O c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 ¡ Vo l u m e 1 2 4 : I s s u e 2
THE LEADER
Sports and Awareness
Page 18
Page 46
BYUH student qualifies for the 2020 Boston Marathon
Diana Hubner serves in order to heal
Page 58 Eric Marlowe’s history book about the Laie temple is published
OCTOBER 2019 • VOLUME 124 • ISSUE 2
ADVISOR
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LeeAnn Lambert
Brooklyn Redd
MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISTS
COPY EDITORS
Haeley van der Werf Elijah Hadley Will Krueger Taffie Kwok Cody Barney Lauren Goodwin Kimo Burgess Carlene Coombs Olivia Hixson Serena Ioane Michael Kraft
Dani Castro Noah Shoaf Bruno Maynez
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ho Yin Li Chad Hsieh Keyu Xiao
NEWS CENTER
BOX 1920 BYUH LAIE, HI 96762 PRINTER
Pr int Ser vices Editorial, photo submissions & Distribution inquiries: k e a l a k a i @ by u h . e d u . To s u b s c r i b e t o t h e R S S F E E D or to view additional ar ticles,go to k e a l a k a i . by u h . e d u
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Esther Insigne Shannon Crowley Lilinoe Gomez ART & GRAPHICS
Brad Carbine Milani Ho Ip Taffie Kwok ART DIRECTOR
Lynne Hardy MANAGING EDITOR
Kevin Brown
CONTACT
Email: kealakai@byuh.edu Phone: (808) 675-3694 Fax: (808) 675-3491 Office: BYU–Hawaii Aloha Center 134 ON THE COVER:
Iotua Anié of Tahiti said he played four sports competitively before attending BYUH. He said the lessons he learned on the field have helped him become the man he is today. Photo by Chad Hsieh
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. © 2019 Ke Alaka‘i BYU–Hawaii All Rights Reserved 2
KE ALAK A ’I
PHOTO SUBMISSIO N The moon over Oahu. Photo by Ho Yin Li
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 US AR O U ND THE WE B
KEA LA KA I.BYUH.EDU
OCTOB ER 2019
3
Contents October 8
Ask the Professional with Dr. David Porter
10
Spalding Jugganaikloo starts a college in Africa
12 16 18
Students benefit from international summer internships A look at sport popularity around the world
Iotua Anié Having turned down a football scholarship to play for BYU, Iotua Anié said he trusted in the Lord and turned down the offer so he could attend school at BYU–Hawaii
KE ALAK A ’I
Alumnus starts new college
Errol Qaqa’s story
The Jugganaikloos say their campus in Africa partners with other universities in the United States
BYUH student has won several medals and is the current Fijian record holder of indoor 60 metres hurdles
10
22
44
52
BYUH sophomore qualifies for the Boston Marathon
On the cover
4
Highlights
October is for Down Syndrome
Halloween’s history
BYUH faculty say people should seek to understand everyone’s differences
Researchers explain how the holiday evolved throughout the years
20
Balance between cardio and physical strength
22
Errol Qaqa relates sports to persistence
26
The aftermath of 2 years without sports program
30
Iotua Anié: A man of many talents
34
Divided but united: Hong Kong protests
36
NFL Crucial Catch Program
38
Delphia Loyd spreads positivity
40 44 46 50 52 54 56 58
Campus Comment:
“Why are sports an important part of our culture?” By Michael Kraft
Marissa Firth, a junior from Utah
majoring in TESOL, said, “It brings people together. Sports are fun for social aspects and also for supporting friends and people you know.”
Mark Maslar, a sophomore from California majoring in interdisciplinary studies, said, “In a society moving more towards Science Technology Engineering and Math [STEM] fields, we find ourselves with a lot of students who don’t have a way to express themselves, so we need sports to help them express themselves.”
Domestic violence Down Syndrome awareness Healing starts with helping
Tessa Mafile’o, a sophomore from
Tonga majoring in biology, said, “You see everyone trying to stay fit, and so sports help all of us to be healthier, in a fun way without having to always go to the gym. It helps us live a healthy lifestyle.”
Haunted Hawaii The history of Halloween Halloween events happening on Oahu Church members’ views on ghosts and hauntings
Kody Finley, a freshman from
California studying business management and human resources, said, “Sports provide a sense of unity. Entire countries can share a love for a common sport and it brings them together.”
Eric Marlowe’s temple history OCTOB ER 2019
5
Letter from the Writer As a writer, it has been my privilege to meet so many terrific people who have such great stories to tell. I have come to realize even though some people may think otherwise, every single person has their own unique story that is unlike anyone else’s. I am grateful to be a part of this community and play some part in celebrating the success of others and bringing attention to issues through my writing. In this issue, we celebrate the stories of people and explore several issues that I am passionate about. This issue celebrates sports. In my life, sports has always been something that has been fulfilling and enjoyable for me. Whether it’s body boarding at Pounders, playing ball all night or spending probably too much time watching sports, it’s been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. Sports have taught me many valuable life lessons, helped me to relieve stress and connect with people. Sports also helped hurdler Errol Qaqa learn to overcome adversity (page 22), taught marathon runner Amanda Nielson to exceed perceived limits (page 18) and has the power to bring people together (page 16). As a social work major, learning and understanding issues around the world is also something I’ve become used to and passionate about. In this issue, we also bring attention to several important issues such as domestic violence (page 40), driving safety (page 46) and cancer (Page 36). Although there are some unfortunate things happening in the world, this issue explores some of the great things people are doing to make this world a little better while inspiring me to do something too. I hope that as you read this issue, you may feel inspired too, but if nothing else, to be proud to be part of such a great community.
Will Krueger -Writer
6
KE ALAK A ’I
Community OCTOB ER 2019
7
8
Dr. David Porter
ASK THE PROFESSIONAL
CA MP U S LIF E
Dr. David Porter has lived in Laie for 38 years and is the program lead for ExerKE ’I ciseALAK and ASport Science at BYU-Hawaii. Photo by Xiao Keyu
BY OLIVIA HIXSON Dr. David Porter is the program lead for Exercise and Sport Science at BYU-Hawaii. His parents are originally from Provo, Utah, but he calls Laie home since he has lived her for 38 years. He has worked here since 1982 and has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physical education from BYU in Provo, as well as a doctorate from the University of Hawaii. Porter has been named the National Coach of the Year eight times and has coached 11 NCAA and NAIA National Championship teams. He is also the president of the United States Professional Tennis Association, which is a 15,000-member organization. He teaches five courses in EXS at BYUH and is over the internship program for EXS students.
How did you initially get involved in the Exercise and Sport Science (EXS) program here at BYU–Hawaii?
How do you think participating in the EXS program prepares students for their future careers and lives?
“I was hired in the Fall of 1982 to come over as an assistant professor in the then department of physical education and also to be the assistant men’s basketball coach. So, I was brought over for both purposes, and I coached basketball for a couple of years; the first two seasons that the school had 20 wins. “[Then I said] I would start a tennis team…. So I stayed and helped coach volleyball that year. We finished second in the nation. Then I started a tennis team with no budget and no release time. They gave me $1,000 for the entire program, which was scholarships, equipment, travel, uniforms, anything. So that was the beginning in the 1984 to 1985 year with men’s tennis, then 10 years later, I was given the women’s program, too.”
“As far as their future careers go, I think that we are in a society now where health is a greater issue than it has been in the past because maybe we have the technology to extend life, and people want to extend their lives. . . So people are interested in finding out what has to do with nutrition, consistent exercise, meditation, and appropriate amounts of rest. [These are] all the things that are a part of the wellness concept that really is the foundation for our area [in EXS]. There’s a lot of job opportunities, and then there’s a lot of opportunities in our area in terms of management, health care facilities, gyms or clubs. There’s also the opportunity for people who want to go professionally and either become an occupational therapist, a physical therapist [or] a chiropractor.”
What do you think the main benefit of being involved in sports helps people to improve, both in the game and out?
“I think in terms of the benefits, we’re put down here to receive a body, see if we’ll keep the commandments, and basically how to take care of the gift that we’ve been given, [which] I think is pretty important. So, I think the benefit of athletics, sports, exercise and participation is that we develop, understand, and take care of our bodies. “The one thing in common that over 85 percent of all female CEOs in Fortune 500 companies have is they played college sports. There’s a lot of lessons learned through athletics.”
How do you feel being involved in the lives of students as both a coach and a mentor?
“I think it’s been a constant reminder of how important it is to live the life that you’re teaching…. I feel like we’re providing an opportunity for our students to get information and gather experience that can help them in the field and to bless other people’s lives. “Ultimately, the purpose of them being here is to firm up their testimony of the Savior and be able to find something they enjoy doing and go out and do it in such a way they can provide for their families.”
What do you hope your effect will be on the students you teach?
“I hope they’ll go out and teach the gospel to the people in their home countries as they are teaching them about the principles of wellness in their life and how that balances with our overall gospel plan. It’s more than just running a gym. I mean, that’s not the goal. The goal is to change people’s lives, and this is a great vehicle to do it.”
In what ways can students best still be involved in and support sports activities on campus and the EXS program?
“I think the first thing that students can do is they can participate. They need to have a conscious, consistent exercise program, and that can be through the various times that Seasider Sports has open gyms for people to come in and play volleyball, basketball, badminton and table tennis. It also means that those who like to compete and associate with friends in larger groups can participate in intramurals.”
Do you have any awareness causes special to you from being involved in sports and physical fitness? “We are in a state, at least in this country, of devastating obesity, starting with childhood obesity. A lot of it has to do with the safety of our world and not just letting kids go out and play after school. They have to stay in the house or apartment to be safe. [Also] the fast-food and poor choices people make in eating.”
OCTOB ER 2019
9
Fulfilling his destiny to go forth and serve Alumnus Spalding Jugganaikloo’s passion for education to start a college in Mauritius BY HAELEY VAN DER WERF
Off the coast of Africa, 10,145 miles from Laie, there is an island nation called Mauritius. According to the World Bank, Mauritius is an area of 790 miles and a population of about 1.2 million. It is here Spalding Jugganaikloo, a BYU–Hawaii alumnus from Mauritius, said he fulfilled his destiny of founding a college named The American Campus (TAC). He said his goal with TAC is to allow students from Africa, Asia and the whole world to obtain a quality education at an affordable price. Spalding said the college was made possible due to “a belief in myself and a belief I was destined to do this, along with a lot of support from family and friends.” Although Spalding had support, he noted it was a struggle to get accreditation, partnerships, funding and operating on a budget with minimum staff. Despite these barriers, Spalding explained, “There were many moments of inspiration and small miracles that made this project possible. Every time I think, ‘This is going to be the end of it,’ something happens that allows me to move it forward.” Emma Jugganaikloo, Spalding’s daughter, said, “We plan to do faculty exchange and study abroad with our partners. Our partners believe in our mission of providing educational opportunities to areas of the world where students would otherwise not have the opportunity.” The beginning According to Emma, Spalding was born and raised on Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. 10
KE ALAK A ’I
He came to America for school and spent the majority of his career in higher education and IT. “His education enabled him to have a new and better life. He was inspired to start something that would allow others to have the opportunity to learn and grow as individuals in order to better the world.” Spalding said he was inspired to open TAC by “The importance of education.” He added, “We are targeting students from Africa, Asia and all over the world. Global education is essential for economic development and peace.” Emma shared, “The American Campus has been open since 2015 doing training programs for high-school-aged students. In April of 2019, we began our first semester of full-time, degree-seeking students.” The mission According to TAC website, its mission is to provide “a superior educational experience to nurture students’ personal and career goals, qualifying them for immediate entry into the workplace after graduation, and setting them up for success in their chosen career. “We achieve this by being well-informed about trends and opportunities in the regional job markets, and by collaborating with American university partners to offer meaningful programs on campus. Beyond academic experience, students at TAC gain a network of mentors and build relationships with potential employers through internships, service, and research. The Jugganaikloos also noted how the campus partners with universities in the United
Graphic by Brad Carbine
"
There were many moments of inspiration and small miracles that made this project possible
"
Students can learn about communications and business Photos from https://www.facebook.com/ tacmauritius/
The staff of TAC say they want to promote more educational opportunities for their students. Photos from https://www.facebook.com/tacmauritius/
States, such as Dixie State University and Utah State University, to provide its students with curriculum and support from experts in higher education. The TAC website also said its goals are to educate, nurture, train, teach and prepare their students through a holistic education based on personal development and supported by life skills, cultural awareness, creative thinking, and professional training. Emma explained, “We provide a holistic educational experience that supports personal and professional development in addition to academic classes. We provide soft skills and professional training in their fields of study. TAC is located in Mauritius, which is a culturally, religiously and economically diverse island. “Students come here learn to interact with people from different backgrounds and prepare them to communicate effectively. Graduates are equipped to be successful in their professional careers and to contribute to society by being exemplary citizens.” Currently, Emma said, “Our degree students are studying communications and
business. As we grow, we will add more undergraduate degrees, such as computer science, agribusiness and psychology. We will also launch an MBA program in the near future.” Success and the future So far, Emma said, “We have trained high school students in information technology. Since attending our program, they have reported higher grades in their computerrelated classes than their peers. “They are better equipped to deal with the world of information technology because their experience at TAC has helped them to get ahead in the world. “Our degree students here are excited about the educational opportunities provided. They are taking their future and career goals seriously and are optimistic about what they can do. That is a success to us.” In the future, she said, “We want the campus to grow in enrollment and continually increase the number of students. We want it to develop into a reputable, well- known institution.
