BYU–Hawaii News

Voi Ray Taeoalii, Stake President of the Makakilo Hawaii Stake, addressed the BYU-Hawaii faculty, staff, and the student body with an inspirational message, titled "Sustenance of Hope," at the Tuesday, March 3, 2009, devotional. He began his speech with a reminiscent thought: "Being here reminds me of the years that my wife and I lived in married student housing, drove a car that broke down regularly, and accounted for every penny, nickel and dime we earned. It was a time in our life that was challenging as you very well know." He recounted the difficulty of balancing school, family, work, and church callings; yet, the aftermath of experience taught him the need for these difficulties because "it is the power and patience of hope that can sustain us as we pursue our goals in life." Read Full Story

A proposal for a moped rental business at Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku earned Brigham Young University Hawaii senior Brett Lee [pictured at right, in the center] the $15,000 top prize on March 6 in the annual Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship (CIE) Business Plan Competition. In addition, each of four other teams won runners-up prizes of $5,000 for their proposed plans, all of the 15 finalists also received $1,000, and each of the other 31 BYUH students who submitted a plan received a monetary award. Read Full Story

With a Knights of the Round Table Conference of Champions theme, the annual three-day Brigham Young University Hawaii Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship (CIE) business conference convened on campus March 4, included a variety of keynote addresses and workshops, and concluded with the business plan competition finals that this year included $50,000 in donated prizes for the student "champions." Read Full Story

As expected, the third-ranked Brigham Young University Hawaii men's basketball team received the number-one seed in the NCAA II West Regional Tournament field announced March 8 by the NCAA. The Seasiders, champions of the Pacific West Conference, will host a four-team sub-regional on Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, and will face seventh-seeded Humboldt State (20-11) in the opening round on Friday at 7:30 pm in the Cannon Activities Center. Read Full Story

Brigham Young University Hawaii Honors students learned in their colloquium on March 4 about a unique program in nearby Kahuku — one of only 40 in the world — fully accredited to train highly skilled service dogs to help disabled people, and how they differ from other assistance, therapeutic and "seeing eye" guide dogs as well as other service animals. Read Full Story

BYU-Hawaii Student Association President Hema Tatafu and Executive Vice President Janelle Cabucungan took turns sharing the podium to deliver a two-part devotional address on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. Their speeches centered on hope, unity, and the power of change; each gave inspiring counsel to the students, faculty, staff, and families of BYU-Hawaii. Read Full Story

Laie, HI—Shaka Steel, Brigham Young University Hawaii's steel drum band is scheduled to perform at several locations on Maui between March 12–15. Performances will include both high school exchanges as well as community concerts. Read Full Story

By the beginning of First Term in July 2009, Brigham Young University Hawaii will have absorbed its International Work Experience Scholarship (IWES) program into I-WORK — the International Work Opportunity Return-ability Kuleana — and added several significant enhancements, including: Read Full Story

Several years before Sanchez would ever step foot on the beautiful tropical campus of Brigham Young University – Hawaii, her life already began to steer her in a direction that would ultimately lead her directly here. Now a senior in international cultural studies focusing on communication, Sanchez’s unique story and vibrant cultural past provided the foundation and passion that now shapes the future path she intends to take. Read Full Story

Cy M. Bridges [pictured at right], Theater Director for the Polynesian Cultural Center and a noted Hawaiian cultural expert, shared his love, passion and expertise on historical and genealogical aspects of modern hula with Brigham Young University Hawaii students during the February 25 Honors Program colloquium in McKay 101. Read Full Story