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Page 6 Musical cartoon mash up: Broadway Cabaret brings Disney characters to life
THE LEAD ER
Page 13 Artificial intelligence beats European ‘Go’ board game champion
Page 22-23 Tips to avoid being distracted and to stay focused during finals
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
COMM 211 • WINTER 2016 INSTRUCTOR
ART & GRAPHICS
L e e A n n L a m be r t
Samo n e Yu e n H e cto r Pe r iqu in
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•BYUH married women without children struggle with infertility
4-5
•Fireside by BYUH Alumnus and instructor inspires students •PCC’s Night Show adds scene of forgiveness
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•Students prepare for “The Force Awakens” •Performing mash up of musical cartoons
MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISTS Wad e Fowle r
C h r i s t in a Ta le n i Ja s m i n e Yu H a n We n g
R u i Xu e ( Ste lla)
H i n a K a la m a
C y n tle a Balu co s
S y n n eva C o l l e t t
K ay la H e lm
K a t e Pe a r s o n
Je o n g min Je o n
M a d e ly n G iro n
A ly ssa Sh re eve
H e i d i Po p p l e t o n
C h e lse a Mille r
D ev y n K a uh i
A n to n ie tte Ye e
T u p u Lyd e l l L aw re n c e
K ale i Ke n n e rley
8-9 10-11
T s z K i n L i ( Ya s u)
The Thanksgiving Miracle •Students impressed by solo dances •Kahuku becomes state champion
M a d e l in e O s t e rlo h
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•Japanese high school students come to improve English •‘Go’ boardgamers play with family and friends
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•Japanese and Koreans claim same island, name them differently •Swig versus Sodalicious
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•EVs on the road are lower than goal of 1 million •Students say Christmas dance was well-planned and want more like them
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•Christmas devotional combines campus musical groups •Seasider wins coveted wildcard
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•Students explain the allure of skateboarding •Obama calls climate change more dangerous than terrorism
22-23
Best way to avoid getting distracted at BYU-Hawaii
24
A glimpse of the summer capital of the Philippines
CONTACT
E-mail: ke a l a k a i @by u h . e du Ad Information: ke a l a k a i ads @ gmail.c o m Phone: ( 8 0 8 ) 6 7 5 - 3 6 9 4 Fax: ( 8 0 8 ) 6 7 5 - 3 4 9 1 Office: C a m p u s , A l o h a C e n te r 134 N E W S C E N TE R
PUBLISHER
BOX 1920 BYUH
P r in t Se r vic e s
LAIE, HI 96762
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ON THE COVER: Broadway Cabaret member Valorie Lafaele performs in the “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” number from the Disney cartoon “Mulan” during the group’s concert in November 2015. Photo by Lexie Kapeliela
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Infographics
The silent struggle of infertility Married women without children at BYUH express their frustration B Y CHRIST INA TAL E N I
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ven though BYU-Hawaii is a family-oriented campus and houses married students and their families, what isn’t evident is the silent struggles of married couples, in particular women, dealing with infertility in the community, said women interviewed. In a recent women’s discussion held on campus centered on the special role of motherhood, one mother shared her first experience of giving birth to her first born and feeling an overflowing and immediate love for him. A second mother spoke of the heartfelt connection she often feels with her children, and another expressed her gratitude for the noble gift of womanhood that allowed her to pro-create and bring into this world her precious little ones. These comments of inspiration, gratitude and appreciation for mother, are not shared by women on campus who do not have children. Lois Saina, a recent graduate from BYUH who resided in the university’s married housing apartments in 2014 with her husband,
expressed feelings of frustration and sadness on occasion while living on campus. In the past year, Saina had miscarried at three months and is hopeful she will be able to conceive again. She expressed the difficulty of living among other married couples who were younger in years of marriage and in age but who had children. “Everywhere I went there were children. I heard their little voices playing outside my door. I could hear the neighbor’s newborn baby crying… It was so hard not to be upset and to wish that I had my own little ones,” she said. Renee Houseman, a senior majoring in social work who lives in married-student housing on campus, expressed similar feelings and conveyed her frustration at “nosey questions that were insensitive” to her situation. Houseman said, “While not everyone knows that we had a miscarriage, there are still some things you just don’t ask. People can be so cruel and insensitive without even realizing it, but it doesn’t take away the fact that the things that are asked or said can really hurt.” Saina and Houseman represent women who deal with the silent struggle of not being able to have children and yet unavoidably face it because they are surrounded by the reminders of what could have been and what isn’t living in a very married-with-children Mormon community. “No one really knows how it feels to be surrounded by it all,” said Houseman, unless they are in the same shoes. She cried tear or two and said the sound of children is a reminder of her struggles and fears to have a family. She asked a friend once who struggles with infertility how she handles it, and her friend said, “To me the sounds and sights of children are not a reminder of what isn’t, but rather a reminder of hopefulness and faith, a standing reminder that in time it will be the sound of my own children playing in the next room.” Photo by womenonit.com
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The need for daily spiritual experiences YSA bishop applies hunting stories to spiritual traps B Y JA S MINE YU H AN W E N G
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tudents said they were inspired by PJ Rogers talk about always being faithful and avoiding the “mouse holes,” or small sins that can trap people spiritually, at the Laie YSA 4th Ward fireside on Jan. 4. Returned missionaries were especially encouraged to attend, he said. PJ Rogers is from Texas. He served his LDS mission in Korea when he was 20 years old. After his mission, he studied international business at Yonsei University in Korea and at BYU-Hawaii. Now he is a husband and a father of four children, a bishop, teaches at BYUH and is the advisor for the Taiwan Association. The main speaker was Rogers who shared an experience hunting when he was a teenager. “When I was young, I would hunt beaver or rabbit and sell their pelts to get some money,” he said. Hunting little animals wasn’t hard for him in the wilderness of Texas, he said, and as a young man he liked to go on manly adventures. He said it not only allowed him to earn some money but it also made him feel refreshed being outdoors. One day he decided to go for a bigger target. He wanted to hunt coyotes because their pelts were worth three times more than beavers or rabbits. “I tied a dead rabbit on the tree and set a trap on the bottom,” said Rogers. He said he set the trap over and over again but began to feel sad. Rogers said, “Six years passed and I never caught any coyotes.” But then Rogers said he met a friend who had experience hunting. Rogers said to his friend knew how he tried to use the rabbit as a trap for the coyote. His friend laughed and said, “Of course you never caught any coyotes! Rabbits don’t grow on the tree. Coyotes are not that stupid. They know there’s something weird.” All of the sudden, Rogers said he realized he had been doing it wrong, but he wondered what was the right way to set the trap. His friend gave him an advice: “All you have to do is to make them feel comfortable.You should make a mouse hole and hang rabbit’s guts on the snare trap on the ground.” Following his friend’s advice, Rogers was able to catch a coyote. Thinking back to that experience, Rogers thought the snare trap was just like the temptations Satan gives to people. He shared Alma 10:17, which says: “O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundations of the devil; for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God.” Rogers encouraged students to avoid all the mouse holes, which are the insignificant sins