“In addition to providing excellent educational opportunities, we have the vision of it becoming a center for cultural exchange. We want it to grow into a business incubation center, where we provide training and help students from all over the world to start their own businesses.” To learn more about The American Campus, visit https://tac.education/. •
OCTOB ER 2019
11
International summer internships
BYU—Hawaii interns say taking advantage of career networking and scholarships helped prepare them for internships
Graphics by Brad Carbine
BY SERENA IOANE By collaborating with Alumni and Career Services and working with professors, students shared they had effective summer internships in different countries in Asia and the Pacific. Through the internships, these students said they learned to prepare for their futures by building good relationships, working hard and setting good examples of the university they represent.
12
KE ALAK A ’I
Building good relationships Mark Lois Eyo, a senior from the Philippines majoring in political science and TESOL, said he did his internship at Konan University in Japan. He found his internship through BYUH alumnus Nobu Tsuda, who is a professor at Konan University, while attending an alumni career event for the TESOL society. Eyo said, “My internship helped me to gain teaching experience I really needed for my future career. It was a great opportunity to
apply what I learned in classes as well. I noticed that building good relationships with people you work with. . . being respectful, kind and helpful makes your teaching experience more enjoyable.” Take advantage of internships funds Justin Ioane, a senior from Samoa double majoring in accounting and marketing, said he did his internship in American Samoa at the Blue Sky, one of the biggest telecommunication
Having an open-mind is key for a successful internship, notes Justin Ioane. Photo by Ho Yin Li
service provider companies in the Pacific Islands. He said he wanted to gain real-life work experience, network with people and practice methods he learned in his classes. According to Ioane, his internship experience exceeded his expectations and helped him learn useful skills related to his majors. He advised his fellow students to be open-minded and keep your eyes open for new opportunities. “BYUH provides financial Mark Eyo says being respectful and kind makes interning more enjoyable. Photo provided by Eyo
help for international internships, so use this wonderful opportunity to prepare yourself better for your future career.� Preparing for future employment Otgontuya Tumursukh, a junior from Mongolia majoring in conservation biology and TESOL, said she interned at the Mongolian State University of Education as a teaching assistant. She said she wanted to find out her
OCTOB ER 2019
13
future career might look like in Mongolia. Tumursukh commented, “I am very grateful to go home and gain practical experience. I did a field trip with my students and was a leading teacher to discover the Mongolian environment and animals. It was a tough but very eye-opening experience.” Tumursukh also advised her fellow students who are preparing for internships to work hard. Exemplary work will help to build a good reputation for BYUH and lead to future employment opportunities, she said. Two countries, two internships Merasol Gundaya, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in TESOL, said she completed her internship in Mongolia and the Philippines. Gundaya interned at the Oyunlag School in Mongolia as an English teacher. She heard about this internship opportunity from her professor, Neil Anderson, who is the internship coordinator for the TESOL
It is important to set a good example during an internship, says Otgontuya Tumursukh. Photo provided by Tumursukh
Merasol Gundaya interned in Mongolia and the Philippines. Photo provided by Gundaya
14
KE ALAK A ’I
department. In the Philippines, she did her internship in the Arellano Elementary School. Gundaya shared, “I did internships because I wanted to prepare myself for a real career field, to establish connections and to confirm as early as possible if TESOL is really what I wanted to do for a living. “In Mongolia, I discovered I prefer teaching elementary students better than high schoolers. I also learned to adjust my teaching skills to different kinds of students. In the Oyunlag School, I experienced teaching 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th graders, so I always make sure that I cater to their different needs as students.”
She advised students who are planning to do internships to be flexible. Gundaya said there was one time she prepared a lesson plan for 9th graders, but when she came to school, her cooperating teacher told her to go to the 6th graders. “I panicked because I didn’t know what to do. Luckily, the head teacher told me to just help them to practice their songs. “Although I was disappointed inside, I didn’t complain and enjoyed singing with the 6th graders. So prepare for the unexpected and make sure to follow through even though you did not prepare for it. Just trust in yourself.” •
Sports OCTOB ER 2019
15
SPORTS AROUND THE WORLD BY HAELEY VAN DER WERF
With more than 8,000 sports played around the world, according to steemit.com, some are more well known than others. Association football [soccer] leads the way with over half the world following it, according to World Atlas. Rugby, cricket and tennis have also made names for themselves on the world stage, having followings from almost 500 million to 2.5 billion. Here are some things you may not have known about some of the world’s favorite sports.
Football [soccer]
Historians don’t know exactly when soccer was created, but the earliest versions of the game can be traced back thousands of years, according to FIFA. It is played by 250 million players in more than 200 countries, making it the world's most popular sport. It is estimated more than half of the world's population consider themselves to be association football [soccer] fans. The sport enjoys an estimated 4 billion person following and a global sphere of influence, according to World Atlas.
16
KE ALAK A ’I
Tennis
Yellow tennis balls were used at Wimbledon for the first time in 1986, according to the Bozovic Tennis Academy. Different versions of the sport are believed to have been played by the Egyptians, Romans and the Greeks, although the modern sport was first popularized in France. From France, it spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to the whole world, according to World Atlas. Tennis has an estimated global following of 1 billion fans and a global sphere of influence, according to World Atlas.
Cricket
An international match in cricket is called a “Test Match,” which consists of a single match that can last up to five days. “The word ‘test’ comes from the suggestion that to endure such a lengthy contest is quite the test,” according to the Boise Cricket Club. The longest match in the history of cricket took place in 1939 in South Africa between the South African team and a team from England. The teams took part in a single match that lasted 10 days, and it had to end unfinished because the English team needed to catch its ship home. It was declared a draw, according to Guinness World Records.
Rugby
The game of rugby is said to have been invented at Rugby School in 1823, when William Webb Ellis caught the ball and ran with it in a football game, according to The Guardian. The sport of rugby is named after Rugby School, where the game was first played. Rugby has its primary sphere of influence in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth and an estimated global following of 475 million people, according to World Atlas.
OCTOB ER 2019
17
EXCEEDING LIMITS
Despite difficulties, a BYUH student qualifies to run in the Boston Marathon BY TAFFIE KWOK
18
KE ALAK A ’I
Amanda Nielson, a sophomore from Utah studying exercise and sports science, recently qualified to participate in the 2020 Boston Marathon. Nielson was described by coaches and friends as an example of determination and willpower. She shared how she exceeded her own limits along her journey of recovery from leg surgery. “Everything we do in life requires priority,” said Nielson. “You need to know your reason why, and [learning that] gives you a purpose. By creating the ‘why’ and focusing on what is most important for you, you will be efficient in everything you do. “You will find a new person inside yourself if you do something outside your comfort zone everyday,” said Nielson. She said she learned this principle from her first marathon in August 2018, as she was suffering from food poisoning and recovering from leg surgery at the time. Nielson’s good friend Megan Marshall, a freshman from Arizona studying exercise and sports science, said Nielson has had two surgeries, one on each leg. The surgeries were necessary because the blood flow in each leg was cut off causing pain when she was in certain positions. Nielson said she had surgery on her left leg in 2017 and surgery on her right leg was in 2018. She described how it took her a year to completely heal. She shared how the hard part was to be patient and trust the process,
knowing getting back to where she was before the operation wouldn’t come overnight. According to Nielson, her doctor predicted she would never be able to run again, and her coach advised her to quit. However, she just wanted to run her own race, Nielson said. “I dropped the expectation to finish in a certain time. I want to enjoy the journey and every second of it.
Amanda Nielson says she runs weekly in preparation for the Boston Marathon. Photos by Ho Yin Li
“Then I ended up achieving a better result because I had no pressure on myself.” Tara McBride, a special instructor in exercise and sports science, said Nielson told her she experienced heat stroke exhaustion to a high degree, which was impressive because she “still qualified for the Boston Marathon by running her race with food poisoning. Amanda knows what it takes. Training for long endurance races takes a lot of time, energy and commitment.”
Training after recovering from her surgeries has prepared her for the Boston Marathon in April 2020, said Nielson. She shared she is now more confident about her capability. “Anyone can do anything when they focus on their goals. The reason I want to participate in the Boston Marathon is if I can [complete the first marathon], I can do anything.” McBride said she has seen Nielson’s improvement since she has come to BYU– Hawaii, “The Amanda I met a year ago is not the same Amanda today, neither will she be the same Amanda a year from now. “She is constantly challenging herself to become better. She is not afraid to push through the hard, unfavorable days of training. She does not quit.” Nielson shared she is focusing on strength training until the end of this year. She said she will go back to her training pattern before the marathon for four months. She said she usually runs 15 miles a week within 6 to 8 hours for six days. Runners in her age group are required to finish 26 miles in less than 3 hours and 30 minutes. Marshall described Nielson as a determined person and an example of willpower. She said Nielson won’t let anything stop her when she knows her goals and what she needs to do to get there. • Graphics by Brad Carbine OCTOB ER 2019
19
Combining cardio and strength training BY TAFFIE KWOK When maintaining fitness, those going to the gym can choose to either do cardiovascular or strength training exercises. Both types are vital to leading a healthy lifestyle, according to online fitness experts, but one BYU–Hawaii student said creating a routine that incorporates both can help people take care of the body Heavenly Father has given them. Hero Kwon, a junior from South Korea majoring in biomedical science, said of his inspiration for staying healthy, “I grew up with a father who was severely injured from an electrical accident. He used to show me huge patches of scars all over his body and taught me about the gift Heavenly Father has given to us, our body. That’s what led me to always be grateful for my body.
