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.
Dr. Rand Blimes, Political Science:
"You not only got a job in this economical slump, but you got a job in Hawaii!" has been the reaction from people said Rand Blimes (pictured left) when he tells them about his new job at BYU–Hawaii. He was recently hired as a faculty member in the Political Science Department. Blimes said he and his wife, Michelle, and their daughters Sierra (11), Kali (8), and Arwen (6), are delighted to be in this beautiful paradise.
Blimes served a mission in Northern Japan. Upon return home, he wrote in his journal that he would always feel torn. He would miss the people of Japan when he went home, but when he was in Japan, he would miss being home. He feels BYU–Hawaii is the one place in the world where he will not miss either place more, and he looks forward to being here where there is such cultural diversity.
He enjoys doing things outdoors like camping, kayaking, backpacking and photography. He also enjoys cooking and playing the guitar. But he added that he is looking forward to surfing as soon as someone will teach him how.
Blimes, who grew up in Ohio, received his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, and his master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Colorado. He also taught for one year at BYU while he was writing his doctoral dissertation. Dr. Boyd Timothy, Psychology:Boyd Timothy (pictured right) and his wife Kandi were surprised at the lapse of time between their visit to the BYU–Hawaii campus for an interview and when they found out Timothy would be teaching here; although surprised, they were very ecstatic.
Timothy grew up in Rexburg, Idaho, where his father was a professor in psychology at BYU–Idaho. He said he received his associate's degree in art from BYU–Idaho, his bachelor's degree in psychology from BYU and his doctoral degree from Clark University in Massachusetts. He taught at Clark University while he was earning his doctoral degree, and then for a year in a temporary position at the same university before coming to BYU–Hawaii.
Timothy said he used to enjoy painting and illustrating, but doesn't have the time to do it now. But, he does enjoy drawing for his children Samantha (4) and Benjamin (18 months).
He looks forward to teaching at BYU–Hawaii where questions which could not be addressed in other universities can be answered honestly in the "framework of my beliefs," he said.
Dr. Michael Griffiths, Development of Online Curriculum (DOC):
Last year when the announcement was made that BYU–Hawaii would be hiring someone as the director of Development of Online Curriculum, said Michael Griffiths (pictured left), he knew why he had been inspired to move to Utah to get his education at BYU. He said he knew that all of his years of schooling had prepared him for this particular position.
Griffiths, born and raised in England, said he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 19 years of age. Two years later he served a mission in France where he met his wife, Corrine. In 2002, he said, they felt inspired to move with their three children to pursue his education at BYU. After seven years of arduous work (and two more children), he earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
He has played soccer all of his life and enjoys it with his family along with swimming and rugby, though he admits there has not been a lot of time for entertainment in the past few years. His only regret about all the years of schooling is he has not been able to spend as much time with his children, Thomas (13), Timothy (11), Marie (7), Chloe (4) and William (2).
Griffiths said his new job of creating the online education program is like forming a brand new business. He feels like he is helping to fulfill the admonition of President Gordon B. Hinckley because this new program will help people on campus and all around the world to have the opportunity to get an education. Dr. Aaron Curtis, Computer Information System (CIS):
After finishing his undergraduate work and master's program at BYU, Aaron Curtis (pictured right) left with his wife, Molly, and their three children for Indiana University, where he completed his doctoral studies. While in Indiana two more children were born, and since they have moved to Laie in June, a daughter has been born here too.
The Curtis children, Elija (9), Micah (7), Abinadi (5), Anialea (3), Jeshua (1) and Jeteijie (6 weeks), said their father has been in the state of transition with a new home, new friends, new school, new baby and new culture, but they are intrigued by the new environment. They especially love the Polynesian Cultural Center and collecting geckos.
Curtis enjoys reading with his wife, playing the clarinet, collecting folk tales and being with his children.
When asked what he could do to make a difference at BYU–Hawaii, he recalled what Elder Craig Christensen, of the Seventy advised him during his interview for his present position: "Remember, you change lives one person at a time." He looks forward to interacting with the students individually as well as collectively.
He also anticipates being part of the transition at BYU–Hawaii—to teach more people with fewer resources. Curtis said he hopes to find ways to impact the world as he teaches in this multi-cultural environment.
Dr. Kali Fermantez, Hawaiian Studies:
Born and raised in Hauula, Kali Fermantez is coming home to teach in the Hawaiian Studies Department at his alma mater, BYU–Hawaii. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge acquired as he earned his master's degree at BYU and doctorate degree at University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Fermantez "is particularly interested in the way cultural revitalization can empower island peoples as they work toward social justice." To this end, he said he seeks to incorporate indigenous epistemologies (ways of knowing and thinking) into his teaching like it is done in the University of Hawaii system. He said he has taught as a graduate student in the Geography Department and the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at University of Hawaii at Manoa, lectured at Leeward and Honolulu Community Colleges, and most recently as an assistant professor of Geography at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
When asked what he could contribute to BYU–Hawaii, he said he wants to "emphasize local, Hawaiian, and Pacific perspectives on campus, and expand the reach of the Napela Center as part of the broader mission of BYU–Hawaii."
Fermantez said he enjoys surfing and his family. He said his wife, Kaiwa, are the parents of their daughter Kialoa (8), son Kona'aihele (6), daughter Ka'ena (4), and son Pokaiaua (2).