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Brigham Young University–Hawaii is launching a new program aimed at giving more options for education at the University. The program, called BYU–Hawaii Online, provides college courses for students preparing to attend BYU–Hawaii, as well as students already on campus who need additional schedule flexibility or who prefer this unique learning method. The program utilizes modern technology to significantly reduce the cost of education for students who can now take initial course work in their native country, without the expense of travel, housing, and other costs associated with traditional college living.

"Brothers and sisters, single or married, as busy as you may be trying to make up time between ... assignments, even if sometimes we have the impression that we are sinking physically and spiritually, let's press forward keeping our eyes on eternity with His help," said Jean A. Tefan (pictured top), Adjunct Professor of Religion at BYU–Hawaii and a former member of the 8th Quorum of the Seventy, at a devotional given on December 1.

Amidst memorabilia in BYU–Hawaii archives is a picture of a South Pacific Islander (Samoan male) performing a hoop dance. The anomaly here is the performance of hoop dancing in BYU–Hawaii’s backyard in the early '70s—a dance which originated with the Navajo Native American tribe.

After hearing the comment, "He seems like such a fun, loving guy … I wonder what it we be like to just spend an afternoon with him," from a student, I decided to find out what it would really be like.

"We all know that not getting up at the appointed hour on your mission or being in violation of the dress code here at BYU–Hawaii is a minor transgression," began Craig Earnshaw at BYU–Hawaii's devotional on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at the Cannon Activities Center. "By itself, it will not impair our eternal salvation. But when we seek to minimize or dismiss such rules that we have agreed to of our own will and choice, when we seek to rationalize disobedience with one excuse or another, then we have started down a slope that may prove most slippery indeed."

On Saturday, October 24, 2009, more than 200 BYU–Hawaii students participated in a large-scale service project on the North Shore. The service was spearheaded by the BYU–Hawaii Student Association (BYUHSA) and the David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding.

"Let us as Latter-day Saints reach out to others not of our faith. Let us never act in a spirit of arrogance or with a holier-than-thou attitude. Rather, may we show love and respect and helpfulness toward them," quoted Keith Lane, BYU–Hawaii Associate Professor of Religion, at the November 17, 2009, devotional at the Cannon Activities Center (see Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Time of New Beginnings," Ensign, May 2000, 87). Lane’s speech, "He Inviteth All to Come unto Him," touched on the fundamentals of tolerance toward other faiths.

"Whatever Heavenly Father tells you to do, do it. He will help you. Do it with the standpoint of fidelity to your god, spouse, children and you will change the world," said Mitch Davis, keynote speaker of the Leadership Summit Great Ideas Exchange that was held on November 6.

"C. S. Lewis observed that the devil 'always sends errors into the world in pairs--pairs of opposites. ... He relies on your extra dislike of the one error to draw you gradually into the opposite one. But do not let us be fooled. We have to keep our eyes on the goal and go straight through between both errors,' " stated Camille Fronk Olson, Joseph Smith Lecturer and Associate Professor of Ancient Scripture from Brigham Young University, at BYU–Hawaii's devotional on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

In an October address at BYU–Idaho, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles hailed the bravery of Oyun Altangerel, a Mongolian woman who paved the way to religious freedom in her country. Her son, Odgerel Ochirjav, is also a pioneer of sorts. He was called to be the first stake president of Mongolia on June 7, 2009.

"Relationships are a very important part of our mortal life," taught Mary N. Cook, the First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at a BYU–Hawaii devotional on November 3, 2009.

In 1995, Bill Child (pictured right), then owner of R.C. Willey Home Furnishings, sold his company to U.S. investor Warren Buffett for $175 million in stock. What does the owner of a Utah-based furniture store have in common with Warren Buffet, the second richest man in the world? They have great admiration for each other.

In the pre-existence, Satan convinced one-third of the people to follow him, stated Arthur Dole Hannemann, President of the BYU–Hawaii First Stake, at a devotional message on October 27, at the Cannon Activities Center, BYU–Hawaii.

BYU–Hawaii has recently introduced a change in the academic advisory system for the fall semester with the creation of three new advisory centers. These centers are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily to all students, regardless of major, and they boast a flexible 'walk-ins are welcome' schedule.

Robyn Bergstrom (pictured right), Dean of the College of Business and Communication, and Professor of Communication at BYU–Idaho, illustrated six "Eves of Understanding" at the October 19 devotional held at BYU–Hawaii's Cannon Activities Center.

BYU–Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright received a visit from several members of the administration of the Guangdong University of Finance (GUF) in Guangzhou, China, on Saturday, September 12. The visitors included Vice President Ma Longhai, Professor Xiao Guanghong, Associate Director of Teaching Affairs Office, and Mr. Liu Hong from the Office of International Exchanges and Cooperation.

Summertime is a welcome break in the life of a college student, but for those on internships, summer takes on a different perspective, and the "play hard, work hard and study hard" attitude heightens the experience.

Grant Underwood, a former BYU–Hawaii religion professor, returned to address students, faculty, and staff in a devotional message on October 13, about Joseph Smith and the revelatory process. Underwood, now a professor of history at BYU, also leads a distinguished career as a Church historian.