MAY 8, 2014
Volume 107: Issue 2
‘ Ke Alaka i THE LEADER
Mayday! Mayday! 5
Local keiki dance for May Day celebrations
From Harlem to Laie 10-11 Globetrotters dazzle fans on Hawaii tour
A One-of-a-kind Guy 14-15 7 fun facts about BYUH’s Brandon Johnson
KE ALAKA I
CONTACT
E-mail: ke a l a k a i @byuh . e d u Ad Information: keal aka i a d s@g m a i l . co m Phone: ( 8 0 8 ) 6 7 5 - 3 6 9 4 Fax: ( 8 0 8 ) 6 7 5 - 3 4 9 1 Office: Campu s, A l o h a Ce n te r 1 3 4 P ubl i sher P r i n t S e r v i ce s
May 8, 2014 • Volume 107: Issue 2 Editor-in-chief A u s t i n M e ld r u m
Le e an n Lambe r t
COPY EDITORs A u s t i n M e l d r um H o m e r Wo lm a n
Art Director Make n zie H e ad
MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISTS
ART & GRAPHICS
VIDEOGRAPHERS
M a ke n z ie H e a d M o rga n B o u wh u i s
N i Sh ip e n g Jame s A stle Je f f C o llin s
Ke l s i e C a rls o n H e c t o r Pe r iq u i n
AD MANAGER Je f f McLe o d
Table of
CONTENTS [4]
Los A n ge le s C lip p e r s own e r ‘b a n n e d ’ f o r lif e f rom NBA
[8]
Laie S t a ke s h o s t B o o k o f Mor m o n p a ge a n t
[10-11]
Ha rle m G lo b e t ro t t e r s e l ec t r ify f a n s d ur in g vi s it t o B Y U H
[14-15]
Bra n d o n Jo h n s o n : No t yo ur ave ra ge S e a s id e r
ON THE COVER
A member of the Harlem Globetrotters entertains the crowd during the athletic and comedic performance at the Cannon Activities Center on Monday, April 28. “Too Tall” throws down a dunk as part of the trick shot portion of the game. Photo by Hector Periquin.
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Editorial, photo submissions & distrib u t i o n i n q u i r i e s : ke a l a k a i @ by u h . e d u . To s u b s c r i b e t o t h e R S S F E E D o r t o view additional ar ticles, go t o ke a l a k a i . by u h . e d u .
INTERNs R ebe cca Gu ld e n Gre g Er ick so n
Rebecca Sabalones, Makaila Bergeson, Samone Isom, Matthew Roberts, Samantha Spring, Lauren Steimle, Hannah Packard, Emily Halls, Reid Crickmore, Jessica Tautfest, Jared Roberts
PHOTOGRAPHERs
NE W S CE NT E R Box 1920 BYUH Laie, HI 96762
Advisor
This week’s photo is a visually stunning photo taken of the Byodo-In Temple at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park in Kaneohe. Photo by Hector Periquin
Share with us your photo of the week and we may feature it in our next issue. e-mail us at kealakai@byuh.edu
M AY 9
10
F R IDA Y Kahuku Elementary School May Day in the Cannon Activities Center at 9 a.m. Farmer’s Market begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Aloha Center. SA T U R DA Y World Fireknife Competition concludes at the Polynesian Cultural Center at 7:30 p.m. during the intermission of the Ha: Breath of Life night show.
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M O N DA Y Fall registration begins. All students who have not completed a Bishops Endorsement by Sunday May 11, will have their student accounts blocked and will be unable to register for classes.
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T U ESDA Y The BYUH Service and Learning Center will host a service project from 7 to 7:45 a.m. Come help feed the homeless. Transportation will be provided.
T H E W EE K I N Q U O T ES
“We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling’s views. They simply have no place in the NBA.” -NBA Commissioner Adam Silver handed out a lifetime ban to Clippers owner Donald Sterling. “Thank you to all who tuned in to the devotional. It was a joy to be with you.” -tweeted Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles after the CES fireside on Sunday, May 4. Elder Ballard became the first LDS apostle to publically use Twitter.
