The sun was shining bright on Thursday, August 28, as members of the BYU–Hawaii President's Council, honored guests including President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, R. Kelly Haws the Secretary to the Board of Trustees and Assistant to the Commissioner of the Church Education System, Honolulu City Councilmember Matt Weyer, and Hawaii State Senator Brenton Awa as well as faculty, and staff gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new McKay Complex.
Honoring the Past, Building Towards the Future
The groundbreaking was not just about new buildings; it signified a significant commitment to expanding the capacity to serve the students of BYU–Hawaii, while helping them live and lead across Hawaii, Asia, and the Pacific. Earlier in the year, President John S.K. Kauwe III presented the project to the Board of Trustees on February 12, which just so happened to be the 70th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the Church College of Hawaii by then President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David O. McKay, a detail he kept to himself.
"In a typical professional setting, I might have used that anniversary to emphasize the importance of the project and apply pressure,” he shared, “However, that is not my role as President of BYU–Hawaii. Prophets, seers, and revelators lead me. My responsibility is to present the opportunities and challenges of this university as completely and objectively as possible, to show how we can better fulfill our mission. So, I said nothing about the anniversary," shared President Kauwe.
Following the presentation, our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, paused the meeting to highlight the 70th anniversary of President McKay's groundbreaking and the significance of approving the university's renewal on the very same day.
President Kauwe later shared at the groundbreaking event, "The spirit overcame me. Sharing the date had not been planned, yet it was profoundly meaningful. That moment affirmed to me that our prophet knows and cares about this university, its past, its present, and its future," commented President Kauwe. "This new complex embodies what President Jeffrey R. Holland described at my inauguration four years ago: to do all we have done in the past, but do it better, for more students, and in less time."
Vision and Legacy
Haws echoed President Russell M. Nelson's words, reminding everyone in attendance that BYU–Hawaii has been made sacred by prophets and apostles who labored here. Haws continued to state that the significant investment in the school's future will bless the lives of every student now and generations to come. Haws testified of President McKay's prophecy that this university was built to help students learn and believe the “things of God” and continue forth as men and women of faith whose influence will bless the world.
"The world needs the noble leaders this school will produce. As I look at the grandeur of the Ko’olau mountains, I recall Daniel's vision of a stone rolling down a mountain, growing until it fills the earth. That stone represents the kingdom of God," Haws shares.
President Johnson also emphasized the importance of connection and being part of the BYU–Hawaii 'ohana. She also testified that President McKay's prophecy has come to fruition.
"We are proud of the progress made here in fulfilling the mission to build lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ who are self-reliant and prepared to lead,” remarked President Johnson. “And in my travels to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Mongolia, I've seen that promise fulfilled. Many of the leaders and people we met and worked with are BYU-Hawaii alumni.”
President Johnson closed her remarks by inviting everyone to not just turn the soil during this groundbreaking, but to metaphorically turn the soil in their hearts. As she puts it, "Let us think big, embrace change, and remember, this is the Lord's work."
Cultural Design and Foundation
Sharing about the new McKay Complex, Benjamin Candari, the architect behind the new design, shared, "We want current and future students to understand that this is a journey. They come here to receive an education and fulfill President David O. McKay’s prophecy that leaders will go forth from this school to promote unity and peace internationally. The circular design [of the new complex] symbolizes the piko, or center, from which knowledge and light radiate outward,” Candari shared.
During the ceremony, instead of spades, traditional Hawaiian o‘o sticks were used to turn the dirt. These were once used by farmers in Hawaii and were chosen as symbols to honor the past while looking forward to the future.
A Beacon for Generations to Come
As the last o‘o sticks pressed into the Laie soil, the groundbreaking became more than the start of a construction project; it reaffirmed prophecy, purpose, and promise. The McKay Complex will rise not only as a state-of-the-art facility, but also as a living reminder of President David O. McKay’s vision that from this small university in Hawaii would go forth men and women of faith and leadership to bless the world. In honoring the past, embracing cultural heritage, and preparing for a future filled with greater capacity, BYU–Hawaii continues its mission to educate, inspire, and send forth noble leaders who will carry light across the Pacific and beyond.
