in physical activity that allows people to release tension, reduce anxiety, and improved mood. She stated, “The Fitness Center or the women’s hour workout sessions can become a space for self-care and an outlet for managing the stress of daily life.” In addition to this, she emphasized as women witness these changes and become more attuned to their bodies, they may develop a healthier body image and improved self-confidence. Taito said, “Working out helped me appreciate and embrace my body for what I can do, rather than solely focusing on appearance,” said Taito.

With bold a smile on her face, Taito concluded with words of advice for anyone who doubts themselves, their strengths and the goals they have set in becoming healthier in their journeys. “Shift your focus and remember that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth and new opportunities. Be patient with yourself, be kind to yourself, and remember that every journey begins with a single step,” she said.

Samuel Regidor, a senior from Tokyo, Japan, majoring in biology, shared his insights on how upset he was when the women and men’s hours were introduced at the Fitness Center, but he said he later came understand the reasons as to why it is convenient to have it.

“I was a little frustrated the first time I heard about the men and women’s hour, because I think it’s a little challenging to accept that sometimes some of the lifting and workout machines were not used by females or males during their hour, when there is a long line waiting outside,” he said. Regidor expounded on how many times he has noticed that there was equipment not being used in the Fitness Center when males only were working out, that could be used if any of the females who were waiting outside could take the spot and use the equipment.

“Instead of calling it a women or men’s hour, maybe it will be efficient if it’s called a women’s or men’s “priority” hour,” he said, “in that way anyone can come in the Fitness Center to workout using the equipments, but priority goes to either female or male depending on which hour it is.”

Regidor continued, “In fact, as I continued to attend the men’s hour, my experience and heart of understanding increased that everyone is quite different from one another, and that there can be times where some females are not comfortable working out around males.”

He said he was selfish at first for wanting a men’s hour when hearing that there was going to be a women’s hour. “I was acting selfish towards myself by stating things like, I want a men’s hour too because the women are having hours at the fitness center,” said Regidor. “However, times changed when I believed that everyone is unique in style and has different ways of becoming the better version of themselves, and that requires them to be comfortable enough to reach their goals,” he added.

Regidor said as a gym rat, his motivation to continuously go to the gym has been influenced by finding others to work out with in the gym. He shared everyone he was introduced to in the Fitness Center during men’s hour became his friends, and they started to build a bond and joke around. “Building the bond with most people who come to the Fitness Center, allowed us to crack a few silly jokes that made me smile and has helped me feel that motive to continue loving what I’m doing,” he said.

In conclusion he said, “With this, my mental health and self confidence increases as I set goals to attend the men’s hour daily, knowing that I am comfortable to reach my goals as an individual,” he said.

Women work out together in the Fitness Center during the women’s hours that are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Top

the

are Mondays and Wednesdays also from 5 to 6:30

monday: yoga from 5-6pm cardio fuse from 6-7pm

tuesday: high fitness from 6-7pm

Wednesday: yoga from 5-6pm high fitness from 6-7pm

thursday: high fitness from 6-7pm

right: Youngkwong Kwon works out during

men’s hours that

p.m. Photos by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra) and Yui Leung. Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

THE BYUH STORE

From textbooks and office supplies to rentals and

cell phone

services,

the BYUH

Store aims to meet the diverse needs of the campus community

BY CHRYSANTHEMUMOLIVE TIAFAU

David Fonoimoana, a native of Laie and the campus store manager, shared an overview of the services offered at the BYUH Store. Located in the Aloha Center, he said it is open to BYUH students, faculty, the community and anyone visiting.

In terms of the range of services provided, he said, “We offer clothing with alumni logos, office supplies, school supplies, textbooks and even rentals like surfboards and recreational equipment. We also provide cell phone services and plans at more affordable rates, catering to our international students who may not have a credit score.”

