President Eric B. Shumway of BYU-Hawaii and President Von Orgill of the Polynesian Cultural Center recently accompanied a Hawaii State-sponsored delegation to the People's Republic of China, with the purpose of strengthening existing relationships and establishing new ties for the promotion of tourism, education and business development.
The delegation was led by Governor Linda Lingle and included more than 100 state officials and leaders in business and education. President Shumway and President Orgill, along with the PCC promo team and other executives from the center, were invited by Governor Lingle as "a visual aid, as it were, so people in China could see what it's like to live in Hawaii and what Hawaii has to offer," said President Shumway, and "to represent the cultural side of what is so wonderful about Hawaii ... and the spirit of aloha that is so prominent here," added President Orgill.
"The promo team made up of our university students stole the show," said President Shumway. "Everywhere they went and performed there was tremendous response, and the governor was so pleased."
President Orgill reported that the State "already invited us to accompany them as they return for another trip next year, saying that without the PCC it just wouldn't have been as successful a trip as it was."
One of the more significant events of the tour for President Shumway and President Orgill was the signing of an agreement between BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center and the China Association for the Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture.
"It was a very moving moment," reflected President Shumway. "We were able to give a speech about the agreement, and Governor Lingle applauded us warmly when we signed."
In addition to establishing a general relationship of friendship between the organizations, the agreement will specifically allow for two people working in the China association to come to BYU-Hawaii and the PCC on the Asian Executive Management Internship Program.
"We are excited about this agreement," said President Orgill. "We've been involved with China for many years in that regard, as well as Mongolia in the last few years and now with Tibet. We're expanding constantly that association and that relationship, and we think that it's going to prove to be very beneficial for every one here as well as for them."
President Shumway noted that the China association was equally anxious to have this relationship with the PCC. They were especially intrigued by the relationship that PCC shares with BYU-Hawaii, hiring over 700 or its students who to work in the center.
"They would like to see that happen there, too," he said, "so that young men and women growing up among the Tibetan people will be able to not only learn their culture but portray their culture the way our Polynesian students are able to do here at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It's a very fascinating idea to them, and we are a successful model that they will probably want to follow."
This relationship did not begin in China, explained President Orgill. Several weeks prior to the state-sponsored tour to China, BYU-Hawaii and PCC were graced with a visit from a government delegation from Tibet.
"It was at that particular time that they invited us to join with them in a cultural exchange," he recounted. "They knew about our relationship with others inside of China, both on a cultural level as well as an educational level, and knew that we were involved in exchanges, so they approached us and asked us if we'd be willing to create a similar agreement with them where we could assist in a variety of things they're trying to do."
This agreement was then formalized with the signing of an official document. During this and other occasions on the tour, both President Shumway and President Orgill noticed that Governor Lingle was somewhat surprised that BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center have such a strong presence and close associations in China.
"We've had a relationship with these people for over 20 years," explained President Shumway. "Many of our students have gone back and are now contributing to government, business and education, and that is being recognized, so we were treated with great honor and respect. It was a highlight for me to see the number of high level officials in Chinese business and government who see BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center as real friends."
"The fact that we were there renewing some of our acquaintances while at the same time helping [the State] to generate some new acquaintances and renew some that they have had for many years as well—that combination was a wonderful combination," President Orgill added.
In Beijing, President Shumway was able to meet with the ambassador of the United States to China. He participated in a discussion, along with Governor Lingle, concerning visas and other negotiations that will facilitate an increase in students who can come to Hawaii to study.
While in Beijing, President Shumway and President Orgill also met with several alumni of BYU-Hawaii and the PCC Asian Executive Management Internship Program in a special fireside.
"It was wonderfully attended with a tremendous response," President Shumway reported. "It was so tender to see them there in that setting with the beautiful countenance of members of the Church and BYU alumni. I had a sense that truly BYU-Hawaii and the PCC are fulfilling the vision of David O. McKay in producing young men and women to return to China to become leaders of influence toward peace internationally."
When asked about the missionary implications of the tour to China, President Shumway responded, "As President Hinckley said, we are not there to do anything that will be a consternation to the government. ... But I suspect that as time goes on and as trust develops, there will be a growth of the presence of the Church in China."
In addition to building relationships with China for BYU-Hawaii, PCC and the Church, the tour also helped them "to solidify our relationship with the State of Hawaii and the state government in Hawaii," said President Shumway. "It certainly opened my eyes to the quality of leadership we have in the governor's office.
"We were also pleased that President David McClain of the University of Hawaii was there," he continued. "He had a lot of good things to say both about the governor, about the Polynesian Cultural Center and BYU-Hawaii, and our efforts to move forward together in a unified fashion."
President Shumway and President Orgill reported that there are a number of initiatives that they will follow through on with their relationship with China, including an increase in the number of students admitted from China at BYU-Hawaii and in the Asian Executive Management Internship Program; continued tours with the PCC promo team, as well as a tour with the BYU-Hawaii Concert Choir in 2007; an increase in teacher exchanges with universities in China; and more visits from high-level officials from China to visit BYU-Hawaii and PCC.