NOTE
WORTHY
News Headlines
Minnesota school avoids ‘unimaginable tragedy’ Local Minnesota Police potentially saved hundreds of lives from a mass school-bombing plot May 2, 2014 when they arrested teen John David LaDue, 17, in Waseca, Minn. Police found LaDue with bomb materials including gunpowder, pyrotechnic chemicals, ball bearings and a pressure cooker when police reached him at a storage unit. After receiving a search warrant to enter LaDue’s house, police found finished bombs and “numerous guns” along with a plan to kill his family and schoolmates outlined in his journal, according to CNN.com Details of the alleged design begin with the teen’s plan to kill his father, mother and sister, according to police. He then planned to set off a fire nearby to divert possible emergency responders, as he would set off bombs during lunch at the Waseca Junior/Senior High School. Next, he intended to kill the school resource officer and open gunfire on students until the police arrived. Finally, he planned to voluntarily allow the police to kill him, said authorities. The Minnesota teenager’s attraction to guns and dark media may be part to blame for his intricate plan to massacre his school and family. His Facebook page showed an interest in assault rifles such as, the AK-101, Heckler & Koch SL8 and Steyr TMP. The majority of his 190 favorite bands were heavy metal and his taste in movies was predominately blood, gore and fighting. “His favorite authors are Stephen King and a more traditional master of literary darkness, Edgar Allen Poe,” reported CNN.com. Courtney Wible, a junior in humanities from Utah, said, “The media proposes a distorted idea about what reality is
Waseca Jr. & Sr. High School in Minnesota was the center of an elaborate bombing plot. Photo by AP.
and causes teens to act out in inconceivably inhuman ways. Its power can affect even the innocent, in this case a 17-year-old boy.” A 2007 study from Columbia University Medical Center found the “brain network responsible for suppressing behaviors like inappropriate or unwarranted aggression became less active after study subjects watched several short clips from popular movies depicting acts of violence. These changes could render people less able to control their own aggressive behavior,” reported sciencedaily.com. Britanny Dyer, a sophomore in EXS from California, said preventing these situations are difficult because, “these types of kids have chemical imbalances in their brains.” She continued, “They seem normal to their friends and peers, but their minds’ desires are twisted. Maybe you could help parents become more aware so that they can recognize some of these red flag attributes in their children and they can then get them help before something drastic like this happens.” Ladue’s mother declined to comment reported CNN.com. The teen was caught after Chelsie Shellhas, a storage space attendant, followed her gut feeling and called 911 after she saw the teen acting suspicious at a storage unit for about 10 minutes. Shellhas was with her cousin, Katy Harty, who has a younger brother attending the targeted school. “It’s scary; we’re both, like, really glad that we did call and didn’t just shrug it off,” said Harty. - Je ff Mcle od May 8, 2014
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L.A. Clippers Owner Banned from NBA Offensive, racist remarks land NBA owner with lifetime ban and $2.5 million fine
Clippers owner Donald Sterling, right, sits with girlfriend V. Stiviano at a Clippers game. Sterling was banned from the NBA for racist comments towards African-Americans. Photo by AP.
I
n the thick of a heated first round of the NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Clippers made headlines but for reasons other than basketball. A tape recording caught Donald Sterling, the owner of the Clippers basketball franchise, saying racist and discriminatory remarks to his girlfriend regarding her association with African-Americans, particularly at “his” basketball games. Sterling’s remarks, although not his first public bout of offensive comments, caused an uproar from celebrities, athletes like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, and even President Obama. Sterling’s own team protested their owner by wearing their warm-up shirts inside out to hide the Clippers team logo before a game against Golden State. In response, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sentenced Sterling to a lifetime ban from the NBA, issued a fine of $2.5 million that will be donated to charities and causes fighting racism and discrimination, and is attempting to force Sterling to sell the Clippers franchise, reported ESPN. Freddie Ika, an instructor at BYU-Hawaii, said, “I definitely don’t agree with his point of view, but at the end of the day, that was his own opinion in the privacy of his home and it was not made for the public.” Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the legendary basketball big-man and Hall of Fame Lakers center, stated his frustration over both sides of