Anais Fry, a senior majoring in social work from Boston and a BYUH Store employee, said the store plays a vital role in supporting students by providing course materials, communication services and leisure activities. “It meets needs in all different kinds of categories, whether it’s for classes with textbooks, communication with cell phones or leisure activities with rentals and school supplies,” said Fry.

According to Fonoimoana, when it comes to affordability, the store strives to offer competitive pricing. “Our cell phone plans are cheaper than most other places, with no credit checks or contracts. We work with popular providers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, often offering plans at half the price,” stated Fonoimoana.

He shared discounts and promotions are also part of the store’s services. While there are regular sales, he said the cell phone plans and surplus computer sales stand out as popular and quickly sell out. He added the store collaborates with third-party vendors for events like holiday sales and General Conference promotions.

Regarding digital resources, he stated depending on the preferences of the professors, the BYUH store can accommodate both digital and hardcopy course materials. Additionally, he said students have the chance to get their money back. “We facilitate textbook buybacks each semester, providing students with the opportunity to recoup some of their expenses.”

“The student book loan service [the BYUH Store] provided is yet another way for students to save money and assist them in times of need,” said Fry. She said all full-time students are pre-approved for a $450 book loan each semester, and loans are open 10 days

prior to the semester and end six weeks after the semester’s start date. “Book loans must be repaid before registering for the following semester,” added Fry.

Fonoimoana said one of the challenges the BYUH Store faced is the inclusive access, where professors decide the format of course materials. He said opting out of digital access can sometimes cause frustration, requiring students to communicate directly with their professors to avoid redundant purchases. To address this, Fry said, “I have been working on creating highlights on our [BYUH Store] social media [accounts] to provide students with valuable information. These highlights include step-by-step guides, such as opting out of services, ensuring students have easy access to essential information.”

She added the bookstore serves as a valuable resource for students, offering convenient access to essential supplies, textbooks and services. In order to make life simpler or more affordable, Fry advised students to take advantage of all the resources at their disposal, including cell phone plans. She said if students have any questions, they can email them or visit their website to learn more about their services.

In addition, Fry said the bookstore operates throughout the year, with special events, sales and giveaways announced on social media platforms like Instagram. She encourages students to stay informed through these channels, where helpful guides and information are shared. “In order to assist students all year, [the BYUH Store] will try to provide affordable services,” said Fonoimoana.

To stay up to date on information regarding the BYUH Store, follow them on Instagram @byuhstore or visit www.byuh. store.

BYUH Store photos by Ho Yin LIn. Graphics by Yichi Lu.

BOOST YOUR RESUME THROUGH ON-CAMPUS INTERNSHIPS

BYU–Hawaii students share their experiences in collaborating with companies on their hands-on projects to gain valuable skills

BY MUTIA PARASDUHITA

To provide sufficient work field experience for the students, the BYU–Hawaii Career Services, Ho’okele Department, designed an On-Campus Internships program. Enrolling in this class enables students to collaborate professionally with a real company in their hands-on project.

Adon Eccles, a junior in business management from California, said unlike the

traditional internship off campus that requires a long recruiting process and administration, students will directly participate in the internship experience. Students don’t need to be juniors or seniors to participate, and Eccles explained there is no prerequisite class to participate in this on-campus internship. The process is as easy as enrolling in CRDEV 301R class. He added how this class is encoded with

‘R’, which means repeatable, so if the students are interested to participate in another internship project they are allowed to repeat the course.

The experiential learning supervisor who is also the internship instructor, Elder James Mason, said, “I recruited companies into projects and students will experience a real-life project. We always have way

more projects than we have students, so the students get to pick the best projects.” He shared how students rank the order of their favorite projects based on their interests and internship needs. He said they are typically put in a group of five and when collaboration across the majors is needed in the project, they can work together toward the same goals with individual roles. Every person should be willing to dedicate their time for seven to nine hours of work a week for their project, so they cumulatively work for 40 hours as an intern team, Mason added.

