Highlights of the work accomplished at BYU–Hawaii this summer.
Major construction projects are reshaping Brigham Young University–Hawaii’s campus, from new residence halls to the upcoming McKay Complex. Leaders and alumni involved in the work say the upgrades are about more than just new buildings; they are about creating student opportunities and strengthening the university’s mission.
In recent months, BYU–Hawaii has completed the office for Counseling Services, opened the Temple View Apartment (TVA) A4 building, and prepared to demolish the Aloha Center and portions of TVA. These transitions begin a larger renewal effort, including the McKay Complex demolition, which will begin soon.
Hale Progress
Porter Thomas, a superintendent with Okland Construction, has overseen the recent housing developments. After completing Hales 11 and 12, he's overseeing the construction of Hale 13, the new male-occupied single-student housing, which features in-unit laundry, three-bedroom layouts, and kitchenettes.
“The in-house laundry makes the students most excited,” Thomas said. “These projects give students more convenience.” Progress continues, and students are expected to move in by early 2026.
Temple View Apartments Phase 2
Alongside hale construction, TVA Phase 2 is progressing. TVA Phase 1 introduced four apartment buildings for BYU–Hawaii students and their families. Phase 2 includes the recently completed A4 and two additional buildings: A5, which is currently receiving finishing touches to its rooms, and A6, which is in its foundation stages. Both will offer 45 new apartments.
Students began moving into A4 in August. This new addition to TVA is the first building with a U-shaped layout, courtyard, and playground. A5 will share an identical layout and is rising quickly.
Within the last month, insulated concrete form (ICF) walls have been completed on the third level, second-level walls have been framed, and first-level plumbing rough-in work has been completed on A5. Foundation work has begun on A6, with underground plumbing installed on the east side and concrete formwork underway to pour the mat slab.
McKay Complex
BYU–Hawaii will undergo a major six-year campus renewal as part of a long-term investment approved by the board of trustees. The project will replace the David O. McKay Classroom Building, Flag Circle, Aloha Center, and McKay Faculty Building with five new facilities. The south end of the Joseph F. Smith Library will be demolished, and the Flag Circle will move north. The new buildings will include classrooms, offices, an auditorium, tutoring spaces, recreation areas, a post office, a snack bar, and a welcome center.
Work has already begun with the sealing off major areas for ground renovations. Partial sections of the of the McKay Building, library, and Flag Circle have been sectioned off so that developments can continue.
At the groundbreaking ceremony held last month, President John S. K. Kauwe III shared, “This new complex embodies what President Jeffrey R. Holland described at my inauguration four years ago: to do all we have done in the past, but do it better, for more students, and in less time.”
The McKay Complex development will display preserved portions of the mosaic that once decorated the entrance of the old McKay Building, showcasing it as a historical piece in the new facility.
Several permits are required for the project. As the City and County of Honolulu approves them, work is moving forward.
At the groundbreaking, architect Benjamin Candari, co-founder of FSC Architects, described the project’s design as rooted in two inspirations: the Hawaiian concept of the three piko—connections to ancestors, the present, and the future—and the Seasider identity, symbolized by the halepua (house of the canoe). The design reflects Hawaiian navigation traditions and reminds BYU–Hawaii students to chart their journey and prepare for leadership in the world.
Over the next several months, crews will demolish old buildings and clear land to lay foundations for the new complex. To protect the natural landscape, teams have already taken steps to safely preserve and transplant native plants and trees from the construction area.
Aloha Center
Thomas will also supervise Building D of the McKay Complex, which will be located where the Aloha Center is now. The two-story building will include music and orchestra rooms, classrooms, and a theater with a stage and retractable seating. The Aloha Center is expected to be demolished before the end of the year. Students and community members gathered to bid farewell to the Aloha Center on September 19.
Construction on Building D is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and finish by mid-2028. For BYU–Hawaii alumnus Makatonga Lee-Kioa, who graduated in 2024, returning to campus as part of Okland’s construction management team is personal.
“This university has done so much for me, and this is my way of giving back,” Lee-Kioa said. “These new buildings will help deliver a premium education and prepare more leaders for the future. I advise students to be grateful; the resources and investment going into these projects are incredible.”
Comfort in the Chaos
Operations Vice President Kevin Schlag acknowledged the disruption of ongoing construction but emphasized the long-term benefits. "Walking around fences and detours can be inconvenient, but we are building viewing platforms and hosting events so students can stay excited. The BYU–Hawaii experience is more than just the buildings. The spirit of the campus remains the same,” he shared.
Schlag added that while some students may graduate before all projects are complete, the work represents a historic investment. “Thanks for your patience,” he said. “The Church is putting so many resources into this campus. BYU–Hawaii’s future will be brighter than ever by the time it is done.”
Even as the landscape of the university shifts, the purpose of BYU–Hawaii remains steady: to prepare students for lifelong learning, service, and leadership across Asia and the Pacific. These construction projects are not just about updating facilities—they are about strengthening the foundation for generations of students who will come to BYU–Hawaii to be educated and spiritually nourished. BYU–Hawaii is committed to building more than new spaces, but building disciples of Jesus Christ who will make a difference in their homes and communities.