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the controversy. According to Top Right News, Jabbar says, “So, if we’re all going to be outraged, let’s be outraged that we weren’t more outraged when his racism was first evident. Let’s be outraged that private conversations between people in an intimate relationship are recorded and publicly played. Let’s be outraged that whoever did the betraying will probably get a book deal, a sitcom, trade recipes with Hoda and Kathie Lee, and soon appear on ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’.” Ken Wagner, BYU-Hawaii’s men’s basketball head coach and athletic director, said, “This situation is an example for the NBA and all of us. We need to watch what we say about each other and remember to be respectful to others.” In a press conference, Commissioner Silver, said, “The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful… Sentiments of this kind are contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect that form the basis our diverse, multicultural and multiethnic league.” Tim McDonald, a recent BYUH graduate from California and Clippers fan, said, “As a fan, I love the team and the coach, but I questioned if I could continue to support a team with such a ridiculous man as the owner.” The Clippers, despite these distractions, used the situation as motivation to beat the Golden State Warriors, needing all seven games to win the series. Now, the Clippers face MVP Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Western Conference Semifinals. The Clippers are currently tied with the Thunder 1-1 and will return to L.A. for game 3 on Friday, May 9. -Re id Crickmore
Read about Your baby’s language
Available on Amazon & iTunes
Keiki dance for May Day Local Keiki perform dances from around the world at PCC Children and their families filled the Polynesian Cultural Center Pacific Theater during the Laie Elementary School annual May Day celebration held on May 2, 2014. Students ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade performed dances from different cultures around the world such as the South Pacific, Africa, South America and more. Each grade took their turn flooding the stage with bright and elaborate costumes as the audience cheered them on. Travis Rundis, a Kahuku community member, enjoyed seeing his younger brother perform on the big stage. Rundis said, “Tyler did so good. I was a little worried that he wouldn’t be able to remember the dance, but he really put his heart into it and it turned out great.” For children performing in May Day, the weeks leading up to the event were filled with anticipation and excitement. Brooke Skousen is a proud BYU-Hawaii alumni and elementary teacher in Laie. Skousen said, “My students were so excited for May Day, maybe a little too excited. It took a lot of work to keep them on task on the days leading up to May Day.” While most students love getting up in front of people to dance, Shane Christy, a senior from Laie majoring in business, did not enjoy the experience as a child. He remembers as an 8 year old wearing a costume he didn’t like and having to perform with girls. “Well I didn’t like dancing especially not with girls,” he said. Rachel Toli Muti, a former Kama’aina Kids employee at Laie Elementary and spectator said with a smile, “I love watching the kids I work with, along with all my cousins and nieces dance. You can totally see their personalities come to life when they are up on the stage.” Muti said she helped students prepare for the event while their parents were at work. -s a m sprin g
COMMUNITY Students from Laie Elementary put on a show at the PCC to celebrate May Day, also sometimes known as Lei Day in Hawaii, to celebrate traditions and island culture. Photos by Hector Periquin
April 24, 2014
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ONOEATS BYUH’s favorite foods from Hawaii
*
Much of the food eaten in Hawaii is a combination of foods from other places but is made with a local style. BYUH students share their favorites.
KallyRae Kestler,
Emily Thompson,
Nik Fifita,
“Oh, I like it all!”
“Chili rice”
“I like musubi!”
Senior in social work from Oregon
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Freshman in bio-chem from New Zealand
Been Mamauri,
Senior in social work from New York
Kulia Pickard,
Junior in exercise science from Kahuku
“Malasadas”
“Squid luau”
“I like pineapple! We don’t grow it back home.”
Emily Stevenson,
Scan for video
Junior in graphic design from California
Senior in IT from Kiribati
CAMPUS Students from all over the world have fallen in love with all kinds of Hawaiian food, like Spam Musubi and Lomi Salmon. Photos by Becca Gulden
- Rebec c a Sabalone s
Ryan Belliston,
Katherine Kapeli,
“Teriyaki chicken and rice”
“Lomi salmon”
Senior in marketing from Ohio
Junior in political science from Tonga
Harris Leafa,
Jaden Leafa,
“Poke”
“ Poke”
Senior in graphic design from Samoa
Senior in social work from Utah
Tawnie Fehlman,
Craig Hatch,
Alan Yates,
Wagner Albuquerque,
“Pineapple”
“Laulau pork”
“Chicken Katsu”
“I’ve had musubi, and I really like it!”