Mason shared his experiences where students thought it was impossible for them to do a project for their specific major, but the On-Campus Internships always has projects in store. “This seems sad because we have all these students who want to do an internship but can’t find one, and we have extra internships that they don’t sign up for,” said Mason.

Mason explained, “This internship is about negotiating with your sponsor/teacher and answering every question with the solutions to these problems. For example, if you have a business problem, you have the whole 16 weeks to solve it, and you are solely responsible to your sponsor, team and BYUH.”

Eccless said a lot of students don’t like the lecture form of class and they want to get that feeling of an internship instead. He continued, “That’s what we provide. The class is structured for you to work on your internship for the vast majority of the class time. Elder Mason has put together his valuable work experience to help students be successful in their internships because most of them haven’t done an internship before.”

As a mentor, Eccles said this program was so effective because he was able to see students receive a sense of eagerness as they participate in the work. He shared he had seen the way students actively participate in making crucial decisions in a company. For him, he said it will help them use the skill if they work in a real field one day. He said, “It’s really good for your resume. If you think you particularly gave a weak resume, that’s the opportunity that campus internships offer, so you can write your resume with something that is appealing.”

A junior majoring in accounting and communications from Mongolia, Azbayar Baldansharav, shared her team’s specific fields they worked on. “I was doing the

communication part in my internship team. My team leader, who majored in business management, had to manage all the teamwork, including communication with the clients, sponsor companies and everything. For my other team member [is majoring] in TESOL, she did all the professional writing that tied closely with the real documents.” She added, “I would like students to know that there is a lot of trust because you are representing BYUH and the sponsor company gives you full access to the information for the job-related information.”

Baldansharav said she was able to see what it looks like to work in the communication field in a real company through On-Campus Internships. She encouraged students who doubt the validity of this internship to “just take it.” She said she ”wasn’t really sure if I could get real-world experience, but then I realized that even though it’s on campus, the

companies treat you as their employer. So you have a full responsibility to complete the task.” Although she said for her, the task is not always easy and can be stressful sometimes, she said she understood those experiences are the things she needs after graduation.

An Vu, a sophomore from Vietnam majoring in supply chain and marketing, said she decided to take the On-Campus Internship class during her freshman year. She said, “I feel I needed to take it because I know that it will give me more experience, and when I’m working on a project, it builds my resume.” She explained how most of the time during the project, she worked closely with the professor and the sponsor, so they could meet the needs of the clients. For Vu, the On-Campus Internship is not like a regular class because she has to be professional at all times. She added it is not like a test in the class. It’s about working with a real company. •

Students in the On-Campus Internship class work together on projects working with real clients. Photos provided by BYU–Hawaii Career Services, Ho’okele Department. Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

Jobs and career OPPORTUNITIES

Sourced from PayScales and various websites, show potential job options and average salaries could be for several majors at BYUH

BY RANITEA TEIHOARII AND ANTONIETTE

Integrated humanities

An integrated humanities degree has an average salary of $39,349. Indeed.com said some of the different careers are:

High School Teacher

Editor

Writer

Public relations

Graphic designer

Hospitality and tourism management

An average salary with degrees in hospitality and tourism management is $43,446, with employment opportunities according to Prospects.ac.uk such as:

Event manager

Air cabin crew

Tourism officer

Hotel and fast food restaurant manager

Social work

A degree in social work can lead to a job with an average salary of $44,906. Indeed. com listed the different careers and others:

Health educator

Habilitation specialist

Outreach worker

Probation instructor

Child welfare specialist

Hawaiian studies

A degree in Hawaiian studies can expect to make $41,216 on average. These are some of the careers available, according to Indeed. com:

High school teacher

Environmental coordinator

YEE-LIWANAG

Psychology

Indeed.com said a psychology degree can lead to career opportunities with an average salary of $40,858, such as:

Researcher

Therapist

Behavior analyst

Professor

Elementary education

An elementary education degree has an average salary of $43,796. Zippia.com said some of the different careers are:

