Trent Johnson

With the international gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) happening in Hawaii on November 8-13, many BYU–Hawaii students were privileged to meet with dignitaries from around the world. One government head with ties to the Church and the university is the Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano, who made time to take the one-hour drive from Honolulu to Laie on Monday, November 14, and meet with students, faculty, and members of the Tongan community. The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, Lady Tu’ivakano, and by the Governor of Vava’u; Lord Fulivai.

On November 2-3, 2011, BYU–Hawaii’s Willies Center for International Entrepreneurship presented the “Great Ideas Exchange,” a campus-wide event that encourages students to come up with an idea from their chosen field and then share it with their peers and mentors.

The Brigham Young University Hawaii volleyball team is ranked second in the NCAA II West Region in the rankings released on October 26, 2011 by the NCAA. The regional rankings determine which teams will move on to post-season play in the division. The top eight teams in the rankings will compete in the post season regional tournament.

The campus community met together for the annual University Ohana Meeting on Friday, September 9. Faculty, staff, missionaries and volunteers all met in the McKay Auditorium for the annual gathering ahead of the Fall 2011 semester. President Steven C. Wheelwright opened the presentation with a report on visits to Asia and the Pacific over the summer months. With the plan of expanding the campus, the university is seeking more prospective students who can come to campus prepared to “Learn, Lead, and Build”. “We want to expand the number of applicants to the university and eventually expand the number of students as we are able,” said President Wheelwright. University leaders met with over 7,000 youth and young single adults on trips to target areas in Asia and the Pacific during the past two months.

Kupuna, keikei, and everyone in between came together on Saturday, March 19, 2011, to celebrate the dedication of the new Malaekahana bike and pedestrian path. Over 500 people were in attendance at this momentous occasion. Members from the Kahuku and Laie communities, students from BYU–Hawaii and friends from around the island all gathered to witness the unveiling of the path.

On Tuesday, March 9, 2011, a forum was held in the Aloha Center discussing the topic of “Sustainability.” The forum featured three guest speakers: David Keala from Food Services, Theresa Holmes from Sustain BYU–Hawaii, and Carol Feenga from the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation. Each of the speakers called for a better and more sustainable BYU–Hawaii.