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On October 3, 2017 our devotional message will be given by Elder Craig A. Cardon, a member of the Pacific Area Presidency.

We are pleased to announce several changes in the BYU-Hawaii academic organizations.

On September 19, 2017 the devotional message will be given by Elder Gary E. Stevenson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

BYU-Hawaii has been ranked the top college in the State of Hawaii by bestcolleges.com.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii announced today that the Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges has reaffirmed the accreditation of the university through 2025. WSCUC’s accreditation process evaluates institutions for their educational excellence and operational effectiveness. The commission’s decision was based on a thorough self-study report prepared by BYU–Hawaii, an offsite review of that report by a WSCUC evaluation team and a three-day campus visit by that same team this past March.

Michael Tejada has been named as Director of Budgets at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. “We are pleased that Michael has accepted this position,” said Vice President of Administration Steve Tueller. “I look forward to working closely with him in this new capacity.” Tejada is an alumnus of BYU–Hawaii where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He later earned a master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Utah. He worked for Deloitte Touche and Bank of Hawaii before joining the BYU–Hawaii team in 2012. Tejada has deep connections to the Laie and Kahuku community. His grandfather Roscoe Sorenson was the Grounds Foreman at the Church College of Hawaii for many years and was also one of the first bishops called in the Laie area. Tejada attended Laie Elementary, Kahuku Elementary and Kamehameha Schools. He was a star baseball player throughout high school and went on to play four years of minor league baseball in the Colorado Rockies organization. He and his wife, Maria, are the parents of four children with a fifth one on the way.

On May 10th, 11 BYU-Hawaii Political Science Major students attended a practicum in Washington D.C. The trip ended with 15 meetings with over 20 professionals, 4 graduate schools with multiple programs, 1 job offer extended, internships gained, and many people willing to be contacted in D.C. for future outreach. The students included Mark Caubalejo from the Philippines, Curtis Delfin from Guam, Siale Hola from Tonga, Erica Knight from the USA, Devin Masse from the USA, Christine Morte from the Philippines, Florencia Sindoro from Indonesia, Zou Suke from the People Republic of China, Jacqueline Tapia from the USA, Kelvin Westerlund from Samoa, and Amber Woodland from Great Britain. Troy Smith, an instructor for the political science department that accompanied the students to the practicum, said that this trip “gets students out of the books and classroom and into the laboratory where a certain form of politics is practiced.” Bill Nixon, involved in Policy Impact Communication, said this, “Tammy and I always look forward to hosting the political science students from Brigham Young University-Hawaii for a barbecue at the house followed by a deep and never dull discussion about how business gets done in Washington, DC. They are remarkable students. We look forward to next time!” Troy also mentioned that it provides opportunities for internships, career possibilities, and graduate school programs. A number of people offered contact information for the students to use in the future. According to Matt McGhie, from the Senate Legislative Counsel, he really enjoyed meeting with the students. He said, “…I am confident that all of them will make meaningful contributions to society in whatever capacity they choose to serve.” The goal, in essence, was to spread the “message that BYU-Hawaii students can succeed if they work hard, persist, and behave professionally.” As seen from the students’ success, this goal was fulfilled. Troy said that this was the fourth practicum trip in 9 years and it will now be an annual trip.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven W. Tueller as Vice President of Administration. The BYU–Hawaii Board of Trustees approved the appointment following the recommendation of the university search committee.

On June 8, 2017 the Spring 2017 Commencement speech will be given by Elder Ulisses Soares, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii is proud to announce that Feki Pouha has joined the university as the manager of the Office of Honor. Feki comes to BYU–Hawaii after serving the past two years as the State Representative for House District 47 (Waialua-Kahuku-Waiahole) on O'ahu's North Shore. Feki received his juris doctorate degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He also earned a bachelor of arts degree in Hawaiian Studies from BYU–Hawaii. As an undergraduate student, Feki helped build, maintain and sail 'Iosepa, the 57-foot oceanic double-hulled-voyaging canoe of La'ie and BYU–Hawaii. He also served as Student Body President from 2006 to 2007. Feki was born and raised in Hau'ula and served an LDS mission in Uganda, East Africa. He and his wife Kieiki have four children. Also of note, Feki was named after and is the grandson of the same Feki Pouha who was the young missionary companion to Elder John H. Groberg as depicted in the movie, "The Other Side of Heaven."

Image by: Olivia Tsan

LAIE, Hawaii – Eni F. H. Faleomavaega, former U.S. Congressional Representative for American Samoa and BYU–Hawaii alumnus (Class of 1964), passed away on February 22 surrounded by loved ones in his home in Provo, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Hinanui, and five children, two of whom also attended BYU–Hawaii.