Ke Alaka'i- October 2017

O CTO B E R 2 017 ¡ Vo l u m e 118 : I s s u e 2

Pa g e 16 K i r i b a t i a l u m nu s de ve l ops t o o l t o h e l p f l oodi ng cou ntry

Page 44 Ne palese students c o me to BYUH via Utah

THE LEAD ER

Page 54 President Eric Shum w a y ra i ses aw areness o f diabet es i n To n g a

OCTOBER 2017 • VOLUME 118 • ISSUE 2

ADVISOR Le e A n n Lam ber t MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISTS Patrick Campbell Antoniette Yee Gosuke Kawano

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kev i n Brown COPY EDITORS Danna Tokoara Savanna Bachelder Brooklyn Redd

Hannah Jones

VIDEOGRAPHERS

Jordan Cortez

A. Jared Leon

Courtney Bow Nielsen Emmalee Smith

Khoon An Kel sy Si m m ons

Jessica Leon

Al ex M al donado

Nathan Graham

ART & GRAPHICS

Hei Lam Lau Pui Sin Cheng PHOTOGRAPHERS Ol iv i a Tsan A lvin Vi ncent Dy Mo n ica Rubal cava

Lex i e Kapel i el a M oni ca Rubal cava Abi sh M oncur ART DIRECTOR Lor i n Vi l ayvong MANAGING EDITOR Josh M ason

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CONTACT

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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 v i e w a d d i t i o n a l a r t i c l e s , go t o

ON THE COVER:

Ayusha Bajyoo and Diskhyanta Lama say their life journeys has led them to BYU-Hawaii. Read the story on Page 44. Photo by Olivia Tsan

ke a l a k a i . by u h . e d u

ABO UT US

The Ke Alaka‘i began publishing the same year the university, then called Church College of Hawaii, opened. It has continued printing for more than 60 years. The name means “the leader” in Hawaiian. It began as a monthly newsletter, evolved into a weekly newspaper, then a weekly magazine, and is now a monthly news magazine with a website and a social media presence. Today a staff of about 25 students works to provide information for BYU-Hawaii’s campus ohana and Laie’s community.

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PH OTO SUBMISSIO N Sand from Black Sand Beach in Punalu‘u on the Big Island. Photo by Abish Moncur

Share your photo with us and we may feature it in our next issue. E-mail us your high-resolution photo with a caption at kealakai@byuh.edu

F O L LO W U S AR O U ND THE WE B

KEA LA KA I.B YUH .EDU Instagram: @KEALAKAINEWS Snapchat: @KEALAKAINEWS Facebook: KE ALAKA‘I YouTube: KE ALAKA‘I NEWS

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OCTOBER 2017 • VOLUME 118 • ISSUE 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS CAMPUS LIFE

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A day in the life of Marcos Delgado Information systems major says degree incorporates tech and business

12 Devin Graham bids Hawaii farewell Hundreds come to see famed Youtuber and his video-tribute to Jon Mozo

16 Cropping out floods Kiribati alumnus introduces farming system to save flooding home country

20 Creating a traffic jam

Politician, activist, and attorney say human trafficking affects all communities

23 Opinion: A BYUH Rebound Sports writer says campus can continue to grow after end of Athletics Program

24 More than a game

Former athletes stay at BYUH because of their academics and relationships

26 The new Seasider Sports

Intramurals program becomes ‘robust program’ to fill lack of Athletics.

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Keeping Seasiders safe App lets students request to be tracked

by Security and get in immediate contact 4

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FEATURE

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Charity in India New Indian student says Gospel teaches him to love his family despite disapproval

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Voicing perspectives on Vietnam Vietnamese couple and missionary vet reflect on controversial war

40 Pa‘u riders

Student’s display provides visual representation of native Hawaiian horse riders

44 Students from Nepal

Nepalese students decide to attend BYUH because of Utah high school atmosphere

LIFESTYLE

48 Halloween attractions and legends A map of Halloween attractions around the island; descriptions of local scary legends

50 Wake up to Halloween

Normal breakfast recipes made spooky with simple ingredients

COMMUNITY

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54 Diabetes in Tonga

Former BYUH President Shumway creates film to change eating habits of Tongans

C A L E N D A R

OCTOBER 19

THURSDAY The BYU Management Society’s Women in Business forum in HGB 133 from 7-9 p.m.

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FRIDAY Diving Movie event. Watch “The Shallows” while swimming at the BYUH Pool, from 8-10 p.m.

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SATURDAY Ho’omana Service Day starting in the Aloha Center from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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SATURDAY Food Fest in the Little Circle from 5-10 p.m.

56 King tides reshape Hawaii

Record high tides erode shore line, locals voice concern about nearby beaches

58 Danger on the road 44

Several car accidents on Kamehameha Highway, causes concerns on road safety

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FRIDAY Spooktacular Dance for new students in the Ballroom from 8-11 p.m.

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President Monson’s seat remains vacant as he watches the sessions from home. Photos courtesy of Mormon Newsroom

General Conference recap President Monson absent from the conference; Elder Hales passes away B Y JE SSI CA L E O N

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t was anticipated by the Deseret News that President Thomas S. Monson would not attend the 187th Semiannual General Conference sessions due to limitations related to age, but the passing of Elder Robert D. Hales in between the Sunday sessions came as a shock to everyone.

It was announced that Elder Hales, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, had been hospitalized prior to General Conference for several days and that he would not participate in the conference.

However, by the Sunday Afternoon Session, President Henry B. Eyring began the session by acknowledging Elder Hales had passed away. He said, “Brothers and sisters, as you may know, our dear friend and associate, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, passed away peacefully this afternoon at 12:15 in the hospital, surrounded by his wife, other family members, and President Russell M. Nelson.

“We will miss him. His wisdom and goodness have blessed our lives for many years. We express our love to his sweet wife and caregiver, Mary, and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family.”

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In every session, President Monson’s absence was mentioned. During the Saturday Morning Session, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said during his remarks, “Recently, as we met with President Thomas S. Monson, he expressed with great solemnity and a countenance of happiness how much he loves the Lord, and that he knows that the Lord loves him. I know that President Monson is very grateful for your love, your prayers and your dedication to the Lord and his great gospel.”

On the opening of the Women’s General Session, Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, said, “President Thomas S. Monson is viewing this meeting at his home.

We love him and sustain him.”

In conclusion of General Conference, Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles honored Elder Hales with additional time in his discourse. He said even though Elder Hales’ health did not permit him to speak during his scheduled time, he still prepared a message.

Acting as messenger for that message, Elder Anderson related, “When we choose to have faith, we are prepared to stand in the presence of God. After the Savior’s crucifixion,

He appeared only to those who had been faithful in the testimony of Him while they lived in mortality.

“Those who rejected the testimonies of the prophets could not behold the Savior’s presence nor look upon His face. Our faith prepares us to be in the presence of God.” Those few sentences would serve as Elder Hale’s last official apostolic declarations.

Courtney Schwendiman, a sophomore from Washington studying exercise and sports science, said, “Elder Robert D. Hales gave his entire life to the Lord. Literally, he bore testimony of Christ until his last breath!

“I felt that he was very prepared to enter the Lord’s presence because of the faith he exercised during his lifetime. I could feel that meeting God with joy was his top priority. I have been inspired by his words countless times and will miss his counsel.”

Another momentous talk given during the conference sessions was when Elder Dallin H. Oaks reaffirmed the church’s stance on same sex marriage.

Elder Oaks’ speech came during the Saturday Morning Session of conference. He said, “We have witnessed a rapid and increasing

Left: Conference goers snap a selfie. Right top: Elder Hales talks during a previous General Conference. Right: Memnet Lopez, a BYUH alumna, is the first woman from the Philippines to be called to the General Relief Society Board. Photos courtesy of Mormon Newsroom

public acceptance of cohabitation without marriage and same-sex marriage.

“The corresponding media advocacy, education, and even occupational requirements pose difficult challenges for Latter-day Saints.”

Elder Oaks said the body of the church must try to balance the doctrines of the gospel with showing love for all of God’s children.

He acknowledged this belief can put Mormons at odds with family and friends and doesn’t match current laws, including the recent legalization of gay marriage in the United States. But he told members of the nearly 16-million-member faith watching around the world that the religion’s 1995 document detailing the doctrine – “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” – isn’t’ a policy statement that will be changed.

He closed his talk with a quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley made two years after the family proclamation was announced, saying: “I see a wonderful future in a very uncertain world. If we will cling to our values, if we will build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we will simply live the gospel, we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful way. We will be

looked upon as a peculiar people who have found the key to a peculiar happiness.”

Jana McQueen, a junior from New Zealand studying management and psychology, said, “Elder Oaks reminded us that the family proclamation came out over 23 years ago, and it was under development for a year. I am 24. They prepared this document for our generation. Now we can learn the information that they labored to have revealed, and live the truths.”

Preston Coleman, a senior from Canada studying political science, said as far as Elder Oaks’ comments toward children being raised in a homosexual household go, that it isn’t ideal. However, he said he thinks it is still better than a child being transferred between orphanages.

“I personally have an aunt who is lesbian and married to her partner. They recently adopted a 6-year-old boy who is so happy that he has two loving parents and no longer has to bounce around in foster care,” he said.

Another first for the church was the addition of Sister Memnet Lopez, who was born in the Philippines and grew up in Guam, as she joined the Relief Society General Board.

According to Mormon Newsroom, prior to her call to the Relief Society General Board, Sister Lopez served as a nursery leader, ward missionary, seminary teacher, Primary president, served in a stake Young Women’s presidency, and as a missionary in the Illinois Chicago Mission.

Sister Lopez graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from BYU-Hawaii. She also served as a missionary companion to her husband, Marlo Lopez, when he presided over the Philippines Bacolod Mission. She also served as a member of the Seminary and Institute Research Committee.

Catherine Salvador, a freshman from the Philippines studying business, said, “I was shocked at first to know and happy at the same time. All I can say is that the church is true and that the leaders are really guided to choose whom the Lord wants. I believe that because of that experience, that really shows that they’re not choosing who they want to or who they believe really fits to the position, but instead because they listened to the Spirit. Anyone from different races can be in that position.”

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NSO emphasizes new Holokai curriculum Administrators say it will provide students with a ‘well-rounded’ education B Y PATRI CK CAM PB E L L

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reshman and new students were introduced to the new Holokai curriculum and other school services during the New Student Orientation on Sept. 5 in the Cannon Activities Center.

“Our goal is to really make sure the students know what they need to do this first week,” said Charity Fonoimoana, the business management academic advisor. “It’s too much to give them a whole bunch of information they need to know three weeks from now. So, [we] just give them a good starting place and let them know who we are and we’re here to help.”

The orientation began with the introduction of the different advisors followed by a film explaining the history of BYU-Hawaii and the new Holokai curriculum, which requires students to major and minor in three different disciplines on campus. These three disciplines are Arts and Humanities, Math and Sciences, and Professional Studies.

Vice President of Academics John Bell and Dr. Daniel Sharp, a professor of Religion, presented how the three worked together to give a better understanding of our world. They did this by teaching a lesson on how an airplane wing works, explaining the physics behind the lifting of the wings. After demonstrating this using some simple science experiments, they explained how flight can be discussed in humanity classes as well as business and religion.

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Emma Barry, a freshman from Washington majoring in biomedicine, said she is looking forward to the new curriculum. “I’m excited about the major and the minor being in two different sections because if I was anywhere else, I would end up doing a major and a minor in science and I probably wouldn’t be as wellrounded. I kind of have to branch out.”

For Sunghim Cheng, a freshman from Hong Kong whose major is undecided, the information gave him perspective. “The information from the major and the minor was useful because it helped me think about what I want to do,” said Cheng.

