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“The paper began as almost an experiment in journalism, but it became a reflection of the intellectual caliber of BYU–Hawaii students,” said alumnus Sean Ransom of the Honors journal Hokuloa. This year’s edition, with the theme “Lost in the Shadows” began collecting entries last semester. It normally publishes an issue in Fall and Winter semesters.

BYU-Hawaii’s annual business plan competition concluded its events on Thursday, March 21, after student finalists presented their final proposals, leading them into the awards ceremony. With mounting excitement for the results of the competition, the judges declared Akin Clothing the winners of the Social Entrepreneurship category for this year’s Empower Your Dreams event with Entraide Congo in second place. After the awards were distributed, an unanticipated act of generosity by Ben Howells, founder of Akin Clothing, stunned the crowd. Having already had the opportunity to establish a secure foundation for his businesses launch, Howells decided to switch checks with his runner up, Vulcain Yengo, giving his business plan the funds necessary to get their project off the ground right away.

Elder Kent D. Watson, first counselor in the Asia Area Presidency, was honored with the Global Leadership Award by the BYU–Hawaii student chapter of the BYU Management Society during a recent visit to the Laie campus. The award was presented during an event organized by BYU–Hawaii students, under the direction of Dr. Helena Hannonen, BYU–Hawaii professor and member of the BYU Management Society Global Steering Committee.

Creative writing journal gives students chance to share their talent.

“Whither Shall I Go? The question is not unusual. In an uncertain world, it is a question that each of us will ask and each of us will need to answer.” This was the message that Elder Kent D. Watson, First Counselor in the Asia Area Presidency addressed, as he spoke at the March 20 Devotional in the Cannon Activities Center at BYU–Hawaii.

The BYU–Hawaii Undergraduate Research conference on March 22, 2012, allows students to present work in their fields to peers and advisors.

Two performing groups from BYU–Hawaii’s fine arts department went on a four-day tour to the island of Kauai on March 8-11. The tour was carried out under the direction of Dr. Darren Duerden, percussion professor at BYU–Hawaii, and Dr. Dave Kammerer, brass professor and fine arts chair at BYU–Hawaii. Mounting excitement for the tour helped cultivate a great sense of enthusiasm as the students anxiously prepared for their trip with a single purpose in mind: to spread joy and the spirit of Aloha through the authentic sounds of the steel drums, and the contemporary arrangements of the Brass Ensemble.

Since 2008, BYU–Hawaii has been developing and implementing a year-round calendar in line with the Board-directed imperatives to continue to improve quality, lower costs to students and the university, and serve more students. A new approach developed over the past several months, called Nine Semesters in Residence, supports the year-round calendar yet provides flexibility for students with varying circumstances. Through a series of informational forums and question-and-answer sessions held this week, principles and associated practices and policies were outlined that underscore the reasons and benefits of graduating in nine semesters. Additional information is also available online at academics.byuh.edu/9SIR.

BYU–Hawaii alumnus Richie Norton’s new eBook, Resumes are Dead And What To Do About It, was recently released by Shadow Mountain Publishing, a Deseret Book company. In it, Norton draws from his experience at BYU–Hawaii and his success as an entrepreneur to argue that there is a better way to go about landing the career of your dreams than peppering employers with resumes.

The work of BYU–Hawaii Art Professor Viliami Tolutau will be enjoyed by hundreds of people for years to come at an O’ahu elementary school. On February 3, 2012, Brother Tolutau presented a sculpture of Ho‘okō‘ana o Māuiakalana, or the accomplishments of Māuiakalana, at a ceremony held at Nānāikapono Elementary School in Waianae. He was commissioned by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts as part of their Art in Public Places program. The program works in conjunction with the Artists in Residence program that highlights and places artwork created by local artists to beautify public places and buildings, adding to the environment and the enjoyment of the locations.

“Living with intention requires conquering the natural man and seeking to become a saint” was the council of Margaret Wheelwright, BYU-Hawaii’s First Lady as she spoke at the February 28 Devotional in the Cannon Activities Center.

The world’s largest student conference on hedge funds and private equity featured one of BYU–Hawaii’s students at its annual gathering in January. Marcus Lobendahn, who graduated in December 2011, was not only selected to attend the Alternative Investments Conference (AIC), but won the gathering’s first ever Best Trade Idea Competition.

On Friday January 27, 2012, Judge Bode Uale visited BYU–Hawaii to address political science students here on campus. As a BYU–Hawaii alumnus, Judge Uale expressed his great love for the University as well as his gratitude for having the opportunity to return and speak to the students. Judge Uale received his BS in political science from BYU–Hawaii, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii. After finishing his education he went on to work at the Honolulu Family Court, and is now a Judge for the Hawaii State Judiciary. As well as his distinguished service within the community, Judge Uale has also served as stake president in the Honolulu Hawaii Stake since 2004.

Dr. Don Colton, professor of computer and information sciences at BYU–Hawaii, will be the speaker at the 2012 David O. McKay Lecture on Thursday, February 9. The lecture will be at 11 AM in the Cannon Activities Center. Dr. Colton’s lecture is entitled “Ambiguity: A Two-Edged Sword.”

BYU–Hawaii will be celebrating Spirit Week this week, February 6-11, with a variety of events and activities that have been specifically prepared to commemorate the anniversary of the university’s founding, and its legacy and mission.

Laie Hawaii Married Student Stake reorganizes, prepares for future growth.

Renowned Pianist John Schmidt to perform in the Cannon Activities Center with Cellist Stephen Sharp Nelson on February 17

BYU–Hawaii makes U.S. News lists for best colleges and least expensive private colleges and universities.