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because they are so small people often don’t feel they have done anything wrong. “Temptation always come quietly when you feel comfortable. Then soon you will be trapped,” said Rogers. Sometimes people tell white lies or don’t go to church thinking it is okay to miss one week, he continued, but they don’t know it is the start of making insignificant sins that can lead them down the path to larger sins. Students said they learned from Roger’s talk the importance of doing things each day to feel the spirit and build their testimonies. Alice Chou, a senior from Taiwan, said, “PJ Rogers’ talk strengthened my testimony and reminded me to always pray and read the scriptures daily.” A BYU-Hawaii alumnus, PJ Rogers teaches on campus and talked at a YSA fireside about how to avoid spiritual traps by doing things daily to feel the spirit. Photo by Monique Saenz
Forgiveness follows fight in Fijian section Storyline change shares gospel message at PCC’s Night show B Y HINA KA LA M A
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forgiveness scene following the war scene in the Fijian section was added to the of the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Night Show in December. David Warner, a producer for the “Ha Breath of Life” Night Show, began visiting the PCC in late November to hold rehearsals for the changes. Over the Christmas break in December, the Night Show cast added the changes to the Fijian section. The Fijian section begins by the main characters, Mana, Lani, Mother and Father, living a normal day in a Fijian village when the village is suddenly under attack from warriors of a different village. In this scene, Father dies and enters the spirits world, introducing basic Latter-
day Saint beliefs of the Plan of Salvation. The original storyline continues with Mana and the other villagers defending their homes against enemy warriors and eventually chasing them away in victory. However, the new changes added to the show continues to introduce Latter-day Saint beliefs by having Mother forgive the enemy warrior who killed Father. Cydney Metekingi, a PCC dancer said, “I really like the changes to the show. I was very moved by the forgiveness scene and I think the audience will understand a lot more about the gospel by that change to the Fiji section.” Other Night Show cast members interviewed also gave positive reviews about the forgiveness scene. Additionally, the Laie community has provided a lot of positive feedback to the change in the Fijian section, said Night Show staff. Since the incorporation of the forgiveness scene, the Night Show audience count has gone up. While this increase was influenced by the holiday season, members of the Laie community and especially Latter-day Saint members are regular visitors to the PCC. Jovelana Muti, who plays the role of Mother multiple times during the week, said, “The Fiji section is so special because it incorporates principles of the gospel. For us as dancers, this is our way of sharing the gospel and moving the Lord’s work forward everyday. “ The Night Show is continually making changes to its storyline to better the overall performance and exceed customer expectations, said Night Show staff. Warner said, “When we combine Polynesian culture and gospel culture and give our best on stage, we are helping audience members to feel the spirit. They will feel that what we are sharing is true.”
Photo courtesy of the Polynesian Cultural Center
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Students prepare for ‘The Force Awakens’ ‘Star Wars’ fans look back over movies’ 40-year history B Y SY NNEVA CO L L E T T
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heers and applause echoed in BYU-Hawaii’s Little Theater on Dec. 3 as students and faculty gathered together to watch the movie “Star Wars Episode 4” in preparation for the Christmastime debut of Episode 7 – “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Once the movie had ended, a lively discussion started about why the film is still so popular today nearly 40 years after the first “Star Wars” movie was released. The film was shown by the BYUH Honors Program to celebrate the upcoming release of the new episode. Jake Peters, a senior studying English from Utah, said, “There are so many small dumb things that are just absolutely ridiculous, but still, it’s such a good movie. It’s just action packed the whole time. It really does have you on the edge of your seat, and the moment it doesn’t have you on the edge of your seat, it is introducing you to a completely new universe.”
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Peters explained it is not just the action, but the settings that keep audiences interested as well. He said, “Everything is so unique, and you get to enjoy the culture and all these weird aliens and beasts. The whole movie is pretty enjoyable even though there are so many things that are just like ‘What?’” Luis Arredondo, a senior studying political science from Mexico, said, “Part of why it remains a great movie nowadays, even because of all those laughable things, even now when we have our smart phones and our Internet, that kind of space travel is still super futuristic to us… We haven’t advanced that much. So, what was futuristic back then is still futuristic now. That’s why it still looks so enticing.” Alan Carlson, a junior studying biology from California, said he found it interesting that the idea of Sci-fi has evolved over the years in the “Star Wars” films. With the introduction of new technology into the film industry, the films that are meant to be in the past seem more futuristic than the originals. Carlson continued, “One of the criticisms of the prequels is, you’re going to bring in all these special effects and you made everything look even more futuristic when it is supposed to be in the past.” Carlson used a scene from the movie to explain his point. He pointed out how radio communication during the attack on the Death Star is not used in the prequels of Episode 4. “They had just never thought of it,” he said. “That was interesting to me to see what their perception of Sci-fi would be and how that converged in the prequels.” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will be released Dec. 17 and will be shown in Laie Palms Cinema at 10 p.m.
With the Christmas holiday opening of the latest film in the “Star Wars” series, students and faculty met before its debut to watch “Episode 4” and discuss how the films have evolved over the last 40 years and maintained their popularity. Photo courtesy of Disney
Performing a mash up of musical cartoons BYUH Broadway Cabaret brings Disney favorites to life B Y KAT E P EA RS O N
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YU-Hawaii’s Broadway Cabaret put on a Disney extravaganza on Nov. 13-14 in the McKay Auditorium, incorporating numbers from “Peter Pan,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” “Mulan,” and “The Little Mermaid,” among others. According to freshman Hyram Navigator, an ICS major from Arizona who played Aladdin, most of the cast were members of the Concert Choir and vocal performance majors. He said the most difficult part was using breath control since they had to dance and sing at the same time. Navigator said he has been in productions where the enjoyment of practicing and performing was lost because the directors and cast got “too stressed about creating the ‘perfect’ performance.” However, he said, “This was a great experience because while it was important to know our dance moves and lines, we got to enjoy each moment.” Students said they also enjoyed the performance because it was free, entertaining, and featured their friends. Hannah Palmer, a junior from Utah majoring in biomed, said the performance was “really creative,” especially the part where “they switched bodies and had the girls do ‘Let’s Get Down to Business’ and the guys do another girly song.” Palmer loved the twist of blending together elements from different Disney movies and said, “I feel like it was their own. It wasn’t like someone else’s.” If she could choose the next production, she said she’d do “a sequel to this one, like more Disney songs – from ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ or ‘Tarzan’.” Palmer said she wouldn’t consider being in one of these productions because “I’m not a singer or a performer…but it looks fun. They make it look like a lot of fun.” It was the first time attending a BYUH production for ‘Aisea Tongi, a freshman from Tonga, whose major is undeclared. He said his favorite part was “the funny, skinny guy doing his dance – and his voice!” Tongi was referring to a segment taken from “The Princess and the Frog.” He also said “the emcee was very good.” If he had any say in the next production, he said it would include Jackie Chan. According to senior Chaelin Yu, a TESOL major from South Korea, school productions appeal to students because they provide free entertainment and save them from having to drive an hour or more to Kaneohe or Honolulu to see a show. She also commented that it’s an opportunity to support other students and see another side to your friends: “It was really amazing to see how different they are in the performance.”