Miracle Shalom Ioane, a freshman from Samoa majoring in business management, said the Holokai program was a pleasant surprise.

“I came out here with just one major in mind and now I see I have so many options with the new curriculum. Back home in Samoa we don’t have all of these options,” said Ioane.

She continued, “I like that I get to explore these options to widen my education.”

While freshman were excited about the opportunities of the new curriculum, transfer student Beatriz Carvalho, a junior from Brazil majoring in information systems, said she was upset at first.

She explained how when she found out about Holokai, it looked like it would be an extra burden. But after talking to her advisors

about her goal to reach law school, she said she began to see the great benefits of Holokai.

Carvalho explained, “I want to go into law school and I’ve always had computer science on my mind. But I found out once I got here, if I wanted to get into law school and be more competitive, I’m going to need a minor in political science.”

While the focus of the orientation was the Holokai curriculum, other student services participated in the event.

Several students mentioned they were impressed by the presentation by Handshake, explaining how it made them think about what they were going to do after they finished college.

All of the presentations included interactive portions including a beach ball toss and a trivia game using Kahoot.

“I loved seeing the students participating and enjoying themselves because we wanted to keep it fun and interesting,” said Fonoimoana.

Makena Pratt, a freshman from Utah majoring in ICS, said, “I love the Polynesian influence here and… all the different cultures that are here. It’s so cool because it feels like I’m at home, which is a lot different from other universities that I visited in Utah.”

Impressed with the attendance, Fonoimoana said it was a “good turnout,” where 350 of the 500 incoming students attended the orientation.

campus life

in this section A day in the life of information systems major Marcos Delgado

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OPINION: End of Athletics Program opens opportunity to build a new BYUH

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Devin Graham bids farewell to Hawaii, shows tribute video about Jon Mozo

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Former Seasider athletes share why they stayed at BYUH instead of transferring

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Kiribati alumnus develops farming system to save his sinking country

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Intramurals designed to take on President’s vision in place of Athletics Program

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Politician, activist, and attorney teach students about signs of human trafficking during panel

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Security joins Raven Guardian app to provide students protection at night and quicker access

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Marco Delgado

Information Systems B Y AN TO N I E TTE YE E Marco Delgado said he is studying information systems because he gets to learn other skills relating to technology and business.

Photo by Olivia Tsan

Marco Delgado, a senior majoring in information systems from Utah, said being an IS major is like taking two majors at once because of the valuable skills he is gaining for the business world.

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What made you decide to study this major?

Delgado explained how originally he planned to be a computer science major. “When I was talking to my friend, he said I should take information systems because I have a better personality for it. I tried out one IS class and I loved it. It’s a lot better for me than computer science and programming.”

What makes your major unique?

According to Delgado, information systems is a mixture of technology and business. He said, “A lot of business management and business finance majors get to understand how business works, but they don’t really understand the technology that supports a business. Whereas an IS major gets to understand how the technology and business works. We get to combine the knowledge to help achieve objectives.”

What do you want to do with it?

Delgado said he would love to work for any tech giants: namely Google, Microsoft, or Adobe.

Describe a typical day Delgado shared how his day can sometimes be stressful, but he thinks it’s good because it makes him grow. “As for homework, I just spend an hour and a half and most of it is readings.”

Number of people in the major According to Academic Advisor Patricia Hi’i Campbell, there are 189 students signed up for the major.

Time spent in a day “I spend about an hour to four [hours] a week doing readings and labs.”

Pros “You gain very valuable and marketable skills like programming and an understanding of technology, business, and accounting.

In other majors, they just focus on one skill like business.”

Favorite class “I loved IS 435 (Advanced Concepts in Enterprise Resource Planning Systems) because it’s different than all the IS classes, and it was so much fun because of Brother Lee.” He explained how the other IS classes are more on reading books, listening to lectures, and taking tests. “In IS 435, we have groups and we compete against each other with business simulations.You would run a business, and it was so cool because we had different views since our class is international. It was super competitive and all of us wanted to win. I really enjoyed that class and I wouldn’t mind taking it again.”

Cons “I think it will be harder for you to sell yourself to companies. It’s really nice when you’re a programmer, because when you leave the school you should be a really good programmer. For an IS major, you just know the introduction to programming. It is not made for you to be a an incredible programmer.”

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Devin Graham bids Hawaii farewell Hundreds come to see famed videographer and a video-tribute to surf photographer Jon Mozo B Y K E VI N B RO W N Devin Graham speaks next to his wife and BYUH alumna Megan.

Photo by Monique Saenz

Popular social media videographer Devin Graham gave a presentation on generating successful content to aspiring students in the HGB on Sept. 26, and showed a screening of his video tribute for the Mozo family.

Taylor Steele, manager of BYU-Hawaii’s Media Production Center, a special instructor at the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship and organizer of the event, said, “Devin Graham is a film maker and social media influencer who produces adventure and extreme sports videos on YouTube under the name ‘Devin Super Tramp.’”

Graham’s videos have influenced the world and his YouTube channel has obtained over 4.5 million followers since the start of his career in 2010, said Steele.

At the opening of the event, Graham puzzled the audience with a statistic he said was true for the social media industry. “Over 70 percent of what I’m going to tell you tonight is going to be a lie. Everything is changing. [These techniques] are going to be different weeks or months from now.”

Referring to these constant changes, Graham said his career started because he himself had to change his views. “I had a friend tell me that YouTube was going to be the next big thing.

I thought, ‘No, that is not where professionals

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go, that’s where people that don’t do much go.’

“But then one of my friends pitched the idea for a tongue brush, and we decided to market it on YouTube. With $200, we went and made the best video we could make. Then we saw the video generated millions and millions of dollars in revenue from that product. That was when I saw the power of social media.”

Graham said he soon embraced all platforms of social media and began following people randomly to generate viewership for his videos.

To show the world what he was capable of, Graham said he travelled to Oahu and filmed one of his first videos, “The World’s Widest Slip and Slide,” which generated over 3.7 million views on YouTube, and he effectively kick started his professional career as a videographer.

Such success wouldn’t come without hardships and lessons learned along the way though.

Devin mentioned a YouTube video, “Camera Wars,” where he drained all of his life savings to make a movie of epic proportions.

“It didn’t catch fire like we hoped it would have. However, we were okay losing money just because we knew it would be seen by other people and other companies.”

Graham said this was a calculated risk he took with the content he created. He said he even resorted to making videos without pay to get his name out there.

“Opportunities wouldn’t come to me. I had to make my own opportunities. I realized that by doing things for free, people starting seeing what I was all about.”

He said he eventually landed a deal to make a promotional video for a company selling water jet packs. “The developer didn’t think my videos would sell his $100,000 product.

However, it ended up increasing his sales by over 300 percent.”

The company sent him a letter verifying the authenticity of social media, and Graham said he was able to land deals with Nike, Adidas and Champion. He said he was even contacted by an Israeli company and flown first-class to film a video in Iceland.

“I was 26 years old. They were caught off guard when I stepped off of the plane. I don’t think they would have flown me first class if they knew how young I was,” he said jokingly.

Realizing he had expectations to meet, Graham said he did what professional videographers have to do when they get a contract: create consistent content. “Whenever you land a deal…[companies] are going to expect you

Left: Devin Graham speaks to students in the HGB. Right: A haka is performed in honor of Graham. Photo by Monique Saenz

“Opportunities wouldn’t come to me. I had to make my own opportunities.

I realized that by doing things for free, people starting seeing what I was all about.” to do it over and over again. It’s like a dog that learns news tricks. I had to make sure that I would keep doing business with them, otherwise we were both wasting out time.” Graham said this was accomplished through working many tiring days and sleepless nights.

Steele said, “He is one of the hardest working filmmakers that I have ever seen and I think it shows with his work.”

Graham said he even takes projects on through sole passion for what he does. While visiting the island of Kauai with friends, he said he made a video, which later went viral, of nature shots around the island and posted it on YouTube. Because of the video, Kauai Tourism contacted him to make additional promotional videos of the island.

He said it is very important in the social media industry to do projects that are accompanied with personal passion.

As for other projects, Graham said it doesn’t hurt to do other projects but videogra-

phers shouldn’t sacrifice their standards to take on contracts.

“I had to decide early on what my standards were,” he said. “I was asked to do a video with the NFL in Florida. All of these cheerleaders came out and were wearing next to nothing.

I was like, ‘This doesn’t represent what I am about.’

“I talked to the head cheerleader and said, ‘We have to get these girls to cover up a little bit.’” She said, ‘No, this is what sells.’”

What became a defining moment in his career, he said it took a lot of courage to not back down and do what he felt was right. “Modest is hottest,” he said as he finished the story of saying how the cheerleaders eventually came out with modejackets.

Graham said he wanted the last lecture he would give in Hawaii for a while to benefit as much as possible aspiring videographers. He asked the audience to raise their hands if they were considering videography as part of their

future careers, and over half of the audience responded.

“There are a lot of you,” he said, “so I want to make sure you know the essentials to succeed.”

He said, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. My start idea was with YouTube.

However, Facebook favors people who put up content every few days, and even that is an interesting dynamic.”

From data he obtained, Graham said over 77 percent of Facebook users watch videos on mute so videos must grab people’s attention with text when not using audio.

However, he said the biggest component of his success as a videographer was because he surrounded himself with good people, including his wife, Megan, who also attended the event.

“I actually met [Megan] in this room. It was a Great Ideas competition and I was Continues on Page 14 OC T OB ER

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“There is a greater Force, a higher power, that must personally be discovered and honored to close this circle of life and obtain peace” -Jon Mozo

Continued from Page 13

chosen to be one of the judges. She interviewed me and things took off from there. How could you not resist? I mean, look at her,” he said while she was standing on the podium next to him.

At the conclusion of his presentation, an audience member and aspiring videographer who drove from Waikiki to say farewell to Graham, performed a haka dance as a token of his appreciation from the people of Hawaii.

Graham, leaving on that note with tears in his eyes, said, “I’ll stay until the last person leaves. I want to speak with everyone because you guys mean so much to me.”

THE SCREEN IN G OF “ T R A N S C E N D”

Following the presentation, a screening of Graham’s project, “Transcend: The Jon Mozo Story,” was shown to students and community members in attendance.

Graham said he took on the project after hearing about the tragic story of Jon Mozo, a professional surf photographer who suffered fatal head injuries while photographing Pipeline in 2005.

Nikki Mozo, the wife of Jon Mozo, and Graham worked together to direct and produce the approximately hour-long movie tribute that highlighted the Mozo’s lives before and after the incident.

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The tribute shed light on Jon Mozo’s love for the ocean and showed clips of him surfing and photographing waves and surfers, as well as photos of a shark attack where he nearly lost his foot.

The video also showcased Jon Mozo’s interactions with those around him. “He was passionate about his career, and his family, but also his Polynesian culture,” said Nikki Mozo.

Stu Hinckley, a BYUH graduate of computer science and friend of the Mozo Family, said, “Back when I was here, Devin finished a teaser for ‘Transcend’ and showed it at Malaekahana Beach Park. Here we are, seven years later, and it’s still not actually done. There is just so much to it.”

Nikki Mozo said, “Devin interviewed over 60 people to make this happen. He started over 7 years ago, and I haven’t had to pay a dime for any of this. He did this whole thing out of the goodness of his heart. When I realized that he was leaving, I figured this would be a good opportunity for us all to get together.

“We still haven’t released this story because it is so hard to tell the story. I want to thank Devin for being so patient. It’s so difficult to put together.”

