Campus Community

Imagine everyone at BYU–Hawaii bringing their ideas together to inspire and create better futures. That is what this fall's Leadership Summit Great Ideas Exchange conference aims to accomplish. The BYU–Hawaii Center for International Entrepreneurship invites all students from every major to benefit from the event, which will take place from November 5 to November 6.

Even though BYU–Hawaii graduate Amy Joy Nichols (at right) had never thought of going to Cambodia for an internship, she had the opportunity to go to Phnom Phen and; she had a life-changing cultural experience.

Triggered by a massive Pacific Ocean earthquake, a tsunami struck Samoa on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, leaving many dead. Both Western Samoa and American Samoa were affected. Searches are still being conducted in affected areas, so officials report that the number of deaths may rise.

David and Elizabeth Kammerer joined forces at the pulpit to share a message on the journey that each individual will experience in life. Their devotional message, given on October 6, was presented with four key aspects.

Tropical Storm Ondoy brought 16.7 inches of rain in the span of 12 hours to the Philippines September 26, and created a flood that left a scene of sorrow and devastation affecting BYU–Hawaii students’ family and friends. The death toll has reached 240, and that number is expected to increase as people are unaccounted for after the storm.

The Brigham Young University–Hawaii men's basketball team sits atop the Division II Bulletin preseason national basketball poll released today. It marks the first time in the school's basketball history that the Seasiders have been ranked No. 1. The Seasiders, who finished last season ranked third nationally, finished 27-2 last year and won the Pacific West Conference championship before advancing to the NCAA II West Regional Championship game.

"Hopefully, one of the things that will motivate you to work hard in your learning here on campus is knowing that you have a specific mission to fulfill on earth and that your education is critical to accomplishing that mission," said President Steven C. Wheelwright in his devotional talk given on September 29, 2009, at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. His talk, divided into three parts, focused on 'Education: The Lord's Standard'.

Five new faculty members have joined the BYU–Hawaii ohana to teach courses in political science, psychology, computer science, online curriculum development and Hawaiian studies. The new Hawaiian studies professor, Kali Fermantez (pictured right), returns home to the North Shore where he grew up and to BYU–Hawaii where he completed his bachelor’s degree.

After spending a good portion of his adult life in Asia raising a family in Beijing, Taiwan, and most recently Hong Kong, Elder Anthony D. Perkins of the First Quorum of the Seventy and President of the Asia Area testified of the blessings of allowing the Spirit to guide as we make decisions in life.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii's President's Council kicked off the 2009-10 school year with an ohana meeting for faculty and staff in the McKay Auditorium. The meeting started with an introduction of new faculty and staff who have recently joined the BYU–Hawaii ohana.

A variety of people enjoyed the "Time for Lunch" awareness campaign on the lawn area outside BYU–Hawaii cafeteria on September 5. The event was a joint effort between SIFE, BYU–Hawaii Food Services and other community organizations as part of a national movement trying to "draw attention to The Child Nutritional Act … [and] to bring awareness to healthier school lunches," said Natalie McKinsey who ran the event. (pictured top: sample food from the potluck)

"I would never have lasted this long had I not loved working here with the people, the students, and in this environment," said Vernelle Lakatani (pictured right), of her 40 years serving at BYU–Hawaii in the Registrar's Office.

After learning about BYU's Center for Service and Learning, Emily Judson (on the picture), who is the executive vice president of BYUHSA, wanted to start a similar center here at BYU–Hawaii to help fulfill President David O. McKay's prophecy. But Judson said she did not know how to go about creating it. When Alma Fonua asked her to run for BYUHSA with him, Judson said, "I realized that this was Heavenly Father's way of letting me serve him and the students here to a greater capacity."

At a weekly Tuesday Devotional held on September 1, Elder Mark Eubank, missionary and Director of the Laie Temple Visitors' Center (pictured right), focused on our path to finding Heavenly Father emotionally, spiritually, and even physically in our own lives. Eubank explained, 'Someone said, "I didn't know He was lost." No, He isn't, but maybe we are. Maybe we need to know how to find Him.' After coming to this life and being separated from our Heavenly Father, it is our responsibility to find our way back. "Leaving Heavenly Father's presence and going to the Earth is somewhat similar to leaving our homes and going away to college. We can do what we want; no one has to boss us around. That's part of the plan; this life is a test. Will we, at college, where no parental control is dictating what we do, do the right things? Will we choose the right things?" asked Eubank.

After starting one of the fastest growing companies in America, Alan Akina (pictured top), has decided to finish the degree he started at BYU–Hawaii more than a decade ago.

On Tuesday, September 1, Elder Mark Eubank addressed a much different crowd from the news cameras that he pitched the weather to for over forty years—he spoke at BYU–Hawaii's upcoming weekly devotional to student, faculty and staff; his talk was titled "How to Find God."

In an article titled "Laie on the verge," in the Honolulu Star Bulletin, BYU–Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright explained fact-based reasons that support job creation, modern economic development, and affordable housing in Laie and the Ko'olau Loa region. The article covers topics such as balancing the rising cost of living in the academic market to fit current trends, renovating BYU–Hawaii's physical facilities, and maintaining stability when expanding. Read more…

Cross country, school, marriage, pregnancy and graduation: "I am happy that I did everything in order," said June 2009 BYU–Hawaii graduate Amanda Whitford (pictured right) with a big smile. After earning her degree in elementary education, Whitford was asked how she felt about her experience at BYU–Hawaii.