Campus Community

Upon driving around the Flag Circle into the entrance of Brigham Young University – Hawaii, the scene that captures the attention of most visitors is the grand mosaic depiction of President David O. McKay at the flag-raising ceremony of the local elementary school. The scene resonates in the hearts of all who understand the prophetic mission of the University. For Norman Burr, the sight brings back a humbling sense of accomplishment.

Michael Preece, former president of the London South Mission, promised to teach BYU–Hawaii’s students and faculty some of the most important things he knows at a devotional held on Sept. 28.

BYU-Hawaii had the opportunity to hear from one of the members of the first Seventy, Elder Gary E. Stevenson at a weekly devotional on September 21.

Practical application of classroom learning is often a difficult aspect of teaching. However, David Bybee, assistant professor of biology at BYU–Hawaii, seems to have found the solution: service. For the last two terms, Bybee has brought his subject to life by taking his Conservation Biology and Biology 100 classes to help with native Hawaiian forest restoration projects. The projects are located behind the University along the Ko’olau Summit Trail and near the Kahawaiinui Trail at a site recently burned by forest fire. Bybee calls the fire site “the battlefront” and describes it as a war raging between the native Hawaiian rainforest and the invasive plants that have gained a foothold since the fire.

The BYU–Hawaii Ohana honors the memory of Jack Van Johnson who passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2010, at the age of 69. Johnson is remembered for his service to the University, his family, and the Lord. He was born September 9, 1941, in Preston, Idaho, and came to Hawaii to teach in 1964. He met his eternal companion, Cassandra Hom, in Hawaii and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on May 31, 1968. During his time at BYU–Hawaii, Johnson served simultaneously as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Associate Vice President of Academics for more than a year. When the College of Arts and Sciences was reorganized in November 1996, Johnson was appointed Dean and had responsibility over the seven divisions the college included.

Paralleling the Book of Mormon chapters in Helaman to the world today, BYU-Hawaii biology Professor David Bybee spoke on how to live righteously when surrounded by wickedness at the Aug. 24 devotional.

Recently-retired Max Stanton was much more than a teacher during his years at BYU–Hawaii. Initially a student at Church College of Hawaii, then professor of Education, Sociology, Anthropology, Religion, and Tourism, and head of the Sociology Department for three years, Stanton’s work at BYU–Hawaii has been vast and varied.

Although thinking of and remembering our Father in Heaven seems like a basic gospel principle, President Finau Hafoka spoke on this topic at a weekly devotion on August 17 to remind students and faculty of what they have learned and should remember.

While members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are called “Special Witnesses” of Christ, BYU-Hawaii Honor Code Advisor Meli Lesuma said in his devotional address that all who are members of the LDS Church are witnesses of the Lord.

BYU-Hawaii’s physical plant was recognized by InterfaceFLOR Thursday, July 26 for taking measures toward greater sustainability.

“Today I would like to share with you what helped to shape my life since joining the church. I would like to title it: IF NOT I, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” said Sister Angelina Hsu, announcing the topic of her devotional message on August 3 in the Cannon Activities Center.

As part of Laie Days, cast and crew of the Mormon classic “Johnny Lingo” came and celebrated the 42nd anniversary of the film.

Ebony Gipson, a sophomore from California studying special education, said the Club Dining Facility on March 31 was an award winning night, and she wasn’t alone.

On Tuesday, July 27, BYU–Hawaii had the privilege of hearing from both Brother and Sister Checketts at a weekly devotional.

“If you measure, then you improve,” says Dr. Helena Hannonen, the Chair of the Business Management Department. And measure they have. (At Top: Dr. Hannonen speaking with students) A year ago, the Business Management major underwent a significant change and was reorganized into six, specified tracks rather than the former, more general International Business Management major. Since that time, meticulous records have been kept to track the progress of the change. In the past year, the number of students in the program has increased from 539 to 599, but numbers aren’t the only evidence of progress. The quality of education the Business Management department offers has also been raised to a higher level than ever before. Hannonen says, “I require my students to stand up when ladies walk in. I require that when they present, they have business clothing… They are acting like business people while they are here.”

For Sione Feinga, a native of Ha’alaufuli, Tonga, the half-decade he served as a labor missionary hardly seemed to be a sacrifice, even though he served a three-year mission in Tonga and was then called to serve another two-year mission to Hawaii. He remembers, “When the missionaries got called to Hawaii, we just jumped with joy…. We thought we were going to Heaven, coming to Hawaii.” (At top: Sione and Alice Feinga in McKay foyer) In 1960, 24-year-old Feinga and 30 of his peers were called to leave their native island of Tonga and come to Hawaii to build the present-day BYU–Hawaii. Before leaving Tonga, Feinga saw building plans and was prepared to work on the construction of Hales 3, 4, 5, and 6. What he couldn’t have anticipated, however, was the legacy that he would build in the years that followed.

BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright said he now better “understands the challenges and issues” faced by the people of Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji after visiting the three island nations during the month of June. President Wheelwright made the trip with Elder James J. Hamula, a member of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and first counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency. This was part of a joint effort between BYU–Hawaii and the Area Presidency to prepare more students to receive higher education.

A team of BYU–Hawaii students are currently in Saipan to collect, analyze, document, and photograph marine specimens native to this part of the world. Dr. Roger Goodwill, Biology Department Chair, and his student team arrived in Saipan on Sunday, July 4, 2010 and have recorded 131 species as of July 10, just within their first week in Saipan. They found an array of crabs, sea worms, sea urchins, shrimps and other unique specimens, some of which are the most deadly creatures in the ocean.