The BYU–Hawaii Alumni "Meet and Greet" took place in the McKay Auditorium of the BYU–Hawaii campus earlier this month. It was homecoming week; a time to welcome alumni home, noted Corbin Thomander, the BYU–Hawaii alumni manager. "It's a reception; something to say thank you. The purpose is to show school spirit and come back to the university," said Thomander. Originally from California, Thomander graduated from BYU–Hawaii in 2002 with a major in business; he now lives in Hauula with his wife and daughter.
Richard Christensen graduated from BYU–Hawaii in 1986 with a BS degree in business management. Christensen is now a director in videography, making specials on great white sharks for National Geographic. Christensen and his wife happened upon the alumni "Meet and Greet" by chance. They were on the island for a shark symposium and decided to eat at the BYU–Hawaii Seasider café when they saw the alumni sign.
Tuione Pulotu (pictured above right; photo courtesy of polynesia.com), originally from Tonga, has been in Hawaii for 50 years. He originally came in 1960 as a labor missionary to build the Polynesian Cultural Center. "When we got through in 1963, I went to Tonga and came back to go to school in 1964," said Pulotu. He played rugby for the school in a football field that sat where the administration building is now. BYU–Hawaii, which used to be Church College of Hawaii, was much simpler. Back then, student activity options were limited to going to the beach for a bonfire or going to the Hukilau. The Hukilau preceded the Polynesian Cultural Center as a Laie tourist destination, running along Hukilau Beach; it included food and cultural performances.
Vernice Wineera (pictured at left; photo courtesy of Mike Foley) came to BYU–Hawaii in 1960 and graduated in 1977 with a major in English. Her education was spread out over several years because she put raising a family first. "It took me a while because I have seven children," she said. She and her husband served a three-year mission in New Zealand. She has also worked as a vice president at Polynesian Cultural Center and as Director of the Pacific Institute at BYU–Hawaii. Right now, Wineera, who lives in Laie, is focused on being a grandmother and painting.