Jon Mozo is a BYUH alumnus, who at 33 years old was on top of the world as a renowned surf photographer in Hawaii. It tells

his story of surviving a shark attack in the water at Hukilau Beach while going to BYUH and his love affair with the ocean. He died doing what he loved, says movie information.

“Transcend is not the tragic ending of a life lived on the edge, it’s the inspiring beginning of immense majesty immortalized. A story about his intense love for life, and his family’s resolve to continue his legacy,” it says.

The Mozo’s children, Makana, Amber, Ariana and Anela, were also in attendance at the event.

Top: Devin Graham stands with Nikki Mozo, the wife of legendary surf photographer and BYUH alumnus Jon Mozo. His life is memorialized in the film “Transcend” Graham worked with the Mozo family to complete. Bottom left: Graham recognizes Amber Mozo Hollingsworth, Jon Mozo’s daughter, and her husband Colby.

Bottom left: Graham recognizes Makana Mozo, Jon and Nikki’s son. Photos by Monique Saenz

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Cropping out floods Student applies skills learned at campus garden to sustain his country back home

BY A MY H AR P E R & CO LTO N M C L A N E

Les Harper and Eritai Kateibwi work on projects in the Sustainability Garden. Photo by Chantal Hopper

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ritai Kateibwi, a Fall 2016 business alumnus, has set out to save his home country Kiribati, which is being overrun by flooding, by preventing crops from being submerged through a hydroponics farming water system he learned through BYU-Hawaii’s Sustainable World Action and Technology Team. “He is literally saving his island nation,” said Les Harper, director of S.W.A.T.T.

KIRIBATI’S CRISIS

In an interview with Vice News, Anote Tong, president of Kiribati, said the country is being flooded as sea levels rise and the people are losing land to grow crops. Tong said within 30-50 years, his nation of over 100,000 people will be totally submerged while tides increase over a meter per year due to climate change.

Kiribati is a group of atolls in the Pacific, where the highest point is only 6 feet (2 meters) above sea level. The people have been advised to abandon their homes and seek refuge in other countries due to the effects of climate change, king tides, and potential rising sea levels.

Kateibwi said neighboring countries like Fiji and New Zealand have offered to take in Kiribati citizens every year, but some of the people do not want to leave their homes and become displaced. He said they desire to fight to protect their homes with preventative projects in the works such as planting mangrove trees along the coast to prevent incoming tides from growing.

DISCOVERING A SOLUTION

Harper approached Kateibwi to work for Facilities Management after hearing his idea about creating a hideaway resort in Kiribati to boost the economy. Kateibwi said he was impressed with some of the projects other students were working on through S.W.A.T.T. and realized Continues on Page 18

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Kateibwi designs innovative projects aimed to promote sustainability and preserve crops. Photo by Chantal Hopper

Continued from Page 17

it was the exact type of learning experience he was looking for. He transferred to work for Facilities Management.

While working for S.W.A.T.T., Kateibwi learned about the hydroponics farming system in the Sustainability Garden. He said he had never seen the technology before and realized how it could be extremely helpful to his people. He decided to apply for academic training with S.W.A.T.T. so he could stay after graduation a little longer to learn more about it.

He named the project Te Maeu, which means “the land,” and submitted a proposal for taking the system back to Kiribati to the 2016 Great Ideas Competition. He won first place in the social category.

THE SYSTEM

The hydroponic systems are built into tank tables that take advantage of the flooding by holding water and containing rocks. By having these tanks built into tables, rising tides will be able to pass without affecting crops, giving the Kiribati people ways to feed themselves despite losing land mass.

The water must be filtrated with air to let nutrients circulate in order to make plants grow, said Kateibwi. He uses a special organic nutrient called MPK, which he said is a chemi-

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cal breakdown of nitrogen, phosphorus, and phosphate–nutrients essential for healthy plant growth. “The best part is the filtration pump is solar powered,” Kateibwi added.

Since Leaving BYUH, Kateibwi’s work is creating a dramatic change for his people, according to Harper. “Part of BYUH’s mission is to bring students from all over the world to learn how to become better leaders and take their knowledge home to improve their communities,” Harper added. He said Kateibwi has taken this philosophy into his own hands.

He has already taken this technology to Kiribati and shown it to scientists and government leaders to show how it can buy Kiribati some time as it continues to look for sustainable solutions to the overflow. It passed the testing phase after evaluation from the scientists. Now it is part of an intricate four-part plan to make Kiribati more sustainable.

In August, Kateibwi was named a regional finalist in the United Nations Young Champions of Earth competition, which offers $15,000 in funding and technical support to the top six winners.

FULFILLING THE PURPOSE OF S.W.A.T.T.

Harper said Kateibwi’s work is the results he wanted to see accomplished through

S.W.A.T.T., which is responsible for programs like Give N’ Take, the Free Rides bike program, and handing out free detergent at the Farmer’s Market.

Upon arriving at BYUH with his wife, Harper said he decided to create the S.W.A.T.T. for two reasons: To help students learn practical knowledge to accompany the things they learn in the classroom, and to create more sustainable programs on campus. He said, “When we came to BYU-Hawaii, we realized that there were numerous challenges that could be overcome through a hands-on approach with sustainability in mind. However, I soon recognized the value of combining my experience with the students’ enthusiasm and education.

“We give students practical knowledge, a hands-on approach to develop their talents.

We make a lot of mistakes, but through that we create real success. In school you guys get the theoretical work, but here we get our hands dirty and figure out how we physically can get things done.

“Obtaining a degree alone does not solve all world problems. We feel that hands-on problem-solving, teamed with an academic degree, can broaden a student’s horizon while also improving our campus environment,” Harper said.

Harper says students are encouraged to come and learn about sustainability in the garden. Photos by Chantal Hopper

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Creating a traffick jam Politician, activist, and attorney discuss how students can fight human trafficking by recognizing warning signs, contacting authorities, shunning pornography B Y SAVAN N A B ACH E L D E R

The panelists tell students trafficking affects every community. From left to right: Andria Tupola, Lisa Thompson, and Bow Mun Chin.

Photo by Olivia Tsan

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he BYU-Hawaii Pre-Law Society hosted a panel on human trafficking with three anti-trafficking advocates who said trafficking occurs in every community, whether it be through the labor and sex markets or pornography. Students wrote questions about the scope, cause, and signs of human trafficking on pieces of paper that were handed to two hosts to ask the guests.

Panelist Andria Tupola, a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives who grew up in Laie, started the panel discussion by sharing how exposure to human trafficking and sex crimes can find it’s way into the home. When she was 6, she said her cousin was exposed to violent forms of pornography by her uncle at age 4. This encounter lead to a lifetime of pornography addiction, which resulted in him ending up in federal prison and becoming a registered sex offender. She pointed out none of her family knew about it until the problem had formed into an addiction.

Tupola warned, “This is a real issue that happens everywhere, it doesn’t just happen in massage parlors, or by people trafficking people from other countries. It happens in homes. It happens in LDS homes. It happens with students.”

She continued, “This issue is not sensitive to age, to ethnicity, to religion. It can attack anyone. And at the end of the day it’s not if you saw pornography, it’s when. Everyone gets exposed to it.”

Panelist Lisa Thompson, vice president of the National Center of Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), explained how pornography is a public health crisis, and it can be used to condition victims of human trafficking to be sold for commercial sex. According to Thompson, porn is “changing the fabric of society.”

Thompson defined human trafficking as a “process that ultimately renders a person into a state of slavery, where someone is exercising the rights of ownership over them. Severe forms of trafficking a person [include] recruitment, harboring, transportation, provisioning and obtaining of a person by force brought on coercion

for the purpose of exploitation. Those forms of exploitation can be commercial sex, involuntary servitude, and slavery.”

Zou Suke, a senior from China studying political science, said, “Before I thought pornography was just a moral issue, but it can actually turn into a crime and it’s really serious. We need to talk about protecting people from the beginning, not just from our age.

We need to teach children and talk to them about sex and trafficking. That’s a cultural difference between the U.S. and China is that parents don’t talk about these issues.”

Panelist Bow Mun Chin, an attorney at the Legal Society of Hawaii who primarily deals with cases regarding labor trafficking, discussed how labor trafficking victims are coerced into slavery.

“Many times the traffickers will tell the victims not to talk to other people, not to associate, and not the ask questions. They are told to be afraid of law enforcement.”

He shared an example of a case he was a part of in 2010 that involved 400 labor slaves from Thailand, the largest U.S. humantrafficking operation to be charged. Six job recruiters were charged with exploiting the workers, forcing them to work on farms on the mainland and in Hawaii. According to CNN, one instance involved the workers being detained on a pineapple farm on Maui, where they were told they’d have to pay a fee of $3,750 to keep their jobs or be sent to Thailand with unpaid debts.

Mun Chin encouraged students to be observant. “One thing we have problems with is that we can’t identify and find all the victims.

So if you can be eyes and ears and observe when human trafficking is going on, contact our office, contact law enforcement. We know it’s going on out there, but the majority of it is not being reported. Having a neutral set of eyes and ears would be appreciated.”

Thompson added that a victim of human trafficking will display several warning signs. According to her, these signs include not being able to come and go as they please, being depressed and fearful, not Continues on Page 22

“There’s exploitation in so many facets we may not even recognize.

But if we all do something, there is so much influence we can have.”

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being able to speak the language of the country they are in, always having someone speak for them and being monitored on a near constant basis.

In an interview after the panel, Jennifer Kajiyama, an adjunct professor of political science, said, “There’s exploitation in so many facets we may not even recognize. But if we all do something, there is so much influence we can have.”

Ulziika Sukhbaatar, a senior from Mongolia studying anthropology currently doing an internship at the Hawaii State Government Legislature, coordinated the panel after its original location at UH Manoa was dropped. She said, “I think it’s very important to educate ourselves and on the current issues especially. Hawaii passed a law on human trafficking last year, so I thought it was a good time to have this event. It doesn’t really matter if we are citizens of the United States. It is always important to be aware of where we are living and helping people around us.”

Sukhbaatar mentioned the importance of going to campus panels and discussions in order to gain a “worldly” education students can’t always get in a classroom.

Gantsolmon Dugarsuren, a senior studying human relations from Mongolia, said the event helped her to be more aware. “I thought about how I can help them, and if I see things, instead of just thinking, ‘Oh, I’m not going to do anything,’ maybe I’ll be more proactive.”

Thompson urged students to help by lobbying for political change by continuing to criminalize commercial sex and repealing laws that protect businesses like Backpage.com from profiting off of human trafficking. Students can also make a difference in the private sector by visiting Endsexualexploitation.org and joining campaigns to put businesses on the Dirty Dozen List, a tool that lists businesses that perpetuate sexual exploitation through pornography, prostitution, and sex trafficking.

Students write questions that are submitted to the panel’s hosts, who then asked the panelists for a response. Photo by Olivia Tsan

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Opinion: A BYUH Rebound An opportunity to build on the Seasider legacy B Y PATRI CK CAM PB E L L

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tudents, fans and athletes joined arm and arm on Feb. 20 singing ”Aloha Oe” on the floor of the Cannon Activities Center. They were saying goodbye to BYU-Hawaii Athletics even though the spring sports seasons, tennis, golf, and softball hadn’t even started. In their hearts, they knew the game was over.

Most within the Seasider Nation have accepted the 2014 decision to terminate Athletics, but people, especially those formerly within the Athletics Department, continued to lament the void they say will be left by the program’s departure.

And they are right – but also wrong. BYUH will miss the Athletics Program, but people are wrong when they assume the void left cannot or will not be filled.

Those lamenting have said the school will suffer three major losses from Athletics departure.