Child care center administrator

Camp director

Training specialist

Program coordinator

Communication, media and culture

Coursera.org said a communication, media and culture degree can lead to career opportunities with an average salary of $45,257, such as:

Public relations

Marketing and advertising

Social media manager

Human resources specialist

Journalist

Biology

An degree in biology can expect to make $41,559 on average. These are some of the careers available, according to careeraddict.

com:

Biologist

Botanist

Zoologist

Pharmacy technician

Phlebotomist

Health and human science

The average salary for health and human science majors is $43,051. The following careers are offered, according to Indeed. com:

Paramedic

Anesthesia technician

Health educator

Health services administrator

English

Majoring in English can lead to careers with an average salary of $44,761. The different career opportunities have been listed by Coursera.org:

Copywriter

Technical writer

Editor

Social media manager

Brand strategist

Anthropology and cultural sustainability

An average salary with degrees in anthropology and cultural sustainability is $46,800, with employment opportunities according to …..such as:

Archaeologist

Environmental anthropologist

Museum curator

Medical anthropologist

Secondary education

A degree in secondary education can expect to make $41,559 on average. These are some of the careers available, according to Zippia.

com:

Data analyst

Science teacher

Social studies teacher

Adjunct instructor/faculty

Substitute teacher

Film

A degree in film can expect to make $47,855 on average. These are some of the careers available, according to indeed.com:

Film crew

Camera operator

Media researcher

Film producer

TESOL

A TESOL degree pays on average $51,369 with opportunities to work, according to Indeed.com, as follows:

Adult education teacher

Academic advisor

Corporate trainer

Private tutor

ESL Instructor

Music

A music degree, pays on average $52,899 with opportunities to work, according to Greatvaluecolleges.net, as follows:

Composer

Sound engineer

Conductor

Music teacher

Information technology

A degree in information technology can expect to make $66,919 on average. These are some of the careers available on Indeed. com:

Network administrator

Computer network architect

Application developer

Web designer

Computer science

A computer science degree, pays in average $71,156 with opportunities to work, according to coursera.org, as:

Software developer

Systems engineer

Programmer

Data scientist

Pacific island studies

An average salary with degrees in Pacific islands studies is $79,669, with employment opportunities according to Hawaii.edu such as:

Lecturer

Program manager

Theater

According to Indeed.com, a degree in theater can lead to different jobs in showbiz with an average pay of $50,427, starting with the most popular:

Actor

Choreographer

Dancer

Assistant director

Broadcaster

Writer

Visual arts

A visual arts degree has an average salary of $52,654. The different careers opportunities have been listed by Indeed.com:

Gallery manager

Interior designer

Technical designer

Graphic designer

Creative director

Mathematics

Majoring in mathematics can lead to careers with an average salary of $62,906. The different career opportunities have been listed by Indeed.com:

Economist Investment analyst

Statistician

Intercultural peacebuidling

An intercultural peacebuilding degree, pays on average $68,024 with opportunities to work, according to Indeed.com, as follows:

Professor

Human rights lawyer

Diplomat

Human resources director

Mediator

Information systems

An information systems degree, pays on average $76,156 with opportunities to work, according to Indeed.com, as follows:

Software engineer

Systems analyst

Database administrator

Web developer

History

Themuse.com said a history degree can lead to career opportunities with an average salary of $50,893 such as:

Research analyst

Legislative aide

Curator

Technical writer

Political science

A political science degree with an average annual salary of $52,859 can lead to careers in the following fields, according to Indeed. com:

Legislative assistant

Research analyst

Director of communications

Policy analyst

Business management

According to research.com, a business management degree has an average salary of $65,000 with opportunities to work as:

Project manager

Market research analyst

Human resource manager

Account executive

Entrepreneurship

An average salary for those with a degree in entrepreneurship is $70,935, with employment opportunities in accordance with Indeed.com such as:

Appraiser

Public relations manager

Management analyst

Sales manager

Accounting

The average salary for accounting majors is $77,000. The following careers are offered, according to Indeed.com:

