BYU–Hawaii News

The head of Hawaii's largest events production company shared lessons he has learned from his successes and failures over the past quarter-century with BYU-Hawaii business students during the March 16 entrepreneurship lecture.

Mike Rossell, president of Production Hawaii, Inc., said the events staging and management company grew as a "natural progression" from his first business providing temporary hires, which enabled him "to discover certain types of equipment that were helpful to my clients."

He started importing large portable loading ramps for facilities that didn't have loading docks. "Almost nobody has a loading dock in Hawaii. We sold a lot of the ramps...and fast. We had no competitors," Rossell said, describing this situation as a "natural monopoly -- a monopoly without

San Bernardino, CALIFORNIA – After a dramatic 67-61 victory over the University of Alaska-Anchorage in the opening round of the NCAA II West Regional Tournament on March 12, the BYU-Hawaii men’s basketball team lost the semifinal match on March 13 to Humboldt State, 71-61, despite a heroic, 34-point performance from junior Jake Chrisman.

Chrisman, playing with nine stitches over his left eye from an injury sustained in the win over Alaska-Anchorage, hit 15 of 26 shots and pulled down seven rebounds to keep the Seasiders in the game, but it wasn't enough as BYU-Hawaii ended the season with a 23-6 record.

BYU-Hawaii started the game very well, getting a three-pointer from Shawn

BYU-Hawaii junior forward Jake Chrisman earned Daktronics NCAA II All-West Region First Team honors today as voted on by the region's College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The honor is the first of the post-season honors to be released and Chrisman was the only Pacific West Conference player named to either the first or second team in the three-conference region.

Chrisman, a junior from Provo, Utah, became just the fourth player in BYU-Hawaii history to average over 20 points per game as he led the PacWest Conference and was tenth nationally with a 22.7 points per game average during the regular season. The NCAA II counts postseason stats along with the regular season stats and Chrisman will lead the Seasiders in the opening round of the NCAA II West Regional on Friday.

Retired BYU journalism professor, Dr. P. Alfred Pratte, reminded those at the March 4 BYU-Hawaii devotional that the prophet Joel foresaw this generation would see visions and "have our own mental pictures and prophecies for ourselves, for our families, and for the benefit of those we will serve throughout the world."

Pratte, a special assistant to President Shumway who has volunteered to complete the 50-year history of BYU-Hawaii, explained Joel's promises in chapter 2, verses 28-32 were so important that Peter quoted them in reference to the last days, and the angel Moroni quoted them to Joseph Smith in preparation for the restoration of the gospel.

The BYU-Hawai'i Concert Choir will present Na Leo Malu: Voices of Peace at the Pearl City Cultural Center on March 6, at 7:30 p.m.

The 50-member choir, under the direction of Dr. James A. Smith, is preparing to perform in the premier concert halls of Japan and Korea during an 18-day tour beginning May 18, 2004. Proceeds from five primary concerts will be donated to local charities.

"The choir is excited to represent the university on this tour," said V. Napua Baker, Vice President of University Advancement. "With over 150 students from Japan and 120 from Korea on campus, we feel it is important to be more visible in those countries."

"To be able to represent BYU-Hawai'i as we undertake this concert tour of

Sally Lee, director of Family Services in Hawaii for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told the BYU-Hawaii devotional audience on Feb. 26, "When we don't listen and obey the laws of God, we get into trouble. When we listen and obey, we have peace."

In her work for the past 24 years with LDS Family Services, which she describes as "an integral part of the Lord's inspired welfare program," Lee has seen many examples of "people who let down their pride and came with humble hearts with the desire to change and make their lives better."

She added she has also "seen such sadness, grief, regret, hurt, pain and terrible troubles that can come into the lives of people. I have learned that while some problems are caused by accidents or health problems, most

On March 1, or as soon after as weather allows, the main Kulanui Street entrance into the BYU-Hawaii campus will close for approximately three-to-four weeks to allow construction on a traffic roundabout in front of the "little circle."

Billy Casey, BYU-Hawaii assistant director of physical facilities, explained that the construction work is all part of BYU-Hawaii's new front entrance project that "will integrate with the new look that's being developed on Hale Laa Blvd. We're using similar materials and design elements that will tie the looks of the campus into the community."

The portion of the "big circle" road from the Administration Building parking lot to the Temple View apartments access road will also be closed temporarily during the project.

A visiting psychology professor from BYU-Idaho met with BYU-Hawaii students on Feb.24, to discuss stress management techniques and effective methods of handling the day-to-day rigors of student life.

Speaking during an academic forum organized by the psychology club on campus, neuropsychologist Dr. Edward W. Kinghorn told students in attendance that "90 percent of us will be involved in some traumatic event" during some point of our lives.

Kinghorn said even stable people are often unprepared for such overwhelming experiences and emphasized the necessity of "educational debriefing" so that individuals undergoing the trauma can realize some of the changes going on with their bodies both psychologically and physically.