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One, the community will lose its closest and most direct connection to the institution. In a community rich with ethnic and national diversity, it is true sports have always been a symbol of unity. Kahuku football and the Red Raider nation are an example of the unifying power of athletics.

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Two, Athletics had been one of the school’s best missionary tools, with one supporter estimating 10 baptisms a year could be directly and indirectly attributed to the Athletics program.

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Three, Coaches and former athletes were incredible ambassadors of the school. Former Athletic Director and men’s basketball Coach Ken Wagner is a respected figure in the Asian basketball community. Several of his former players have found success in professional leagues including Yuta Tabuse, who was the first Japanese player ever to sign with an NBA franchise, and Jet Chang, who plays professionally in China.

These arguments weren’t made in anger but in a spirit of sadness – a sort of deathbed acceptance. Looking back over the history of Athletics, the Seasider Nation has gone through its own grief cycle. It’s a normal psychological journey that begins with denial and anger and ends with acceptance.

While students and individuals affected by this decision may be at different stages of grief, it is certainly time for the school and community as a whole to accept the decision and to move forward with the school’s mission.

Outside of Laie there is plenty of room for missionary efforts.

The Exercise Science program once had the privilege of working with collegiate teams and athletes. This void needs to be filled. After the departure of collegiate athletics from Rexburg, exercise science students began coaching intramurals. But what if BYUH’s students became the coaches and fitness experts for youth of the greater North Shore area?

With the best facilities in the region, this initiative could help with two of the Athletics program’s greatest assets: local community connection and missionary work.

The basketball court in the CAC is state of the art. Visiting teams would rave about the quality of BYUH’s court. So let Kahuku’s volleyball, and basketball teams play a few scheduled big games on the court during the season. Nothing would be better for the students and community then getting the CAC rocking with some Red Raider pride.

BYUH has promised a robust and unique intramurals program.

This certainly could be the unifying program the school needs to bring students together with such diverse backgrounds. Sports, such as touch rugby and soccer, would take precedence over more popular U.S. athletics such as flag football, water polo and basketball, although basketball is very popular among the international community on campus.

The school will need to fill the recruiting deficit. Without Athletics, other programs will be necessary. One that is recognized internationally and has seen success with is the school’s ENACTUS program. While it may not have the draw of having hundreds of fans cheering, it could be a good recruitment tool to bring the greatest entrepreneurial and business minds of the Pacific-Rim to BYUH. These future titans of industry continue to build on Athletics role as ambassadors of the school.

The end of the Athletics could be the catalyst for an incredible new BYUH.

The Seasider Nation has gone through its own grief cycle. It’s a normal psychological journey that begins with denial and anger and ends with acceptance.

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More Than A Game Former student athletes say they stayed at BYU-Hawaii because of friendships, the gospel setting and to graduate B Y JO RDAN CORTEZ

Students who had originally come to BYU-Hawaii for sports have found that education, relationships, and new opportunities are keeping them here.

“Ultimately, my goal is just to graduate and move on to graduate school. The fastest way to do that would be to stay here,” said Bryce Nattress, a junior studying exercise science from Idaho.

Nattress said he values finishing school and going onto a career more than playing a sport he loves in college. Nattress has been playing basketball here since 2015, and said although he has enjoyed his time as an athlete, he also sees the benefits of the program stopping, “It’s crazy how much more time I have, but I do miss the competitiveness of playing collegiate basketball.”

Eve Gonzalez, a sophomore from Texas studying accounting, said her reasons for staying were a little different. Gonzalez’s high school coach encouraged her to continue her running career. A few colleges were interested in her, but Gonzalez said she contacted the BYUH running coach and was happy when he offered her a spot on the team. “I literally came here to run cross country.

That was the goal. I was just going to see where it took me from there.”

After a successful first year of school and cross country, Gonzalez said she was bummed to see it end, but knew she would rather stay and not run than leave and run for a different school. When asked why she would rather stay, she said, “Solely, the relationships I have built with friends. I’ve never been surrounded by so many members of the church, and that’s why I stayed. Never in my life have I had this.” Gonzalez said she is grateful for running because had she not ran, she would not have ever ended up at BYUH.

When asked about why the sports programs were shut down at BYUH, Charlene Akana, former head athletic trainer and current assistant professor of Exercise Science, said, “Basically, we don’t know the reason.There is a lot of speculation, but maybe it was the finances.” In a BYUH statement about ending the program it says the money spent by Athletics would be used to increase the number of students from around the world the university can serve and especially those from the Pacific and Asia. Akana said the announcement came out in 2014 and Athletics ended during Spring Semester 2017. After hearing the announcement, Akana said, “I was disgruntled at first and then it hit me, that this is the Lord’s institution. Coming here was definitely his doing.”

Akana said she originally came here in 1994 on a one-year trial. After the year, she planned to go back to the University of Hawaii. However, after two months at BYUH, she knew she needed to stay.

Akana spent these past 20 years as the head athletic trainer, but when the sports program closed, she migrated to full-time teaching. She said instead of being upset, she views this as a new opportunity. “I’m not getting younger and it seemed like it was time to take on a new challenge, to move on. The Lord has always provided, no matter what.”

Former basketball athlete, Bryce Nattress, and cross country runner, Eve Gonzalez, say they’re staying at BYU-Hawaii because of their academics and relationships. Photos by Alvin Dy

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Campus Life

Seasider Sports Intramurals incorporates President Tanner’s vision to become ‘robust program’

BY PAT R I C K CAM P B E L L

Jurell Kai plays volleyball for intramurals. Photo by Olivia Tsan

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he newly formed Seasider Sports and Activities Department, formerly BYU-Hawaii Intramurals, is expanding the sports it offers and hours of operation in order to engage more students, said Brandyn Akana, the Seasider Sports and Activities Senior Manager.

“We are planning on providing a robust program that engages students,” commented President John S. Tanner.

Debbie Hippolite Wright, vice president of Student Development and Services said, “We are excited at the development of the Seasider Sports and Activities program and the enthusiastic response the program is receiving from students.”

According to a PowerPoint provided by Hippolite Wright, “Sports and Activities will reflect the unique international flavor of the student body and campus community.”

According to the presentation, the President’s Council hopes to achieve this by improving facilities, increasing the variety of sports, providing more opportunities for volunteers and increased training in the sports. They hope these initiatives will increase the popularity of Seasider Sports with a goal of 800 students participating in intramural programs.

“Our vision is for the BYUH campus to be one that is active and participates in all of our activities,” said Akana. “We look forward to building a sense of belonging and connection on campus.”

Seasider Sports Student Manager Mason Baird, a junior from Washington majoring in business finance, explained, the President’s vision is allowing them to change and improve intramural sports.

“It’s great it’s been a priority. It’s rare to have an opportunity where you get to take your own ideas and put them to work so it’s going to be great,” said Baird. “This is the President’s Council coming to us and saying we want to make intramurals a priority. We want to make it comparable to BYU-Idaho. We want to make it a great program.”

BYUI went through a similar transition period after the sporting programs were terminated. The school now has a strong intramurals program with recreational and competitive leagues with many different sports, according the BYUI website.

Baird explained how intramural employees had discussed ways to improve the program in the past but never had the opportunity due to limited resources.

“Because Athletics was cut we felt this was the time for us to really make some good changes,” said Baird.

With the end of BYUH Athletics the Cannon Activities Center and Old Gym’s schedules were much more open allowing Baird and his team to expand the hours they could offer free play and also the numbers of sports.

With the introduction of multiple divisions within the individual sports for the Fall Semester, Baird hopes the games will be less like organized pick-up games and more like activities “for people to come watch and enjoy and hang out.”

Leagues will be more accessible to all students with a new sign-up form. The new form allows individuals to sign up for sports as opposed to the old system, which required students to sign-up as complete teams, according to Baird.

He is excited about the effects the changes will have on campus and community life.

“It’s going to make campus more alive and more unified. It’s going to be more spiritual because we will have less problems with people and it’s going to be a more fun environment.”

Free Play

Student attendance to free play activities increased over the summer as Baird and his team implemented extended hours, a more consistent schedule and opened their doors to non-student community members.

“We got a really good turn out,” said Baird ecstatically. “It took a little while to get it moving, but by the middle of the summer we had people showing up to every sport, which means we are reaching different crowds of people. One day we had 150 students participating in sports at one time.”

While traditionally popular sports on campus such as volleyball, touch rugby and basketball were well attended, the Seasiders Sports staff was pleasantly surprised by the interest in badminton.

“Badminton was one where I didn’t expect it to be super popular but sometimes we would have 30 or 40 students trying to play badminton,” said Hunter Jensen, a sophomore from California majoring in exercise science.

Baird said, “In the past we used to tuck it away on a Monday night and we didn’t advertise it or market it at all. One worker would be there to give them some stuff and a few dedicated players would attend.

“It was busy in the gym and so now we want to take that to our open gyms and then to our division play and make the experience great for our badminton players. It’s not a very popular sport on the mainland so it doesn’t get a lot of hype from our mainland students, but for the international students it was really popular.”

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Our vision is for the BYUH campus to be one that is active and participates in all of our activities. We look forward to building a sense of belonging and connection on campus.

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Before the summer the intramurals had a strict policy requiring BYUH identification to participate in open gyms. Jensen explained how the opening of the facilities to the local community improved the activities.

“When we started opening it up to the whole community, we got a lot more people in here and people got excited to play and then it changed! Instead of just being little pick-up games it turned into more of an event. Peoples’ friends were there. There was music going on. It was a great atmosphere. People weren’t just there to shoot a ball around for a few minutes. They came to play and then they would watch their friends play. It was competitive but not over the top where you wouldn’t want to be there,” said Jensen.

League Play

League play starting this fall will feature two divisions for each league, with one league being for skilled competition and the other with a focus on being a social and safer environment.

“Division I will be competitive,” said Baird. “Division II will be a more fun league with anywhere between beginner to intermediate [skill levels], and it will be somewhat competitive. It won’t be a laugh fest but it will feature students who have different levels of play.”

Baird explained the inspiration for trying the new division set up came while he was refereeing basketball in the Spring 2017 Semester.

Baird described how a team signed up for mens basketball with a roster composed of former BYUH collegiate athletes. He related how he

would watch this team play other teams, which matched their love for the game of basketball but whose skill sets were so far apart.

“Both of them loved basketball,” urged Baird. “The problem was there was this huge gap. The guys who played collegiately weren’t challenged and frankly were risking injury for a game they didn’t care about. On the flip side, you had teams that were getting womped and no matter how well they played they just weren’t going to match the former Seasiders skill level.” Baird continued, “With the new system, the level of play is going to be where they want it every game for both teams.”

The Division I leagues will be primarily male or female only.

The exceptions will be soccer and badminton, which will offer co-ed competitive.

“We want to make it fun. Make it exciting,” said Baird. “For those athletes who would go play college level, make them feel they have some time to shine, get back in their glory days, just fun and we want to provide an environment for them to do that.” Division II will be almost exclusively co-ed teams in order to foster the fun environment and social experience Baird wants to provide.

“Those who usually don’t play or don’t know much, they should still come out because it will be a safe environment and it will be a great place to socialize and to mingle,” said Baird.

Seasiders Sports employee Ayla Blad, a junior who grew up in a military family majoring in communications, is looking forward to the new co-ed leagues.

“I love basketball, but I never played organized basketball after the 4th grade, so I’m not as skilled in plays and defense. But I’m so stoked

Curtis Delfin takes advantage of the new rigorous intramurals program. Photo by Olivia Tsan

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Basketball Monday

Volleyball

Badminton

Ping Pong

Intramurals

Intramurals

Intramurals

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Soccer

Touch Rugby

Intramurals

Intramurals

Intramurals

Intramurals

Intramurals Intramurals

Intramurals

Friday to join a Division II team,” said Blad excitedly. “I hope new students and others who haven’t been previously involved can feel more welcome.”

