Ke Alaka'i New Student Issue Spring 2023

THE LEADER

NEW STUDENT 2023

N E W S TUDEN T 2023 1

TEAM MEMBERS Advisor_Leeann Lambert Editor-in-Chief_Hadley Wurtz Managing Edior_Antoniette Yee-Liwanag Art Director_Sugarmaa Bataa Lead Photographer_Yui Leung Copy Editor_Manhattan Ethington Copy Editor_Elijah Hadley Journalist_Ranitea Teihoarii Journalist_Chenoa Francis Journalist_Linda Laulu Journalist_Mutia Parasduhita Journalist_Sharini Shanmuganathan Journalist_Chrysanthemumolive Tiafau Journalist_Karl Aldre Marquez Journalist_Kylee Denison Journalist_Rahel Meyer Journalist_Abigail Harper Journalist_Mahana Tepa Journalist_Lexi Langley Journalist_Nichole Whiteley Journalist_Kylee Denison Journalist_Levi Fuaga Journalist_Jieun Shin Journalist_Xyron Levi Corpuz Journalist_Viviana Chuah Journalist_Anna Stephenson Journalist_Abbie Putnam Journalist_Lauren Goodwin Journalist_Elle Larson

Graphic Designer_Yichi Lu Graphic Designer_Katie Mower Graphic Desinger_Emily Hendrickson Graphic Designer_Marlee Palmer Graphic Designer, Photographer_Enkthuvshin Chimee

Photographer_Joseph Ariono Photographer_Zane Saenz Photographer_Uursaikh Nyamdaleg Photographer_Marwin Villegas Photographer_Kristen Staker Photographer_Pristine Shek Photographer_Mark Daeson Tabbilos

NEW STUDENT ISSUE 2023 2 KE AL AKA‘I 2023

Aloha seasiders!

NEWS CENTER: Box 1920 BYUH Laie, HI 96762 Editorial, photo submissions & distribution inquires: kealakai@byuh.edu To view additional articles go to kealakai.byuh.edu

CONTACT: Email: kealakai@byuh.edu Phone: (808) 675-3694 Office: BYU–Hawaii Aloha Center 134 ON THE COVERS: New student orientation events are held in the Cannon Activities Center. Photos byYui Leung

ABOUT The Ke Alaka‘i began publishing the same year the University, then called Church College of Hawaii, opened. It has continued printing for more than 60 years.

The name means “the leader” in Hawaiian.What began as a monthly newsletter, evolved into a weekly newspaper, then a weekly magazine and is now a monthly news magazine with a website and a social media presence.Today, a staff of about 25 students work to provide information for BYU–Hawaii’s campus ohana and Laie’s community.

© 2023 Ke Alaka‘i BYU–Hawaii All Rights Reserved Graphic Emily Hendrickson.

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CONT

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TENTS Campus

6 President Kauwe’s inauguration

110 To ride the bus, get a HOLO card

10 Hawaii - the Sunshine State

112 Malama aina or care of the land

12 Managing culture shock

114 Marketing class b digital

14 100 Things to Do Outside Your Room

118 Global connections

18 Taking care of your mental health

120 Key Hawaiian words

22 Academic advising

124 Parking on campus

24 Dating ideas

128 Fitness Center special hours

26 AAPI art show

130 BYUH Store’s services

28 Science Building

132 Joining campus clubs

34 Empower Your Dreams competition

136 On-Campus Internship course

36 Campus composting

138 Average salaries for various majors

48 Mongolian U.S. ambassador visits

140 The Mail Center in the Aloha Center

50 How to make leis

142 Banyan Dining Hall

52 New religion class focuses on women 64 Food Fest 2022 68 Women’s Services & Resources

Feature

70 Culture Night 2023 76 McKay Lecture by Yifen Beus

38 10 Days in Thailand

84 Being safe on and off campus

56 Filipino siblings share their story

90 Canoe races at Kahana Bay

60 Best of Oahu things to do

92 Choir honors earth elements

61 School of life called matrimony

94 Dreaming up Great Ideas

74 BYUH helps student achieve goals

96 Salsa Band gets people on their feet

78 Graduate looks to make a difference

98 Design your own BYUH journey

87 Students say they learn from trials

99 Free fitness classes on campus

116 Guidelines for learning how to surf

100 Benefits of using the library

122 Student artist creates side business

102 How to travel around campus

126 How to make otai

104 Financial aid and scholarships

134 Endangered Hawaiian monk seals

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A NATIVE SON OF HAWAII inaugurated as president of BYU–Hawaii President of BYUH, John S.K. Kauwe III says, “Together, we will continue this work”

BY KYLEE DENISON

S

ilence prevailed as President and Sister Kauwe, Elder and Sister Holland and Elder and Sister Christofferson, among others, walked into the Cannon Activities Center. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best as President John S. K. Kauwe III was inaugurated as the 11th and youngest president of BYU–Hawaii on Oct. 19, 2021.

Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and commissioner of the Church Educational System, conducted the meeting. The event started off with a musical number, “From This School,” performed by the BYUH Concert Choir, composed and directed by Erica Glenn and accompanied by Stacy McCarrey on the piano.

Greetings to the president were given by Cy M. Bridges, the community representative and grandfather in the community. He then chanted and spoke in Hawaiian.

The faculty was represented by Tevita Ka’ili, dean of the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts. In his remarks, he said the faculty commits to “working collaboratively across campus and with students … to achieve a high caliber of academic excellence through [President Kauwe's] vision of sustainability.” He emphasized the faculty is committed to seeking “for unity, diversity, inclusion and equity” under President Kauwe's leadership.

The student representative was Savaira Veikoso, the student manager of clubs. She said she did not know “old men could skate” until she met the newly inaugurated president. She later referred to both President and Sister Kauwe as the parents of the BYUH family and thanked them for inviting the students into their home, keeping them safe from COVID-19 and allowing them to come back to campus.

The alumni representative Justine Tavana, who graduated from BYUH in 2003, stated, “The Kauwes’ love for [others] is evident in the way they serve.” She said the alumni place their full confidence in President Kauwe giving a speech at the inauguration ceremony on Oct. 19, 2021.

Photo by Mark Daeson Tabbilos.

6 KE AL AKA‘I 2023

President Kauwe and know his “impact will be felt for good for many generations to come.”

After reviewing President Kauwe’s life, Elder Gilbert said, “Today, we inaugurate a bright, educated and administratively capable president, but above all, we inaugurate a president who wants to do what the Lord directs him to do.”

President Kauwe was then inaugurated by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who stated, “In doing so, I confer upon you all the rights, responsibilities, authority and prerogatives necessary to act as the university's chief executive officer, its institutional spokesman and overseer of its assets. I also confer upon you the responsibility to be the university’s chief moral and spiritual officer, this being the most important and most demanding of all your duties as president of this university.”

President Kauwe's second cousin, Kiana Serrao, a junior from Utah majoring in biology, said after the ceremony, “Once Elder Holland officially inaugurated President Kauwe, I felt the spirit change. It was so cool.”

The newly inaugurated President Kauwe then addressed students, faculty, his family and friends with a parable of blackberries. When living in Utah, he said he and his family grew blackberries. By working hard, they saw and enjoyed the fruit of their labors, he added.

“Unfortunately, blackberries don’t grow well in Laie,” President Kauwe explained. “They simply require [a] different climate. Knowing this, it would be a waste of time and resources to focus on growing blackberries in Hawaii,” he continued.

“Fortunately, there are many fruits from all over the world that can’t be grown in Utah, but they thrive here,” such as mangoes, said President Kauwe. Likewise, he said, “Students and programs that thrive here in Laie may not succeed so readily in Provo or Rexburg.

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... Students and programs that are thriving in those places may not do so here in Laie.”

The growth of BYUH will also be seen in new buildings and training for students, said President Kauwe. The university’s success will be measured “by faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility and diligence.

Obtaining these outcomes will leave no doubt that every dollar and every ounce of effort spent on this university was well spent,” he explained, emphasizing how the mission of the university is to help people follow Jesus Christ.

Throughout his speech, his repeated theme was, “Together, we will continue this work, and we will succeed.”

In his closing remarks, President Kauwe extended an invitation to all faculty, staff and students, urging them “to prayerfully ponder how [they] can fulfill [their] role in this important effort.”

Elder Holland then addressed the crowd. He emphasized the mission of BYUH and how its role within the CES schools is to focus on the “Pacific Asia oriented area of the church.” The number of students accepted from the mainland must be monitored, he added.

