Emily Judson

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.

“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.