Senior in peace building from Arizona
Sophomore in biology from California
Senior in marketing from Oregon
Sophomore in IT from Brazil
May 8, 2014
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Book of Mormon Y Pageant
LDS stakes in Laie bring Book of Mormon stories to life
outh from the Laie Hawaii North Stake, Laie Hawaii Stake and BYU-Hawaii’s married-student stake put on a pageant titled “Come Unto Christ, a Book of Mormon Story,” as part of their Youth Conference activities. They acted out selected stories from the Book of Mormon on Friday, April 25 in the Cannon Activities Center. Local families filled the CAC to watch the spiritual performance as youth ranging from sunbeams to high school seniors dressed in robes and headdresses to retell scripture stories. After the pageant, the actors and actresses posed for pictures in their costumes before attending a youth dance held to celebrate all their hard work. Tj Leitupo, a Laie community member, said, “The pageant was so good. Everyone did a really good job and I liked watching the stories.” The pageant wasn’t just a straight reenactment of the stories, however. The production used narrative dialogue with scripture to help the audience capture the meaning of the stories. “The outside dialog was really helpful to better understand the stories,” said Leitupo. Daniel Sharp, a professor of Religion at BYU-Hawaii and a pageant volunteer, said the performance went as well as they expected. Each ward in the stake had individual parts to practice on their own and only came together on the night of the pageant. “A cool thing we did was have some of the youth pick scriptures they liked,” said Sharp. Then members of the stake wrote stories that tied together all of the Book of Mormon stories. For Sharp, the highlight of the pageant was seeing the youth’s experience in the last scene of the pageant. In this climactic scene, the youth literally “came unto Christ,” who had not been seen yet in the pageant. Sharp said the man who played Christ looked very realistic so many of the youth really felt as though they were coming unto Christ. “For me, hearing such positive feedback was the best part,” said Sharp. - Samantha Sp ring
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Dinos on the North Shore
COMMUNITY Jurassic Park sequel filmed at Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is again the site for another ally good publicity for us, and it brings in a lot Hollywood blockbuster as it hosted the film- more tourists. It’s a win win both ways,” Lau ing of “Jurassic World,” the 4th installment in added. the Jurassic Park series. Jurassic World “is a For those like Fisher who work benew sci-fi terror adventure set 22 years after hind the scenes, the demands of a Hollywood the horrific events of Jurassic Park,” Tweeted blockbuster can be overwhelming. Fisher Colin Trevorrow, director of the movie. The said, “I never planned on having this job. I film is set to be released in June 2015. lived in Los Angeles and went to school for Code named “Ebb Tide” by the Kua- theatre, but the acting business is hard. You loa Ranch workers and those working on the have to be wealthy and you have to know film, the base camp of “Jurassic World” was someone to do well. I tried out different set up in the fields surrounding things, and now I’m here in the ranch. When asked about Hawaii, hiring people and Ebb Tide, Keith Fisher, lead vetelling people what to do. hicle coordinator for “Jurassic Hard work pays off.” World,” said, “We’re filming a ...It’s a circus, Because Hawaii is such movie here. We’re leaving to- really. This whole a popular place for movies morrow to go to Kauai, then thing is a circus. to be filmed, those that live we’re going to go to New Or- We’re essentially in Hawaii are constantly leans. It’s a circus, really. This nomads. We’ve presented with opportunities whole thing is a circus. We’re been all over the to be a part of these producessentially nomads. We’ve been world.” tions. Lau said, “I joined the all over the world.” Hawaii Actor’s Union, so - Keith Fisher For Kualoa Ranch, I’ve been in a lot of movies the film brings more than just that were filmed here in publicity to the ranch. Kaipo Hawaii. Sadly, I won’t be a Lau, a worker at Kualoa Ranch, part of this one. Some of my said, “According to the Hawaii Actor’s Union, coworkers have gotten to be in some of the I believe that Ebb Tide is contracted to be here shots though.” for a couple more months. We’re all excited Lau continued, “When you are in because we’re pretty sure the majority of it a film like Ebb Tide, you don’t know what was filmed here at Kualoa Ranch. It’s hard for you’re looking at. There’s just camera’s flying people to get permits to film in other places, everywhere. It’s cool to see the whole producbut here at Kualoa we’re pretty flexible about tion aspect of it, to see how it orchestrates, that kind of stuff. It helps us out a lot.” and how important team work really is. The According to Lau, 90 percent of whole crew of Ebb Tide is now up to 800 Kualoa Ranch’s annual revenue comes from people. They filmed a lot of landscape shots tourists, and the other 10 percent comes from here at Kualoa Tanch, a lot more than the the animals. “When we have these big movie first few films. The first ‘Jurassic Park’ was companies that come in and film here, it’s re- just a glimpse into what this one will be.”