Meet the fairy godmother After the show, members of the audience mingled with the cast and children flocked to see their favorite characters, including fairy godmother, Alpha Harper. Besides being a real life fairy godmother because she helped with costumes and altered the girls’ ball gowns for the show, Harper is also a sophomore majoring in interdisciplinary studies. She was born in Quebec, but lived in Alberta, Canada for more than 30 years with her husband, Les, before they came to Hawaii four years ago to serve as volunteers on campus. Harper said, “It’s very important when the performers go on that they feel really good about their costumes because it helps put them in character.” Like the fairy godmother, Harper is brilliant at transforming things, including her own costume she made from recycled costumes. She explained, “I reinvented it because it’s not from scratch. It’s better to use things and remodel them.” When asked if she ever gets stage fright, Harper answered, “Yes, because two days ago I actually went out and sang the wrong words to the song! …I had to go backstage and refocus… One thing wonderful about being here at BYU-Hawaii is that we have prayer backstage before we go on…so that we can bring the Spirit into the performance because what you do affects the other people around you - not just the audience.” Harper said it’s in her nature to interact with children so that helped her get into fairy godmother character. She commented, “After Friday evening’s performance… I looked down and there was this little boy…who was just mesmerized looking up at me. He came up and hugged my leg, so I talked to him for a few moments then his mom came up and took pictures.” She added, “The thing that’s really important is watching people’s eyes light up when you’re on stage performing or when you come out and greet them… And the fairy godmother is one that everybody looks up to because everybody hopes that something better is coming. So I love to be able to smile and make someone smile back – like you’re smiling right now!”
Actresses pose in a manly fashion singing a song from “Mulan.” Ursula the Sea Witch switches the women into the mens’ bodies and vice versa in the show. Photo by Lexie Kepeliela WINTER 2015-16
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“I got sick from that day, but the experience of meeting Masaki and witnessing his random act of kindness was well worth getting sick and strengthening my testimony.” -Dre Manumaleuna
The Thanksgiving Miracle BY MA DELY N G I R O N
Masaki Yamanashi gives a big smile to the photographer during club sign ups on campus. His willingness to express his thanks to God and others by picking up trash on a rainy Thanksgiving Day, inspired a local man and others who heard his story. Ke Alaka’i file photo
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He added, “Then, as I was pondering, I felt I asaki Yamanashi, a student at BYU-Hawaii should go pick up some trash laying on the ground. It and sophomore from Japan majoring in would be a great way to give my thanks to the commubiology, said he thought a good way to celebrate nity and symbolically get rid of my nasty feelings.” Thanksgiving and to truly give thanks would be doing Manumaleuna shared his side of the story community service. and said, “Of all the days to take Captain for a walk, it Yamanashi said he found himself wanting to had to be then! I tried to shrug it off and just lounge celebrate Thanksgiving but didn’t quite know how to around in the dry and warm comforts of home.Yet I do it. “I really wanted to express my gratitude as I had was prompted to get off my butt and walk Captain in learned the previous Sunday about Thanksgiving and the cold rain.” how special it is to give thanks.” He continued, “It wasn’t so much a hard deci Much of the Thanksgiving Day was rainy sion for me. I was telling myself I could get sick, but and that wasn’t the exception when Yamanashi being prompted to go, I went anyway. There are many said he found himself picking up garbage around times I’m prompted and I don’t always follow through. the community. This time I wasn’t gonna ignore the Spirit.” When Dre Manumaleuna, who works for the state asked if it was worth it, Manumaleuna shared, “I got and is a Laie native, was walking his dog, Captain, sick from that day, but the experience of meeting Mawhen he came across Yamanashi picking up garbage. Manumaleuna said, “I saw a young man picking stuff off saki and witnessing his random act of kindness was well worth getting sick and strengthening my testimony.” the ground and stuffing them into a paper bag. By his Students on the BYUH campus were not surappearance and out of the ordinary behavior, especially prised when they heard of the incident. They supported being out in this weather, I was quick to judge and Manumeleuna’s post by liking it on Facebook over 400 thought to myself, ‘This guy was tweaking for sure!’” times and sharing the post with friends. As Manumaleuna and Yamanashi got ac Kiersten Luekenga, a sophomore majoring in quainted with each other, they said they developed a marine biology and minoring in secondary education desire to serve one another. from Avondale, Ariz., did not hear of the event but was Manumaleuna invited Yamanashi to have Thanksgiving dinner with him and his family.Yamanashi not surprised when she found out about it. Luekenga said, “I met Masaki in the cafeteria while we both said, “I was blessed to eat a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with Dre’s family who made me feel welcomed. waited for stir fry. I was debating whether this would be his third or second plate when he asked my name, They even made me a plate full of food to bring back and then we casually started talking about school and home for later. I am so thankful for what people do for our classes.” me in my time of need.” She said she wasn’t surprised to know that Manumeleuna posted this unique ThanksgivYamanashi was going around collecting garbage on ing experience on his Facebook page with a picture of Thanksgiving. “I have seen him hold umbrellas up for Yamanashi. He expressed his gratitude for Yamanashi’s people walking, holding doors, and sitting next to selfless service. Manumeleuna said, “I just wanted to lonely people. He’s a very Christ-like dude.” She added, share a slice of my day with everyone that they might “He brings such a light to campus.” be edified on this day of thanks.” Jasmine Landers, a junior from Orlando, Although both had an amazing experience, Florida, majoring in psychology, was one of the stuthe day would’ve taken a different turn if both Yadents who liked and shared Manumeleuna’s post. She manashi and Manumaleuna would have followed their said, “I met Masaki at the Polynesian Cultural Center original plans for the day.Yamanashi said originally he when he was a tour guide. He would try to rememhad planned to spend the day with his friends playing ber almost everyone’s name that he passed and would rugby and tennis but missed both of the activities. always compliment that person by thanking them for But as he was preparing for his Thanksgivtheir work or by telling us that we’re so hard working. ing lunch, he felt what he described as what’s known He has a heart of gold.” in the LDS Church as a “prompting from the Spirit” Landers added, “He’s such a great example or a sign from God.Yamanashi said, “Something was and I know that he will continue to bless more lives on my mind. I felt irritated because my plans didn’t than he already has. He definitely has a special purpose go through, and I knew I shouldn’t have felt that way, down here.” especially on Thanksgiving Day.”
