Campus Community

Thanks to today's technologically advanced world, the extensively long, tedious hours researching ancestors and doing family history work have essentially become, well, a thing of the past. While researchers may still spend numerous hours searching, utilization of various Web sites on the Internet surely speeds up the process.

An ad hoc committee is developing the conceptual framework and a new set of standards for student employees that will ensure all work experience on the BYU-Hawaii campus and at the Polynesian Cultural Center will contribute significantly to their overall education and career preparation.

LeeAnn Lambert, advisor to BYU-Hawaii’s student newspaper, Ke Alaka’i, admits she was amazed when the publication won a 2007 Associated Collegiate Press Online Pacemaker Award during the organization’s recent national conference in Washington D.C.

The second annual International Business Conference, held in Laie from November 6-10, presented participants with a compelling mixture of professional advice, spiritual instruction and stimulating activities.

Seashell trumpets sounded as CES Commissioner W. Rolfe Kerr, over a dozen BYU-Hawaii and Polynesian Cultural Center leaders, community kupuna [elders] and residents, contractors, carvers, and others used traditional Hawaiian o'o or digging sticks on November 6 to ceremonially break ground in the PCC's Hawaiian village where a halau waa or learning compound will be constructed to permanently house the university's 57-foot twin-hulled sailing canoe, Iosepa.

Stace Hall | University Advancement | 08 November 2007


At a media question-and-answer session following inauguration, President Steven C. Wheelwright was all smiles. "I feel terrific," the newly installed leader said. "It's so great to have President Eyring here, to have my wife and family here, and to have the entire BYU 'ohana family… it's great. I love it!"

That BYU-Hawaii 'ohana included thousands on campus who arrived to show their support for the ninth president of the university. Some of the highest praise came from President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Michael D. Kipp, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of a technology research company in Provo, Utah, who will participate in the second annual International Business Conference on campus from Nov. 6-10, spoke to School of Computing students in their Nov. 2 InForm session about the astounding progress of technology over the past 60 years.

There's a reason why the slogan of American Money Group Asia Pacific Basketball Classic reads: "A tournament like no other." Competition of the event certainly proved the validity of that statement as teams from mainland China, Fiji, American Samoa, and Hawaii faced off on the campus of BYU-Hawaii. However, as part of its exclusive feel, this year's classic offered some valuable insights.

International scholars of French music will convene on the BYU-Hawaii campus, 15 to 21 November, to participate in a series of presentations, lecture/recitals and performances.

In his October 29 question-and-answer meeting, BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright fielded queries that centered around themes of distance-learning initiatives, organizational streamlining, moving toward a trimester system and enrollment trends.

Rosemarie Howard | University Advancement | 29 October 2007



Rising country music star Cindy Standage will take the stage Saturday, 10 November at 9:15 p.m. in the BYU-Hawaii McKay Auditorium. Several BYU-Hawaii vocalists have been invited to join Standage in performing her rendition of “Did You Think to Pray?”  They include: Janette Manzano, Joseph Moore, Matthew Brox, Esther Langi, Janelle Cramer and Denzil Kumar.
Although the Atlanta, Georgia, native has been performing as a vocalist and guitarist since she was 14, she only recently released her first album, “Same Red Hair.”

University Advancement | 30 October 2007

American Money Group and Brigham Young University Hawaii have released the final schedule for the upcoming basketball classic, held this week at the Cannon Activities Center at BYU-Hawaii.

The event's games begin this Thursday night and run through Saturday. Countries represented at this year's classic include American Samoa, China, Fiji, and the United States. The schedule is posted below. 

Games of the American Money Group Asia Pacific Basketball Classic are free of charge to BYU-Hawaii students, faculty, and staff with a BYU-Hawaii identification card. Each day, other students with a university/college ID may purchase a ticket for $2 at the door, good as an all-day pass. A one-day pass for the general public sells for $5.

Thursday, November 1
Huazhong University vs. Fiji National Team      7:30 p.m.

BYU-Hawaii political science professor Dr. Jon T. M. Jonassen drew on his extensive experiences as a leader and diplomat in the South Pacific to encourage university students, faculty and staff to "engage and endure well" during his October 25 devotional address in the Cannon Activities Center.

Dozens of top business executives, entrepreneurs and special guest speakers will come to the BYU-Hawaii campus and the Polynesian Cultural Center to participate in the second annual International Business Conference from November 6-10.

University Advancement | 23 October 2007

The California-based company American Money Group, Inc. recently announced that, for the second consecutive year, it will be the title sponsor of the Asia Pacific Basketball Classic. Games begin at the BYU-Hawaii campus Thursday, November 1, and run through Saturday night.

The CEO of American Money Group, Frank Peck, spoke on campus earlier this month, just one day after his company made the sponsorship announcement (Read about his visit here) . "We try to be balanced, not just in our personal lives, but also with our company, and if we found worthwhile causes that we can give back…that's what we want to do.  I think this [is] a worthwhile cause," Peck said.

Rosemarie Howard | University Advancement | 22 October 2007


Nostalgic sounds of Reunion, will caress the ears of listeners Wednesday, 7 November, in the BYU-Hawaii McKay Auditorium.  The group will perform a semi-private concert as part of the International Business Conference to be held November 6 to 10 on the BYU-Hawaii campus.

The Tokyo-based chairman and corporate planning trainer of a large, multi-national human resources company recently conducted job search workshops on the BYU-Hawaii campus to help Japanese students better prepare to enter the labor market back home. In fact, their visit is believed to be the first time a Japanese company has ever carried out such training in the United States.

Stace Hall | University Advancement | 19 October 2007

Latter-day Saints have a duty to keep themselves clean in order to be an effective instrument in the hands of God, Darren Duerden, associate professor of music, told the audience at this week's devotional.

Duerden, a seven-year member of BYU-Hawaii's music faculty and talented musician, shared a unique perspective on the scriptural phrase an instrument in the hands of God. "To the musical artist, no possession, at least that can be owned, is more valued than their instrument. It is their voice or medium for expression," he said.