Culture Night 2025 brought the spirit of unity and diversity to life once again at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, as students and community members gathered to celebrate the rich cultural backgrounds of the university’s student body. The two-night spectacle, held in the Cannon Activities Center (CAC), was a vibrant showcase of traditional and modern performances from 25 culture clubs, each representing the unique heritage of their respective nations.
The Anticipation Builds
Although the event officially began at 8 pm on Wednesday, March 5, and 9 pm on Friday, March 7, eager attendees lined up as early as four hours before the doors opened. Students, faculty, and local community members came prepared with snacks, drinks, and even study materials as they patiently waited for the performances to begin. Surrounding the CAC, local food trucks added to the festive atmosphere, offering a variety of dishes that complemented the cultural celebration inside.
On stage, Student Leadership & Service employees and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Their coordinated efforts helped manage the movement of performers, guided audience members to their seats and maintained the event’s high energy throughout both nights.
A Stage Set for Cultural Brilliance
The first night featured performances from the clubs of Hawai’i, Hong Kong, Kiribati, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, India, Mongolia, Samoa, Japan, Fiji, China, and Aotearoa.
The second night continued the excitement with clubs from Latin America, Indonesia, Rotuma, Afro World, Thailand, Golden Mecca, Cambodia, Tahiti, Taiwan, Tonga, Malaysia, and the Filipino Club taking the stage.
Each performance carried a unique blend of tradition and modernity. While some clubs performed traditional dances that have been passed down for generations, others incorporated contemporary elements, such as hip-hop, pop music, or fusion choreography, reflecting the evolving nature of their cultures. Performers proudly donned both traditional attire and modern clothing that held cultural significance, emphasizing the harmony between the past and present.
An Unmatched Atmosphere
The energy in the CAC was electric. With each performance, waves of cheers, shouts, and applause erupted from the audience. “Whenever the crowd did their explosive shouting before and after each performance, it gave me goosebumps, like I was a part of something bigger,” said Asad Naeem, a junior from Pakistan majoring in information technology. The crowd wasn’t just watching—they were fully engaged, waving their phones’ flashlights in the air like a sea of glowing fireflies. Some audience members proudly waved their national flags in support of their culture, creating a breathtaking visual display of unity and national pride.
Social media also played a major role in amplifying the event’s excitement. BYU–Hawaii students and attendees flooded platforms like Instagram and Facebook with posts, videos, and reels, showcasing the most exhilarating moments of the night.
A notable post-event tradition continued as audience members zoomed in on their friends performing and shared the footage on their Facebook and Instagram stories, expressing their pride and admiration. These small yet heartfelt gestures further solidified Culture Night as an unforgettable experience for all involved.
A Night to Remember
For many students, Culture Night was more than just a performance—it was a deeply personal and unforgettable experience.
“It feels unreal at first,” said Katarina Hawea, a freshman from Fiji majoring in business management with an emphasis in organizational leadership and supply chain. “I performed for the Fiji Club, and it was surreal because I was sharing the stage with my siblings, who are also attending this school. It was unreal but also extremely exciting.”
For those assisting behind the scenes, the event was equally special. “It’s truly an honor and a humbling experience to be one of the key contributors to this event. It gave me a deep understanding of diverse cultures while also reminding us students of our many blessings here,” said Edwin Abache Jr., a freshman from the Philippines double majoring in political science and intercultural peacebuilding. He adds, “I wasn’t expecting the crowd’s energy to be so unified, reflecting the spirit of an entire nation. Seeing it all come together was truly remarkable, and it made my first Culture Night here unforgettable.”
That spirit of unity and gratitude was further reinforced by Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who addressed the audience of his March 9 devotional with a heartfelt expression of appreciation. Encouraging the attendees to raise and wave their hands in excitement, Elder Gong marveled at the energy and enthusiasm filling the CAC. “Didn’t everyone do spectacularly? Congratulations to everyone who is part of Culture Night,” he said, his words met with resounding nods from the attendees.
The Mission of BYU–Hawaii in Action
Beyond the incredible performances, Culture Night 2025 embodied the mission of BYU–Hawaii to prepare students to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and to foster a spirit of peace, unity, and understanding among diverse cultures. The event showcased the university’s commitment to celebrating cultural diversity and promoting international harmony.
Elder Gong reflected a similar statement during his devotional two days later, saying, “The last couple days, I felt again that this blessed community is the only place in the whole world where we find a holy house of the Lord, a Brigham Young University campus, a Polynesian Cultural Center, a Hawaii Laie Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stakes of Zion, and a gospel community of saints in a household of faith, all in one place.”
As the final performance concluded and students and community members left the CAC with beaming smiles, it was clear that Culture Night 2025 had left a lasting impression. The spirit of the event will live on in the hearts of those who participated and attended as anticipation already begins to build for what the next Culture Night will bring.
In the words of the Student Leadership & Service mission statement, this year’s Culture Night once again provided opportunities for student development, engagement with other cultures, and, most importantly, a celebration of “cultural diversity and promoting peace internationally.”