Another important change to the intramurals, according to Baird, goes back to the expanded hours.

“In the past, it was always understood intramurals could not expand because most of the games ran during the PCC night show times, so you had a lot of I-WORK students, who are a huge demographic, who didn’t have the chance to play in our leagues,” said Baird.

The PCC night show runs from 7:30-9 p.m. In the past intramurals ran from 7-10 p.m. This is being changed to where leagues first games will start at 5 p.m. and will run all the way to 11 p.m.

He continued, “Now with these new hours we get two slots, [before and after night show], where the PCC workers can still participate if they want.”

Website Improved

Seasiders Sports and Activities worked with the media team to improve its website and make it more user friendly, said Baird.

“They taught us how to use OrgSync and OrgSync has been a great way for us to document and keep track of all of our forms and records.”

Previously, according to Baird, the website didn’t provide complete information on times and schedules. The schedules were updated on a weekly basis with the open gym times changing each week. Usually the open gym was the last priority when it came to scheduling facilities.

“No one ever knew when the gym was open,” said Baird. “Then you just got a little group coming to play.”

“Now every student can go online and can see all the schedules for all the sports. With that we are hoping to get all those students who usually wouldn’t get involved to think this is something they can do now.”

Another new feature is the sign-up forms for intramural teams. The site links to OrgSync where students can then sign up for the sports they would like to participate in. Another new option is the option to sign up a previously organized team or as an individual.

Baird said, “Before we had a sheet of paper or we asked people to email us their team rosters to us. We would leave out the people who didn’t know how to sign up or wanted to sign up by themselves.”

Baird said they are already seeing results with 13 people signing up individually to participate in different sports.

“We’re hoping that will reach the people who don’t know enough people to make a team. They can just submit their info and then we can take care of them and put them on a team.”

Intramurals

Activities & Future Goals

Seasider Sports and Activities is exploring ways to combine sports and activities in more ways in the future.

“We want every student to have the opportunity to participate in these activities whether they are competing in the games or participating as spectators,” said Akana. “We want to make sure to invite all students to participate.”

Baird described how he envisioned sports becoming student activities, where people could come watch and have a good time.

“We want to make it as close to a real sporting event as possible so hopefully we get there,” said Baird.

He shared some of the ideas his team had been discussing to make intramural basketball games more exciting. They include posting and marketing game times, playing on the center court in the CAC, pulling out the bleachers, playing music and having an announcer on the microphone to comment on game activities.

Baird explained the goal of these changes is to make it so “people can not only come and play but they can also have fun watching and feel comfortable watching and have a good time too.”

“This stuff is down the road,” Baird emphasized. He hopes they will be a reality by the time the men’s basketball league begins in the 2018 Winter Semester.

Another way Sports and Activities hope to collaborate is by holding smaller one-day tournaments for more niche sports such as bowling, ultimate Frisbee, and dodge ball.

“These sports usually aren’t the sports that could last a whole semester, but we definitely have some people who would love to participate,” said Baird.

“They aren’t in the schedule yet, but these will be very exciting activities,” assured Baird.

Jensen emphasized, “It was a good start and we are going in the direction we want, but there is still a lot of room to grow. Hopefully this year we can really see the program improve.”

For more information, and to sign up for intramurals, go to intramurals.byuh.edu

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Keeping Seasiders safe App lets students request safety tracking by Security and connect through instant message B Y CO U RTN E Y B O W N I E L SE N

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YU-Hawaii Security has created a profile on the Rave Guardian app to ensure students are able to study and live in a secure environment, according to Eseta Clanton, BYUH Security’s crime prevention specialist. It has a number of features like tracking and instant messaging to help students stay proactive in preventing and reporting crimes around campus.

If students are heading somewhere alone late at night or early in the morning, they can connect to Security on the app and request to be tracked to ensure they make it to their destination safely, according to the BYUH Security website. It also allows them to connect to Security instantly via telephone or messenger.

“You can call us directly through the app,” said Clanton. “You can report anything to us. It doesn’t have to be something that happened to you. It can be anything you see on campus. Anything that looks suspicious you can message us through this app, and we’ll get back to you right away.”

Kendall Pryor, a senior from Utah studying business human resources, said, “I feel most secure about the fact that Security is progressing. So for me, I feel pretty safe here. Other people might not, but it just gives me more confidence in knowing that they’re trying even harder to make it safer.”

Theft is the main crime on campus, said Clanton; bike theft is the most common. “It’s what we call a ‘borrow for sorrow,’” she said.

“Students just tend to take people’s bikes when they’re unlocked and then ride to class and then leave it there. It’s not intentional. It’s just, ‘Oh, I have to hurry to class,’ and they aren’t trying to steal, but it’s considered a crime.”

There are more than 600 cameras between BYUH and the Polynesian Cultural Center that help Security employees stay aware of what’s going on around campus, said Clanton. “We’re able to resolve 8590 percent of those crimes,” said Clanton.

Pryor said, “My girlfriend actually had her bike stolen. Fortunately, we found it at the PCC.”

Hallie Greding, a freshman from Arizona studying elementary education, said, “I was thinking last night I wanted to go for a run, but I was kinda scared because it was dark and nighttime so [the BYUH security app is] something that would be good.”

The BYUH official website says, “After downloading the app, please make sure location and push notification services are turned on.

This allows us to respond and communicate with you in the event of an emergency. Sign in using your BYUH email and password and make sure to input the correct personal credentials. We also suggest using your BYUH email as your username. After account creation, you will be asked

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to verify your account through your email.You are now set up to be safe!

We strongly recommend students to use this app for their own safety.”

Clanton said there are a number of things students can do to ensure they’re safe on- and off-campus. These include being aware of their surroundings, not going anywhere alone or with they you don’t know, and downloading the new BYUH Security App.

Rave Guardian is available for free download in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. For more information, visit studentlife.byuh. edu/security/home.

feature

in this section Convert from India says the gospel taught him to love his disapproving family New documentary on Vietnam War opens discussion on the controversial war

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Pa‘u riders exhibit at the library is the only one of its kind in Hawai‘i

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Campus Comment: My favorite Halloween time was when...

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Nepalese non-member students find out about BYUH going to high school in Utah

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Fe ature

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Charity in India Despite experiencing occasional lonely moments as a member, Shan said he is positive he is doing the right thing. Photo by Skye Macintosh

Charity in India Indian convert says the Gospel taught him to love his family despite their disapproval J O S H M ASO N & B RO O K LYN RE D D

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oming to BYU-Hawaii wasn’t always his plan, but Shanmugsundaram Arumugam, or Shan, said his journey to the school is rooted in his conversion to the Gospel. With little support from his non-member family, the new freshman from southern India studying business management said he remains positive that this path will lead to a better future for him and the people of India.

Shan met LDS missionaries Elder Smoot and Elder Solomon at a bus station in 2012.

“I said, Hi, to them first. I knew little English at the time.” They handed him an invitation to an English class along with a pamphlet and exchanged numbers with him. “At first, I didn’t respond to their calls. Later, I started going and reading with them. I really liked them. We became good friends.”

This same year, Shan said he was struggling with his life’s purpose. “I was searching.

I was thinking I want to be a good person.”

After accepting the invitation to take the missionary lessons, he was baptized on Jan. 1, 2013 without his family’s approval, which he said was worth it because of the changes he experienced.

“I had a problem with the Word of Wisdom… and my family has seen my changes,” he said.

“Then I started to become more involved in church. I really felt the true love of the members in the Coimbatore District.

Each family treated me as one of their family members. I was looking for love, and I got the true love.” The members encouraged Shan to go on a mission, but he said his family was against it. “After I joined the church, I was all alone. I stayed at my branch president’s home and in a government hostel. I ate food with my branch president. They helped me to go on a mission.”

He got a call on a Wednesday in 2015 to serve in the India Delhi Mission, where he spent the majority of his time in Mumbai.

On a Wednesday night during his service, he got a call from his mission president. “[He said] you have to go home. My dad had a heart attack problem, a health issue.”

Shan said he felt conflicted because he and his companion were preparing for the baptism of two children of a family who were investigating for two years.

“I didn’t go home. I chose to stay on my mission because I knew God would help my dad. Then I got a call on Saturday saying that everything is okay.”

His decision to stay led to more conversions, Shan added. “Because the two kids joined the church, the parents ended up joining. Because of them, there were four other families that got baptized.”

Shan said the dad of the first family, Brother James, was pivotal in those conversions. “One day the dad was super sick. We got a call from his wife [asking us] to help him. We went to his home. He was laying on a bed. He didn’t have food to eat. I just cleaned up the room, and I cooked the food, and I just put some oil on his head as medicine and gave him a blessing.

“That blessing worked him.” From that day, the father gained a testimony and started coming to church little by little.

Shan finished what he described as a successful mission in 2016. “I came home. My family and branch president welcomed me at the airport. Then I stayed with my family for 10 days.”

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“

They just don’t like that I joined the church. But this Gospel helped [me] to understand and love

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them again.

A picture of Shan’s family. Top left: Shan; top right: his brother Sathishkumar; bottom left: his mother Rajammal; bottom right: his father Arumugam. Photo by Olivia Tsan Continued from Page 33

He relocated to New Delhi for one month but had a hard time finding a job. He said, “One night I knelt down and prayed. I heard a voice say, ‘Mark 11:24.’” The verse reads: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” He decided to go back to Coimbatore, where he found a job immediately.

Along with a job came the call to serve as a branch clerk in the Coimbatore First Branch. While gaining skills from that calling, he had a dream one night about studying in one of the church schools. “I had small money saved on my own, but I started the application.”

One member, George Scott, an American who was living in the area at the time, helped Shan financially with the application.

“But the rest of it, I paid my own [way].

“Meanwhile, I met [James Faustino] in April or May 2016. He’s one of the keys for me to come to BYU-Hawaii.” Shan said he also

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had met President Tanner during his mission.

“He invited me to come to BYU-Hawaii.” Shan described his application process with 2 Nephi 28:30: line upon line, precept upon precept.

“Within five days [of applying], I got my visa. I’m the first person in my community to come abroad, and I’m the first person from my district to come to a BYU. I’m the only Mormon of my entire village (Perundurai).

I’m the first missionary. And I’m the first person who is coming to BYU-Hawaii.”

During his travels to India, James Faustino, director of Admissions and Recruiting, said Coimbatore was not on his list of places to travel in preparation of recruiting students to BYUH. When Shan found out Faustino would not be traveling through his hometown in the “outskirts” of India, Faustino said Shan decided to fly on an airplane to meet with him.

Faustino said Shan took a 12-hour roundtrip plane ride to meet him. Faustino said, “It was all within a 24-hour period, and he didn’t stay. He didn’t have money to find a place to

stay. He got on the plane, came, and presented me with a gift that was probably more than he could afford.”

Shan is an example of what the I-WORK Program is looking for, said Faustino. “We wanted to ensure that we were properly bringing the right people in being able grow the church instead of just aiding with migration to the USA.You need to find the right individuals who understand and commit into what our I-WORK Program is trying to accomplish.

“He is one of those that had found the church and immediately, despite the persecutions he knew that would follow, he decided to join the church.”

The Polynesian Cultural Center orientation for I-WORK students gave Shan confirmation that he was in the right place. “It reminded me of the scripture: many are called but few are chosen.”

In addition to helping him improve his life, Shan said the Gospel “taught me to love my family” despite their disapproval of his

choices. “Even though this Gospel helped me to understand that they don’t hate me, but the just don’t like that I joined the church. But this Gospel helped to understand and love them again.”