Left: ‘Come unto Christ’ actors reenact scenes from the Book of Mormon. Photos by Hector Periquin Below: Nearby Kualoa Ranch was used as the site for scenes for the newest “Jurassic Park” movie, “Jurassic World.” Photos by Becca Gulden.
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- Em ily Halls
May 8, 2014
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Human ‘Hi Lite’ Reels World-famous basketball entertainers bring high-flying hoops act to Laie 10
Ke Alaka‘i
SPORTS
Scan for video
Clockwise from left to right: “Hi-Lite” and “Too Tall” look for audience members to shower with confetti; The team mascot “Globie” interacts with the crowd; “Hacksaw” poses for the crowd at center court. Photos by Hector Periquin
go Bulls draft pick “Hi-Lite” Bruton, led the team as they performed humorous dialogue, trick shots and high flying dunks. Other standout performers included “Bull” Bullard, an “American Ninja Warrior” finalist, and “Flight Time” Lange, a three-time competitor on the Emmy Award-winning series, “The Amazing Race,” according to harlemglobetrotters.com. ed by BYU-Hawaii alumnus Barry Hardy as a coach, the The Globetrotters got the crowd involved and fired up with Harlem Globetrotters took to the Cannon Activities Cen- free T-shirt giveaways, shooting contests, and a halftime performance ter court on April 28 as part of their “Fans Rule” tour to by a Wahiawa dance team. Lance Foust, a senior in IDS from Monentertain community members and students alike. tana, was asked to participate in the pre-show human magic trick. The 87-year-old exhibition basketball team previously per “The Globetrotters brought a great excitement to Laie. They formed in Maui, Honolulu at the Blaisdell Center, and the Big Island sell out huge arenas and you could feel that they put on the same before ending their Hawaii tour at BYUH. Attendees filtered in to show for our community as they would anywhere else. Being asked to enjoy a pre-game freeze dance competition and human magic trick help out with the show was really fun. It made the event special and before the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters were introduced with made it even more memorable.” coach Barry Hardy. Foust said he had seen the Globetrotters years ago and re According to the BYUH Newsroom, eight-year Globetrotmembers the excitement being the same. “I was able to see the Globeters coach Barry Hardy played for the Seasiders from 1988-1992. trotters when I was 7 or 8 and this time was just as fun. The players After graduating with a business management degree, Hardy played really know how to get the crowd into it and make them laugh and six years with the Globetrotters before becoming a coach for the be loud.” team. The three-time slam-dunk champion received the nickname The majority of the audience was comprised of community Barry “Hi Rise” Hardy for his 48-inch vertical and above-the-rim play. members, but around 20 students were in attendance. Bryce Camp As reported by the Hawaii Tribune Herald, Hardy said, bell, a sophomore in supply chain management from California, said, “Coming back to Hawaii is a homecoming for me… It’s such a great “It was nice to see not just students, but the community come togethhonor to be working with the Globetrotters and helping to provide er to see a great show. I think it just goes to show that our love for outstanding basketball and wonderful family entertainment for the sports is universal and can cross barriers to reach new people at every fans who come out to watch.” Current BYUH men’s basketball coach game.” Ken Wagner coached Hardy his last three seasons at the university. With the CAC bleachers filled on either side, former Chica-J e ff Mcle od
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MAY 8, 2014
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Library’s Makeshift Spaceship
Facilities Management plan to fix broken air conditioning
The makeshift air conditioning system in the Library will grace patrons with its presence for at least one more month, said university official. Parts for the broken system will be manufactured and sent to Facilities Management to be replaced as soon as possible. According to library worker Alissa Clark, a sophomore in exercise science from California, some of the students reacted comically to the temporary tubing running through the Library, saying, “I feel like I’m in a spaceship,” or “There should hamsters running through them.” “We had noticed that there was a problem with the temperature in the building over a several days period of time,” said Michael Aldrich, Library director. “We got the word back that what had happened was the coils in the air conditioner had failed. So we needed to order a replacement part in the mainland that had to be custom built and then had to be shipped out here. They were expecting it would probably take two to three months for the process to be complete.” Library worker, Lisa Welker, a sophomore in bio-chemistry from Oregon, detailed what happened the day the temporary tubing
