Campus Community

Calling all NBA fans! Brigham Young University–Hawaii is thrilled to announce its role as the host of the 2023 Utah Jazz Training Camp from Tuesday, October 3, to Saturday, October 7.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii President John S.K. Kauwe III and first lady Monica S. Kauwe recently journeyed to Mongolia to meet with local Church leaders, cherished alums, and prospective students. The visit was of special significance for church members as it coincided with the 30th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' establishment in Mongolia.

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Halaevalu Mataʻaho Napua-o-kalani Tukuʻaho, who currently serves as the High Commissioner of Tonga to Australia, arrived at the Brigham Young University–Hawaii campus to conduct research in the Joseph F. Smith Library's Pacific Islands Research Room.

Over the weekend, the 2023 Kenneth W. Baldridge Prize awarding took place at the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Regional Conference at Hawaii Pacific University.

In February, business management professors Ann and Scott Springer hosted the 2023 Association for Business Communication (ABC) Western Region Conference at Brigham Young University–Hawaii.

The Brigham Young University–Hawaii Hoʻolōkahi Chamber Choir traveled to the Big Island to share a multicultural choral music and dance program and left with unforgettable experiences and cherished memories.

It was an eventful weekend on campus as BYU–Hawaii hosted the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Wrestling Championships. The tournament brought in the top qualifying wrestlers from across the entire state of Hawaii to Oahu's North Shore. Boys and girls from over 50 high schools competed in the championship with the unwavering support of their families, friends, and communities.

Last week, U.S. ambassador to Mongolia, Richard. L. Buangan visited Brigham Young University–Hawaii, to meet with students from Mongolia.

For the first time in nearly five years, Brigham Young University–Hawaii welcomed back the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to the Cannon Activities Center for back-to-back basketball tournaments. And although BYU–Hawaii didn't have a sports team participating, there were numerous ways in which students, faculty, and staff were involved in hosting such major sporting events.

In a recent trip to the island nation of Samoa, University President John S.K. Kauwe III and First Lady Monica Kauwe met with prospective students, community leaders, and academic officials to further the university's mission in the Pacific.

President John S.K. Kauwe III and Sister Monica S. Kauwe were joined by special visitors Elder Clark G. Gilbert and Sister Christine Gilbert for the fall 2022 new student orientation. Each had the opportunity to address those embarking on their educational journey at Brigham Young University–Hawaii in Sunday's devotional.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii Student Life Vice President Kala Kau announced the Women's Services & Resources (WSR) as a new BYU–Hawaii area with an information and referral network for students, staff, and faculty. As a Student Life program, WSR collaborates with different BYU–Hawaii offices, departments, and the community to best serve both the women and men at BYU–Hawaii. Services, events, and educational initiatives are under development to help meet the needs and enhance the student college experience.

Did you know there is an internationally recognized and decorated taekwondo club on campus? The Changmookwan Taekwondo club became an official presence on campus in the fall of 2019. Indra Lokatama, a senior from Indonesia majoring in psychology, is the founding member who built the club up from ground zero. With the help of fellow students, international organizations, and a committee of grandmasters, he registered the club under the World Taekwondo Changmookwan Federation (an organization that supports the Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters) within two years and now serves 40 registered club members.

The crowd fell silent as the Brigham Young University–Hawaii choir students filed on stage. Within moments a captivated audience listened intently to a slower yet sacred start of a beautiful rendition of "Me-Na-Ri," a Korean piece featuring soloist Dr. Melissa Walker Glenn. It was an incredible start to the following songs performed by the Seasinger Singers, including pieces from Samoa, South Africa, Australia, and East Africa.

Culture Night is a unique annual tradition at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. Culture and special interests clubs on campus gather their members to learn and rehearse dances and skits representing their culture at this two-night event. It is an opportunity for students to develop an understanding and respect for cultures worldwide as they engage through dance and song. Culture Night celebrates the university's mission and cultural diversity and promotes international peace.

Dr. Erica Glenn, a visiting assistant professor of choral activities and voice, and Professor Maclaine Day, an assistant professor of intercultural peacebuilding, both share a deep connection and love for the people of Ukraine. As returned missionaries, Dr. Glenn of the Donetsk Ukraine Mission and Professor Day of the Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk Mission (now Dnepr Ukraine Mission) both had fallen in love with the country of Ukraine and its people. They felt a responsibility to act when hearing of recent tragic events in Eastern Europe.

On Friday, March 4, a small crowd gathered for a private screening of the documentary "Waterman," a biography film of Duke Kahanamoku. The screening was held at the Hawaii Journey Theater, at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Amongst this group came a handful of significant figures in the surfing community here on the North Shore. Many received special recognition from Isaiah Walker, Academic Vice President of BYU–Hawaii. He thanked them for the roles they continue to play as fellow watermen of Hawaii.

This week, students of the Tongan club gathered to sing for a Tonga relief project they are participating in, a community-led effort to aid and support the people in Tonga. However, this wasn't the first time students gathered together as a show of strength and support to their families and loved ones in Tonga. Just weeks ago, on January 15, 2022, an underwater volcano erupted, causing a tsunami to wash through the isles of Tonga, followed by a blanket of ash that coated their islands, contaminating natural water and food sources. This natural disaster has also made it extremely difficult to communicate with the outside world. As a result, many students from Tonga who are currently studying here at BYU–Hawaii still have yet to hear from their families and friends.