Campus Community

Brigham Young University–Hawaii Student Life Vice President Kala Kau announced the Women's Services & Resources (WSR) as a new BYU–Hawaii area with an information and referral network for students, staff, and faculty. As a Student Life program, WSR collaborates with different BYU–Hawaii offices, departments, and the community to best serve both the women and men at BYU–Hawaii. Services, events, and educational initiatives are under development to help meet the needs and enhance the student college experience.

Did you know there is an internationally recognized and decorated taekwondo club on campus? The Changmookwan Taekwondo club became an official presence on campus in the fall of 2019. Indra Lokatama, a senior from Indonesia majoring in psychology, is the founding member who built the club up from ground zero. With the help of fellow students, international organizations, and a committee of grandmasters, he registered the club under the World Taekwondo Changmookwan Federation (an organization that supports the Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters) within two years and now serves 40 registered club members.

The crowd fell silent as the Brigham Young University–Hawaii choir students filed on stage. Within moments a captivated audience listened intently to a slower yet sacred start of a beautiful rendition of "Me-Na-Ri," a Korean piece featuring soloist Dr. Melissa Walker Glenn. It was an incredible start to the following songs performed by the Seasinger Singers, including pieces from Samoa, South Africa, Australia, and East Africa.

Culture Night is a unique annual tradition at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. Culture and special interests clubs on campus gather their members to learn and rehearse dances and skits representing their culture at this two-night event. It is an opportunity for students to develop an understanding and respect for cultures worldwide as they engage through dance and song. Culture Night celebrates the university's mission and cultural diversity and promotes international peace.

Dr. Erica Glenn, a visiting assistant professor of choral activities and voice, and Professor Maclaine Day, an assistant professor of intercultural peacebuilding, both share a deep connection and love for the people of Ukraine. As returned missionaries, Dr. Glenn of the Donetsk Ukraine Mission and Professor Day of the Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk Mission (now Dnepr Ukraine Mission) both had fallen in love with the country of Ukraine and its people. They felt a responsibility to act when hearing of recent tragic events in Eastern Europe.

On Friday, March 4, a small crowd gathered for a private screening of the documentary "Waterman," a biography film of Duke Kahanamoku. The screening was held at the Hawaii Journey Theater, at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Amongst this group came a handful of significant figures in the surfing community here on the North Shore. Many received special recognition from Isaiah Walker, Academic Vice President of BYU–Hawaii. He thanked them for the roles they continue to play as fellow watermen of Hawaii.

This week, students of the Tongan club gathered to sing for a Tonga relief project they are participating in, a community-led effort to aid and support the people in Tonga. However, this wasn't the first time students gathered together as a show of strength and support to their families and loved ones in Tonga. Just weeks ago, on January 15, 2022, an underwater volcano erupted, causing a tsunami to wash through the isles of Tonga, followed by a blanket of ash that coated their islands, contaminating natural water and food sources. This natural disaster has also made it extremely difficult to communicate with the outside world. As a result, many students from Tonga who are currently studying here at BYU–Hawaii still have yet to hear from their families and friends.

Isaiah Walker, Academic Vice President, and President John S.K. Kauwe III spoke at Papa Ola Lokahi’s, “Why Trust Science and History” webinar, a virtual discussion about why it’s important to learn who and what to trust in an era of misinformation.

Brigham Young University–Hawaii is aware of a recent news report that claims there was an “illegal block party” held on campus. The evening of Friday, September 10, HPD came to a university event in response to a noise complaint, worked with school personnel to ensure that those in attendance were in groups of 25 or less and in compliance with applicable restrictions, and then left.

Locals say miracles lead to digitizing of Hawaiian language Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price

Leonard K. Fong, lifelong resident of Honolulu and long-time supporter of BYU–Hawaii, passed away in August at the age of 97. The BYU–Hawaii ‘ohana is deeply grateful for Leonard’s love and generosity toward the university, and we extend our thoughts, prayers, and aloha to the Fong family at this time.

These are extremely challenging times for colleges and universities, including BYU–Hawaii. We appreciate the support the United States Congress has shown to institutions of higher education through the CARES Act. However, although BYU–Hawaii continues to experience significant financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided not to seek or accept CARES Act funding. We have notified the U.S. Department of Education of our decision so that it can reallocate resources to other institutions, some of which may not be able to open their doors to students again without government relief.

The Brigham Young University–Hawaii Salsa Orchestra and Street Band will be traveling to the island of Maui for a four-day tour with performances in Pukalani, Kahului, and Lahaina. Featuring Latin and Jazz music, performances include lively and entraining concerts for the public as well as educational workshops for young music students.

2019 Evening of Concertos Concert BYU–Hawaii

Prior to the start of Brigham Young University–Hawaii's "Voyages of Light" Concert Choir tour to New Zealand and Tahiti, President John S. Tanner visited with part of the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Ian s. Arden expressed the Church's support for education and the strong connection the South Pacific has to BYU–Hawaii.

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