was set up. “There was this weird explosion noise and all the air came streaming through and all of this stuff popped up, and then all of the cold air just started coming out. It was just a really confusing time— no one had any idea what was happening and no one could answer anyone’s questions.” Randy Sharp, director of Facilities Management, said the air is chilled by a cooling medium and sent through tubes that run back and forth. “When they have leaks in them, they don’t work. That’s why we have a temporary one.” Sharp said other options for a temporary system would have kept the inside of the Library too warm and replacing the entire air conditioning system would be a lot more expensive than the $85,000 that they are spending on the replacement parts. “So then we had to put our little spider monster inside the building. It won’t be there for too many more weeks and then we’ll replace the unit,” said Sharp. “It costs a lot of money to replace them, but I think that some of the people should really be congratulated for the good work they’re doing.” According to Aldrich, there could be potential problems while waiting for the new parts to come in. “It’s more humid than it has been. Humidity and not coldness equals mold and mildew, and that’s the major concern for us.” Aldrich has started “mold-patrols” amongst his staff to scout out mold and mildew growing on the books of the Library. - Rebe cca Sabalone s
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CAMPUS Earl Morris has served as a police officer, State Colonel of Utah Highway Patrol, and overseer of security for 450 U.S. airports. He brings years of top-notch experience to raise the bar for BYU-Hawaii security. Photo by Kelsie Carlson
Changing of the Guard
Earl Morris wants to improve image of Security at BYUH As the recently appointed head of Security, Earl Morris from Utah, has a new take on campus security at BYU-Hawaii that he learned from decades of experience. Changes small and large, from new uniforms to a bike patrol, have excited the staff at the Security office to serve BYUH students and faculty, they said. “He came in and he wanted to talk to everyone individually,” said Sifa Talaki, an officer for BYUH Security department. “That was impressive. No one had ever asked our own opinion of what the department is like and what we should do with the department,” Talaki said. “Our plan is not really lofty. It’s just realistic,” said Morris. “Let’s make BYU-Hawaii Security a department that commands a lot of respect, where people have a lot of confidence.” Morris’ plan includes revamping the way department members think of themselves, as well as improving their reputation among the student body, faculty and staff. Some of the changes include a new bike patrol, new uniforms, a renovated communication center, new training programs for employees, and possible criminal justice classes for students. “He’s going to break everything down and then build everything from the ground up, equipping us with the right equipment. He’s giving us the right training and tools,” said Talaki. From the age of 21, Morris has risen through the ranks of security. Morris worked his way up from being a policeman, to State
Colonel of the Utah State Highway Patrol, to overseeing the security of all 450 airports in the United States. But after a while, Morris felt he needed something different. “Where I worked, in many parts of the world and even in my office, I couldn’t have the Book of Mormon or anything like that,” said Morris. “My wife said she wanted to live here [Hawaii]. For a long time, she would’ve had me work for the church instead of all the other violent, corrupt places I’ve worked, so she found [the job.]” “I did a google search and there it came up, under the job for BYU-Hawaii,” said Darlene Morris, wife of Earl Morris, “It seemed like it was written just for him. I just believe that the Lord guided us to it.” Morris’ influence already resonates with his employees as a leader who makes them feel more confident in their position. “I was going to retire this year and go find something else to do. But what he [Morris] was saying was so exciting that I was all-in on it,” said Talaki. “His ability to rally people—to be focused on going forward, and not listening to naysayers—is what really got everybody on board.”