“I love fitness because my body is very precious. It is a gift from Heavenly Father. I want to take care of this gift Heavenly Father has blessed me with.” Finding passion for exercise is a personal matter, Kwon explained. “Everybody should find their own motivation. If I try to find motivation from someone else, it is hard to truly find the meaning behind fitness. “Remember our body is a temple and not taking care of it is a sin. The [Word of Wisdom] is not only about keeping away from substances, but also about taking care of our bodies. “Remembering our body was not just given to us, but it is a gift, can make it easier to come to the gym.”
As for what kind of exercise he recommends, “The best option, in my opinion, is to mix both. Exercise should only take about 45 minutes to an hour and a half max." Kwon said the timing of exercise is an indication of the level of intensity of the workout. “If it takes you too long, it is not vigorous enough.You should cut down your break time or raise the intensity to fit in 45 minutes to 1 hour and a half [workouts]. “For me, I only do cardio twice a week and strength training three times a week. I need more strength and muscle rather than cardio. It’s important you learn about your body and find the variation that fits you the most.” •
“I love fitness because my body is very precious. It is a gift from Heavenly Father. I want to take care of this gift Heavenly Father has blessed me with.”
Hero Kwon says people need to figure out what exercises work best for them. Photos by Ho Yin Li 20
KE ALAK A ’I
Graphics by Lynne Hardy
Definition
You burn more calories while doing cardio exercises. It is better for burning fat and maintaining a healthy weight. Keeping your heart rate up will help build endurance.
Future Benefits
Cardiovascular exercise refers to endurance exercises that strengthen your body’s circulatory system, the heart and blood vessels.
Advantage
Cardio
If you want to live a long and healthy life, cardio strengthens your heart and reduces your risk of developing a number of different health conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure. - Increases your metabolism - Improves your hormone balance - Increases your overall quality of life - Improves sleep
Strength Training Strength training is exercise that uses resistance to contract muscles in order to increase strength, boost anaerobic endurance, and build skeletal muscles.
The soreness is a good sign,Your muscles need to recover after strength training. You continue to burn an additional 25 percent of the calories you burned during your strength training session. After various sessions, muscles come back stronger.
Strength training will help tone and strengthen your muscles. This will make a big difference in your older years as you fight bone loss and muscle loss. - Decreases abdominal fat - Increases cardiovascular health - Helps prevent diseases - Lowers risk of injuries
Information compiled from www.verywellfit.com
OCTOB ER 2019
21
Hurdling over adversity
BY: WILL KRUEGER 22
KE ALAK A ’I
Photo Provided By Qaqa.
Errol Qaqa shares how rejection lead him to succeed in athletics and attend BYU-Hawaii
A life involved in athletics that included competing for the Fijian national track team, taught sophomore Errol Qaqa, to never give up, an attitude he said has stuck with him to help him overcome life’s challenges. Being rejected from both BYU–Hawaii and the national team did not stop him from eventually fulfilling his dreams to attend school and compete for his nation. “When I didn’t make the Fijian national [track] team, I had people telling me to reconsider what I was doing, and even my family told me that I should maybe [try] something else. This taught me to push through things and never give up,” said Qaqa, who is majoring in exercise and sports science from Fiji. Qaqa, who won medals and holds records for his country in hurdles, said his never-giveup attitude brought him to BYUH. “I applied here several times and was rejected. It wasn’t until my fourth attempt that I actually made it in. I knew how it felt to be rejected, but I learned through sports to never give up.” Knowing Qaqa since childhood, Elenoa Tupua, a senior social work major from Fiji, said, “We went to the same primary school and high school. [We] are from the same ward back home. I see him as a hardworking, goal-getter who always has a positive attitude in all he does. He is someone who believes in himself.” Making the Fijian national track team Coming from a family of 11 children, Qaqa said his family was always involved with sports. “My dad represented Fiji in rugby and my older brother went to BYU in Provo on a rugby scholarship. Sports was something I grew up doing. “My main sports were high jump and basketball, but after transferring to Liahona High School in Tonga, I picked up hurdles because hurdles was not available at the high school level in Fiji.” Upon completion of high school, Qaqa returned to Fiji and tried out for the Fiji national team. He said he tried out for the Fijian team the first time and did not make it, and then tried again years later and still did not make it. Qaqa recalled his experience of not making the team. He said, “Maybe there’s something holding me back? Maybe there’s something else
Errol Qaqa gives homage to his country. Fiji, by wrapping himself in its flag. Photo by Chad Hsieh
I should be doing? That something was serving a mission. I had been putting that on hold to pursue athletics, but after not making the team several times, I decided to go on my mission.” Despite not training for his entire mission, Qaqa remarked, “My mission taught me a lot
about life, to accept things, and it helped me to grow and return more mature. I came back a different person and I think that helped me a lot. It’s all about priorities. If you put the Lord first, he will help you and that’s what happened to me.” OCTOB ER 2019
23
After returning from his two-year mission in the Philippines Quezon City North Mission, Qaqa said he tried out again for the Fiji national team and was able to get in. He said he was a part of the national team for four straight years before eventually coming to BYUH. Competing for his country As part of the Fiji national team, Qaqa qualified for the Commonwealth games and competed in the Melanesia games, the Oceania games, the Asian games and also the Asian indoor games. His competitions took him overseas to Turkmenistan, Malaysia and Australia and to several countries around the Pacific such as Tonga, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Qaqa said, “Sports has been great for me because it was able to take me out and see the world, which I don’t think I would have been able to do if I wasn’t involved with sports. As a Fijian, you don’t realize how little is known of the Pacific until you go out into the world. “People knew nothing about Fiji and some people even thought I was African. But it was really good to represent my country and to act as an ambassador and exchange culture.”
24
KE ALAK A ’I
Preparing for competition and training with the Fijian national was very intense, Qaqa explained. Preparations included strict, year-round physical training and nutrition plans where he would only get a week off to spend with family and eat what he wanted. “Off-season training would consist of mostly volume work including long-distance running, lifting heavy weights in the gym and swimming in the pool to prepare for competition. “As competition time approached, we would get into speed work, drills, techniques, and focusing more on our events. We were training every day and three times a week we would train twice a day. I would focus on hurdles on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning with a recovery session in the evening. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday would be speed work.” During his athletic career, Qaqa won several medals and is the current Fijian record holder of indoor 60 metres hurdles. More recently, Qaqa took Spring Semester 2019 off to compete in the Pacific games held in Samoa.
Life after athletics After several years competing for Fiji, Qaqa decided it was time to go to school. His four older siblings all went to a BYU school and to Qaqa, he said it was a no-brainer to come here and follow his family’s tradition. However, Qaqa said he applied to BYUH and was denied three times before being admitted. “I learned through my experience of being rejected in athletics to continue to try and apply here after being denied to come to school. I’m so grateful I kept trying because I love being here at BYUH,” Qaqa explained. “The biggest blessing of being at BYUH is having the gospel connected in all aspects of life, in work and in school,” Qaqa said. “I always felt like this was the place for me, from the very first week of being here I’ve felt this place is special.” CJ Alonzo, a senior from Chicago majoring in business management, said he was a missionary in Fiji when met Qaqa. “I served in Errol’s area and spent a lot of time with him and his family in Fiji. He is a well-known guy in Fiji for his athletics. Over here, I see him in the gym daily, bringing that work ethic here, but he’s very humble about his background.” “The atmosphere here is great,” Qaqa added, “Knowing my older siblings came here helped me to feel like I belong here. Knowing I’m part of such a great legacy by working at the PCC and being here at BYUH is a big blessing for me.” Although he enjoys being at BYUH, Qaqa described how he feels withdrawals from athletics since coming here. “I knew coming here that my athletic career would fade out and sometimes I really miss training. I miss the track. It was my life for years. When I got the invitation to compete in the Pacific games last semester, I jumped at the opportunity. I had to go back and run one last time.” Qaqa said coming to BYUH will help him fulfill more of his dreams in life. “My biggest goal with coming to BYUH is to be able to return to Fiji. I want to help the communities in Fiji have healthier lifestyles and to help people learn how to take care of themselves physically. I feel like athletics has done so much for me, and I just want to give back to my community with everything I’ve gained in school and athletics.” •
Above: Qaqa jumping a hurdle. Graphics by Brad Carbine Left: Qaqa smiling at the beach. Photo by Chad Hsieh
OCTOB ER 2019
25
F EAT U RE
Students play basketball in the Cannon Activities Center. The ending of BYUH’s athletics led to the creation of Seasider Sports and Activities. Photo by Chad Hsieh
The Aftermath Two years after sports left campus, BYUH Ohana members discuss moving forward BY NOAH SHOAF
26
KE ALAK A ’I
Although BYU–Hawaii decided to end athletics in 2017, Seasiders have shared the decision still affects them to this day. From a coach who struggled with employment, to student-athletes feeling a part of the school is missing. BYUH voices discussed the benefits and drawbacks of losing sports. Seasider Sports and Activities, along with members of the President’s Counsel said the changes to athletics benefited the entire student body, especially students in Asia and the Pacific. Coach’s dilemma “The positive elements that athletics provides an institution like BYUH benefits the students, the student-athletes, and the university as a whole. It provides entertainment, character and leadership development, publicity for the university, and missionary work for the Church,” said former women’s-basketball head coach, Craig Stanger. Six months after Stanger was hired as a coach, he said BYUH President’s Council announced its decision to eliminate the athletic program after the 2017 season. According to Stanger, the coaches wanted the opportunity to convince the church educational board that there were many benefits to retain athletics, but they did not get that opportunity. “It is a business decision, and obviously I was frustrated with it because I was on the losing end of the decision. Business decisions are made constantly every day. Some of them you like, some of them you don’t.” Stanger noted the decision had personal implications. He said it was a huge commitment to move from his home in Oregon to Hawaii. “Knowing in advance that [the sports program] was not going to be continuing, I would not have accepted [my coaching decision] based on financial reasons.” He also said coaching is a very demanding profession, and he was not the most “marketable” coach because he took over a losing program. This made it harder to find a job, especially on an island with few colleges. “I should have been told about the future here [when I applied for the job,] so I could have made a more informed decision.” Staying without sports Like Stanger, Max Moncur, a BYUH alumnus and a Cross-Country Coach for
“Losing sports was pulling on my heart strings. I knew this was going to be tough, but ultimately I decided to stay because I felt like this was the place to be." - Max Moncur
Kahuku High School, shared he had questions surrounding the decision to cut sports. Moncur said he intended to leave BYUH once sports left, but that changed as he became more involved with the school. Moncur committed to BYUH’s crosscountry team in high school and found out sports were leaving while on his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Due to this new information, he planned to leave BYUH after the 2017 season and run at a Division 1 school. “Losing sports was pulling on my heart strings. I knew this was going to be tough, but ultimately I decided to stay because I felt like this was the place to be.” He felt BYUH was a different opportunity than going to Provo, Idaho, or any other university. “I chose to stay because it was worth it, but having sports brought students together. It creates a stronger bond, especially with all the different cultures. . .Now there is nothing to unify everyone. It is easy to separate based on clubs and culture.” Creation of Seasider Sports and Activities In Oct. 2015, BYUH President John S. Tanner released a page-long statement about the decision to drop sports and the framework for the Seasider Sports and Activities. “I hope that this program will generate as much or even more excitement on campus than does NCAA athletics, that it will engage even
more students, and as participants rather than as mere spectators; that it will be distinctive among American intramural programs for its international flavor.” Brandyn Akana, senior manager at Seasider Sports and Activities, shared how he believes his department is meeting Tanner’s vision. According to Akana, 80 percent of the student body has participated in some form of their activities. “I was a student-athlete and I also coached basketball here. It was sad [to see sports go], but at the same time when you are looking at the board’s decision, they wanted to get more students involved on campus.” He added his department wants students to feel a sense of belonging and a season of pride. Also, colleges that have NCAA sports do not have the variety of intramurals and activities as BYUH does. “The activities we do here, students can’t find anywhere else. Students do not need to go to Kaneohe or Waikiki. We want to keep our students on campus, engaging in fun and wholesome activities. . .We feel we are reaching all types of students, no matter their wants.” Losing a community connection Akana said Seasider Sports and Activities does not engage the community because their main focus is student life. “I’m sure the community misses sports too,” shared Eve Gonzales, a junior from Texas majoring in accounting.