Budget analyst

Business and financial consultant

Financial analyst and examiner

Finance manager

Personal financial advisor

Photos by Unsplash. Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

BYU–HAWAII MAIL CENTER

The Mail Center provides guidelines and services for all residents to simplify the mailing process and guarantee effective delivery

BY CHRYSANTHEMUMOLIVE TIAFAU

The BYUH Mail Center is located in the Aloha Center and provides a range of postal services to students, faculty, staff and the community. Workers there encourage and welcome students to stop by for any queries they might have and to inquire about the services they offer for any needs they might have.

operating hours

The Mail Center is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, providing services at both the pick-up window and the retail counter. On Saturdays, only the pickup window operates from 9 a.m. to noon. These hours enable students and visitors to access the center’s services conveniently while maintaining a balanced schedule.

mail delivery and outgoing mail:

Mail is delivered to BYUH from Monday to Saturday. Outgoing mail is collected by the USPS on weekdays at 2:20 p.m. and on weekends at 9 a.m. The pick-up window

is closed during holidays, but mail is still processed. It is crucial to keep these delivery schedules in mind when planning any timesensitive mail or shipments.

address guidelines:

When addressing mail, it is essential to adhere to the Mail Center’s guidelines. A mailbox number is available to residents of faculty/staff housing, Hales, TVA and university housing tenants. To obtain your assignment mailbox number, it is advised that you go to the Mail Center. It is optional for people who live off campus to use the services, but if they do, it is advised that they visit the Mail Center to rent a mailbox. It is strongly advised not to use a child’s name or “Hale Room Assignment” when addressing mail. Additionally, always include a four-digit mailbox number to ensure accurate delivery. Packages sent to new students prior to their arrival and mail addressed to children or non-student spouses without a dependent ID will be returned to the sender.

receiving packages and mail:

To receive packages, individuals must be current residents of Hales, TVA or have a paid rental. If you’re a student in the Hales, you’ll be notified when you receive a letter or package. For TVA residents, you’ll receive notifications for packages. Additionally, they offer mail-in or out services for both domestic and international mail. Packages are stored in lockers for 24 hours before being moved behind the pick-up window for collection. If you need any assistance with mailing, don’t hesitate to ask, as they are more than happy to help.

authorized mail pickup:

When picking up letters or packages, a valid photo ID is required for verification. If you are unable to collect your mail personally and wish to authorize a friend to do so on your behalf, simply email mailcenter@byuh.edu with the friend’s name, student ID number and the item they will be collecting. This process ensures your mail is safely retrieved by trusted individuals.

mailing center app:

The Mail Center offers an official app that enhances convenience and accessibility. By downloading the app, you can receive notifications when packages are deposited into the locker system. Utilizing Bluetooth functionality, you can even open your locker directly from your phone. To use the app, simply enter the email address where you receive package notifications. If unsure, visit the retail counter for assistance.

Once a package is placed in a locker, the app will send you a notification. Open the app and locate the package under “My Packages.” You will find information such as the locker number, status, PIN, delivery and expiration times and a QR code. You can choose to scan the QR code, enter the PIN into the locker console or use Bluetooth to open the locker. Remember, packages are only kept in the locker for 24 hours, after which you must visit the pick-up window to collect them.

The BYU–Hawaii Mail Center strives to provide students with efficient and secure mail services. By following the guidelines and utilizing the Mail Center app, students can ensure seamless delivery and retrieval of their packages and mail. For any further inquiries, feel free to visit the retail counter for assistance.

The Mail Center is located in the Aloha Center.

Photos by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

THE BANYAN Dining Hall

A mix of memories, culture and modernity, the dining hall is completed after 8 years of planning, demolition and rebuilding

BY JIEUN SHIN

After eight years of preparation and construction, the Banyan Dining Hall is a combination of community memories, Hawaiian culture and BYU–Hawaii’s diversity in a modern setting.