“Going to BYUH and seeing the love the people have, seeing many people from all over the world, seeing the Plan of Salvation – what I learned from my mission has come true.”

Faustino added, “Many students like Shan who come here, don’t know anyone or anything [outside of India]. He is not used to seeing clear blue water and the sky without pollution. This is foreign to him. He is going to be blessed and has already been blessed by being here, but I know so many people will be blessed by meeting him.”

As for his future, Shan said, “I want to help the people as I did in my mission. I want to show them with all my life what I’m learning at BYU-Hawaii, and I want everyone in the world to know this gospel, especially in my own country.”

He said he hopes to become the CEO of one of the top 10 companies in India.

Shan holds a photo with two of his branch presidents: Lawrence William, left, was branch president of his home unit; Daniel, right, was branch president of a unit in Shan’s mission.

Photo by Olivia Tsan

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Fe ature

Voicing perspectives on Vietnam New documentary “The Vietnam War” has renewed discussion among Vietnamese students and a veteran B Y PATRI CK CAM PB E L L

D

irectors Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s new 10-part, 18-hour documentary “The Vietnam War,” is filled with interviews of both Americans and Vietnamese who were affected. BYU-Hawaii students from Vietnam and a veteran from the war said the Vietnam War was bad for both countries.

Hau Bui and his wife Hang Ngo, both senior business majors from Vietnam, explained the Vietnamese perspective of the Vietnam War. Ngo said, “The Americans lost thousands but we lost millions of people. Generations were affected by the war and chemical weapons.”

According to TheVietnamWar.info, the Vietnamese estimated the number of civilian deaths during the Vietnam War as 2 million with an additional 1.1 million military deaths.

“We learn about [the war] not as a great victory but as a dark time,” said Ngo. “When we are taught, we don’t consider ourselves the winners. We are the survivors.”

Elder Scott Edgar is a service missionary in the Honor Code Office and a U.S. Air Force Veteran who was deployed to Vietnam in 1968 as an intelligence officer. He explained how the lack of a clear understanding of why the United States was in Vietnam fighting made it difficult for the American public to support the war.

Edgar recounted coming home through international airports and being spit on and yelled at. He said he was even laughed at by students at BYU, when he attended classes in Provo for wearing his military uniform.

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“The people [in the military] I met were proud to serve and were doing what their nation and country asked of them. It was a little shocking when we didn’t get support back home.”

In an interview with Reason.com, Burns said, “It’s time to talk about [the Vietnam War]. It’s some repressed memory for many of us and deliberately avoided subject for perhaps the rest.

“We think it’s the most important event in American history in the second half of the 20th century. If we want to know a little bit about the political divisions and the lack of civil discourse that beset and bedevil us today, we think that a lot of the seeds of that were planted in Vietnam.”

PERSONAL PRIDE - NATIONAL DISGRACE Edgar, who was drafted a few months after completing his LDS mission, said he is proud of the time he spent in the military.

“There’s a lot of embarrassment I think about what we did and what we had to do. I am not ashamed of what we did. I thought we were there for a reason.” Edgar said the reason was to defend the people of South Vietnam from Communism.

Edgar said he had reservations about the reasons for producing the documentary.

He said, “I don’t know why they’re resurrecting that thing now because it’s ancient history. Most of us are done with it and moved on. I don’t know what the value is frankly.

“Maybe it has something to do with Afghanistan and Iraq.

If you as a civilization have a question, ‘What did we do back there?’ then maybe it’s worth researching.”

“It’s clear that the U.S. forces won that war, but politically we were forced to pull out, and there was a vacuum. We won the war in 1972. We won the war and we were there. Then there was a lack of political support and we said, ‘We’re out of here. We’re bringing our people home.’ We had won a victory, but then we wasted it. We wasted a lot of lives by pulling our forces out of there and not rebuilding South Vietnam.”

Edgar explained the lack of political support was because, “58,000 Americans died in a relatively small period of time.

There were a lot of body bags coming home and nobody likes that.”

Edgar said because of the power of some of the weapons, there was nothing left to send home.

Referring to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. Edgar said, “ They’re just a name on a wall now.”

He spoke solemnly of the sacrifice made by U.S. men and women who gave their lives but said he regretted the effects of the U.S. withdrawal from South Vietnam.

“We lost interest as a country and we thought it was over and we stopped supporting it, and the North Vietnamese they didn’t quit.

They kept fighting.

“People died [evacuating South Vietnam]. People who were loyal to America. That’s the ugly part of the whole thing. We didn’t end it.

We just walked away and gave up. That was the disgrace of the whole thing. “

Despite these failures Edgar said, “I am proud to have served, and I think most career [military] people did it for a love of [their] country.”

Burns continued, “The average military member doesn’t get involved in the politics of these things. We raise our hand to the square and we commit to serve and we strive to remain loyal to the country and our brothers.”

VIETNAM’S STORY Although, according to Ngo and Bui, both are far removed from the war itself, they have been taught in their schools about the war and have heard stories from their grandparents and parents.

Ngo added, “To be honest the U.S. did some terrible things, but I heard stories from my mom and dad, and grandparents.

They said the Americans were the good guys because they fought for us. Not every Vietnamese was a socialist.”

Bui said when they are taught about the war in their history classes growing up it’s not called the Vietnam War, but it is identified as, “the American invasion of Vietnam.”

Elder Hale served in the U.S. Air Force.

Photo by Olivia Tsan

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Fe ature

Left: Elder Scott Edgar is a missionary who serves in the Office of Honor. Top Right: He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Right: Hau Bui and his wife, Hang Ngo, are both seniors and business majors from Vietnam and are pictured with their child. Photos by Olivia Tsan and Abish Moncur and courtesy of Elder Edgar

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LESSONS FOR AMERICA TODAY Bui and Ngo discussed America’s foreign policy today and its current conflicts in Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen.

Bui asked, “Should the U.S. be responsible for the rest of the world?” Ngo quickly replied, “ No of course not. They are not responsible.”

Ngo added, “ When I put my perspective behind America, why they [came to Vietnam], what I think is America did it because they were the leader of the world at the time.”

Ngo compared how today’s conflicts are similar to the war in Vietnam because of the insurgent forces.

“We need to understand in Vietnam, not everyone in Vietnam was an enemy. The Americans would come to fight your enemy but sometimes they would kill the wrong people too.”

Bui compared the civilian casualties inflicted in South Vietnam to civilians who are being harmed in Syria and Iraq by U.S. bombings.

“

Ngo continued, “In the past Vietnam has been invaded by so many enemies: China, France, Japan, England and then there was America. The Americans did a lot of bad things in our country. That’s why we call it an invasion.”

The documentary begins by looking at the pre and post-World II history of Vietnam, then the French colony of Indochina in the first episode.

Edgar said if students want to learn about the Vietnam War today, “don’t look at the ‘60s because the ‘60s was an aberration. Go back to World War II. The Vietnam War actually started during World War II and the events that occurred immediately after with the French being defeated badly.”

The documentary explores how the United States initially misread the Vietnamese fight for independence against the French.

Ngo said, “The mistake happened at the very beginning when Americans didn’t accept the offer from Vietnam to work together after World War II. Before Russia and China, we asked the U.S. for help and they didn’t. That is the big mistake.”

The documentary talks about Ho Chi Minh, a political leader who organized and inspired the Vietnamese people in their revolution. According to the documentary, the Vietnamese refer to him with adoration as Uncle Ho.

“We love Uncle Ho. We love the heroes and the persons who went to battle,” said Ngo.

In the first episode of the documentary, Burns and Novick document the efforts of Minh to ally himself with the United States.

Bui said, “Even though Uncle Ho wanted to follow the French and U.S. economies, they got help from China and the Soviet Union to provide weapons, food and strategic help to unify the country. So who are you going to follow? The one who will help you win.”

Ngo described how Vietnam did need help after World War II, but said, “The U.S. helped in the wrong way. Instead of helping the French and seeing Uncle Ho as an enemy, they should’ve not become enemies.”

I am proud to have served, and I think

most career [military] people did it for a love of [their] country. The average

military member doesn’t get involved in the politics of these things. We raise our hand to the square and we commit to

“

serve and we strive to remain loyal to the country and our brothers.

Bui and Ngo both said it is difficult though to judge the United States off of its mistake in Vietnam because of the similar intervention of American troops in the Korean War in 1950-54.

“The U.S. lost in Vietnam, but they won in Korea and look at how South Korea has become super developed today,” said Ngo. “If you say Vietnam is a mistake, then Korea is a success.

“We can’t tell if the actions of the U.S. were bad or wrong because on the one hand Korea is growing - so I don’t know if that is the right thing to do.”

Bui said, “It’s hard when two parties are arguing at each other and now they feel they have to fight to resolve it.” He added, “ But the U.S. was the international policeman. They still are.”

Edgar said, “We cannot just win a war and walk away from it. There are insurgents that are out there and they are going to come right back in.”

To Learn more: • •

Visit www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-vietnam-war Listen to personal experiences of community members in the Vietnam War in the BYUH Archives in library.

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Fe ature

Pā‘ū Riders Student combines her interests and creates a visual representation of Hawai'i’s famed riders B Y K E VI N B RO W N

Alpha Harper stands in front of her display in the Joseph F. Smith Library. Photo by Alvin Dy

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“It all started because I needed a project, and I looked up pictures of horses and Hawaiians. It was the theatrical costuming of the women and the horses and everything combined together. I brought all of them together.”

Harper is still collecting figurines to expand the project. Photos by Alvin Dy.

P

erhaps one of the only exhibits of its kind in Hawai'i, the Joseph F. Smith Library currently houses a rare representation of the island’s very own Pā'ū riders, with a compilation of figurines and chronological histories depicting their origin.

Organized from the expertise of Alpha Harper, a senior from Canada studying IDS in Hawaiian culture with a minor in theatre, she said this collection reaches out to the youth in all of us.

Harper said the collection on display near the entrance of the Pacific Island Studies Room relates to the societal changes and new traditions brought by the introduction of horses and cattle to the islands.

“I have chosen to depict a history for the Pā’ū riders of Hawai'i as the introduction to my capstone project,” Harper explained.

“Working at the theatre, I worked a lot on costuming. I had to find a way to depict costuming in Hawaiian culture bringing the two areas of focus together.”

Harper said as she browsed images of Hawai'i, she was captivated by the colorful

presentations of the equestrian units in parades and she had to know more.

After reflecting on her own experiences throughout the years of riding in parades on her horses, she said she needed to know the meaning behind the outfits they were wearing.

She said the pictures of flowing fabrics draped over the riders and reaching on both sides of their calm horses launched her into a “search to discover the reason and history of these beautifully garbed women riding astride.”

Harper said in 1793, just five years after Captain Cook’s first and last visit, Captain George Vancouver returned to the islands.

He gave five black longhorn cattle to King Kamehameha as a gift, an act which Harper said left the king astonished upon seeing the beasts.

“He was certain that they were useless until convinced of their survivability with minimal human supervision,” said Harper.

Harper said King Kamehameha temporarily protected the cattle from hunters until they began to disrupt farms and gardens, at which time the King had to lift the protection for cattle.

More than 10 years later, Harper said King Kamehameha would marvel at a new addition to his islands —the horse.

According to the exhibit, “Captain Richard J. Clevel introduced horses to Hawai'i in 1803.

It is said Kamehameha was impassive and emotionless on his first sighting of a horse.

“Western sailors began riding the horses along the beaches to demonstrate their capabilities. Hawaiian men and women quickly took to riding the magnificent animals.” Thus, began the tradition of the Pā’ū riders created by Royal Family nobility.

