Academics

From October 4 to 12, a group of hospitality and tourism management (HTM) students from Brigham Young University–Hawaii traveled to Japan for an immersive learning experience centered around the Expo 2025, a world expo held in Osaka, Japan, a global event that takes place only once every five years and draws millions of visitors from more than 150 nations.

A group of BYU–Hawaii students recently joined world leaders, scholars, and faith representatives at the 32nd Annual International Law and Religion Symposium to discuss how faith, law, and human dignity intersect globally.

Kula Manu, BYU–Hawaii’s long-standing journal of literature and art, has been a BYU–Hawaii tradition for more than 50 years. Kula Manu—Hawaiian words that mean “school of birds”—is sponsored by the English Program, and the publication is produced each winter semester by students in ENG 392, Introduction to Literary Editing and Publishing, who serve as the editorial staff for the journal. The journal invites submissions of poems, stories, essays, photography, and artwork from students, faculty, staff, and community members. Current students are eligible for prizes in each category.

A group of Brigham Young University–Hawaii hospitality and tourism management (HTM) students recently took the world stage, presenting at a high-level side event of the United Nations General Assembly during its 80th anniversary session in New York City.

The dedicated efforts of BYU–Hawaii students are protecting natural resources, empowering local communities, influencing national policy, and inviting visitors to be co-authors in Kiribati’s living history.

For many international students, the dream of earning a degree in the United States seems out of reach due to financial constraints. At BYU–Hawaii, IWORK, a work-study program makes that dream a reality for thousands of students from across the Pacific and Asia each year. By combining part-time work with tuition assistance, the scholarship not only funds their education but also teaches self-reliance, time management, and the value of service.

Eleven students from Brigham Young University–Hawaii returned to Laie forever changed after the second annual Asia Sourcing & Entrepreneurship Experience (ASEE). Held from April 18–30, 2025, this immersive trip took students and faculty to Vietnam, the Philippines, and South Korea as they explored steel mills, organic pharmaceutical farms, international supply chains, sourcing operations, and real-world leadership.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii’s Hoʻolōkahi Chamber Choir (HCC) took the stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 11, 2025. The 54-member ensemble—representing a diverse mosaic of countries and ethnicities—performed “Worldwide Requiem,” a 25-minute, seven-movement composition by BYUH assistant professor Dr. Erica Glenn.

Delegates from Southeast Asia and beyond gathered at Brigham Young University–Hawaii from April 23–25, for the third annual Human Dignity & ASEAN: Pursuing Peaceful and Inclusive Societies in Southeast Asia Conference. Hosted by the Religious Freedom and Human Dignity Initiative at BYU–Hawaii, the conference focused on building peaceful, inclusive societies through multi-faith collaboration, cross-cultural literacy, and humanitarian partnerships.

Students across Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi gathered on Thursday, April 3, for the 2025 Undergraduate Research Conference (URC), an annual campus-wide event that spotlights student scholarship in research, writing, music, creative projects, and academic poster presentations. This year’s theme, “Perseverance is Power,” was inspired by Japanese Shingon Buddhist leader Yakou Sumioka’s writing on diligence, strength, and lifelong devotion to righteous aspirations.

Aspiring student entrepreneurs took center stage at the 2025 Ed & Shauna Smith Empower Your Dreams (EYD) Competition, held April 2–4 at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. Designed to help students develop real-world solutions to real-world problems, EYD gave participants the tools, mentorship, and experience to turn their ideas into action—and possibly into thriving businesses.

On April 1–2, 2025, BYU–Hawaii transformed into a hub of career exploration and international connection during the annual Asia Pacific Career Conference (APCC). Designed to prepare students for professional success in Oceania, the Asian Rim, and beyond, APCC gave students opportunities to network, learn, and present themselves to employers and graduate schools from across the globe—all right on campus.

The BYU–Hawaii Theatre Program's winter 2025 musical production, Aida, brought a powerful story of love and cultural conflict to the stage from March 19 to 22. Directed by Dr. Michael Morris, assistant professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts and head of the Theatre Program, the musical captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and diverse musical score.

BYU–Hawaii students have achieved a remarkable victory in the 2025 Local Finals of the CFA Institute Research Challenge, hosted by the CFA Society San Diego. The competition, which took place on February 27 in San Diego, California, saw the BYU–Hawaii team outperform prestigious schools, including the University of San Diego, the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, the University of CA - San Diego - RADY School of Management, San Diego State University, and California State University San Marcos.

Nine hospitality and tourism management (HTM) students and two faculty from BYU–Hawaii completed an unforgettable 10-day experiential learning trip to Japan last month. The immersive study, led by Professor Jeff Christensen, aligned with the U.S. and Japanese governments’ 2024 declaration as the “US-Japan Tourism Year,” a joint initiative aimed at restoring tourism exchanges between the two countries to pre-COVID levels. The trip gave students a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most dynamic tourism markets.

Three musical ensembles from Brigham Young University–Hawaii (BYUH) captivated a global audience during the 2024 Church Music Festival of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The November 16 live broadcast, themed “Come, Lord Jesus,” showcased sacred music from diverse languages and cultures in celebration of the Savior's return.

The Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship at BYU–Hawaii hosted the annual Ryan and Shauna Ockey Great Ideas Competition, an event celebrating student innovation and entrepreneurship. The semifinals and finals were held from November 13 to 14, and scholarships were awarded to the top three teams. The other seven finalists received participation scholarships worth $500, ensuring recognition for their efforts.

The BYU–Hawaii Theatre Program recently brought George S. Kaufmann and Moss Hart’s classic romantic comedy-drama "You Can’t Take It with You" to the stage, delighting audiences with its timeless themes of family, individuality, and the pursuit of happiness. Directed by Dr. Michael Morris, the play ran from October 25 to November 2 and featured an enthusiastic cast of students from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspective to this humorous and heartwarming story.