OCTOB ER 2019
27
Intercollegiate sports ended at BYUH in 2017 and funding was redirected to “comprehensive and inclusive activities, an intramural program for all students, and also to student financial aid,” says Vice President for Academics John Bell. Photo by Chad Hsieh
Gonzales said she was on the women’s cross-country team during its last season, but she said running for only a year “fit into her plan” because she chose to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Gonzales said this is her first semester back since her mission, and it is a different social scene without sports. “There is a part of missing at BYUH. Why not have sports? It was not clear why they left in the first place. Whether it was money, I don’t know. Our school can only expand so much, and having sports gave [our school] the opportunity to have more diversity of students.” She added intramurals do not do sports “justice.” “Other schools on the island depended on us for our competition. Our cross-country meets had six or seven teams, and now there’s one less. I feel bad for the other schools. “When it comes down to it, the Prophet of the Church is on the school board, and he was apart of that decision . . . Maybe we should look at the decision as revelation, instead of giving other answers.” The decision John Bell, vice president for Academics, said dropping athletics has allowed the school to put more time and resources in reaching its goal to provide education for students in the Pacific and Asia. Bell said funding for sports went to “comprehensive and inclusive activities, an intramural program for all students, and also to student financial aid. “An athletic program depends on several sources of revenue, and not all of them were available to invest back in the school directly. For example, revenue from ticket sales would no longer be available.” 28
KE ALAK A ’I
In terms of the mission to enroll more international students, Bell said, “We would be making those efforts even if we still had athletics, but the elimination of athletics has freed up funds that can be used to accomplish those efforts. “In other words, increasing international enrollments is facilitated by eliminating athletics but not dependent on it.” Another women’s cross-country runner, Alyssa Odom, a junior from Washington majoring in music, shared it was hard to say goodbye to the athletics, but she sees why cutting sports benefits students. “As much as I miss the athletics programs here at BYUH, I know there is a higher purpose as to why sports were cut. The removal of the sports programs makes it possible for the school to expand and welcome in more students from the Pacific. “I want as many people to be able to experience and love BYUH as much as I have, so I am grateful opportunities are expanding.” Blessing of playing Another former student-athlete, Cory Lange, who played basketball at BYUH, said he was initially surprised to hear BYUH was cutting sports. “I was honestly in disbelief because I felt a lot of people loved athletics. . . I was also a little angry and confused. I wondered, 'Why?' I did, however, respect the decision as I knew that President Wheelwright had his reasons, and also I knew that he couldn’t have made the decision alone.” Lange noted he was initially going to play all of his eligibility at BYUH, but he had to get ankle surgery. So, he graduated with a degree in biomedicine, then played his final year of eligibility at California Baptist University.
“I think it was great to experience another school because I was able to see how great my life was at BYUH. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my experience at my other school as well, but BYUH was special as well.” He said the saddest thing for him is he can not see how his old team is doing. “I wish I could follow them and go to games from my alma mater. However, I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of it and meet the people that I met. I wouldn’t change my experience for anything.” Bailey Kikuchi said he attended BYUH from 2015 to 2017, playing basketball. When athletics left, he transferred close to home to play for California State Los Angeles. He said being a Seasider was one of the best experiences of his life. “The unity and support from local communities, students, and faculty was like no other. BYUH has a historic basketball program. I’m grateful to have been a part of it. I believe the ending of BYUH sports has positively affected my life. I saw the ending as a new chapter for both BYUH and myself.” Odom added although she only ran one season at BYUH, “Being a student-athlete is an experience I will always cherish, and I am glad I can continue running in this beautiful place even though I don’t do it competitively anymore.” Missionary Work Because of sports, Stanger noted people around the world came in contact with the University and the Church. “We lost the ability to promote BYUH and gospel,” he said. According to Stanger, he traveled to China as a coach at BYUH, and it led to discussions about BYUH and the gospel. “When you walk into China, you can’t carry a Book of Mormon and start preaching the gospel. But you can wear a BYUH shirt, and then people can start asking you questions about BYUH.” Remus Cope, a BYUH tennis player during 2016-2017, shared he was a not a member of the Church. He said he came to the school because of sports. “If I wasn’t playing sports or recruited to play sports at BYUH and be a normal student, I would have looked elsewhere for sure.” Cope added he loved “playing tennis in good weather, under palm trees. Then, go to the beach at the end of the day to cool off.” After BYUH cut sports, Cope transferred to Southern Utah University. “I wanted to keep my tennis going. It was the whole point why I came to America to look for an athletic scholarship with tennis. Coach Porter helped
Members of the Seasider Soccer Team huddle during a game several years ago. Ke Alaka’i file photo.
me out with looking to transfer to different universities.” Cope left Hawaii about two and a half years ago, and he said you just move on.“Now, do I miss the Hawaiian Islands? Absolutely. I got very lucky to play in such an area with an incredible coach. “In the end, the closure of sports didn’t affect much of my life, it was just a little sad. I just had to look elsewhere.” Moving forward Stanger now works for Hawaii Pacific University as an assistant men’s basketball
coach. He said it was his family’s goal to stay on the island. “I attempted to find other employment at BYUH during the final year that would have caused me to leave athletics but kept me at the college, but I was not selected for any of those positions, which was disheartening. Here I was a person that sacrificed for the university. They could have easily redirected me to a different position, but they chose not too.” Stanger added BYUH is a “special place,” and he feels fortunate for his time working here.
“Most of us were very upset with the decision. [We] felt other decisions could have been made, but in the end, you have to move on and do your best.” •
OCTOB ER 2019
29
Iotua Anié says sports were an escape from his reality. Photo by Chad Hsieh 30
KE ALAK A ’I
A man of many talents Playing multiple sports for his country of Tahiti, Iotua Anié shares how his trust in the Lord guides his life BY WILL KRUEGER Having represented his country of Tahiti in sports like American football, rugby sevens and soccer, Iotua Anié, a sophomore majoring in social work, said he turned down a football scholarship to BYU in Provo and instead chose to attend BYU–Hawaii. A passion for sports Anié said he was motivated to play sports and do his best because of where he came from and what his parents had to do. “I was training late at night, early in the morning and after school. It was my way to be the best I could be in my sports.” “I grew up in a rough environment. It was poor and people had nothing. My parents put me and my little brother in sports, and we saw that as a way out – to escape the struggles of that environment and life. It was a very proud moment for me to represent my country of Tahiti.” Anié said he was blessed to play at a competitive level. “I played four sports. I started with soccer and played for the national team that went to New Zealand and the Oceania games. I played basketball, and was on a team that went on to win the French Polynesian cup in 2014. I played American football and rugby sevens too.” A friend of Anié’s and vouching of his athletic abilities, Kahiau Tchan, a senior majoring in elementary education from Tahiti said, “Growing up, our schools were rivals. He and his little brother were always the first ones in track and field. [They] would always go to the track and field races for all of French Polynesia. He is good in all sports he plays and he’s really humble about it.” Success in sports Having met Anié 10 years ago, Rogers Tetuapuaa, a sophomore majoring in Hawaiian
"I was also offered a scholarship to play football at BYU in Provo, but I felt like BYUH was the place for me. Sometimes I feel regret that I didn’t take some of those offers, but I know that I am here for a reason, and there is much for me to learn."
studies from Tahiti, said he met him at Boy Scouts in Tahiti. “He is a great athlete and has had a lot of success. He even competed in canoe paddling too and was selected and raced in the championships in Tahiti.” Tetuapuaa said he has competed against Anié in Tahiti and watched him grow in sports. “He is a very fast learner when it comes to sports, and he can master sports quickly because of his athleticism, mentality and focus. He is a great team mate, very supportive and he is respectful on the field. Sports has shaped his character.” Reflecting on his experience with rugby sevens, Anié said, “With sevens rugby, I had the opportunity to train with DJ Forbes of the All Blacks Sevens rugby team.” According to ultimaterugby.com, Forbes is the most capped player, or one who played the most games, in rugby sevens history. Tetuapuaa continued, “He came to Tahiti and trained me and some of the Tahiti sevens rugby players. I was able to play with the Tahiti rugby sevens team that played against France and also Rapa Nui.” Anié said he had an opportunity to stay in New Zealand and continue a career with rugby sevens but ultimately turned the offer down to attend BYUH. Serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Australia
Sydney South Mission from 2015 to 2017, Anié said he had the privilege of meeting National Rugby League [NRL] star Will Hopoate, a member of the Church and trained with him during some of his mission. Anié and his Fijian companion, who later went on to play rugby in Australia, would train with Hopoate in the mornings with permission from his mission president. As well as success in rugby sevens, Anié was also simultaneously finding success in football. “I played American football in Tahiti too. After my mission I continued to play football for Tahiti, and we played against Australia, American Samoa and New Caledonia. “BYU in Provo was there while we played some of our games, and I had a week-long training camp with BYU in Tahiti. I received an email from them later on that I had received a scholarship offer. “At the same time, I was in the process of coming to BYUH. So it was a tough choice, but I ultimately decided to come here. I was also offered a scholarship to play football at BYU in Provo, but I felt like BYUH was the place for me. Sometimes I feel regret that I didn’t take some of those offers, but I know that I am here for a reason, and there is much for me to learn.” OCTOB ER 2019
31
Following the Lord and choosing BYUH Sharing how he decided to come to BYUH, Anié said he has always tried to put God first. “I went to the temple and prayed heavily about what I should do, but I felt like I should come to BYUH. At the time I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t help feeling like it was the right thing to do by coming to school here. “I have some friends who are alumni of BYUH who encouraged me to come here, as well as my family, because of how awesome the school, the PCC and everything else here is. It’s such a blessing to be here; to learn all the culture, to learn how to live with diversity and also to get an education here.” After being at BYUH for almost for two years, Anié said despite wondering whether coming to school here was the right option, he said has no regrets about being here. “I could be in New Zealand playing rugby sevens or Utah playing football, but I continue to feel like this is the place for me. I love this place and I feel at peace here. Anié worked as a luau dancer and currently works as a tour guide for the Polynesian Cultural Center. Although he is not sure where exactly he will be after he graduates from BYUH, Anié said he plans to continue with his sports and play at a high level. “No matter what we think, Heavenly Father always has a plan for us. We need to trust him and his plan no matter where He takes us.” • Left: American football, rugby sevens, and soccer are sports Anié plays. Right: After attending the temple, Anié shares he felt he needed to go to BYUH. Photos by Chad Hsieh
32
KE ALAK A ’I
Awareness OCTOB ER 2019
33
Divided but united Students from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan discuss how protests affect campus life BY CARLENE COOMBS AND NOAH SHOAF
Graphics by Lynne Hardy
34
KE ALAK A ’I
As protests continue in Hong Kong, students emphasized the need to respect different opinions. Hong Kong students said they want to share their message and help others understand what is happening. Chinese and Taiwanese said they understand Hong Kong’s situation, but they do not encourage violent protests. Participating in peaceful protests in Hong Kong is what Ho Yin Yeung, a sophomore from Hong Kong majoring in hospitality and tourism management (HTM), said he did during his summer break. He described seeing police using tear gas on protesters wearing masks and safety glasses to protect themselves. “Our purpose is not to hate the Chinese people. We love them and want them to understand our situation.” According to the New York Times, on Oct. 1, police used live ammunition at a protest and shot an 18-year-old high school student. The protests first started in June after a new law was proposed that would allow extraditions into mainland China. On June 16, two million people gathered for the largest demonstration in Hong Kong history to protest not only the extradition bill but also the use of police force in previous protests. Man Huen Ng, a freshman from Hong Kong studying HTM, shared, “We want democracy and freedom. That’s why we fight.” Some Hong Kong students at BYU– Hawaii have been wearing masks and black clothing to show their support for Hong Kong. Yeung said, “[Wearing masks] is a way to share the news to students of other countries.” Yeung added he thinks it is important for students to know about the situation in Hong Kong. Ng said it is hard for her to be away from home during this time, and it affects her studies. She said she often checks for updates while in class, and it can be hard to concentrate. She added it is difficult to be in Hawaii and not know what she can do.
