Recent flash flooding on Oahu’s North Shore brought heavy rainfall and significant impacts to many communities. As rising water levels overwhelmed drainage systems and infrastructure, students and faculty from Brigham Young University–Hawaii stepped forward to serve.
A Storm That Developed Quickly
Rainfall across Oahu reached extreme levels in some areas earlier in the storm cycle, with more than 10–25 inches recorded in certain locations within a 24-hour period.
At times, rain fell at several inches per hour, quickly overwhelming streams, drainage systems, and roadways, resulting in flooded homes.
Flash flood warnings were issued island-wide as runoff threatened to overflow into streets and low-lying communities. Flooding also contributed to power outages impacting tens of thousands of residents and caused wastewater overflows due to excess storm runoff.
While exact numbers continue to be assessed, hundreds of residents across Oahu were displaced or affected, with evacuations ordered in some North Shore communities and road closures isolating neighborhoods.
A Choir Transformed
In the aftermath of the storm, members of the BYU–Hawaii community quickly mobilized to support those affected.
Dr. Erica Glenn, director of choral activities and assistant professor of music at BYU–Hawaii, acted immediately in her efforts to support the community. “I solicited flood victim donations from family and friends in Utah and received almost $7,000 in just a few hours, which was far more than I was anticipating,” she shared. “As I headed to Costco for my first run of supplies, several students asked if they could help transport and distribute goods to TVA families whose first-floor apartments had been destroyed.”
Along with these students came other choir members who coordinated and made it their mission to collect food, clothes, and other supplies to give to those in need. “We ended up making four large drop-offs of supplies for students and community members with another to come tomorrow,” she shared. “As a teacher, it was so heartening to see my students band together.”
Student-Led Service in Action
When flooding began late into the night, students across campus quickly stepped in to help—many without hesitation.
For Nalia Tollefsen, a senior from Laie majoring in health and human science, it started close to home. After noticing her own hale beginning to flood, she immediately took action. “I immediately went to find sandbags and started helping scoop water away from the rooms, but there was just too much water,” Tollefsen said. “I noticed the drain outside Hale 2 was overflowing, and some girls called out because their cars were being submerged. After helping a girl move her car, the drains slowly started to unclog, and the water slowly began to go down.”
Around 1 am, Kenona Baivatu, a senior from Fiji studying political science and working in Residential Living, received a call from Tollefsen asking for help. “I got a call from my coworker, Nalia, saying she needed help, so I just went over,” Baivatu recalls. Together, they began checking student housing as conditions worsened. “It was bad; water was flooding into their rooms. I just tried to help getting people’s stuff to a safe space.”
After doing all they could in the hales, the group made their way to TVA, where first floors were already waist-deep in water. They went door to door, checking on students and families. “I checked on my cousins first, then helped a family nearby carry their kids to higher ground and move their belongings out of the water,” Tollefsen shared.
...Leadership isn’t about being in charge, but about stepping up, helping others, and working together to support people in need.
Their efforts extended beyond campus into nearby neighborhoods, where homes and cars were submerged. The students continued through the night, helping residents move belongings, carrying children to safety, and alerting those who were unaware of the flooding. Even the next day, they continued serving from morning into the evening, helping distribute food and resources to those seeking refuge on campus. “It was honestly just, like, a spontaneous night; my friends and I had the spirit to go out and help as many people as we could, because I really felt for [those that were affected],” Baivatu shared.
Reflecting on the experience, Tollefsen said the greatest challenge was the unexpected nature of the flooding. “I think the biggest challenge was how unexpected everything was. A lot of people, including the first responders, weren’t prepared for that level of flooding. Many didn’t know what to do, where to go, or who to call,” she said. “But even with all the confusion, it was amazing to see how quickly people came together to help each other.”
“This experience taught me that service is loving others the way the Savior does with unconditional love and a willingness to help anyone. It showed me how important community is, especially during hard times.” she shared.
Their efforts were part of a broader response from students who stepped into the community to serve. “[My friends and I] just wanted to be able to serve,” said Jatuphon Phakdeerat, a senior from Thailand majoring in business management. “So, we spent almost three hours on Saturday serving an uncle by helping him move stuff that was damaged from the flood, cleaning the areas, and trying to dry the areas from the flood."
These acts of service reflected a deep sense of kuleana and aloha for the surrounding community—what Acting President and Sister Haws later described as “the spirit of Zion in action.”
Living the Mission Beyond Campus
BYU–Hawaii’s mission emphasizes developing disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders who build strong communities. In moments like these, that mission becomes tangible.
Faculty and staff also played a key role in coordinating outreach and ensuring students had opportunities to serve safely and effectively.
Dr. Kate McLellan, an associate professor in the Faculty of Sciences, set up a “give and take” in her front yard, offering a reliable source of essential supplies to those affected by the floods. Ready the morning after the storm, McLellan has continued to keep her “shop” open for over five days, with the help of local volunteers. She has facilitated hundreds of donations and helped dozens of families.
BYU–Hawaii partnered with Okland Construction to make several roll-off dumpsters and trash bags available to the community, providing a safe place for the copious amounts of water-damaged items that needed to be thrown away.
Moving Forward Together
Although the floodwaters have receded, recovery continues for many families in Laie and surrounding areas. Cleanup, repairs, and rebuilding efforts remain ongoing.
For those who served, the experience reinforced the strength of community connection. Reflecting on the astounding response from the community and BYU–Hawaii ohana, President John S.K. Kauwe III shared in a recent bulletin, “I am grateful for the Christ-like compassion and strength so evident in our BYU–Hawaii team and our community as we work together to clean up and move forward. The unity we share in the gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to serve each other so beautifully, even in these challenging times.”
In times of crisis, the BYU–Hawaii ohana demonstrated that even in the face of natural disasters, compassion and service can bring hope and healing.