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Students impressed by solo dances, gospel theme B Y H EIDI P O P P LETO N
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he favorite numbers from the concert performed by BYU-Hawaii dance students on Jan. 30, said students, were solos created and performed by individuals. Students also liked a group dance called “See You Again” where the theme of families being forever were depicted. The Abliz Dance International group concert, directed by BYUH dance instructor Nina Foster, was titled “Dance Through Life” with dancers lighting up the stage in the McKay Auditorium and the audience cheering them on. Lindi Young, a junior majoring in exercise sports science from Kansas and performer in the show, said they practiced about 15 hours a week since the beginning of January. She said more than 60 hours went into creating this show. Her favorite number to perform was “See You Again,” the feel-good, family-themed number where all of the dancers hugged and laughed with each other while slapping their hands playing patty cake. Tatyanna Corona, a freshman from Nevada majoring in elementary education, said, “See You Again” was also her favorite number because it reminded her of how “we will be able to be reunited with our loved ones who have gone on.” She loved when the two little boys came out on stage and danced together, smiled together and played together at the end. The boys were two of Director Foster’s children. When asked what was the best experience Young had being in the show, she said, “Seeing the teamwork put into making this show was incredible. Nina’s love for us motivated the group especially with the crazy long hours we had to be there for practice.” Young said she learned about patience, love, forgiveness and optimism while preparing for the show even when she wanted to be bitter. “I love that we would pray before every practice. It made me feel close to Heavenly Father,” she said. BYUH student Tanner Cheel’s robotic-style solo drew much attention from the crowd at the dance concert. Alex Graff, a junior majoring in international cultural studies from Utah, said it was his favorite number. “It was very skilled and very entertaining,” he said. Cheel lit up the stage in every number he was in, said audience members. Ben Wilson, a sophomore from Canada majoring in business finance, said his favorite part was the solos as well. “I liked them because it showed the extra effort they put in to choreographing their own dances and not just memorizing someone else’s dances,” he said commenting on the students’ hard work. During the dance concert, students performed ballet, hip hop, tango, Broadway, and contemporary dancing styles.Young said the tango number “Baila Como was the hardest number for me because most of us had no idea how to do it.” The dance concert started with a video of the practices where the audience saw the dancers laugh, trip and receive injuries to put this show on, but the dancers interviewed said it was well worth.
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Tanner Cheel’s robotic dance was one of the memorable solos said students who watched classmates in dance courses perform at the Abliz Dance International concert in the McKay Auditorium. Photo by Stop Khemthorn
Kahuku becomes state champion Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson gives Kahuku a pep talk BBYYDEV MAY DELINE N KAU HSIW I G
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he most anticipated football game of the year played out on Nov. 20 when Kahuku High School beat Saint Louis High School 39-14 for the OIA state championship title at Aloha Stadium. Kahuku had a perfect season with 12 wins and 0 losses. The team battled against Saint Louis that had 9 wins and 2 losses during its season. Even celebrities took notice in the big game as there was a video clip of The Rock showing his love and support for Kahuku. He says in the video, “Don’t underestimate your competition. I’m very fortunate
to be in the position I am today. I’ve achieved a good amount. I’m lucky to be successful, but I do it because I do not ever, ever underestimate my competition. And neither will you.” With a reported crowd of 19,699 fans gathered together at Aloha Stadium, Kahuku Red Raiders Coach VavaeTata said of the fans, “The stadium was filled with supporters. It was a great sight to see.” The start of the game was rocky for both Kahuku and Saint Louis. “A lot was riding on this game and we knew that in order to be successful we would have to bring the heat,” said Kahuku senior Aaron Tapusoa. The Kahuku Red Raiders held Saint Louis to only 14 points throughout the entire game. “Their defense is just too intense for us,” said Saint Louis Assistant Coach Ron Lee when asked after the game. “We panicked.” Kahuku is the 9th OIA team to have a perfect season. “After the game it seemed like the entire Raider Nation was there to show their love and support for the boys and the program,” said Kahuku fan Anolani Graham from Kapolei. Fans from all over the island made an appearance at the game and took part in the celebration afterwards. “We knew Kahuku won because of all the noise and the honking at 2 a.m.,” said Taryn Skahill, a sophomore at BYU-Hawaii. “It’s a great thing to experience - the unity that you feel and a sense of pride. Back home in Fiji there was never anything like this,” said Brett Makele, a sophomore at BYUH studying business.
Kahuku beat St Louis to take the state high school championship title in November. Kahuku has a perfect season with 12 wins and 0 loses. Photo by the Honolulu Star Advertiser
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Japanese high school students come to improve English B Y TU PU LYD E L L L AW RE N CE
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he three-day invasion of Japanese high school students on the BYUHawaii campus was held from Dec. 6-8. It was a joint-maneuver between the Polynesian Cultural Center and travel agencies, said Pane Meatonga III, Marketing manager for Japan and Asia at the PCC. He was in command of the Laie section of the Kaikuana, or trip to Hawaii organized by travel agencies. The agencies book Japanese field trips to the United States and provides opportunities for English interaction. Meatonga said the purpose of this program is for the Japanese students to learn to speak better English. He said PCC has participated in this program, at least once a year, for eight years. He explained this past exercise was a three-day routine consisting of touring Laie, art, and sports. On the first day, approximately 150 teenagers from Japan unloaded from four busses in the Little Circle of BYUH. These students were seen marching the hallways lead by their assigned team leader. Each team leader patrolled their team around campus and various parts of the Laie community. He said the volunteers were BYUH students who ushered groups of five to six Japanese teenagers. Meatonga said, “I took my group to Laie Foodland and had them ask to sample the different types of poke.” Some students then went
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to Angel’s Ice Cream shop, he said, and asked to sample various flavors. Meatonga said it was fun for everyone to interact with these students. Koki Isaia, a sophomore studying IT from Samoa, was seen escorting six Japanese students in the McKay Foyer. Isaia said, “It’s a great opportunity for me to serve and share the history of this campus to other international students. Who knows? Maybe some of these kids will study here.” Meatonga said this program gives exposure to BYUH, PCC, and the LDS Church. He said all Japanese students and teachers had to sign and abide by the BYUH dress and grooming standards. He said this generated several questions he was happy to answer. Faiaivale Tagaloa, a sophomore studying psychology from Samoa, was a volunteer on Dec 6. She said all volunteers are PCC employees who will be compensated for their service. Tagaloa said, “It is fun to talk to these students and help them with their English.” Sosaia Fiefia, a junior majoring in IT from Tonga, also volunteered to escort six Japanese students. Fiefia said, “We walked all around campus and ate lunch in the cafeteria.” He said he would volunteer again if he is still around next year. Meatonga said the program will most likely continue, and volunteers are always welcome to make this program possible.