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He came in and wanted to talk to everyone individually...That was impressive. No one had ever asked our own opinion of what the department is like and what we should do with the department. -Sifa Talaki, Security officer
Morris’ wife said she knows better than anyone about the leadership of her husband. “He is an exceptional person and people who have worked with him really enjoy working with him,” said Darlene Morris. However, no matter where Morris is, he remains focused on the task at hand. “The only way we’re going to get better at what we do is by looking at where we’ve been, where we are, and what we want to do,” said Morris. - Rebe cca Sabalone s May 8, 2014
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FUN FACTS
ABOUT BRANDON JOHNSON Brandon C.W. Johnson has a story unlike others at BYU-Hawaii and he loves to share it. A New Jersey native, Johnson joined the church only a month after coming to BYUH on a leap of faith. Now, a senior majoring in business marketing, Johnson is set to graduate in December. Austin Meldrum, Johnson’s roommate, described Johnson and said, “Everyday
with Brandon is like a mystery-flavored popsicle.”
Scan for video
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Ray Charles got him hooked on music
Johnson, a musician who enjoys playing around campus, first fell in love with music after listening to Ray Charles for a school assignment. Johnson said, “I had to do a report in 7th grade for African American History Month. From the list that went around, Ray Charles was on it. I didn’t know who that was but I went sure, Ray Charles. I googled him and then YouTubed him and sat back and listened on my headphones. That was the first time where I actually felt music. I’ve been into music ever since then.”
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He was once a quantum physics major
“I was just kind of feeling out what I wanted and I tried a lot of different paths and courses and I ended up feeling most comfortable with business. After I studied philosophy, I studied English and early elementary education, and even quantum physics.”
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CAMPUS Left: Brandon Johnson just loves music. When he can’t be playing blues piano, Johnson enjoys strumming the guitar and writing his owns songs. when he isn’t playing. Photo by Becca Gulden Video : https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=n-eKq-tBif8&list=UUDE6VSNHRODNyU-Snpj711w
LDS and Amish aren’t the same thing?
Having no experience with the LDS Church or “Mormons,” Johnson thought it was closely related to the Amish way of life. “My impression of them was that they were like the Amish. I thought they were the Amish, maybe not the Amish, but a branch of the Amish. And at least they dressed like them,” said Johnson. Spent a summer working as a guitar-playing lifeguard
“I was a lifeguard at this apartment complex so there was probably 30 people there. I would bring my guitar like a briefcase and my aviators and my bandanna and I’d sit there and play guitar and write music and ‘lifeguard’,” said Johnson. While working there, he looked through a book of colleges his dad gave him. He sat by the side of the pool, opened a page, looked down and saw BYUH. As soon as he saw the name, he knew that was the place for him. Less than a year later, Johnson flew to Hawaii and started school.
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He was committed to baptism in Spanish. He doesn’t speak Spanish
While having a very spiritual lesson with the sister missionaries, a Guatemalan sister asked him if he had heard of baptism and he said he had. “She asked me in Spanish. I don’t speak Spanish, but I knew what she asked me because the spirit was so strong. She asked me, ‘Will you be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?’ I was just crying and I said, ‘Si. Si.’” said Johnson.
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Joining a paranormal investigation team was the ‘craziest thing’ he’s ever done
With plenty of stories and adventures before coming to BYUH, Johnson said joining the South Jersey Paranormal Research Society was the craziest thing he’d ever done. Johnson entered haunted homes, hospitals, and asylums as a technician. After a scary experience in Gettysburg, Johnson decided to give up on seeking out paranormal activity.
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His favorite part about being a Mormon is the community
“I love the community. I love the people. The community and the culture are different things but I love the community. When I’m sick, I have like 30 people bring me soup. Yeah, I love the people. I love them.” - Lauren Ste imle May 8, 2014
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Sexual Assault Bystander Intervention Playbook Are you not sure how to effectively step in if witnessing a potential sexual assault? Read the situation and make a difference.
Defensive Split
The Option
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Move in and separate the parties from each other. Tell them your reason for intervening. Be a friend and let them know you are acting in their best interest. Make sure they both get home safely.
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Evaluate the people in the situation and choose your best move. You can directly intervene or recruit friends to help you. If your first plan fails, try a different approach.
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To report incidents , contact (808) 675-4819 or titleIX@byuh.edu. For emergencies, call the police or campus Security (808) 675-3911
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Use a distraction to redirect the focus elsewhere: Use phrases such as,“Hey, I need to talk to you,” or “Let’s go somewhere else.” 16
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If needs be, get friends from both parties to intervene and help the people in the situation.
Information from www.stopabuse.vt.edu. Infographic by Lauren Steimle