Harper stated, “The Hawaiian women especially enjoyed riding [horses]. It was custom for ladies to ride in carriages, not on horses, so it was implied that they would sit sideways, just for travel purposes.”

Harper said there were no roads for carriages at that time.

“The women didn’t have riding pants,” said Harper, “so they had to come up with their own ideas.” She said in order for Hawaiian women to arrive at events without getting dirt on their clothes, they would have to use large amounts Continues on Page 42

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Fe atu re

Big Island- Lehua blossom Lei

Niihau- Shell Lei

Maui- Pink Lolekani

Each island would have their own signature attire, here are a few:

Continued from Page 41

of fabric, elaborately covering their dresses and wrapping their feet before placing them in the stirrups.

The Pā’ū riders, all of whom are women, can be easily recognized today as some of the most lavish participants in the annual Kamehameha Day Parade in Honolulu.

“They get them ready to ride. It takes a large team of people, and then they do their hair. The last thing to get done is the wrap. They bring it through the legs and then they keep folding it back.”

Harper said each Pā’ū rider wears up to 12 yards of fabric in the parade, of which a big portion hangs down the side of the horse.

A standard procession of riders has a presiding queen with her unit, followed by unit princesses and their respected attendants representing the eight Hawaiian Islands.

According to www.holualoainn.com, the process to become a queen of the riders requires time and experience, where prospective queens should ideally represent every island throughout the years in the parade.

In an interview with the 2013 queen, Roxanne Kalilimoku, by Midweek Magazine, Kalilimoku reflected, “This experience is not just for me. It’s for the community at large to embrace as a way to perpetuate our culture.

“We have to keep this custom alive because the parade is the biggest showcase of tradition we have in Hawai'i.”

With Harper’s love and knowledge of horses and Polynesian history, her exhibit is also a way for the community to appreciate Hawaiian culture.

Harper said this display will continue to be showcased in the Joseph F. Smith Library, but she has plans to expand the project and move it to another location in the future.

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A rider figurine stands next to her horse. Photo by Alvin Dy

Campus Comment

My favorite Halloween was that time when...

BY AN TO N I E TTE YE E

Joseph Pushnam Malaysia, Accounting, Junior “I was in Primary [and] I got to dress up as a ninja.”

Kisetsu Irie Japan, Music, Freshman “I dressed up as a black cat and we had a piñata full of candy in our ward back home.”

Tevita Makihele Tonga, Applied Math, Senior “I helped my little brothers dress up for the Halloween party at church.”

Shane Fukino Hawaii, Business, Senior “Me and my three brothers dressed up as Power Rangers. I did a lot of trick-or-treating, and I got a lot of candy.”

Josh Hansen Utah, Computer Science, Freshman “I did trick-or-treating as a kid.”

Skye Stevens Aiea, Hawaii, Associates in Arts and Sciences, Sophomore “I took my cousins trick or treating on a military base and the military men were so rude. I was dressed up like a pirate, and they were like, ‘You’re too old to be trick-or-treating. We’re not going to give you candy.’ And I was like, you’re never too old to trick-or-treat.”

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Fe ature

From left to right: Ayusha Bajyoo and Diskshyanta Lama, both non-members from Nepal, say the atmosphere at their high school in Utah led them to further their education at BYUH. Photo by Olivia Tsan 44

K E ALAKA I

Leaving

Nepal

to return and serve others Non-members get introduced to Mormonism at Utah private school and decide to pursue higher education at BYUH B Y GO SU K E KAWAN O

A

yusha Bajyoo and Diskshyanta Lama were both born in Kathmandu, Nepal. The life journeys led them to attend BYU-Hawaii for Fall Semester.

Both Bajyoo and Lama, undecided majors, said both of their fathers’ dreams of providing them with quality education in the United States has been the enabling power in getting their high school education and attending BYUH.

They said when their fathers first went to the United States, they envisioned their children would come get an education. They hoped to provide their children with a good education in order to serve people in Nepal.

After completing tenth grade, they moved to Utah, where their fathers had made connections beforehand. Both of them said they had no idea about Mormons before coming to the United States, even though they knew about Christianity.

Lama said they had no idea if there were any Mormons in Nepal until they moved to Utah and saw some parts of Nepal from the movie “Meet the Mormons.”

The Nepalese students said they could not go to public school because going to public

school would only entitle them to a one-year visa, so they chose to go to American Heritage High School, which turned out to be a Mormon private school.

Two or three days after starting school, they went to one family’s house. There they faced Mormon culture shock.

They said they remembered the host dad drawing, what they described to be a “long description” about Heavenly Father and the Plan of Salvation.

Lama said, “We didn’t know the school we were going to would use the gospel in everything and how much the gospel would be tied into academic and everything in our life in Utah.”

Bajyoo said, “After joining the high school, we found out why we needed to study those things that the host dad explained to us.

The first thing we had to read in our first class was the Living Christ.”

They admit they were shy for the first time because of the culture differences and also the sense of isolation they felt since they were not Mormon.

They said they were encouraged to go to church and they did a few times, but for the

first year it was difficult to adjust to the Utah culture. Lama said, “We were not used to [going] to church. We didn’t make much friends that first year because everyone was a Mormon and we felt like everyone hangs out with Mormons.”

After the second year when they came back from Nepal, they started living in different homes separately, which exposed them to life in Utah more than before.

They started going to church out of respect for their host families. Both Bajyoo and Lama even attended the church in Nepal when they went back home.

Lama said the aspect she likes about Mormonism is the emphasis they put on the family.

She also said most of their generations are not religious in Nepal. She said they rarely talk about religion and she likes the LDS teachings of being honest and becoming a better person.

Bajyoo said she liked family home evening and how it helps the family to have a stronger connection.

Bajyoo said she felt kindness from people in Utah. However, she thought there were some days when some Mormons seemed disContinues on Page 46

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Diskshyanta Lama says she loves the emphasis the LDS Church places on family. Photo by Olivia Tsan Continued from Page 45

aappointed in her when she didn’t go to church.

Lama added, “Even though there isn’t a direct pressure, there were some days when I felt pressured and kind of left out.”

People in Utah told Lama and Bajyoo about BYUH. They said it is a good school because it is international and Mormon.

Bajyoo said since they do not have any support from their parents, she thought going to BYUH would be the best choice because of the scholarship, which reduces tuition.

Lama said starting off with a small college similar to their small high school would be a good choice.

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Bajyoo said she’d like to get a quality education, make good connections, and go back and serve her community and country.

The two friends said they hope to make new connections with other students and even try out new activities around the island.

Besides the friendliness she notices from people in Hawaii, Bajyoo said she likes the beach, mountains, and culture. “I don’t think I will try surfing at all,” she said with a laugh.

They said they cannot swim, but they are hikers. Lama said she enjoys hiking, even though she said she feels she is not good at it.

The climate along with the presence of chickens wandering around Laie is similar to

Nepal, they said, making them feel at home even though they are far away from their homeland.

One of the biggest things the two students said they miss about Nepal is that there are lots of hills and mountains. Bajyoo said, “People always think Mount Everest is in our backyard or something, but it’s not. It’s far away!”

Due to their experience of attending a private school in Utah and learning so much from being surrounded by the Mormon culture, they hope to gain the same experience at BYUH.

Lama said, “That’s why we came here.”

lifestyle

in this section Halloween attractions and legends on Oahu

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Halloween pancake and waffle breakfast recipes

50

Candy quiz game testing knowledge on familiar snacks

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Halloween Attractions Turtle Bay Monster Mash Open: October 27th, 2017 Price: $10 Online Presale $12 General Admission What: Kid Friendly Haunted house, Halloween Movie, Keiki Costume Contest, Food, Keiki Pony Rides

Zombie Obstacle Course What: Zombie Apocalypse: Rescue At Coral Crater Adventure Park Ziplines, Laser Tag, Zombies Price: $119.99 Haunted Plantation Where: 91-1780 Midway St, Kapolei, HI 96707 Open: 7pm - 11pm Friday- Sunday starting October 13th and Halloween day Price: $15 General $20 Fast Pass Where: 94-695 Waipahu St. Waipahu, HI

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Hallowbaloo When: Saturday Before Halloween 7 PM - 12 AM Price: $5 admission Where: Chinatown Honolulu What: Music and costume festival More Info: http://hallowbaloo.com/

Legends

Maybe you heard the distant and eerie sound of an army marching or maybe your rental car broke down randomly on the Pali highway. Perhaps you should read up on the ancient legends of the islands —

Don’t take the Lava Rock

Pour Some Gin For Pele

Pele’s curse says that any visitor who takes rock or sand away from the Hawaii islands will suffer bad luck until the native Hawaiian elements are returned. Some think tour guides made up the curse to discourage tourists from bringing dirt and sand onto the buses. Either way, each year hundreds of visitors send packages back to Hawaii full of rocks, sand, and other natural materials in an effort to relieve their consciences and change their luck.

If you want to protect yourself and your family from the lava flow, you have to pay your respects to Pele, the volcano goddess. According to local legends, if you see a beautiful woman with long, flowing hair or an older woman with long, white hair, you must greet her with aloha and offer her help or respite. To really get on her good side, however, you have to visit her at Halemaumau crater and give offerings of food, flowers, and gin.

Don’t Take Pork over the Pali Mummy: Curse of the Crypt Open: Every Friday and Saturday Starting October 6th Price: $15 General and Keiki $12 Group Rate Where: 171-A Hamakua Drive Kailua, HI 96734 More info: Visit their event on eventbrite.com

Apparently Pele and the demigod Kamapua‘a (a half-man-half-pig) had a bad breakup and agreed never to visit each other. If you try to bring pork over the Pali, you are symbolically trying to bring Kamapua’a from one side of the island to the other and Pele will stop you. If you do try, according to legend, your car will stop at some point on the journey and an old woman will appear with a dog.You have to feed the pork to the dog in order to continue through.

Waimanalo Farms Pumpkin Patch Open: Every Saturday and Sunday in October, 9am to 5pm.

Price: Free admission and parking Bring money for food Where: 41-225 Lupe Street, across from Waimanalo Beach Park.

More info: call 306-4381 or visit www.waimanalocountryfarms.com.

The Night Marchers The night marchers are ghosts of ancient Hawaiian warriors and they’re said to roam the islands at night visiting old battlefields and sacred sites. If you hear chanting, drums or marching or if you see torches, you’re best bet is to run indoors or to lie quietly on your stomach — if you make eye contact with the night marchers, you’ll die and be forced to march with them for all of eternity. If you happen to have an ancestor marching, however, no one in the procession can harm you.

T OB ER 2 0 1 7 Information condensed OC from huffpost.com

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C ampus

Wake up to

Halloween With a few simple ingredients, transform your pancake or waffle breakfast into a festive treat.

Bloody Pancakes

Hot Strawberry Jam

PhotoK E byALAKA Monica Rubalcava I 50

Candy Corn Waffles

Melted White Chocolate Chips

Orange Food Coloring

Boonana Waffles

Bananas

Chocolate Chips, melt if needed

Clementine Orange half

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L i fe st y le

Do you know your favorite candies?