‘Go’ boardgamers play with family and friends Artificial intelligence program beats European ‘Go’ champ and increases Asian game’s popularity B Y TSZ KIN LI (YA S U )
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o is popular board game in millions of Asian households, said four BYUH-Hawaii students. Google has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) program, Alphago, that defeated Go European champion, Fan Hui, on Jan. 27, said Trevor Hughes, a journalist from USA Today. Four BYU-Hawaii students said because of the report from Hughes, the trend of Go has heated up throughout the world. Commenting on this event, four of them said they can learn from this event, but they think humans are more capable than computers. Tsun Yin Andy Lau, a freshman majoring in exercise and sport science from Hong Kong, explained, “Go literally means encircling game in Japanese, [but game] is from China. It is similar to Chinese chess. The aim of this board game is to obtain more territories than the opponent through using white or black pieces to surround each other.” Lau said it was not a surprise to see Fan Hui get defeated by Alphago because the program engineers had put all sort of formulas into the computer. “In other words, Hui was competing with thousands of players in the game. The computer could predict most of the possible steps from Hui, so it stood in advantage,” said Lau. Comparing computers to people, he expressed, “Humans are different. They have stereotypes and habits. When people get used to resolving problems in a specific way, they tend to follow their paths from the past. Moreover, individuals are easily influenced by their emotions and surrounding environments, which will affect their judgment. On the other
The title of the game, Go, means encircling game in Japan, but the game originated in China, says BYUH students. The goal of the game is to encircle your opponents same-colored pieces with your opposite-colored pieces.
hand, Alphago is a system; it is always stable without getting interference from external surroundings.” Lau added, “However, I don’t think AI can replace humans in any aspect. People are flexible, but AI is only able to follow the agendas and programs. Moreover, humans create machines, not the other way around. If they don’t want to repeat the same mistake again from the past, they should think thoroughly. Otherwise, humans will stick with the historical cycle as failures.” Takuya Hoshino, a sophomore majoring in exercise and sport science from Japan, also added, “Playing Go requires people’s imagination because they are always astonished by the unexpected steps from their opponents. Individuals are still developing different formulas of Go, so humans will be able to defeat Alphago. Humans own the future, and they will finally be the final champions.” Hoshino said, “There are unlimited strategies to beat the opponent. The brains of humans are capable in different areas. Humans only master a small portion of their brain. People need to use a lot of concentration in the game. One game can endure three to four hours because people need to contemplate their steps for a period of time. They can develop their intellect by edifying themselves and other players. Thus, people agree Go is the most intelligent game in the world. “I love Go so much because I can realize the personality of others during the game,
particularly my grandpa. He’s always quiet and does not talk to us. Nevertheless, he opens up more when we are playing Go together, so I am able to know my grandpa more. Playing Go can strengthen family relationships.” Adding to Hoshino’s comment, Takuya Ogasawara, a junior majoring in international cultural studies from Japan, shared his experience. “I learned to play Go in a Japanese temple with my friend. We learned to exercise our brains... We analyze others by their steps. People can hide their characteristics in their physical appearances, but players cannot conceal them in Go. This is the main reason I love to play Go with my friends.” Yuri Hamano, a junior majoring in hotel and tourism management from Japan, said, “Go is the tool to build up the connection between generations. When I played Go with my grandparent, I could feel the love and care from them. Furthermore, it is the Asian culture, which passes down our culture as a tangible heritage.” “Humans need to be stronger. They depend on their past experiences too much. They should be more creative. They put every topic and tactic into computers, and they forget the data soon after. “Well! I can tell you one thing,” said Hamano with a mischievous smile. “If humans cannot subdue the technology, they can just delete the data and shut down the computers, ha-ha.” WINTER 2015-16
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Japanese and Koreans claim same islands, name them differently B Y WA DE F OW L E R
The disputed territory of the Liancourt Rocks are rich in natural resources, a student says, and the two nations have been fighting over them for decades. Photo by AP
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he Liancourt Rocks are a small group of islands in Asia that have created conflicting feelings amongst Korean and Japanese students at BYU-Hawaii. Located in the Sea of Japan between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese mainland, the rocks have been a key subject over the years for Japanese-Korean relations. Although, the rocks are referred to as the “Liancourt Rocks” in English, they have individual names given to them by the two Asian countries. In Korea they are referred to as “Dokdo” or the Solitary Island, and in Japanese as “Takeshima” or Bamboo Island, says dokdo-takeshima.com. The two nations have been contesting with one another regarding the proper ownership of the islands, claiming the rocks for themselves. Junhee Kim, a freshman from South Korea, said, “I first learned about the islands when I was 5 or 6 years old.” He expressed his feelings on the subject. “Historically the islands belong to South Korea and are a representation of the wrong done to us by Japan in the past,” he said.
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However, David Urakami, a computer science major from Japan, said, “The islands rightfully belong to Japan and are only disputed because of the rich resources that a claim on the island would provide, such as fishing grounds and other national rights.” Concerning Dokdo, Jeongmin Jeon, a junior in intercultural studies from South Korea, said, “My first thought is that the islands belongs to Korea.” She added, “Dokdo has always been a part of Korea and our government is only trying to defend it.” When asked about their understanding of Liancourt Rocks, few U.S. citizens knew about the conflict. However, Jared McClellan, a BYUH student from California and returned LDS missionary who heard about the islands while serving as missionary in Japan, said, “I think both nations are using the conflict to distract their people from other domestic problems.” “All in all,” McClellan concluded, “I think that the U.N. or something should step in to avoid further conflict.”
Anita Olsen, a freshman majoring in psychology from Centerville, Utah, said she visits Swig often. Olsen said, “Swig is very popular at my high school, but Sodalicious is also.You either love one and hate the other and vice versa. For me, I love Swig. It has a more inviting atmosphere and original feel to it. The whole experience of Swig is going in and picking up your Dirty Dr. Pep.” Morgan Rawle, a freshman at Utah State University studying education from Sandy, Utah, also is a regular at Swig. She said, “Swig had the original ‘dirty’ soda pop drinks. Going anywhere else just wouldn’t be the same.” Swig’s drink menu has a whole section dedicated to its “dirty” drinks - part of which is the famous “Dirty” Dr. Pepper. To create this drink, Swig uses a cup of Dr. Pepper and a few shots of coconut flavoring. BBYYMA MADELINE DELINEOST S WE I GR LO H Sodalicious has a slightly different twist to its drink. Sodalicious’ drink is known as the Extra “Dirty,” which contains half Dr. Pepper and half coconut flavoring. Both drinks are very similar and have similar names. wo Utah-born soda shops are battling neck-to-neck over the name The NYT quoted Nicole Tanner, co-creator of Swig saying, “We of the new Utah craze, the “Dirty” Dr. Pepper, reports The New York started seeing some of the knockoffs or whatever you want to call them Times. — competitors…We’re just trying to protect our brand,” she said mean Swig, a well-known soda pop shop, first originated in St. ing Swig owns the rights to the name “dirty” for its drinks. George, Utah, said the NYT article. Swig filed a law suit this fall against These law suits have created a big controversy between both Sodalicious, another popular soda pop shop in Provo, Utah, that opened shops, said the NYT article. People are taking sides and giving their opinthree years after Swig. Swig claims Sodalicious stole its trademarked ions over social media. The NYT quotes a Twitter user saying, “Just found name “Dirty” Dr. Pepper. out my roommate is #teamswig, so ... I’m looking for new housing if Students from Utah said they are more fond of Swig but said you know of any.” both shops are popular in their home state. Sodalicious Manager Taylor Warner states in the NYT article Heidi Brewer, a freshman at BYU-Hawaii from Weber, Utah, people are leaving Swig because of the law suit. The article quotes her said her experience at both shops were great and she will continue to more sympathetic side with Warner saying, “They’re trying to do business, visit them when she returns home during the break. and I’m sure they’re very nice people.” Tyler Beardall, a freshman at majoring in political science from Woods Cross, Utah, said the name “dirty” was first used by Swig but A Sodalicious employee works making specialty soda concocdoesn’t think it should have the rights to own the name. Beardall said, tion at a store in Provo, Utah. Two competing soda shops are “Regardless of who started what and who really owns the name, they are fighting over using the word “dirty” in the names of their drinks. both great establishments, and this battle between the two is only bringPhoto by Salt Lake Tribune ing negative attention.”
