BYU–Hawaii News

Leonard K. Fong, lifelong resident of Honolulu and long-time supporter of BYU–Hawaii, passed away in August at the age of 97. The BYU–Hawaii ‘ohana is deeply grateful for Leonard’s love and generosity toward the university, and we extend our thoughts, prayers, and aloha to the Fong family at this time. Read Full Story

President John S.K. Kauwe III, following approval from the Board of Trustees, has appointed Jonathan Kalaonalani Kau as Vice President of Student Life at BYU–Hawaii. Kau will replace Debbie Hippolite Wright, who is retiring after 30 years of service in the Church Educational System. Read Full Story

Brigham Young University–Hawaii has been working diligently to evaluate the current conditions created by COVID-19, especially as they relate to the unique circumstances of Laie, Hawaii. This evaluation has focused primarily on the safety of our students, our staff, and our local community. Considerations have included travel restrictions, quarantine requirements, governmental orders, and housing limitations due to new physical distancing guidelines. Accordingly, university leadership has determined that all classes will be taught remotely during the Fall 2020 Semester. Read Full Story

Brigham Young University–Hawaii is making efforts toward lowering its environmental impact and reducing its dependence on the grid by investing in a photovoltaic production and storage system. The project will include a canopy PV system that will span across the Main Parking Lot as well as multiple rooftop systems. Read Full Story

Vice President for Student Development & Services Debbie Hippolite Wright has announced her intention to retire this summer. She has worked in the Church Educational System for nearly 30 years. Read Full Story

Brigham Young University–Hawaii will live stream an online commencement presentation to celebrate and recognize candidates for graduation following the Spring 2020 Semester. Brother Mark L. Pace, Sunday School General President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be the commencement speaker for the online presentation on June 27 at 9:30 am HST. The event will available at https://byuh.edu/live-stream as well as on the BYU–Hawaii YouTube channel and Facebook page. Read Full Story

Brigham Young University–Hawaii Vice President for Academics John Bell announced today that Mark Wolfersberger will succeed Jared Marcum as director of the Edward D. Smith Center for Learning & Teaching, effective September 1, 2020. Read Full Story

These are extremely challenging times for colleges and universities, including BYU–Hawaii. We appreciate the support the United States Congress has shown to institutions of higher education through the CARES Act. However, although BYU–Hawaii continues to experience significant financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided not to seek or accept CARES Act funding. We have notified the U.S. Department of Education of our decision so that it can reallocate resources to other institutions, some of which may not be able to open their doors to students again without government relief. Read Full Story

Brigham Young University–Hawaii’s Enactus team was crowned the 2020 Enactus U.S. National Champion Thursday, May 14. Defeating more than 40 universities and colleges from around the nation, the team of college students from BYU–Hawaii on the North Shore of Oahu will represent the United States at the Enactus World Cup in Utrecht, Netherlands this September. Read Full Story

The Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University–Hawaii has appointed John “Keoni” Kauwe to become the university’s eleventh president. President Kauwe will succeed John S. Tanner, who has served as president of the campus since 2015.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, made the announcement during the weekly BYU–Hawaii devotional, in a broadcast originating from Salt Lake City.

Dr. Kauwe is the dean of Graduate Studies at Brigham Young University in Provo. He is also an internationally recognized researcher specializing in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Kauwe has deep roots in Hawaii and spent several years of his childhood on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai, and is a graduate of Molokai High School. Read Full Story