Campus Community

Making the transition to a college student can be a daunting, anxiety-filled experience during that first year. It is not uncommon for new students fresh out of high school, from a different country, or even coming back to school after a long absence to struggle with managing their academic requirements, social life, and future goals while living in Hawaii and attending this university. Homesickness, culture shock, and being unaware of the expectations required at BYU–Hawaii all can contribute to a stressful transition to campus and college life. A new online video series developed by students, faculty and staff at BYU–Hawaii is set to help with the transition to college life at the Laie, Hawaii campus.

Students and faculty filed into the CAC to hear Gary Cornia’s devotional centered on measuring one’s life as a child of God. Gary C. Cornia, Dean of the Marriott School of Business at BYU Provo, explained that there is a lot expected from each of God’s children. While nobody is perfect it is important to strive to live up to one’s potential.

The Polynesian Cultural Center celebrated an unforgettable occasion as they opened their doors to the new and improved Gateway Restaurant, during its grand opening on Thursday, November 10, 2011. The newly renovated Gateway restaurant showcases majestic Polynesian tradition and culture, set in a beautiful Hawaiian theme. The much anticipated completion of this restaurant made for a very successful event.

The university is pleased to announce that the groundbreaking for the new multi-use building and new student housing facilities will be held Saturday, December 17, 2011, at 1:30 PM, following the Fall 2011 Commencement exercises held that morning. Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside at the groundbreaking. All are invited to attend and will have the opportunity to break the ground and take a photo following the main program.

What is culture, and what impact does it have on ethical behavior?” This was one of the questions posed by Dr. Lee Radebaugh in his forum entitled “Behaving Ethically in a Global Economy: Does Culture Matter?” Dr. Radebaugh’s forum was presented by the BYU–Hawaii Student Chapter of the BYU Management Society. Dr. Radebaugh is an internationally recognized expert in ethics and leadership, and is the Whitmore Professor of International Business and Director of the Kay and Yvonne Whitmore Global Management Center and Center for International Business Education and Research at BYU in Provo, Utah.

With the international gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) happening in Hawaii on November 8-13, many BYU–Hawaii students were privileged to meet with dignitaries from around the world. One government head with ties to the Church and the university is the Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano, who made time to take the one-hour drive from Honolulu to Laie on Monday, November 14, and meet with students, faculty, and members of the Tongan community. The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, Lady Tu’ivakano, and by the Governor of Vava’u; Lord Fulivai.

As many of the leaders and officials from various nations gathered in Hawaii for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), several dignitaries gave some of their time to come and visit BYU–Hawaii. Among these leaders was Peter O’Neill, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. Accompanied by his wife Lynda May Babao, the Prime Minister visited the Laie campus on Thursday, November 10, amid a very tight schedule of APEC-related meetings. Students from the university’s Hawaiian and Pacific Studies program greeted the visitors with a traditional Hawaiian chant, after which students from Papua New Guinea performed a cultural welcome of their native land. Following an official welcome to the university by Vice President for Academics Max Checketts, Mr. O’Neill addressed a gathering held in the David O. McKay Foyer.

BYU–Hawaii’s student body is the most international in the nation, with students from over 70 different countries – many of which are represented at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. APEC holds annual meetings to discuss ways to promote free trade and cooperation in the Pacific Rim. Twenty-one countries are involved, and this year the gathering was held in Honolulu, Hawaii, November 8-13, 2011. This unique situation afforded students a rare opportunity to meet the leaders of their countries, albeit far from home.

On Wednesday, November 16, 2011, the Music Department will present the ‘Evening of Concertos’ concert, with performers including BYU–Hawaii’s Concert Choir and seven soloists, accompanied by an orchestra comprised of both the Honolulu Symphony and BYU–Hawaii.

John C. Dalton, the Mission President of the Honolulu, spoke about the importance of each individual in his devotional address on November 8, 2011. He focused on missionary work and the worth of each person in the Lord’s work. He started by putting into perspective how many people are on the earth, demographers have recently discovered that there are over seven billion people in the world, then he reminded us that Heavenly Father sees each of his children; he loves them and expects great things from them.

On November 2-3, 2011, BYU–Hawaii’s Willies Center for International Entrepreneurship presented the “Great Ideas Exchange,” a campus-wide event that encourages students to come up with an idea from their chosen field and then share it with their peers and mentors.

After graduation, how does one get a job amongst so many others holding the same degree they do? Creating an edge that puts one ahead in the job hunt can be challenging, but there are ways to get the attention of employers even when the competition is high. These skills were discussed and taught at the International Institute of Professional Protocol (IIPP) Conference sponsored by the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation (BBJFF).

This week, a select group of philanthropists and friends of BYU–Hawaii are gathering on campus and at the Polynesian Cultural Center for the annual Presidents’ Leadership Council meeting in Laie. Their purpose? To meet together with fellow donors, administrators, faculty, and students and build on their common interest in supporting both BYU–Hawaii and the PCC.

Visitors from all over the island and the world have flocked to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) to see this year’s Haunted Lagoon.

The Brigham Young University Hawaii volleyball team is ranked second in the NCAA II West Region in the rankings released on October 26, 2011 by the NCAA. The regional rankings determine which teams will move on to post-season play in the division. The top eight teams in the rankings will compete in the post season regional tournament.

Elder Craig Olson, an Educational Missionary from the Department of Religious Education, spoke at this week’s devotional on “How to Dress for the Second Coming.” He began by describing his home town, Vernon, Utah, and an experience he had one evening while enjoying a family dinner. A bright light ascended above the mountains and illuminated the room he and family were in. His first thought was, ‘this is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ’ and then, ‘I’m not ready, and I’m in trouble.’ Olson continued, “I will never forget the feeling and the thoughts that went through my mind at that time as I quickly examined my life and found myself lacking in too many areas. Fortunately, it was not the Second Coming of the Savior, but a rocket that was launched into the sky from the Nevada testing site."

“To sufi or negotiate the boundaries or tuaoi of religion, culture, custom, history and identity there is really only one bridge and one meaning that survives, that is the bridge of love – God’s love.” This was one of the messages His Highness, Tui Atua Tamasese Tupua Efi, Head of State of Samoa, relayed to an audience of students, faculty, staff, and community members on campus of BYU–Hawaii on September 22, 2011.

Dr. Cary Wasden, professor of finance and economics in the Business Management department, was the selected speaker for this year’s Convocation held in the Cannon Activities Center on Thursday, September 22. His message was titled “Reaping Where We Have Not Strawed,” drawing on the fact that the individuals of this generation have entered a world that has been prepared by those of previous generations. “While I hope my comments have broad application, I am particularly anxious that what I say will benefit the generation who are building their lives and preparing to enter careers,” stated Wasden. “Your world is changing rapidly, more rapidly than any generation before you.”