Swig versus Sodalicious
Utah soda companies battle for ‘dirty’ copyright
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EVs on the road are lower than goal of 1M Push for electric vehicles too weak; Obama’s target missed B Y RUI X UE
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ince taking office, U.S. President Barack Obama had a long-term goal, which is to put 1 million electric vehicles (EV) on the road by 2015, reported the Detroit News, but he has failed to meet that goal. BYU-Hawaii students from different countries, including the United States, China, Philippine, Mongolia, and Tonga were interviewed on what they think about EVs, and if EVs are popular in their countries. Among the eight American students interviewed on the BYUH campus, only three said they would perhaps buy an EV as a support to the environment. For some, the speed and size of EVs stopped them. But generally, the cost, range limitations and charging problem are the biggest concerns of people. Josh Jeung, a Korean student majoring in TESOL at BYUH, said he would buy an EV in the future after it becomes more advanced: “I know that EVs are good for the environment and don’t use fuel. We don’t have petroleum in Korea and have to import it. So our government should really pay more attention to EVs. They haven’t done much on that.
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But I also think the batteries can be dangerous for drivers, so I will wait till the technology develops better.” Jackie Fu, a hospitality and tourism student from China, said she doubted if EVs are really good to the environment: “For me, convenience rather than environment is the most important factor. I often hear people say that EVs are good because they have no gas emissions. But they use electricity, right? You can’t be sure how the electricity is produced. There should be more proofs of this statement.” Sebastian Benitez, a senior majoring in music at BYUH, said he has set a goal of buying an EV from Tesla. “I’ve tried an EV once. It is more comfortable and more spacious. The speed is generally the same as fueled cars, and EVs are silent. Tesla is super cool. I would definitely get one in the future when I have the money.” But Katie Laine, a freshman majoring in special education from Arizona, said she would not buy an EV. “We often buy used cars from neighbors and friends, and they are mostly traditional cars. It’s very cheap this way. I also didn’t see many charging stations on the street in my hometown in Arizona. So even I can afford one, charging is a problem. Besides, my family does travel with cars all the time. Range limitation will be the biggest problem.” Apart from insufficient incentive policies, the public consciousness around the world may be the biggest problem for the development of EVs, said the Detroit News. According to Detroit News’ report, in 2011 Obama called for using more electric vehicles to realize America’s independence on foreign oil. The president proposed to offer a rebate up to $10,000 for EV buyers, an idea which Congress rejected. The Inside EVs website reported in 2015, the sales of EVs were 116,597, a drop from 2014’s sales volume of 123,049. The Detroit News estimated it may take another four years to reach the president’s goal of 1 million EVs on American roads. Fewer electric vehicles were purchased in 2015 than 2014, according to the Detroit News. Photo by AP
Golden Christmas ornaments, like these at the Laie Temple Visitor’s Center, decorated the HGB for the dance. Photo by Lexie Kapeliela
Students say Christmas dance was well-planned and want more like them
B Y CYN TL EA BA LUCOS
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tudents said they want more stake dances like the Christmas-themed dance held on Dec. 11 in the Heber J. Grant Building, said Sai Balenacage, a junior student majoring in biology education from Fiji. She said the dance had good decorations, food and fellowship.
students could dance too with no offensive lyrics that are distracting. She said she would like to have music selected that matches church standards. “They should play classical music next time and have a variety as to in favor of the Asians, Islanders and the Americans and Europeans as well.”
Venue
Dress Code
According to Balenacage, the venue was full of Christmas decorations and people. The partition between room 274 and 275 of the Heber J. Grant Building was removed to make a bigger area for everyone in attendance. The motif was gold and so the dominant color of the decorations and lights were gold. Even though the table clothes are white, runners of gold-colored fabric were laid across the table. On top of the runners, were a gold-colored plate and goblet decorated with some golden Christmas ball ornaments. There were potted plants inside the hall decorated with Christmas lights and gold-colored disco lights. On the walls, there were golden, star-shaped figures, and on one side of the room was a 3D photo booth with a fake fireplace that students said made them feel at home.
Music
”The music was half good and half bad,” said Tevahine Burns, a sophomore from Tahiti majoring in art. She said “American Music” was played the most and so international students didn’t relate to it. American students danced to the songs played, but Asian, Polynesian and other students stood along the sides of the dance floor. However, Balenacage said, upon request island music was played. She suggested for the next dance they should include music all
Even though, it was a Sunday-best church dance, five women wore jeans to the dance. They said they aren’t comfortable in skirts and wore jeans so they could move freely.
Food
Since it was a Christmas dance, more food was served than people at the dance could ever eat, said Balenacage. As a result, there were leftovers. There were tables and tables of food downstairs on the ground floor of the HGB filled with vegetables, chicken, chips, and burgers, she added, while the dance took place on the second floor.
Overall
Students interviewed said the whole event was successful. Balenacage said it was one of the most fun dance activities she has ever attended. She said she felt the love and support of the stake presidency because they were there to preside over the event. “The next time we will have a leadership training meeting,” Balenacage said, “I will suggest to the bishopric that we should have a regular dance activity in the ward every month and then later on invite other wards. I think in this way, it will promote the unity of the ward and will help everyone find new friends and will be an opportunity to strengthen friendships between the members of the ward and to other wards as well.” WINTER 2015-16
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Annual Christmas Devotional Students share spirit of Christ and cultures through music B Y KAYLA HELM
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aughter, music and applause filled the Cannon Activities Center during the annual Christmas Devotional that consisted of a blend of music from jazz, to steel drum, all the way to an African song. The unique music hit a positive note for those who participated and attended devotional because they said the music uplifted them on a regular school day. Brandon Chan, a sophomore from Malaysia majoring in biochemistry, who’s favorite musical number was done by the Shaka Steel Band, stated, “I liked that it wasn’t your traditional hymns.” Reka Bordds, junior majoring in peacebuilding and psychology from Hungary, said her favorite performance was “Betelehemu” (Nigerian Christmas Song). The rhythmic song helped her rock her baby to sleep but Bordds also liked the unique song because she said it brought the Holy Ghost.
In addition, Bordds said it was cool to see how other cultures celebrated Christmas differently in their music but keep the same Christmas spirit. For Concert Choir member Sai Balenacagi, a junior from Fiji majoring in biology education, the “Betelehemu” song was her favorite of the four songs they learned. During the Christmas devotional performance, the song had choir members rocking and clapping. Balenacagi commented, “I love the tempo, and the style…how the drums come in and also the fact that I can dance while singing it.” Concert Choir Director Michael Belnap asked Balenacagi for help with the Nigerian pronunciation when practicing the song. She laughed and said because of her black curly hair she thought that he might have thought she was African. Amused she helped him, she said, but did not say anything about being Fijian. Balenacagi said she did not have the music down for the African song at first, “but after much practice, I sorta got it!” She said she was able to figure it out because her love of the music. Another humorous event the resulted from confusion during the devotional came from President John Tanner. Before the music and the festivities started, President Tanner announced this would be that last devotional of the year until July 5 of next year. This was a mistake Tanner caught and corrected after people started talking and laughing. The mistake gave him the opportunity to encourage to come every week starting January and not wait until July to come again. Decorations at the devotional included Christmas plants such as poinsettia and Christmas trees with the usual tropical plants mixed in reflecting the diversity of the music and the school. The concert ended with a standing ovation that spread steadily across the CAC.