“We tried as much as we can to bring freshness, ambiance and a welcoming feeling to make it home away from home for all,” said David Keala, the director of Food Services working at BYUH for the past 20 years.

He explained building the dining hall involved many contributors, including architects, engineers, construction people and food consultants.

“One of the highlights for this university is this beautiful dining facility that will serve so many people… and that was the goal,” said Keala.

Keala said the salad station in the Banyan Dining Hall used to be the location of a banyan tree. “Pretty much every Sunday or every night after nine o’clock, people would go and cook and share food,” said Marilou Lee about the old banyan tree. Lee is a club manager at Food

Services from the Philippines and a BYUH alumna who has worked on campus for 25 years.

President Galeai, the executive chef of the dining hall, explained the banyan tree was located right outside the old cafeteria. People used the barbeques that were located under the large tree, he said, and clubs would rent the spot to have activities. He shared the tree had a lot of memories for people in the community and students on campus.

Lee said she and her friends used to gather on Sunday to grab a sack lunch from the cafeteria and sit under the banyan tree, talking stories and eating dinner. She said people could hardly find room to sit on the benches and most of them had to sit down on the grass.

Keala said customers can see the pieces of the banyan tree on some of the tables in the dining area.

Lee explained the name “Banyan Dining Hall” through the naming contest. Many people voted for this name, so it was sent to the President’s Council for approval and became the official name of the dining hall.

freshness, visibility and natural lighting

Keala shared that he and other groups of people spent time researching and gathering data to build the modern facility. He said they visited schools from the East Coast to the West Coast and Canada, meeting directors, presidents, vice presidents and student services of universities.

Keala said the critical elements of designing this building were freshness, visibility and natural lighting.

He explained they intentionally located the salad bar near the main entrance to help customers view freshness as they enter the building. Because the grill station, carving station, and the bakery area are all relatively open, Keala said customers can see how their food is prepared, made and served from taller seats at dining bars on opposite ends of the cooking stations.

“The concept was the cooking area into the dining room,” said Keala. He said they wanted to help customers of the dining hall see, smell and feel the experience of eating in the building. He shared they also worked to provide variety in seating, including outdoor seating with views of Laie, booths, four-seater tables and two-seater tables.

Keala discussed the different sizes of windows and how they allow natural light to fill the dining hall. The large windows throughout the building create an open, lighted ambiance, he explained.

The focal point, Keala said, was that as people enter from the main entrance, they would see a beautiful silver facility and cooks making dishes in front of them.

depicting haWaii and diversity

Keala explained the blue screens on top of the seats on the main floor represent ocean waves, and the curves of the middle dining area represent Maui’s fishhook from native Hawaiian mythology. He explained they wanted the main dining seating to be curved, unlike what he and his committee saw from many campus dining facilities that had straight L-shaped table seating.

Over at the dining hall’s lava station, a large wood stone oven cooks pizza, chicken, pasta and desserts. Keala said the warmth of the oven and the red lamps next to it represent a volcano, while the mural of the Kona Coast on the Hawaii’s Big Island depicts the view from one of the local volcanoes.

The local station also provides local foods such as loco moco with mac salad, said Keala, and the world station cooks international dishes such as Thai chicken curry. “Ethnicity was important for us,” he said.

Keala said local and international foods, lava-inspired decorations and wave motifs were brought together to represent Hawaii.

“All the students and employees [as part of a whole new generation] are blessed to work at this brand-new facility,” said Galeai,

With the current low staffing problem, Lee shared she wants to hire 30 more employees at Food Services to manage the dining hall efficiently. She said those who are social and hard-working would love joining the Banyan Dining Hall team. •

Left: Looking down from the second floor of the dinning hall. Above: President John Kawue and Academics Vice President Isaiah Walker pause for a photos while eating at the dining hall. Bottom: Students work preparing food. Photos by Zane Saenz and Pristine Shek. Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

enter to learn go forth to serve