Brigham Young University Hawaii has appointed Education Professor Dr. Hiagi M. Wesley [pictured at right], a BYUH alumnus, as Director of the university's newly renamed and reorganized Jonathan Napela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Studies.
Wesley noted that the Jonathan Napela Center began on campus 50 years ago as The Polynesian Institute and explained, as of this semester it now consolidates Hawaiian Studies, the Pacific Institute, Pacific Islands Studies, and Pacific languages — Tongan, Samoan, Maori, "and, of course, Hawaiian is already included in the Hawaiian Studies program." He also said BYUH web pages for the respective components need to be updated to reflect these latest changes.
Just as Wesley retains some of his Education Department responsibilities in the College of Human Development, he pointed out "professors who teach Pacific Islands courses will also remain in their own departments."
"I'm very excited for this new assignment. It's very much related to my background," continued Wesley, who is originally from the unique island of Rotuma, a small Fijian Dependency about 300 miles north of Suva. "That identity is very important to me," he said. "I know my culture and my language."
Wesley recalled he moved from Rotuma to Fiji at age 16, and then attended Liahona High School in Tonga. After serving a Latter-day Saint mission in Fiji and attending BYU-Hawaii, he transferred to Rick's College (now BYU-Idaho) and then graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees from BYU. Wesley next returned to Fiji as a teacher and administrator at the LDS technical high school in Suva. Later, after earning a doctorate at BYU, he taught at the University of Guam for five-and-a-half years, traveling throughout Micronesia; and he also taught in Utah before joining the BYUH faculty three years ago.
"This is a special place, and I've always wanted to be here," Wesley said of his return to Laie. "I've always wanted to work with the students from this region. It's not just that my roots are in the Pacific, but I've always loved the settings."
"I believe that having a center like this acknowledges that this special institution is built on this island, and validates the people of Hawaii, the culture and our thinking in terms of the Pacific. It recognizes the fact that we cannot do a better job preparing our students unless we know about and authenticate the region in terms of culture, languages, and the political and economic situations."
"This place is very viable in terms of preparing students to serve in this region. For example, the Polynesian Cultural Center is like a laboratory, and this is the academic part of the culture, especially when it comes to research. We hope that this place will say, we'll help you know more about the region. We are helping prepare students to return home. The more they know about their home islands, they will be better contributors when they return home."
He pointed out that, beyond degree-seeking students in the Hawaiian Studies and Pacific Islands programs, others in social work, business, political science, education, etc., from and/or interested in the region, can also benefit from the center.
"I'm excited, knowing that we'll help prepare the students better and the faculty how to teach them better," Wesley continued, pointing out the Napela Center provides materials and helps connect academics through its scholarly journal and other publications. It also helps connect with the broader community through its Board of Fellows — a diverse group representing a wide range of Pacific island cultures and expertise.
"We definitely want to strengthen our programs, reach out to the region, and be a resource," Wesley said. "I know the administration is committed."