The University Choral prepares to sing at the annual Christmas Devotional in the Cannon Activities Center. Photo by Stop Khemthorn
Seasider wins coveted wildcard BYUH No. 1 tennis player Zhang gets a shot at Maui pro tourney B Y J EO NG MIN JE O N
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YU-Hawaii’s No. 1 women’s tennis player, Dallas Zhang, senior majoring in accounting from China, won a wildcard spot in the Maui Challenger professional tournament to be held Jan. 22 to 24. She got the coveted wildcard spot after winning the 2016 United States Tennis Association Wildcard Tournament at the Kailua Racquet Club from Jan. 15 to 19. Twenty players from different colleges competed for a wildcard tournament in Kailua to get a chance to play at the $50,000 USTA Maui Challenger Tournament from Jan. 22 to 24, says the racquet club’s website. Maui Challenger is a professional tennis tournament held annually in Lahaina, Maui. In addition, students at BYUH played at this tournament, they said to gain experience and meet and play other college tennis players. In addition, in the audience at the Kailua Wildcard Tournament, there were more than 30 people and coaches who watched the player compete. Jade Griffin, a senior majoring in hospitality and tourism management from Australia and a member of the BYUH tennis team, said, “I am so exciting to play this tournament. Our season is coming soon so this tournament makes me to practice and prepare for this season. Also, Maui Challenger is a big tournament in Hawaii so I really want to play the tournament.’ Wei-yu Su, a tennis coach from Taiwan, said, “This tournament is good for college tennis players in Hawaii because it gives them a chance to play a big tournament. Actually, only one person can get a wildcard for the tournament. But players have some good practice against other solid college tennis players.” He added, “It is good for players to enter a big tournament, but the most important thing is that they have many experiences. Many players care about losing the match, but even if they lose, they keep trying to find what their weakness is and what skills they need to practice.” Summer Wen, a freshmen majoring in exercise and sports science from China and another BYUH tennis player, said, “Since I came Hawaii, this tournament is my first match. I am happy to play this tournament before we start this season [in February]. Playing a real match is different from playing during practice. I want to get more experience about college tennis. Other college tennis players have good skills, and their playing is pretty good. I feel that I need to practice hard.”
Top: Dallas Zhang won a wildcard tournament in Kaluia to get to play at Maui Challenger Tournament. Photo by Lexie Kepeliela. Bottom: The Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch. Photo courtesy of tennismauichampionships.com WINTER 2015-16
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Board for life Students say skateboarding improves fitness, social life B Y A LYS S A S HRE E V E
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kateboarding has become a very popular pastime amongst BYUHawaii students. They said it allows them to have fun, make new friends, and exercise. Skateboarding becomes a passion those who do it, said student who were interviewed. Max Keane, a junior studying business from Las Vegas, Nev., said, “It’s a great opportunity to create a masterpiece and put it into work. I try to go as much as possible, but I usually skate three-to-five times a week. It’s tough to get out with school and work. But anytime I can, I love to take the opportunity to get out and ride with my boys.” There are several skate parks in Hawaii and the island weather ensures students can skate nearly all year round. There are two main types of skating that the students do: transverse or pool skating, and street skating. Tranny or pool skating requires dropping in to man-made concrete bowls and pools on a skateboard. This type of skating is associated with speed gaining air on concrete humps. Street skating is skating on objects that are already there, for example, a stair rail or a sidewalk. This type of skating is associated with
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completing as many tricks as you can, turning the board, rotating and grinding. Students at BYUH said they skate both transverse and street because of its accessibility. Sam Kiene, a freshman student from Las Vegas, Nev., studying business, said, “I get to express myself through skating. I can do it in any state of mind and always have a good time. With friends or solo, it’s a constant form of personal progression and improvement. I like street skating a lot but transverse is fun too.” Students said they started skating because their friends were already doing it. In addition, skateboarding allows students to make new friends who also enjoy the recreational pastime, they said. Al Smith, a junior studying art from Arizona, said, ”I started transverse skating because I saw other girls skating, and they told me about how they made all their friends through skateboarding, so I figured I would try it out.” The closest skatepark to campus is Banzai Skatepark, a park that has a street section, a pool and a bowl. The park is about 25 minutes away and is the location of choice for students on weekend evenings. “We have a group of about 15 students at Banzai every weekend. It’s fun to watch everyone and learn together,” said Jared Wilcox, a junior studying business from California. Skateboarding is also a great way to work out, they said, since skaters must move their entire body and constantly pump and squat with their legs. Jake Billings, a freshmen studying business from California, said, “I always get so worked from skating. I love it. The sun is super hot, and my friends and I will skate for hours so we are always drenched in sweat when we are done.” Whether students skate transverse or street, they can all agree that it is a fun pastime. Kiene said, “I try to go skating as much as possible, but just skating around is enough for me. I would say I go to a skatepark two-to-three times a week and just skate around every day. It’s the one sport that you can do basically anywhere, and it’s the most stylish and experimental board sport out there.”
Brandon Chan and Taylor Polson skate in the Little Circle. Photo by Stop Khemthorn
Climate change versus terrorism BYUH students & faculty wonder about validity of Obama’s claims B Y CHELS EA MI L L E R
U. S. President Barack Obama says he is more concerned about climate change than terrorism after attending a climate change summit in Europe. Photo by AP
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YU-Hawaii students and professors said they couldn’t see President Barack Obama’s connection between climate change and extreme ideologies. Obama said climate change was a bigger global concern then terrorism in December after he attended an international climate change conference in Paris just weeks after terrorists attacked several locations there in the city. BYUH people also said they thought Obama’s comments were made to avoid talking about other important issues, but that some of his claims have merit. Obama defended his comments in a CBS interview with Norah O’Donnell on Dec. 4 saying, “What we know is that as human beings are placed under strain, then bad things happen. Whenever people are desperate, when people start lacking food, when people are not able to make a living or take care of their families, that’s when ideologies arise that are dangerous.” Calista Cappuccio, a sophomore from Arizona majoring in vocal performance, said Obama is over-generalizing and needs to explain how climate change is affecting people differently around the globe. She said Obama could be right and that in times of hardship, people turn to their religion, opening them up to extremist influences. “I think that conflict among humans, nations, religions, and states are going to cause far more problems than climate and conditions that come from the earth. Mistreatment of people will kill us faster [than global warming],” she said. Keirah Thurgood, a senior from Idaho majoring in TESOL, said she thinks Obama is trying to avoid the real issue of religious extremism. “The recent shootings in the states and the terrorist attacks in Paris and Baghdad… he’s not coming out and saying these are terrorist attacks. Overall, I think he’s trying to put the focus, as usual, not on ISIS, not on religious radicals, but on something else. He’s saying, ‘it’s not their fault’.” Troy Smith, a political science professor at BYUH, said Obama’s focus on climate change to prevent future violence has merit but Smith cautioned the issues are complicated. “Terrorism may be one of the forms of violence. However, terrorism is not necessarily a result of economic or resource scarcity. For example, Osama bin Laden came from a wealthy family. So, a problem with the claim, I think, is it distracts from a serious examination of the causes of, and solutions to, terrorism,” Smith said. According to Smith, there are many non-Republicans who disagree with Obama’s call to address global warming. Smith said, “Almost no one disputes that climate change is real. The dispute is whether global warming is a result of man-made activities, whether human actions can significantly and sufficiently reduce global warming to prevent the problems, and whether there are better and cheaper alternatives to reducing global warming than what is being proposed by the global warming advocates.” The correlation between climate change and terrorism has been made before by Sen. Bernie Sanders in a CBS Democratic debate on Nov. 14, where he said, “In fact, climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism… and if we do not get our act together and listen to what the scientists say, you’re going to see countries all over the world… struggling over limited amounts of water, limited amounts of land to grow their crops, and you’re going to see all kinds of international conflict.”