essential to understand both sides of the issue and respect others’ opinions. “Politically we are divided, but culturally, we are united. . . It is important to respect each other even though we are different.” She said people should listen to what others say and imagine “being in their shoes.” According to Kimball Li, a junior from China majoring in HTM, political division is partially caused by the media. “I think China and Hong Kong are both right, but no one blames the media. . . The media is trying to create drama for the outside world.” He said people can only know what is going on in Hong Kong by watching the news, but the media has a subjective opinion. Ruby Lin, a senior from Taiwan majoring in computer science, said she believes people should try to understand all views on the situation. “Politics is complicated. I know both sides love their country a lot.” She added politics is not worth hurting friendships. Jin said she doesn’t believe protests should be violent. “I personally do not
support violence. I think there are a lot of other ways to try to make change.” She added that peaceful protests and educating others are better ways to demonstrate for change. According to the New York Times, some of the recent protests have become violent. Some of the violence came after Hong Kong introduced a ban on masks, which many protesters wear. An article by BBC News states the ban was put in place to combat previous violence in other demonstrations. In regards to the masks and black clothes some BYUH students from Hong Kong have been wearing, Li said it is their way to show support in Hawaii for what is happening in Hong Kong. Instead of masks and wearing black, he said students can share their views online and with their friends to help get the message out. Although the news headlines can be troubling, Lin shared, “It is normal to worry about your people and care about them, but trust God. He knows what is happening right now.” •
“Politically we are divided, but culturally, we are united...”
Politics and friendship Baily Jin, a senior from China majoring in communications and intercultural peacebuilding, said it is Graphics by Lynne Hardy OCTOB ER 2019
35
Photo by Monique Saenz
Catching Cancer NFL Crucial Catch Program is dedicated to early detection and prevention of cancer
Graphics by Brad Carbine
BY: HAELEY VAN DER For the last decade, the National Football League and the American Cancer Society have partnered to reduce the number of deaths caused by cancer by increasing awareness and education. The NFL’s Crucial Catch Campaign focuses on preventing cancer where they can and catching it as early as possible when it cannot be prevented. According to the NFL’s website, the football league’s initial focus was on breast cancer, but it expanded in 2017 its campaign to include multiple forms of cancer. Each team supports a specific cancer, or multiple cancers, for its Crucial Catch game. “Throughout October, NFL Crucial Catch games will feature players, coaches, fans and referees in apparel supporting multiple types 36
KE ALAK A ’I
of cancer, as well as additional on-field and in-stadium branding to help raise awareness for the campaign,” according to its website. Matt Nagy, head coach for the Chicago Bears, said in an interview for Coffee with Coach, “It’s neat to be able to give back. I think it’s so important, and it goes such a long way in reaching out to others who are going through difficult times. “To be able to give back, whether it’s with the jerseys and the patches, and help out, is exciting for everybody. Anything we can do to make somebody’s day better, as tough as some of those days are for them, we want to do that.” As part of their expansion, the NFL and the American Cancer Society introduced an app called “The Defender,” which provides
personalized advice on how to reduce the risk of cancer. Drew Brees, the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, demonstrated how to use the app in a promotional video. “In a few minutes,” he explained, “The Defender can show you how to reduce your cancer risk. “When it comes to cancer, offense is the best defense.You can make a crucial catch and reduce your cancer risk with the help of The Defender.” The app can show what adjustments a person should make to live a healthier lifestyle by asking the user questions such as “How often do they exercise?” and “What do they eat?” According to the NFL website, “Since 2009, the first year of the NFL’s Crucial Catch
Campaign, the NFL’s work has raised more than $18.5 million for the American Cancer Society.” The apparel worn by players and coaches, along with Crucial Catch specific items, are auctioned off at an NFL auction. The money raised supports an American Cancer Society program that gives grants to those in disadvantaged communities and increases their access to necessary cancer screenings.” These locations are selected using data showing populations with lower breast cancer screening rates and higher mortality rates compared to other communities, the website says. Since the program’s launch in 2012, “Healthcare centers in all 32 NFL team markets now receive … grants to provide outreach, education and cancer screenings and increase access to these potentially life-saving resources.” •
"Anything we can do to make somebody’s day better, as tough as some of those days are for them, we want to do that" - Matt Nagy
Why We Fight Promoting the campaign, Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, said he was using the Crucial Catch Campaign to celebrate one of his best friends, Milton Wright, a young boy who overcame cancer three times. “I’m celebrating pediatric cancer and how we overcome it. What the NFL is doing is so great in terms of awareness of discussing cancer and how we can raise money for research and affect our kids one day. I think about pediatric cancer, and the reality of pediatric cancer … is that it could be my kid one day, it could be your kid, or it could be somebody else’s kid you know. We’re all going to experience and know somebody who is going to face that problem. How do we take it from a problem, and how do we help heal?” •
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins Eli Harold, linebacker for the Detroit Lions, added, “The NFL is such a large platform, said he works to draw awareness for Pancreatic and whatever it chooses to get behind, it can Cancer because of his mom. “When I was 15, make a major difference. It’s hard to think of my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. anybody who hasn’t been affected by cancer in I think about her every day, and I just keeping their family to some degree. I’m no different. fighting through everything, all the obstacles I My grandmother and my dad have both been come across in life because I know nothing can diagnosed and treated. It’s a scary thing. The get me back to that. I can’t experience anything more we can raise money, the more we can worse than losing my mom. This October I’m develop research, the more we can come up spreading awareness for pancreatic cancer. I’m with treatments that are going to eradicate grateful [the NFL] is showing and shining a light the issue and give people more years of life to on all the different types of cancers so a lot of create more memories. My dad is at [football] other people’s stories can be heard. Awareness games this fall because of cancer treatments that really matters.” • were developed because of research, because of people raising money. My dad and I get to continue to build memories together for years to come.” • NFL Players Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins and Eli Harold. Photos from Associated Press OCTOB ER 2019
37
Content with not being perfect Delphia Lloyd uses social media to spread encouraging words of positivity
Graphics by Brad Carbine
BY MICHAEL KRAFT Using Instagram as a tool to spread encouraging words to people suffering from depression is what BYU–Hawaii student Delphia “Deli” Lloyd does to make others feel better about themselves. Lloyd, a junior from Idaho studying hospitality and tourism management, said it is a way to get the world to feel good for a moment by spreading positivity. “I want people to see that it’s okay to be honest,” Lloyd said, “and share your flaws because it’s part of who you are, and it helps you connect with other people.
38
KE ALAK A ’I
“I wanted to be the kind of person who doesn’t compare myself to other people and doesn’t make people compare themselves to me. I want to be the kind of person who is genuine and helps people see they are genuinely worth it.” Lloyd said she has devoted her Instagram page, with more than 1,700 followers, to spreading positive messages. In the caption of her most recent post is a quote from the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 11:17. “And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all
things.” In her caption, Lloyd shared a message testifying of God’s unconditional love for all. She said she wanted to use social media as a positive tool when she noticed “people use social media to kind of put their best selves out there. A lot of the time it can be kind of negative if they do it to show that they’re better than other people. They post things because they’re not confident in themselves, so they try to hide behind social media.” According to Swansea University in Wales, and at Milan University in Italy, studies showed those who frequently post on social media
“showed an average 25 percent increase in narcissistic traits.” Fellow BYUH students recognized Lloyd making a difference with her social media and through her friendship. Rahel Meyer, a sophomore studying communications from Germany, described Lloyd as an amazing person and a good friend. “Once, I had a really rough day, and when I saw Deli on my way home, she took time and talked to me. Even though she clearly had other stuff to do. She uplifted me by listening and making me feel good about myself.”
