Kieiki and Paliku Kahalepuna, president and executive vice president of BYUH Student Activities respectively, encouraged students in Thursday's devotional to fulfill the vision that President David O. McKay and others revealed concerning BYU-Hawaii.
The vision, Paliku said, is exemplified by President McKay's prophetic declaration given at the groundbreaking and dedication ceremony of The Church College of Hawaii in 1955:
"One man said the world needs men, true men, who cannot be bought or sold; men who will scorn to violate truth – genuine gold. That's what this school is going to produce. More than that, they'll be leaders. Not leaders only in this island, but everywhere. All the world is hungering for them…and from this school, I'll tell you, will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally."
"Here at BYU-Hawaii we hear that promise often, and I hope you never tire of hearing it," said Paliku. "And I hope that you realize that we, you and I, are the vision."
Another important aspect of the vision, said Paliku, is the harmony amongst diversity here at BYU-Hawaii. Paliku encouraged students to take advantage of this opportunity by participating in the many cultural activities offered on campus.
Quoting former BYU-Hawaii president Alton Wade, he said, “The continuing internationalization of the Church depends on members who understand and respect each other’s cultures and heritages. Within the gospel culture, we must be like a delicious fruit salad, made up of distinctive parts yet unified in our purpose.”
"Unified purpose! That is the vision," Paliku added. "We are from the four corners of the world, places that are heavy in war, hate, and bloodshed, yet we rise above it all here in our refuge of peace. It is our duty to share with the rest of the world the unity, harmony and love of our campus. We are the vision."
Kieiki expounded on the vision of BYU-Hawaii. She explained that started in 1850 when missionaries first arrived to the Hawaiian Islands. As the church grew, she recounted, Laie was set apart as a gathering place for the saints. In 1921 Elder McKay, an apostle at the time, visited Laie and witnessed an inspirational flag raising at the church school.
"My bosom swelled with emotion and tears came to my eyes, and I felt like bowing in prayer and thanksgiving," Elder McKay recorded in his journal. "American, Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino - participated as though thy had belonged to one nation, one country, one tongue. America and the Church of Christ will truly make of all nations one blood. May God hasten the day when this is accomplished."
BYU-Hawaii stands in fulfillment of the prayer, Kieiki said. "But what does this have to do with me?" she asked rhetorically.
"Make no mistake, each of us - students, administrators, faculty and staff members - are here because 'we are the vision that the prophets saw,'" she said. "We must determine today how we will serve him. Will we be like everyone else or will we be different because our purpose and task is different? How will you chose to serve our God here at BYU-Hawaii?"
Both Kieiki and Paliku expressed their strong feeling that it is a privilege to attend BYU-Hawaii, and they encouraged everyone to take advantage of that privilege.
"We have the opportunity to make a difference in the world with the things we learn here," said Paliku. "You are here for a reason a not by chance, I believe that. Take with you from this university the things that our Heavenly Father has blessed you with and fulfill the vision that you are."
"It is my testimony that God has his hand over Laie, BYU-Hawaii, and the glorious Temple," concluded Kieiki. "We will feel the power of his spirit immensely as we begin to realize that we are the vision which the prophets saw."