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Mat c h t h e n am e s w i t h t h e c o r rec t c and y

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K E ALAKA I

A. Good and Plenty, B. Skittles, C. Starburst, D. Nerds, E. Raisinets, F. M&Ms, G. Now and Later, H. Swedish Fish I, Sour Patch Kids, J. Sweetarts

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Nerds Swedish Fish Skittles Good and Plenty Now and Later Sweetarts M&Ms Starburst Raisinets Sour Patch Kids

local news

in this section Former BYUH President Shumway creates video to raise awareness of obesity in Tonga

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Record high tides erode shoreline, locals voice concern about coastline damage

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Kamehameha Highway car accidents open discussion on improving road safety

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From left to right: Gary Smith, director; Eric Shumway, executive producer; and Mele Taumoepeau, assistant executive producer. The crew says they hope their new film will encourage Tongans to develop healthier eating habits. Photo by Olivia Tsan

Diabetes in Tonga Eric Shumway and friends hope to change the eating behavior of Tongans and help them understand what they can do to avoid diabetes B Y AN TO N I E TTE YE E

“‘Oku ‘I Ho ‘Aofinima Ho’o Mo’ui Lelei” is a video series headed by former BYU-Hawaii President Eric Shumway meant to change the eating behavior of Tongans and help them understand what they can do to avoid diabetes.

Shumway, who is also the executive producer and writer, said the documentary is formatted to be used as a teacher’s aid. “It’s in Tongan language and for the general population of Tonga. There will be six chapters and about 95 minutes worth of film.”

The title translated is ‘Your good health is in the palm of your hand.’ Shumway explained, “ This suggests we are responsible for our own good health in what we eat, how much we eat, how much we exercise, and how we avoid harmful substances.”

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Shumway said doing the project was made possible with the assistance of a group of doctors in Utah who go to Tonga every year to help train doctors and nurses. They also do seminars on diabetes for Tongan civilians. He said faith and religious press, namely the Church of Tonga, the Wesleyan Church, the Catholic Church, and the LDS Church also helped with the project.

“My friends, Dick and Mimi Peery funded the project as well as the Moana Nui Utah Organization. The only thing they didn’t have was a media presentation. When I became involved, they asked me if I would do that and so I did. I am donating all my time,” Shumway continued.

According to Shumway, they have been working on the project for over a year now.

“We went to Tonga last February and did a lot of filming and interviewing. In July, we went back to Tonga and showed what we had done in the ministry of health and now we’re back to complete the project.”

Shumway said they we’re able to use all kinds of elements to create an emotional effect as well as give information that includes humor, Tongan proverbs, and quotes from scriptures.

He added, “The strength of the invitation is the number of people in Tonga who are willing to participate to speak in behalf of the people.”

“Chinese loves to eat, but Tongans really love to eat,” emphasized Shumway. He said Tongan eating habits are one of the things they’re hoping to change in people’s behavior. “How much food, what kind, the need to drink more

water, and exercise are some of the things we know we should do to remain healthy.

We want to emphasize that this is a crisis in Tonga. People need to change.

“The crisis is like a tsunami. It comes in but you don’t know when it’s coming until it’s here. It’s like diabetes type 2.You don’t know you’re sick until it weakens your organs and it’s too late.”

Shumway said while Tonga is a small country, 35 percent of the population has diabetes. “The percentage is so high. It’s a big problem and we want to get it right.”

Shumway said they used a little bit of fear in the film because Tongan people need to understand diabetes is serious. “We showed a lot of diabetic wounds that are very powerful and shocking.”

He mentioned the different perspectives of the project like religious, professional, and medical. “There were a number of patients who were able to control their diabetes. We have testimonials of people who are succeeding to how much and what they eat. We got the whole society to participate in the project.”

Mele Taumoepeau, a cancer survivor, BYUH alumna, and the assistant executive producer and writer of the film, said she counts it as a blessing to be part of the project because it has already impacted her whole life. “I’m a diabetic. I have been diagnosed since 1999 and I lost about 55 percent of the functionality of my kidney. I think it is very timely for me to be introduced on this project. I needed it.”

Taumoepeau said even after she started to overcome diabetes, she didn’t think anything of it. She took her case lightly and just continued to eat like she’d always eaten.

“When I started on this project, I finally became responsible for my own health. It’s really serious. I bring a bag of fruits and water everyday.”

Last year, Taumoepeau had the opportunity to go back to school in New Zealand and she was offered a scholarship for her doctorate. “I couldn’t go because they won’t give me a visa based on my health. That really awakened me, and suddenly I realized I’d better do something about my health or else I won’t only lose opportunities, but also my life.”

The film crew waits while exporting film in an editing bay on campus. Photo by Olivia Tsan

While Taumoepeau was sharing her thoughts, she suddenly stopped and said, “The project is a personal journey for me first and foremost. I feel that I have been blessed. For me, it’s been divine intervention that led me to this and had the chance to meet Shumway.”

Taumoepeau shared a famous saying by their first king of the dynasty ruling in Tonga right now, “My people are destroyed because of ignorance.”

She said, “Many are simply unaware of the consequences of their old eating habits and lifestyle. I have come to realize how true that is of the epidemic of diabetes raging through our country. We value our food so much to the point that it destroys us.”

Food in Tonga is one of the most valuable things, according to Taumoepeau. “It’s not just food. It’s a token that we use to show our respect and honor to our leaders, guests and through food we express our love - so we indulge in it a lot.”

Taumoepeau explained, “Tongans feast a lot because we don’t have much else. We just have the food. We become blind to how food can also be our destruction.”

Shumway explained, “This is a combination project where BYUH is providing equipment, space, and student interns to assist. We have people who donated money for travel and other expenses.”

In doing the project, Shumway said they felt the Lord’s hand, opportunities came into

their lap, met people who supported them, and were able to do the things they needed to do.

Shumway said, “I don’t say ‘I’ anymore. I say the Lord has helped us.You don’t want to take credit for everything.You just thank the Lord for everything: for giving me the language ability to contribute and for keeping Mele alive because she was supposed to die six years ago.

We all thought she was on her deathbed.”

Gary Smith, a BYUH alumnus and editor and director of the film, said he is honored to be part of the project. “I feel that it’s extremely worthwhile and this project is something that can assist people over a course of time.”

According to Shumway, Taumoepeau will be the project’s custodian in Tonga. “She will take 300 DVD copies to Tonga and distribute them free of charge to schools and villages. She will help people use the film in a teaching situation both in large and small groups.”

Taumoepeau expressed her excitement to launch the project in Tonga. She said she hopes it will impact at least one individual per family to be converted, which can cause hundreds of people to be converted overtime.

“I can imagine people in Tonga benefit like me and I don’t see a reason why this film won’t impress people, because I myself experienced an impact. I don’t know if it will be an instant success, but I’m sure that if we can convert one like I have been converted, we can have a real impact to others,” explained Taumoepeau.

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King Tides reshape Hawaii Record high tides erodes shoreline, causing locals to voice concern B Y N ATH AN GRAH AM

A palm tree is falling in Hau’ula due to the eroding coastline caused by king tides. Photo by Abish Moncur

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ocal BYU-Hawaii students and faculty voice concerns as they see the changing coastline, a result of this past summer’s king tides.

“It is as if the ocean is angry,” said longtime resident of Laie and professor of Business Management, Helena Hannonen.

Hannonen said she has lived here for the past 11 years and has noticed changes in the shoreline during that time.

She said, “For example, when I first began swimming at Kekela Beach, there was a stump where me and my friends could leave our belongings while we swam. At the top of the beach there was the stump and then plenty of beach to spare before you hit the ocean.

“Now the ocean comes all the way up to the stump! In all my years here I have never experienced anything quite like this last summer.”

Local North Shore lifeguard of 15 years, Darrel Hannemann, said he hasn’t felt like this last year was as bad as the previous two, but said this year people are seeing the damage from the last two. Damage can be seen all along the highway on the way to Kaneohe.

He attributed the changes being seen across Hawaii as a part of the natural cycle of the earth, referencing the various places on the island where there is evidence the water level once was much higher.

Hannemann said, “I remember growing up and surfing a break here in Laie called Genigators. It was a really fun wave comparable to V-Land.

Nowadays, this wave hardly ever breaks. We live in a dynamic world that is constantly changing and the change in the tides is one of these [changes].”

According to Honolulu Magazine, “king tide” is a term to describe the highest tides of the year that usually occur during the summer and winter months. Experts at the University of Hawai‘i Manoa say the April and May king tides are particularly special because of their abnormally large size.

Hannonen explained how her usual routine of swimming every morning has been disrupted because of the seemingly constant high tides, which have exposed the roots of the trees and taken many trees out into the ocean.

“Even the ocean floor has changed. What once was nice white sand has become rocky and uncomfortable to walk on,” she said.

Shez Hannemann, a sophomore from Laie majoring in business marketing, said, “Growing up in Hawaii, my family and I would often visit Malaekahana Beach Park because it wasn’t very busy but there was a lot of beach, perfect for laying out and building sand castles.

Now you go and the water goes all the way up to the grass.”

He said the drastic changes in the shoreline make people consider the implications of global warming more and their impact on the environment.

Trees on coast are losing their rooting. Photo by Helena Hannonen

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Off-campus housing along Kamehameha Highway and nearby streets prone to car accidents, said BYU-Hawaii students. Photos by Olivia Tsan

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Dangers on the roadway Car hits off-campus housing: Student suggests posting signs warning drivers to slow down for the residential neighborhoods B Y N ATH AN GRAH AM

BYU-Hawaii students living off campus said frequent car accidents occur along Kamehameha Highway because of poor housing locations, inconsiderate drivers and the narrow highway.

Kailey Trussel, a senior in psychology from Washington, said she has lived across from Hukilau beach for the past year and has witnessed multiple car accidents, one ending with a vehicle in her front door.

“I remember it being 6:30 in the morning and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the whole house shook, almost like an earthquake and I heard a loud bang. My first thought was that a gun had been shot,” said Trussel. “I didn’t have my glasses on, but I went to [the] window to see what had happened.

“I looked down and saw a car right in the bottom of the house with a woman waving her arms at me saying, ‘I’ve never done anything like this before, I am sorry.’

“I remember there were five points of impact. The Laie sign, our fence, two cars, and our front porch. All because a woman swerved to miss a dog.”

Connor McCombs, a junior studying business management from California, said, “What’s life without a little danger? The highway is as dangerous as any. We just happen to live right on it.”

McCombs said while the accidents are unfortunate, he doesn’t think there is a whole lot students can do about it. He said as students, they can’t expect to be able to afford better housing or better housing locations.

Trussel said the highway passes through a residential area, and he said he believes the majority of people don’t know or

don’t take it into consideration to slow down and watch for pedestrians or animals.

She suggested a possible solution could be to put up more signage across the highway to warn oncoming traffic of the frequent crossings of pedestrians and to slow down.

Tanner Behrens, a sophomore in business finance from California, who has lived across the street from Hukilau Beach for the past nine months, said, “[One day] I was sitting inside watching a movie when I heard a loud crash. I looked outside and saw two cars skidding across the highway. I ran outside to help.

“I began directing traffic when a lot of locals from around came out and brought out cones, flashlights, and everything to help us direct traffic. Once the cops came, they took over.

“I think the problem is we have such a large, busy main highway on a small, narrow, unlit road,” said Behrens.

He said a more industrialized Kamehameha Highway would solve the problem. He said bigger lanes and more lights are needed, but added “I don’t believe it will happen because nobody wants that. Everyone wants to keep the country, country, and personally I think that is a key component of Hawaii. I respect that.”

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Oahu had 5 million visitors in 2016. It said with a large number of tourists traveling to the North Shore, hot spots like Laniakea Beach have become saturated with cars and buses.

For more information on driving laws in Hawaii, visit hidot.hawaii.gov.

“I was sitting inside watching a movie when I heard a loud crash. I looked outside and saw two cars skidding across the highway.

I ran outside to help.”

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Eat a Halloween waffle to start off a spooky day. Other Halloween breakfast ideas can be found on Page 50. Photo by Monica Rubalcava