Another student, Jensen Ama, an undeclared freshman from Utah, said Lloyd is one of the most positive people he knows. “She always makes you feel like you’re her friend. When I was new here and walking back from the temple, she introduced herself to me.[She] walked and talked with me all the way back to campus. It made me feel at home when I was still adjusting to Hawaii.” Lloyd said people’s reactions encourage her. “The positive feedback shows me I’m helping and making a difference and so that’s what I’m going continue to do.” Despite the conscious effort to be positive, Lloyd has been open with her ongoing battle with depression. In November 2018, Lloyd posted a video, which now has more than 4,000 views, revealing and explaining her battle with depression. Lloyd said, “It took a lot of thinking, pondering, prayer and courage to put that out there. I was at the point with my depression where I was at rock bottom. “I knew if I kept it to myself, then I would struggle even more, so I decided [make] a video about my depression, being real, vulnerable [and] letting people see that it’s real for me.” According to Lloyd, she received an outpouring of love and support. Lloyd said, “I had friends come out and tell me that
they were going through the same thing, and thanked me for being brave and bringing awareness to mental health. I had others tell me how much they love me. It meant the world to me to receive so much support.” Lloyd said it led her to realize she wishes to focus on helping others. Her friends were more than willing to give her help when she needed it. She said her faith also plays a large role in her use of social media. “I would say that’s the main driving force in creating positive content, because the gospel principles and lifestyle has led me to be able to love myself, others, and to be myself. Even with social media, in the end the only thing that matters is what God thinks.” Lloyd said she wants to encourage positivity. “My whole life purpose is to be happy and make other people happy.” She says by surrounding herself with good friends and positivity she is able to fulfil her goal. She said although she shares a lot of her life on social media, she wants herself and others to remember, “You don’t have to put everything out there. It’s good and also healthy to have a private life that you don’t post about.” Lloyd also said above all, she wants to show people the real Delphia Lloyd, while also reminding them it’s okay not to be perfect. •
Lloyd, below pictured with friends, said her whole life purpose "is to be happy and make others happy." Photos by Chad Hsieh
OCTOB ER 2019
39
Saying 'No More' to domestic violence Domestic violence is more complicated than physical abuse, experts say, and harder to escape than just leaving BY HAELEY VAN DER WERF 40
KE ALAK A ’I
Each year during the month of October, people all around the United States come together to mourn those who died due to domestic violence, celebrate those who survived and connect those who work to end violence. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) reports 20 people are abused per minute in the United States, totaling over 10 million men and women every year. Despite these seemingly statistics, Title IX coordinator Debbie Hippolite Wright said everyone should do their part to put an end to domestic violence. At BYU–Hawaii, “We don’t tolerate [abuse],” explained Hippolite Wright. “We want to be able to give those families and relationships the support they need to change.” According to the Break the Cycle website, “Domestic violence affects millions, both women and men, of every race, religion, culture, and status. It’s not just punches and black eyes – it’s yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation. “It’s stealing a paycheck, keeping tabs online, non-stop texting, constant use of the silent treatment or calling someone stupid so often they believe it.” Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first observed on Oct. 1987, which is the same year the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline was initiated, says the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence website. Two years later, the United States Congress passed a law designating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month each year. Why they can’t ‘just leave’ Hippolite Wright said she has read it takes four times for a person to leave an abusive relationship permanently. “Why? You’ve loved this person. You may have children with them. Sometimes it might be economical or something else playing into it too.” She said, “If the abused person doesn’t have their own money, if they don’t have a job and the other person is the source of income,” that can make it hard to leave. “There might be visa issues. The more reliant the victim is,
the more difficult it is to get out.” The NCADV website says leaving an abusive partner may be the most dangerous thing the victim does. Abusers can go to extremes to keep their partner in the relationship, threatening harm to the victim or their family members, they will ruin them financially, they will take custody of their children or a variety of other things. Getting out is more complicated than just leaving the person, Hippolite Wright said. “You have to develop a safety plan, which is anything from putting away a little money to knowing where you are getting an extra ID so you can move quickly.” Beyond that, leaving doesn’t necessarily guarantee the person’s safety. “People are killed even after they’ve left the relationship. How do you find safety? That’s where the safety plan comes in. Having a good network that is supportive and believes you and what’s going on and is not judgmental in terms of what your decisions are,” explained Hippolite Wright. Resources The No More movement is dedicated to unifying people from all over the world to end domestic violence. According to its website, “NO MORE is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by increasing awareness, inspiring action and fueling culture change. “NO MORE is a groundbreaking, global initiative comprised of the largest coalition of non-profits, corporations, government agencies, media, schools and individuals addressing domestic violence and sexual assault. “We work to amplify and grow the movement to stop and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault, in homes, schools, workplaces and communities around the world by creating innovative campaigns, partnerships and tools that leverage the power of the media, entertainment, sports, technology and collective action.” Hippolite Wright said Title IX has seen all kinds of violence and developed a clear line of help to those in need. “We have problems like the rest of the world, but thankfully we’ve
got a modified path of how to seek help, whether it is through a bishop, Relief Society president, the Counseling Center or Title IX by just clicking the Report a Concern button” found on the BYUH website. “If somebody is in immediate danger, they need to call the police. Sometimes we are a little bit scared to do that because what will our neighbors and friends think? But if you are in danger you need to call the police immediately.” BYUH also has two trauma trained counselors and emergency shelter for students who are victims of violence, Hippolite Wright shared. “We also have a telemental health counselor. If students don’t want to go into the health center, they can have a session in private with their headphones on. “No one knows who it is that person is talking to. People can access it on their phones. We are trying to reach more people to suit them. If a person is being violated, they can connect with the Counseling Center and have the session in their home when the person is out of the home.” Even those who are not trained professionals can help those in an abusive situation, she explained. “We can all help. The way to do that is to believe what is going on, not be judgmental. Kind of direct the person to get help, whether it is police, at the Counseling Center, or making a report on Report a Concern, which can be anonymous. “Don’t put yourself in danger, but do something. Don’t justify it away. Several years ago, we had two different incidents. In one, bystanders did something. In the other, bystanders did not [help] until later. Something needed to be done immediately … We want students to be involved in [stopping] violence and sexual assault.” If you are in danger, call 911 or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224. Domestic violence help websites, such as https://www. thehotline.org/, https://nomore.org/ and https://ncadv.org/, have safety exits built-in to protect you from being caught looking for help by an abuser. • Graphics by Lynne Hardy
OCTOB ER 2019
41
The Domestic Violence Hotline lists the following as reasons someone might not be able to easily exit an abusive relationship: The Domestic Violence Hotline lists the following as reasons someone might not be able to easily exit an abusive relationship:
Fear: A person may be afraid of what will happen if they decide to leave the relationship.
If someone is in an LGBTQ relationship and has not yet come out to everyone, their partner may threaten to reveal this secret.
Believing Abuse is Normal:
Low Self-Esteem:
A person may not know what a healthy relationship looks like, perhaps from growing up in an environment where abuse was common, and they may not recognize that their relationship is unhealthy. 42
Fear of Being Outed:
KE ALAK A ’I
When an abusive partner constantly puts someone down and blames them for the abuse, it can be easy for the victim to believe those statements and think that the abuse is their fault.
So often, the victim feels love for their abusive partner. They may have children with them and want to maintain their family. Abusive people can often be charming, especially at the beginning of a relationship, and the victim may hope that their partner will go back to being that person. They may only want the violence to stop, not for the relationship to end entirely.
Embarrassment or Shame:
Disability:
It is often difficult for someone to admit that they have been abused. They may feel they have done something wrong by becoming involved with an abusive partner. They may also worry that their friends and family will judge them.
When someone is physically dependent on their abusive partner, they can feel that their well-being is connected to the relationship. This dependency could heavily influence their decision to stay in an abusive relationship.
Cultural/ Religious Reasons:
Language Barriers/ Immigration Status:
Love:
Traditional gender roles supported by someone’s culture or religion may influence them to stay rather than end the relationship for fear of bringing shame upon their family.
If a person is undocumented, they may fear that reporting the abuse will affect their immigration status. Also, if their first language is not English, it can be difficult to express the depth of their situation to others.
Lack of Money/ Resources: Financial abuse is common, and a victim may be financially dependent on their abusive partner. Without money, access to resources or even a place to go, it can seem impossible for them to leave the relationship. This feeling of helplessness can be especially strong if the person lives with their abusive partner.
Graphics by Lynne Hardy OCTOB ER 2019
43
The angels among us Down syndrome awareness should be a priority every month, says BYU–Hawaii faculty BY OLIVIA HIXSON
Graphics by Lynne Hardy
With October being Down Syndrome Awareness Month, BYU–Hawaii ohana members discussed the importance of inclusion and realizing individuals with Down syndrome are “angels among us.” Dr. Barbara Hong, who is an alumnus of BYUH, a professor of special education and the special assistant to the vice president of Access, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) shared, “The awareness is not the signs, the publicity or the politics. It’s getting to know one individual who is different than you. [Since] this month is Down syndrome [awareness], learn about Down syndrome and 44
KE ALAK A ’I
talk about how you can do your part in getting to know a child with Down syndrome.” Hong also commented awareness is not just a month-long process. “It should be ongoing awareness. It’s not just with Down syndrome. It’s with all disabilities. It’s with LGBTQ. It’s being cognizant of what’s going on around the world.” Hong also shared her involvement with Parents as Advocates for Change in Education (PACE), which is a program in which there is education about people with special needs and open conversations about people with disabilities.
She said these events not only offer education to people who may have little experience with individuals with disabilities, but also it fosters a comfortable setting for people to share their personal experiences. Dr. Mark Wolfersberger, a TESOL assistant professor, and his wife Rebecca, TESOL adjunct faculty, are active participants in PACE. They said they received knowledge and comfort from PACE events. The Wolfersbergers’ shared they are blessed with a family of four children. Their youngest is Oliver. He is 5 and has Down syndrome. According to his parents, Oliver is
Barbara Hong teaches about mental health management Photo by Keyu Xiao The Wolfersberger family is pictured with their youngest child Oliver, who has Down syndrome. Christopher Wolfersberger, middle, wrote an essay about his youngest brother saying he has increased the family’s capacity to love and calling Oliver an angel. Photos courtesy of the Wolfersberger Family
empathetic to those who are feeling down and loves having a job to do. They said he is a fighter, stubborn and social. While the Wolfersberger’s admit their life as parents to Oliver is not always “sunshine and rainbows,” they shared he is pure joy and a blessing to have in their lives. Rebecca shared, “Even though [Oliver] was born with special needs and challenges, we loved him right from the start…. I think there are so many good things that Oliver can do, and we are not missing out on anything, even though it’s been hard.” Mark commented, “He spreads joy. When we sing the hymns [at church], he opens the book and starts singing at the top of his lungs. Everybody around starts laughing.” The Wolfersbergers shared growing with Oliver has been a truly unique and special experience for them and their family. They said their other children grew by having Oliver in their lives, and the other children in Oliver’s classes are inclusive of him. Mark Wolfersberger added, “One thing that’s been different about Oliver from our other kids is every little step he makes, we celebrate quite a lot. It takes him longer
“I feel that we should be blessed to be able to mingle with angels around us.” to learn things. For example, his speech is probably the one thing that’s most obviously slow growing. “He’ll say something, and we’ll recognize the words. We talk about what words he knows, and he starts stringing some phrases together. We’ll talk about how exciting that is.” Both the Wolfersbergers’ and Hong shared the best ways for students at BYUH to get involved in Down syndrome awareness is to show individuals with Down syndrome love and appreciation. Rebecca said students can be more inclusive. “The more people are included, the more you have a chance to interact with them and understand them.”
Mark added, “It feels awkward for people sometimes because it’s not a normal interaction. . . but don’t be afraid of it.” Christopher Wolfersberger, the Wolfersbergers’ son, wrote an essay titled “Angels Among Us,” and says in it, “Although the road behind is strewn with the wreckage of obstacles overcome, and the road ahead is burdened with more, the difficulty is of little importance. What matters is the greater capacity to love we have gained because we have been given an angel.” Hong added, “I feel that we should be blessed to be able to mingle with angels around us.” • OCTOB ER 2019
45
A Highway To Healing Diana Hubner says she redirected her grief of her husband’s death into raising awareness for tire safety in a national tour of service. BY ELIJAH HADLEY
Diana Hubner has set out to give out free tires and to educate others about tire safety Photo from Tire Mom Facebook Page 46
KE ALAK A ’I
On a transnational tour, Hubner donated one new set of tires to a person in need in each of the 50 states. Now on another national tour to 19 states talking about a book she wrote on her experience, Hubner said she found joy and love in educating and serving others. Hubner, living in Rochester, N.Y., was married to William Clayton Hubner, Jr., a business professor at BYU–Hawaii, who taught at the school from 2003 to his death in 2012. From 2006 to 2008 he served as the dean of the business school, before returning to teaching in 2009. On Father’s Day in 2012, near Hugo, Colorado, he died in a car accident. The crash was caused by a separation in his truck’s 15-year-old tire, which had not been changed. Diana Hubner explained she decided to educate others about tire safety after her husband’s death. “When you’re hurting, it’s important to help and heal. It was a way to deal with my grief, but also a way to serve others and save more lives, so no one else loses a loved one because of their tires. “The more I helped and taught, the more I felt I was healing from my loss. That’s why the book I’m publishing is entitled ‘My Highway To Healing.’ I felt no one else needed to suffer what I suffered because if the right precautions are taken, so many deaths can be prevented.” Hubner’s book can be purchased on Amazon. According to Hubner, it is vital to check the year, make, model, and tread depth of one’s tires. “We’re trained to know the make, model, and year of our cars,” she explained, “but not to know the same details for our tires. Rarely are we taught when to change our tires or how to check the pressure and tread depth.” Free tires As she began her national tour to raise awareness for tire safety and give away one set of free tires to a person in each state, Hubner would first contact family. If members of her family did not need a new set of tires, they would refer her to someone who needed them more. “My husband and I moved around a lot. I’ve lived in 12 states, three foreign countries and moved a total of 37 times. I knew a lot of people,” she said with a laugh. “I knew somebody, whether it was a family member or friend, in 40 out of the 50 states.”
Because she did not know a person in 10 out of the 50 states, Hubner decided she would find someone to give a set of tires to regardless. “Like in the state of Delaware, I contacted the local bishop in Wilmington, and told him what I was doing, to see if he knew anybody.” The bishop got in touch with Debbie, a woman who, according to Hubner, was “a little leery about the whole thing,” and had understandable reservations. However, Hubner said the bishop “was able to assure Debbie I was the real deal.”
