Leilani Miller

The BYU–Hawaii Salsa Orchestra (pictured at right at the Honokaa Peoples Theater) and Brass Ensemble added a little flavor and style as they toured the Big Island March 11–14, 2010. The group of students performed their way through five concerts in three different towns including Kona, Honokaa, and Hilo, with a unique teaming of ensembles and combination of Latin jazz, pop, religious, and classical music that offered Big Island audiences a one-of-a-kind experience.

At a weekly Tuesday Devotional held on September 1, Elder Mark Eubank, missionary and Director of the Laie Temple Visitors' Center (pictured right), focused on our path to finding Heavenly Father emotionally, spiritually, and even physically in our own lives. Eubank explained, 'Someone said, "I didn't know He was lost." No, He isn't, but maybe we are. Maybe we need to know how to find Him.' After coming to this life and being separated from our Heavenly Father, it is our responsibility to find our way back. "Leaving Heavenly Father's presence and going to the Earth is somewhat similar to leaving our homes and going away to college. We can do what we want; no one has to boss us around. That's part of the plan; this life is a test. Will we, at college, where no parental control is dictating what we do, do the right things? Will we choose the right things?" asked Eubank.

Robert Grow expounded upon the example of the Brother of Jared and his relationship with the Lord at a BYU–Hawaii Devotional on August 4. "I love the story of the Brother of Jared because it is the story of a great man, with great faith, who loves the Lord but also feels paralyzing fear when faced with an overwhelming challenge," said Grow, founding Chair Emeritus of Envision Utah and chief consultant of Envision Laie (pictured top). "It is the story of how the Lord leads him through that fear until he exercises greater faith than any prior mortal. His experiences teach us the process the Lord uses in our lives to overcome our fears and help us act with faith."

Brigham Young University–Hawaii Biology students Daniel Ka’onohi and Keone Young (pictured top) are knee deep in a three-year long mentoring program provided in conjunction with Brigham Young University in Provo, BYU–Hawaii, and a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Last year Professors Dr. David Bybee of BYU–Hawaii and Dr. Michael Whiting of BYU joined forces to take a group of biology students from both institutions to Papua New Guinea, a remote and relatively unstudied region of the southwest Pacific. "We decided that we could get a collaboration going," explained Bybee. "Whiting, an entomologist, would do the rain forest work, I, a marine biologist, would do the coral reef work, and the students we brought with us would get valuable field work experience in both terrestrial and marine environments."

Visiting professor of religion, Susan Easton Black (pictured top), shared a message of the significance of motherhood using many powerful anecdotes from the life of a young prophet in her remarks at a BYU–Hawaii Devotional held Tuesday, July 7. Through her passion in studying church history and genealogy, Black was able to recount many instances where a mother had an important influence on the life of Joseph F. Smith. As the sixth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and son of Hyrum Smith, Mary Fielding Smith raised a son who, despite having to grow up rather quickly through many hardships, was profoundly affected by the women in his life.

"You are, in every respect, the Hope of Israel," was Elder David S. Baxter's message to young adults at Brigham Young University–Hawaii's initial summer term devotional this past Tuesday, June 9. While en-route to establish the first Latter-day Saint Stake in the Marshall Islands, Elder Baxter of First Quorum of the Seventy and President of the Pacific Area took time to charge BYU–Hawaii students with the responsibility of the future of families, of nations, and of the church. '…We should be in no doubt that we do live in an age when a battle is raging,' remarked Elder Baxter. 'There is a war between truth and falsehood, right and wrong, good and evil. As today's rising generation the call comes to you, as it has to those who have gone before, "Hope of Israel, rise in might!" ' Elder Tad Callister, Second Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency, also accompanied Elder Baxter to the Marshall Islands.

The exciting sounds and contagious spirit of Brigham Young University Hawaii's steel drum band "Shaka Steel" permeated the island of Maui as the ensemble shared their exhilarating music with Latter-day Saints and non-members alike March 12 through March 15. From a radio show, mall gig, high school exchange, and concert in Kahului to an exciting beach side performance and combined ward activity in Lahaina, the ensemble had a jam packed tour uplifting the spirits of the many people, tourist and residents alike, that were within range of the thrilling tunes and unique sound of the steel pan and marimba. "It was excellent. They were so fun!" said Sharon Ako, Lahaina resident counselor in the Lahaina 1st Ward Relief Society. "They made absolutely beautiful music, very entertaining and happy!"

Laie, HI—Shaka Steel, Brigham Young University Hawaii's steel drum band is scheduled to perform at several locations on Maui between March 12–15. Performances will include both high school exchanges as well as community concerts.

In accordance with Brigham Young University Hawaii's mission to prepare students for the next chapters in their lives, a new program entitled International Institute of Professional Protocol (IIPP) has been developed to educate participants about the code of behavior in diverse professional situations. Sponsored by Barbara Barrington Jones and the Hal and Barbara Jones Foundation, long time supporters of the university and its mission, the institute is geared toward students developing job-seeking skills and other qualities that will help participants stand out in the interview process and the work place. Scheduled for the week of March 9, just after the Center for International Entrepreneurship's Business Plan Competition, IIPP offers a set of four core classes, one optional class, and an etiquette banquet and other gifts as a reward for completion of the program.