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BYU–Hawaii graduate Eritai Kateibwi named UN Environment Young Champion of the Earth

2017 Evening of Concertos Concert BYU-Hawai‘i

BYU-Hawaii Management Society won the Dean’s Gold Chapter of Excellence Award from the Marriott School of Business on Sept. 28 for their effort in helping society members to create a global network and for striving to inspire society members to become moral and ethical leaders. “Gold is the highest award you can receive in the Management Society,” explained Helena Hannonen, a professor in business and the faculty advisor to the Management Society. “The marvelous thing about the students winning this award is they are competing with professional chapters, and they are winning.” She said the Management Society is a BYU-Provo based society, which has chapters around the world striving to grow moral and ethical leadership. Kathryn Wells, a senior in human resources from Colorado and vice president of the Management Society, said, “It was a year’s worth of work. Lots of hours in meetings, planning, and a little stress, but it was all worth it in the end. I would do it again in a heartbeat.” She explained how the journey took her and her classmates to Utah to receive the Dean’s Gold Chapter of Excellence Award. Alexandria Okolowitz Vu, a senior in finance from Germany and president of the Management Society, explained the organization is an invaluable tool for the students at BYUH who are looking for a job, an internship, or an opportunity to practice their leadership skills. “I used to not even like to talk in front of anybody,” said Vu. “The Management Society has definitely challenged me to not be afraid of myself or other people, and to accept that I will make mistakes. The society has put me out there to practice, to learn, and to help me to adopt the attributes of a seasoned leader.” “Joining the Management Society is an amazing way for students to get their name out there and to be able to network. The Management Society isn’t a regular student club. It has members all over the world that are already seasoned professionals who want to mentor the students,” explained Hannonen. Hannonen related a story of a past student who was helped by the society. She said, “A few years back there was an accounting student who was graduating and had not yet found a job. He was very upset, so right before Christmas break I brought him in to my office and had him join the Management Society. Through the society I helped him contact the president of his local chapter to ask the president to spread his resume around. By the time he left Honolulu, a few days later, he had two interviews lined up, and by the time he landed at home he had a job after he graduated.” Unfortunately, one of the biggest misconceptions about the Management Society is that its only for business majors, explained Wells. “Since joining the Management Society I’ve met so many doctors, dentists, and artists from around the world, the society really can be a benefit to anyone.” Vu said, “The great thing about the society is it doesn’t end here, at BYU-Hawaii. It is all around the world.

“...they have put no difference between the holy and profane...and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them" (Ezek. 22:26).

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

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

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.

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.

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.

BYU–Hawaii learned on Tuesday, February 21, that the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is adding the university to its list of more than 227 postsecondary institutions under investigation. These investigations relate to the federal government’s requirements for responding to reports of sexual harassment.

Brigham Young University‒Hawaii has been named as one of the Best Value Small Colleges for a Business Administration Degree in a recent ranking by Best Value School. BYU‒Hawaii was ranked 2nd on the feature and was additionally recognized for the specialization in Operations and Supply Chain Management.

On Monday, February 20, the community came out to support the Men and Women’s Seasider basketball teams in the Cannon Activities Center as they played their last Seasider basketball games. The athletics department recognized that this special evening for players and the community by arranging special activities to send them out with a bang. Besides a white out theme, ice cream and giveaways, including the opportunity to win a car by shooting and making a half court shot, though the community member just barely missed on that chance! However, the teams played with true determination with musicians performing in half time and activities for the supporters throughout the games.

Kalin Uluave, Brigham Young University—Hawaii student majoring in business management, was selected by Entrepreneurs’ Organization Hawaii as the winner of the 2017 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards statewide qualifier.

The Winter 2017 musical of “Into the Woods” sponsored by the English & Theater Department premiers this week. This is the first production with new head of theater Kristl Densley, replacing the retired Dr. Craig Ferre. Before coming to BYU-Hawaii, Kristl Densley taught theatre and acting at Penn State and Indiana University. She has directed musicals, plays, and operas. Densley herself is a theatre practitioner and an actor.

BYU‒Hawaii officially announces the new academic calendar that will run September-June. BYU‒Hawaii will implement this new calendar starting the semester of Fall 2017. From the revision are significant changes of which to take note.

BYU-Hawaii and the Kaio Family are co-owners of the land in question. BYU-Hawaii has been working with and will continue to work together with the Kaio Ohana LLC to resolve this matter.

The Seasiders Women’s Basketball team has recently returned from a successful Northern California road trip where junior guard, Safia Sheikh, was named Pacific West Conference Player of the Week.