"When you’re hurting, it’s important to help and heal. It was a way to deal with my grief, but also a way to serve others and save more lives, so no one else loses a loved one because of their tires." Diana Hubner, "Tire Mom" “The Crying Giant” When she stopped in Delaware, Hubner also had an experience at the Delaware Art Museum, after giving away a set of tires to a woman she had never met. “At the art museum, they have a sculpture that really affected me. It was called ‘The Crying Giant.’ I found out it was built after 9/11, and the sculpture really spoke to me, because I was still mourning the loss of my husband. “I’ve taught my family, and now I want to save lives with this knowledge of tire safety,” Hubner added. “I recently held an open house at my home in Rochester for my neighbors, and after I presented, one of the neighbors told me
they wanted to check their kid’s car’s tires. “My book is going to also have a chart of all the tire regulations for each DMV in each state, so people living across the country can know the regulations of when they could get their tires changed.” Julia Duke, from Tennessee, was one of the random recipients of a new set of tires from Hubner. Of the gift of tires, Duke said, “I walked into Costco and saw this lady with pretty red hair standing there. I got in line to order some tires, and I stepped in line, asking for four Michelin tires. This lovely lady standing over my shoulder asked, ‘Would you allow me to purchase your tires for you?’ I said, ‘What?’ We all looked at her. She said, ‘Please, please accept this gift.’ “I’ve always been told that when somebody really wants you to accept something, you should. I was really overwhelmed and got down and said a prayer, thanking the Lord for this woman. I’ve never won anything in my life, so that takes the cake.” Heavenly mission Since receiving the gift of tires, Duke and Hubner have become very close friends. With a background in public relations, Duke wanted to get her publicity to share how to read the information on a tire. “It was important enough for her to drive to 50 states. When she came to Nashville, she had already been to Memphis, and I don’t know why she found me. At this time in America, where things can be difficult, this was a good thing. I know it’s Him up above, and I know He sent her on this mission.” Another person who received the tires was Mak Aguebor, from North Dakota. According to Aguebor, he met Hubner purely by chance. “I have an old saying which is ‘coincidence is when God decides to be anonymous.’ I had finished going through radiation and other medical work and was picking up the pieces and dealing with the financial debacle.” Aguebor’s wife had to work while he was undergoing treatment for his medical condition, and they were gifted a car after they lost their original one. “Now the tires in the vehicle were really bad, and I thought, ‘Well, winter is coming. we need to do something about it. The tires were basically bald, but financially we were struggling to pull our cash together. As we were
OCTOB ER 2019
47
The Hubner Family’s last complete family photo with her husband. Photo from The Tire Mom blog.
waiting for the next paycheck, the bishop of the church we go to called us and asked if we needed tires.” The bishop then connected Aguebor with Hubner. “It was so out of the blue, and I’d had a lot of things happen to me in life, but it had been a while since something super miraculous had happened in my life. We get there, and she bought me some tires. “It really softened my heart. This really sidelined me. Imagine being hit by an emotional bus. It was really what I had been striving for prior to the radiation. My wife and I were top dogs financially and waiting to set up something where we could help people.” Aguebor continued, “Here we are in a tough situation, and someone, out of the blue, does something I’ve been trying to get myself in the position to do. It was really an emotional experience.” Tire Halo On a tire, there exists on a rim close to the hubcap something Hubner referred to as “the tire halo.” On the halo, is imprinted the plant 48
KE ALAK A ’I
code, the tire size code, manufacturer identity number, and the week and year the tire was made. Despite being on all tires, Hubner said it is a little-known fact, and such knowledge can tell a person when it is time to get the tires changed, and potentially save a life.
“On my ‘Tire Mom’ logo, there is a halo made up of a gold ring and black ring. The gold part of the halo is meant to show that I’m a parent watching over others, but the black part of it represents the tire halo, and how looking at it can save a life.” •
Diana Hubner writes on her blog, The Tire Mom, "I will make a list of the tire facts so they can be made into infographics in my book, I have a list of 6 categories that I learned on the road. The most important is the age of the tires. Another is the importance of examining your tires as least monthly... I am not the expert. I learned from the experts and am just sharing what I have learned from them. Again, I believe knowing how to read the age of tires would have saved my
husband’s life.That is the most important information that people do not know. I do not want people to have to suffer with the loss of a loved one because they did not know this vital information. Everyone knows about checking tire pressure and tread depth. The reason I am on the road right now- in Iowa right now - driving to Cheyenne,WY tomorrow., [is to] bring awareness about Tire Aging and how to read what I call the Tire Halo."
Halloween OCTOB ER 2019
49
Haunted Hawaii From haunted roads to spirits who linger, Oahu is home to legends and ghost stories BY HAELEY VAN DER WERF Tales of haunted falls and spirits holding a grudge have made their way around Laie for years. Maybe you saw a lady with green skin in Wahiawa, or you’ve heard someone calling for Michael at Camp Pupukea. From the ‘80s until now, here are some of the creepiest stories and legends of Oahu.
Morgans Corner According to hauntinghawaii.com, on the Old Pali Road is a hairpin turn that many people call Morgan's Corner. The name comes from Dr. James Morgan who owned a house at that spot in the 1920s. In 1948, a neighbor of Dr. Morgan was murdered by two prison escapees. The neighbor was a 68-year-old widow named Therese Wilder. She was tortured, assaulted, and left for dead. The escapees had burglarized a nearby home and had smelt Mrs. Wilder's cooking. They then broke into her house and killed her. Another story involving Morgan's Corner is about a girl named Brittani Lochmann who hung herself on a tree at the end of Nuuanu Pali Road. It is said that because her body wasn’t found for several days, only her head was still in the noose when she was discovered. At her burial, her head was never reattached to her body and her spirit still haunts the area where she died.
The Pupukea lady According to ghostvillage.com, my favorite tale is that of the Pupukea Lady - a story told at Camp Pupukea for more than 70 years. Legend has it that long ago the Pupukea Lady (her real name has been lost) and her 14-year-old son Michael were out in a small boat when they were hit by a storm. The Pupukea Lady drowned when the boat collapsed, but somehow Michael made it back to shore. Story has it that the Pupukea Lady now roams the camp at night looking for her lost son. There's something you need to know about Michael - one of his feet was deformed, so his mom goes from bunk to bunk feeling the boy's feet. If you move, she’ll ask “Are you Michael?” An affirmative answer will cause the Pupukea Lady to drag you down to her watery grave. If you answer in the negative, she’ll kill you in rage.
50
KE ALAK A ’I
Haunting at Angel Falls Ernest Snipes, an alumnus who graduated in 1991, said, “I remember a story about three students who camped out at Angel Falls somewhere around ‘88 who said after dark they started seeing and hearing odd things. It's been over 30 years now, way before the avalanche, and people were talking about it on campus. As I remember, they said there were ‘shadow figures’ moving around the edge of the campfire firelight and then ‘many voices chanting’ up on the hill. Back then people said Angel Falls was a haunted place and to not be there after dark.”
The Lady of Laie According to Hawaii-aloha.com, born on the west side of Oahu hundreds of years ago, Nalani soon learned the ways of her culture. She weaved with lauhala and harvested kalo from the loi. Nalani grew into a beautiful teen, and against the wishes of her family, married a young sailor visiting the island. They ran away together only to be hunted down by her brothers, who beat her husband to death. As her husband lay dying, Nalani shared what was supposed to be joyous news for any newly-wed couple; she was pregnant. But as the words slipped from her mouth, so did her husband from life. Several months later, Nalani gave birth to a handsome baby boy. He was a constant reminder of what she had lost to the unstoppable hands of her brothers. Along with that, she lost her willingness to live; Nalani became more and more of a recluse. Her eyes and ears only focused on her son. Until one horrible night, when her son went missing. She frantically searched the forest and river banks until she stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of her son’s toy next to the coconut tree that marks her husband’s grave. Her son was never found. For some time after, she was seen roaming the river banks, calling out desperately to her family. But just like her son, she eventually went missing. Some say she wandered into the forests, while others believe she drowned in the ocean. Her spirit, however, still remains wandering Laie with a vengeance.
Graphics by Milani Ho Ip
One community member's story Samson Wasson, a Hauula resident, said, “My family lives in Hauula near the Surfing Tacos, right behind the new fire station to be exact. Around 10 years ago, my family started to see this young girl late at night running around our house. We all have our own stories, but it started with my little sister who saw her first. We didn’t believe her until I saw her myself, then finally my mom saw her. By then we had the house blessed by the bishop and ever since then, 10 years ago, we have had no problems. “Fast forward to this year. This new fire station gets built, and while they were digging the ground for their new brick wall fence right along our house, they find half the body of a young person. The other half is on our side of the property. They had to stop building their fence half way and let us know what they found and that we shouldn’t disturb that area. The crazy thing is right where they found these bones is literally right outside the window of my sister’s bedroom where we would always see this young girl.”
The coconut tree continues to grow alongside the river, which is now the lagoon of the Polynesian Cultural Center; except, it has grown as mangled and twisted as Nalani had become in her mind. The Kapakahi Tree, as it’s been named, is a constant reminder of Nalani’s losses; it’s perhaps the only hint we have as to what the Lady in White seeks on her return to Laie.
The Green Lady of Wahiawa On Atlantisadventures.com, reports of the Green Lady describe her as a monstrous woman with green-tinted skin. Her clothing and long black hair are covered in moss and seaweed, and her approach is heralded by the stench of the decaying plant matter that covers her. Legend tells the story of this woman and her child who would often visit the Wahiawa Botanical Garden. One day, while taking a shortcut through the nearby gulch, the woman became separated from one of her children in the dense growth as the gulch grew darker. Unable to find her child, she died of heartbreak and disappeared herself. Now she wanders the area and is said to snatch up any children she finds playing in the gulch in an attempt to replace her own. She is also said to have been spotted at a nearby elementary school. OCTOB ER 2019
51
History of Halloween
From ancient Celtic festivals to going door-todoor asking for candy and carving pineapples BY: HAELEY VAN DER WERF
Thousands of years ago, Halloween was not a time to trick-or-treat or display spooky pineapples and pumpkins. Instead, it was a day for sacrificing animals and dressing up in costumes to avoid being possessed. According to history.com, origins of Halloween started 2,000 years ago, with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
language Celtic, explains albany.edu. While celebrating this holiday, the Celts would wear costumes and tell each other’s fortunes while burning crops and sacrificing animals. The Celtics believed that by “dressing up like witches, ghosts and goblins, villagers could avoid being possessed.” Celts believed on this day, “the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred … It was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth,” writes history.com.
“Summer’s end” Samhain (pronounced sah-win) means “summer’s end” in the ancient European
52
KE ALAK A ’I
Graphics by Brad Carbine
Blend of culture By 43 A.D., the Roman Empire conquered much of the Celtic territory, so the Romans combined two of their festivals with Samhain, teaches history.com. “The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead.” The second day honored Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Pomona’s symbol is the apples, which could explain the current-day tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween. Religion’s effect Six hundred years after the Romans adopted Samhain, people were converting to Christianity. The Roman Catholic Church often used modified versions of old holidays to win converts, says albany.edu. Pope Gregory IV initially wanted to substitute Samhain with All Saints’ Day, adds albany.edu, but All Souls’ Day, which was more similar to Samhain, was instituted at a French monastery and spread quickly throughout Europe.
