BYU–Hawaii News

Mike Foley | University Advancement | 19 July 2005 Though summer term is usually not as busy as the rest of the academic year at BYU-Hawaii, it seems various parts of the campus have been under construction for the past several months.

BYU-Hawaii Physical Plant Director Judd Whetten agreed. "Our focus is to get these projects done during the summer when it has less of an impact on students and faculty."

For example, Whetten pointed out that a new parking lot behind the Stake Center was completed about a month ago, and a two-to-three-month project to replace some sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and to repave some of the roads "is really making a mess at the moment. We've widened some of the sidewalks, improved the drainage a bit, and replaced some of the older sections."

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Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 12 July 2005 President Eric B. Shumway of BYU-Hawaii and President Von Orgill of the Polynesian Cultural Center recently accompanied a Hawaii State-sponsored delegation to the People's Republic of China, with the purpose of strengthening existing relationships and establishing new ties for the promotion of tourism, education and business development.


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Christopher Krey | University Advancement | 7 July 2005 A group of sixteen BYU-Hawaii students were invited to perform Samul Nori, the Korean percussion song and dance, at the Waikiki Shell on Friday July 1st, for the Honolulu Centennial Celebration.

The BYU-Hawaii group, called Bu Seum Sae, played alongside Na Palapalai, The Makaha Sons, Aunty Genoa Keawe, and other local artists and cultural groups. Samul Nori is a traditional Korean percussion and dance originally performed at harvest time. Bu Seum Sae, has been recognized for their exciting mixture of traditional Korean beats with a young, contemporary style.

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Staff | University Advancement | 7 July 2005 BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway and 35 members of his extended family shared the Joseph Smith story "in his own words" and recognized the Prophet's 200th birthday this year during the July 7 devotional.

"This was one of the most significant events in the history of the world," said President Shumway, whose wife, Carolyn, their children and spouses, and grandchildren filled the stage of the McKay Auditorium.

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Owen J. Cook, 90, president of the Church College of Hawaii from 1964-71, died June 25 of respiratory failure in Grand Terrace, California, where he and his wife of 64 years, Ellen, lived for the past 34 years. Read Full Story

Staff | University Advancement | 1 July 2005 BYU-Hawaii officials announced today that because the United States government has tightened requirements related to foreign nationals working in the United States, the university has adopted more stringent policies for its international graduates who wish to remain in country and gain work experience.


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Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 24 June 2005 BYU-Hawaii hosted a five-day conference on Hawaiian culture and education, sponsored by Ka Lei Papahi O Kakuhihewa, an Oahu-based Hawaiian Education organization made up of Kupuna or grandparents.

In Hawaii, Kupuna are part-time educators in the State Department of Education Hawaiian Studies Program. However, Ka Lei Papahi O Kakuhihewa is an independent organization formed by the Kupuna to advance cultural education.

Every four years the organization holds a conference on a different island to collaborate and train one another in Hawaiian culture and education methods. This year's theme was E Ho'omau Me Ke Aloha, which means "Continue, Persevere, Perpetuate and Renew the Legacy of Aloha."


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Five BYU-Hawaii students recently traveled to Cambodia to experience life in a developing country and take part in humanitarian efforts to relieve poverty. Read Full Story

Andrew Miller | University Advancement | 18 June 2005 BYU-Hawaii, celebrating 50 years of educating and graduating tomorrow's leaders, graduated 248 more today in its Jubilee commencement exercises.

Of the 248 "jubilee graduates," 76 or 31% are international students from 31 different countries. Next to the U.S., Japan had the highest number of graduates at nine with Tonga following at eight. Other countries represented ranged from Cambodia to Papua New Guinea.

The diversity of the graduating class directly reflects the culturally diverse demographics of BYU-Hawaii's student body—the most international in the nation—and the university's mission of training students to become leaders back in their home countries.


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Norman Evans | University Advancement | 14 June 2005 Dr. Mark James, associate professor of TESOL and alumnus of BYU-Hawaii, is "retiring" as editor of the TESL Reporter—a professional refereed journal sponsored by the Department of English Language Teaching & Learning.

As of this April’s issue, James is stepping down after "12 wonderful years." James went on to say that although he enjoyed his work as editor, he realized it was time for a change and for the fresh ideas that a new editor would bring.

"James led the TESL Reporter through a number of changes which helped to secure a solid future for the journal, and a continued commitment on the part of Brigham Young University Hawaii to underwrite the journal as a service to our profession," said Norman Evans, ELT department chair.

James is being replaced by Dr. Maureen Andrade, director of the EIL Program.

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