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Best ways to avoid getting distracted at BYU-Hawaii STO RY AN D PH OTO S B Y KAL E I K E N N E RL E Y
As finals are looming around the corner, and the workload increases for BYU-Hawaii students, they said it is more important than ever for students to knuckle down and avoid distractions. BYUH students piped in on their best tips for avoiding distractions around campus and how to maximize study time.
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LIMIT TIME SPENT AT FOODLAND
PUT YOURSELF IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Going to Foodland provides many distractions, they said, because a short trip to the supermarket can turn into hours spent socializing sitting on the benches outside of Angel’s ice cream shop. If students have an assignment due or homework that needs to be done, students said to try to go during the day or make themselves accountable and set a time to be back home to study. “If I have homework due that night, I make sure I tell my friends what time I have to get back by, because it’s too easy to get caught up talking to people and lose track of time,” said Jenny Atmaja, a sophomore from Indonesia.
The library can be a productive place to get an assignment or homework done, students said, because there are computers and other library resources such as laptops and books. However, they said be careful about where students choose to study in the library. Sitting on couches can makes them feel tired, less productive, and more willing to socialize, they said. The second floor of the library is a good place to study because it is quieter and less crowded, students said, and people can concentrate on what they have to do without having to worry about the distractions of friends or other conversations. “Put yourself in an environment where you’ll be forced to work. Whenever I’m trying to do homework in my hale, I always end up falling asleep or watching Netflix. So I like live in the library,” said Ayanna Schlag, a junior from Laie studying accounting.
MAKE A LIST
SCHEDULE TIME FOR DISTRACTIONS
Make a list of untouchables - things students have to do during the week that cannot be missed, students said. Marley Dawson, a graphic design major from California, said, “It sounds nerdy but making a list actually helps. Usually I have a bunch of stuff to do but no order or priority-so it just helps me focus and be more productive.” Prioritizing things helps give students purpose and motivation to study, they suggested, as people can cross off things and feel like they are accomplishing things throughout the day.
All work and no play leads to burning out, warned students. Schedule in time for friends or playing sports, watching Netflix or social media, they suggested. Students can treat themselves with some time off from studying or reward themselves after they have finished. Limiting social media to just 20 minutes, they said, or watching only one episode of a favorite show can make the rest of students studying more productive and focused and prevents burning out. “I can never study for five hours straight like some people. I always have to go on a run or go eat something in between, and it usually helps refocus me afterwards,” said Jeremy Lucas, a freshman studying biomedicine from Arizona. WINTER 2015-16
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A glimpse of the
SUMMER CAPITAL
of the Philippines
B Y AN TO N I E TTE CARYL T. YE E
Marked as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City is one of the mostly visited tourist destinations in the country, said the Philippines Commission. It is a highly urbanized city located in the Cordillera mountain range in Northern Luzon. The editors of the Encyclopedia Britannica said a group of ethnic people known as Igorot’s are mostly found in the city. They are the ones who still keep their traditional way of life, wearing traditional clothes and playing traditional musical instruments. The city is famous for its subtropical climate resulting to the growth of pine trees. The cool weather all year round is the main reason why tourists and holidaymakers keep on visiting the city. During the summer season, people spend their days wandering in the city because of the cool climate. However, the consulate People’s Republic of China marked Baguio City as the Salad Bowl of the Philippines for having the most bountiful growth of vegetables in the country. A strawberry farm is located in the city where visitors can pick strawberry. Hannah Magallano, an intercultural studies freshmen from Philippines, said, “My favorite place in Baguio is the trail of zigzagging roads because of the magnificent view of green mountains and the whole city. It gives you a roller coaster experience because of the curves that your car will experience as it climbs up to the top.”
Pan ag b e n g a F l o wer F est ival
There is an annual flower festival held every February where thousands of people visit the city. It was stated after the devastating Luzon earthquake in 1990 and is a tribute to the city’s flowers, says tourist information. The festival includes floats covered with flowers designed in various ways and street dancers who are presented with flower-inspired costumes. The aim of the festival is to showcase the city’s culture and help the younger generation to rediscover and bring back the old cultural traditions, said Philippines Travel Hub.
Bu r nh a m P a r k
This park is the heart of Baguio City where the City Hall, Baguio Cathedral and Baguio City Market are located. An article from the City of Pines said it was named after an American architect, Daniel Burnham, who prepared plans for the city. At the southern end of the park, a roller skating rink is located where skate rentals are available. It also features a man-made lake where tourists can rent boats. An orchid house lies at the center surrounded with orchids and other flowers.
S e s s io n R o a d
It is considered as the main hub of Baguio City, where commercial establishments and department stores are located. Neighboring to Session Road are vintage universities and schools that are built uphill Youth dress up for the Panagbenga Flower Festival parade in Baguio City in the Philippines known for its cool weather and scenic spots. Photo from Flickr
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and downhill. At night, the road is closed to give way to the famous ukayukay (thrift shop), where a variety of clothes, shoes and accessories are available and also street foods to fill hungry tummies. Francesca Romero, a freshmen major in psychology from Philippines, said, “I love walking in Session Road especially at night because I can buy clothes and accessories for cheap prices.”
Wri ght Pa rk
The park is located at the eastern part of the city. It features an elongated rectangular body of water known as the “Pool of Pines.” Some Igorot’s that are dressed in their native attire are often found at the park, and they are willing to pose for a photograph. A 10-minute walk from the park will lead to a stairway made of stones that leads to an area where ponies are rented out. Even though Baguio City requires travel for tourists, they are still willing to spend their time because of its scenic views. Filipino families prefer to spend their vacations in Baguio City because it is the best place to unwind and enjoy cool weather during the summer.
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