Hemaloto Tatafu

BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright said he now better “understands the challenges and issues” faced by the people of Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji after visiting the three island nations during the month of June. President Wheelwright made the trip with Elder James J. Hamula, a member of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and first counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency. This was part of a joint effort between BYU–Hawaii and the Area Presidency to prepare more students to receive higher education.

"Whatever Heavenly Father tells you to do, do it. He will help you. Do it with the standpoint of fidelity to your god, spouse, children and you will change the world," said Mitch Davis, keynote speaker of the Leadership Summit Great Ideas Exchange that was held on November 6.

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)

Elder Michael and Sister Annene Hogge, education missionaries at BYU–Hawaii, shared the steps to deepening the roots of an eternal character on the August 25, BYU–Hawaii devotional. Standing side by side with arms around each other, Elder & Sister Hogge took turns sharing a message gleaned through a lifetime learning.

Elder Tad R. Callister, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency and member of the Quorum of the Seventy, spoke at BYU–Hawaii's devotional on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Callister, who was joined by his wife Kathryn, is a native of Los Angeles, California. He recently served as President of the Canada Toronto East Mission (2005-2008), and he and his wife are currently based out of New Zealand.

'Conversation with the President' with President Steven C. Wheelwright, which took place Thursday, August 20, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Aloha Center Mall, was a student-driven open forum—an informal setting. According to the event's Facebook page, 'Conversation with the President' allowed "students to have the chance to identify concerns here on campus and also to identify possible solutions with President Wheelwright."