Media and migration’s influence As Europeans began migrating to the United States, they brought their traditions with them. By combining the Irish and English traditions, Halloween was born. Americans
began trick-or-treating and Halloween became targeted toward the youth, says albany.edu. In the United States, Halloween became common in Maryland and the southern colonies, according to history.com. “Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the 19th century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country.” “It’s in America that Halloween has really taken off,” according to the BBC Newsround. Irish immigrants to the United States raised the popularity of Halloween during the 19th century. “During the 20th century, it became more and more popular, with traditions
CAU
TION
like pumpkin carving and trick or treating becoming part of TV shows, books and movies.” A dangerous day For a brief period, history.com said, Halloween almost became too dangerous. Teens were pulling pranks such as placing a fake body on train tracks and uprooting vegetables in backyard gardens. Soon, it escalated to setting fires, breaking glass and tripping pedestrians in cities. To combat this violence and chaos, Halloween started to be more focused on youth.
“Between 1920 and 1950, the centuriesold practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively
inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats.” Halloween with a Hawaiian twist While most people in the United States buy pumpkins for carving, it is a tradition in Hawaii to carve pineapples, according to an article on HuffPost. Whether this tradition comes from convenience or supply, HuffPost says, “Enter the pineapple jack-o-lantern to save the autumnal day ... Besides being easy to make and delicious to eat, the pineapple’s knotty rind makes for a spookier jack-o-lantern face while the spiky crown lends itself to either a mean mohawk or a goofy quiff. “No more pretending we’re in New England when Halloween rolls around. Embrace the warm weather and carve your pineapple jack-o-lanterns under the sun.” •
Community influenced As Halloween became more secular and community-centered, history.com explains, town-wide Halloween parties and parades were a common sight. During the 1950s, due to the baby boom, “Parties moved from town civic centers into the classroom or home, where they could be more easily accommodated.
OCTOB ER 2019
53
54
KE ALAK A ’I
Religion
Saints' views on ghosts Are we fools to believe in ghouls? BY SERENA IOANE
While Halloween is approaching, students shared how the holiday brings ghosts, monsters and other creepy crawlers back to their minds. When questioned whether ghosts truly exist, students and faculty said, “No,” but they shared they cannot know for sure. They explained how their supernatural beliefs are rooted in their faith, and people have bodies, but there are bad and rebellious spirits who don’t. Associate Dean for Religious Education Marcus Martins, the former department chair at BYU– Hawaii, said in popular culture, books, movies, etc.–“ghosts” are mythical personages; the spirits of dead persons who would return to earth to haunt or disturb living individuals. “Ghosts” do not exist He explained, according to the doctrines of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, “ghosts” do not exist. However, those doctrines state one-third of our Heavenly Father’s pre-mortal spirit children rebelled against him and the Lord, Jesus Christ and vowed to try to destroy the other two-thirds of God’s children. As a psychology student, Eli Hadley, a sophomore from Delaware majoring in psychology, said he believes that mental disorders are caused by biological, psychological, or sociological imbalances, not by spirits, ghosts or demons. “I believe in spirits, but not the typical idea of a ghost, like the kind people dress up as for Halloween. I don’t believe in haunting or possession by evil spirits either.” Hadley shared, “I remember on one of my first days in Abnormal Psychology class, Dr. Orr brought up how in the scriptures, there are accounts of Jesus and his disciples casting out devils, so as a member of the Church, I need to be willing to admit there are some things science and our human minds cannot understand.” Hadley explained, “The Plan of Salvation teaches us that an individual can retain their identity after death. They don’t just fade away
to nothingness. Sort of like how in “Star Wars,” Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda come back as spirits. They can speak to and guide the heroes, and through death, in the words of Obi-Wan, become more powerful than the villains could possibly imagine.”
Hadley said, “There are ‘Mormon’ folklore about spirits and ghosts, but we need to be careful because not a lot of it can be proven historically accurate. There’s a huge difference between folklore and the doctrine we hold to be true.”
Along with the idea that spirits roam the earth, Martins added these evil spirits now roam the earth (D&C 50:2-3) giving people false manifestations and false doctrines to try to prevent them from learning and living the true doctrine of Jesus Christ. Usually, these manifestations are not scary—on the contrary, they tend to be soothing and “pleasing unto the carnal mind” (2 Nephi 28:21; Alma 30:53).
Bella Miller, a senior from Utah majoring in communication, said if people seek something out, they may find it. She thinks the type of spirits a person encounters depends on their environment and what they are looking for. “I believe that you will get what you want.
He said he has read accounts by people who saw loved ones who had died appear to them in the temple. Hadley added, “Joseph Smith had a vision of his dead brother Alvin Smith, and many others have had similar experiences.” Hadley further explained in the scriptures the devils cast out by Jesus could be metaphors for mental illness. If he healed the sick and raised the dead, He would have healed the mentally ill as well, who at the time in ancient Israel, would have been seen as being possessed by devils and demons, and be outcasts from society. “One day, we’ll all find out. Personally, I think of spirits as good, pure, and kind. If they are real, they are here to guide us along the right path, sort of like the ‘Guardian Angel’ like Clarence in ‘It’s A Wonderful Life,’” he added. Only two types of spirits exist according to Munkhtaivan Javzandulam, a sophomore from Mongolia majoring in human resources, shared, “I believe that there are only two types of spirits exist in this world. One is evil and one is good.
“If you are in negative space, looking for evil spirits, worshipping Lucifer, so on, you will feel and experience those kinds of things. However, if you seek positive things from a positive environment, you will feel a different spirit, too.” Will we ever know? “We never know the full extent of ghosts,” according to Hadley. “That is until we die. As members of the Church, we are in the interesting position of being taught to learn as much as we can about science and the laws of physics, yet still believe in the supernatural existence of spirits, a talking donkey, or a man who walked on water and rose from the dead after three days.” He expanded on this by saying, “It's a combination of logical and illogical, a truth we need to accept as members of the Church. No matter how brilliant or how many degrees we have, or how much research we do, there are just some things we cannot explain in this life, and all of us, professors and students alike, need to be humble enough to accept that fact.” •
“Evil spirits tempt us to do bad things and give us bad feelings, but the good spirit, which is the Holy Ghost, comforts us and helps us. Sometimes I have scary nightmares, and I think those are from Lucifer.”
Graphics by Milani Ho Ip
‘A Century of Aloha’ Author and Associate Professor Eric-Jon Marlowe shares insights about his new book, commemorating a century of the Laie Hawaii Temple BY ELIJAH HADLEY
Deseret Book published “The Laie Hawaii Temple: A Century of Aloha,” and it is written by Eric-Jon Keawe Marlowe, an associate professor of Religion at BYU–Hawaii. The book is on sale at the BYUH Bookstore. Marlowe said he spent three years researching, writing, and editing the history of the Laie Temple’s first century. On the book’s back cover, an introduction reads, “Built amid sugarcane fields on the island of Oahu and dedicated in 1919, the Laie Hawaii Temple was at the forefront of a Churchwide shift away from gathering to the Intermountain West. This temple was among the first brought to the people, and for decades it stood as the closest temple geographically to half the planet.” The book is a historical narrative that takes the reader to the arrival of the Church in Hawaii in 1850 during the Kamehameha Dynasty and on to the decision to build a temple in 1915. According to Marlowe, “The book … describes in detail the temple’s construction to dedication, and thereafter, takes the reader on a decade-by-decade odyssey of the temple’s history up to the present day.”
Born in Hawaii, Marlowe said his research in Pacific Church history has taken him across Polynesia and into Micronesia. He is also a board member and former president of the Mormon Pacific Historical Society. Marlowe has been teaching at BYUH for nine years. Considering the book a stroke of good luck rather than inspiration, Marlowe said, the Hawaii Area Church Historian reached out to him to write the story. “I jumped at the opportunity—no inspiration needed. To this day, I consider the chance I’ve had to write the official temple history one of the great opportunities of my career. If you love researching Pacific Church History like I do, then it’s hard to imagine a better topic than the Pacific’s first temple.” Upon fulfilling existing obligations, Marlowe began researching for his book from December 2016 to January 2017. In late September 2018, he turned in a completed manuscript to his publishers. According to Marlowe, “I researched [and] synthesized thousands of documents and wrote the book.Yet it needs be clear that this project was supported by many people—the list of
acknowledgments in the book is extensive. A team lead by Clinton D. Christensen in the Church History Library [CHL] in Salt Lake City made an extensive review of documents in their archives, conducted numerous interviews, and provided many hours of support to this book. “Missionaries Dale and Linda Robertson spent countless hours scouring sources at the BYUH Library Archives. Professor Alohalani Housman helped with the Hawaiian diacritics, student intern Camron Stockford assisted in the research, and the list goes on and on.” When writing history, Marlowe cautioned, “Keep in mind you are writing about real people. Honor them whenever possible. History is often a tapestry of individual lives, not the feats of a few individuals. “This elongated narrative can be bumpy and suffer setback, yet miraculously, individuals and groups persevere, thus allowing the Lord to work wonders. In this real, and sometimes raw and unadorned extended narrative, I see the foundation laid upon which future generations stand. This kind of history moves me.” A former student of Marlowe’s Church history in the Pacific class, Jensen Dye, a junior
Graphic by Lynne Hardy
from Utah majoring in Hawaiian studies, said, “It’s important that the history of the temple is recorded. They reflect not only the spirit and the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but also reflect the faithfulness of the members of the Church who reside in those areas. “And in particular with the Laie Hawaii Temple, it is one of the only times I have seen tour groups from other countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Samoa, and other countries visit besides Salt Lake back at home.” Pioneering temple In an excerpt from the book, Marlowe wrote, “For a century the Laie Hawaii Temple has endured the unevenness of history. Built at a time of local prosperity, it persevered for years in poverty. The temple directly experienced periods of fear and uncertainty during world war, yet it has also enjoyed rich freedom. It stood alone for decades as the nearest temple to a majority of the world’s population, and though its boundaries now cover only a fraction of what it once did, the temple continues to draw people from across the globe.
“Yet, it is this temple’s interwoven human story of faith and sacrifice that can invoke in us a deeper appreciation for temple worship and bolster our own faith and inspire us. And this is the ultimate hope in telling the story of the Laie Hawaii Temple.” Marlowe shared facts about the temple, but more can be found in his book. The Laie Hawaii Temple is the fifth latter-day temple to reach one hundred years of operation, and comparable to its pioneer predecessors, it was largely built by local members who consecrated their skill, time, and means to its construction Yet, the Laie Hawaii Temple is a pioneer in its own right: It was the first temple dedicated in an effort to bring temples to people beyond the main body of the Church in Utah, and it was the first temple to reach and accommodate significant numbers of diverse cultures and languages. Over the past century, likely more people have been introduced to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the Laie Hawaii Temple grounds than at any other Church site except Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
In the next 100 years of both the temple and the Laie community as a whole, Marlowe said, “The first paragraph of the next hundred years will be written by us. What will we do with the blessing of a temple in our midst? I hope the opening paragraph to the book about the temple’s next hundred years includes our renewed commitment to frequent and sustained work within its walls. “The ultimate purpose and power of the Laie Hawaii Temple is not found in its history, its outward beauty, or on its grounds, but rather can be discovered only by those who worthily spend time within its walls.” According to Marlowe, in temples the story of life is simplified for the understanding of men. “Arguably nowhere is the Plan of Salvation—God’s design to help us grow, learn, and experience joy—taught in a more chronologically comprehensive manner than in the temple. In the temple, the plan is nearly complete in its linear portrayal of who we are, the purpose of this life, our endless nature, the centrality of family, and our eternal potential.” • Above left: The cover of the new book about the 100-year history of the Laie Hawaii Temple. Right: Eric-Jon Marlowe speaks about the temple at a luncheon in April. Photo by Ho Yin Li
Graphic by Lynne Hardy