“What we’ve done in the past has led us marvelously to this day, but in no way is it sufficient for the trajectory the church and the university are now on.” He added the goal should be to serve more students in less time.

His next words were, “Every now and then … school is supposed to just be fun. Now, most days you won't think that, but today is one of those. So I command all of you, I am in charge today.”

Seth Thomsen, a senior studying business finance from Mililani, Hawaii, said the inauguration was “full of energy, especially when Elder Holland said he wanted us to have fun.”

Elder Holland continued, “We have looked far and wide to find the best to lead out in this next chapter of the quest. We have found

him, who will be the youngest president ever to serve here, and a true native son of these beautiful islands of his ancestors. ... For me, that may be the most significant indicator of the growth and maturity of this university of all the indicators that we are celebrating today.”

Amelia Meli, a senior majoring in biology from Kaimuki, Hawaii, described the inauguration as “historic” because of all of the cultures that come together at BYUH under a native Hawaiian president.

Maria Fonoimoana Latu, a longtime community member who works at the Academic Multimedia Lab, said after the ceremony, “It is an amazing day for our campus. … It is such an honor we have somebody that’s [Hawaii's] own [as president]. The Spirit there this morning was indescribable.”

At the end of the inauguration ceremony, President Kauwe said he feels humbled because he and his family know they are meant to be serving at BYUH, and they feel support from both church leaders and individual students. •

Left top: Members of a local halau perform for the Kauwe's at the Flag Circle at the close of the parade around campus.

Left bottom: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland saying goodbye to President John S. K. Kauwe, his wife, Monica Kauwe, and their son after the ceremony.

Right: President Kauwe embracing Elder D. Todd Christofferson after his official inauguration by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

Photos by Mark Daeson Tabbilos.

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THE

RAINBOW STATE

World-class surfing and tropical sunshine are only a few reasons to love the culturally rich islands of Hawaii

BY LAUREN GOODWIN

K

awena Murray described the scenery of Hawaii as a “work of art,” including its beautiful beaches and surf. Pilialoha Haverly expressed gratitude for being raised in a place where people “innately love and trust” each other.

Mahinalani Pulotu said the ocean is her “biggest playground.”

BYU–Hawaii students and a Laie community member said there are plentiful reasons to treasure the sunshine state.

What do you love most about Hawaii?

Haverly, an alumna from Hauula, Oahu, with a degree in Hawaiian Studies, said, “The people are what I love the most. I have lived in Hawaii all my life and I have been blessed to be surrounded by not just friends, but to have the majority of my family . . . nearby.” She said she also enjoys the landscape, yearround sunshine, beaches and “luscious green mountains.”

Pulotu, an alumna from Kailua Kona, Hawaii, with a degree in social work, said the ocean holds a special place in her heart and is what she loves most about Hawaii.

“The ocean is a great food source for many. It brings peace and cleansing for all who are in it, and there are so many activities to enjoy from it,” she said. “It’s the biggest playground Hawaii offers.”

Murray, a Laie community member from Lahaina, Maui, said she enjoys the natural beauty that surrounds the state.

“Year round, without fail, from the sky to the ocean and everything in between, [is

Graphics by Katie Mower.

1 0 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

a] work of art,” she shared. “I am so blessed to live in such a gorgeous place.”

What is your favorite food from Hawaii?

“I love going to a family luau and being able to see all the good food people have made,” Haverly shared. “But if I had to choose some of my top favorites, in no particular order, it would be poke and rice, chicken long rice with rice or a good laulau with poi and rice for dessert.”

Pulotu said her favorite Hawaiian food is lomi salmon, which is pieces of cut up salmon mixed with tomatoes, onions and other condiments. Murray said her favorite Hawaiian food is kulolo, which is a dessert made primarily of taro and coconut.

What is a big holiday in Hawaii?

King Kamehameha Day, on June 11, is a big holiday in Hawaii, Haverly said. “Before COVID hit, there would be parades with what we call pa’u riders. That is what the parade is very well known for.”

A pa’u rider is a woman horseback rider who wears a long colorful skirt and many different types of leis, explained Haverly.

There are eight riders called pa’u princesses, one for each of the Hawaiian Islands, she said, and each rider wears a specific color that represents their island.

“There would [also] be floats with hula dancers and singers,” said Haverly.

“Even bands from different high schools or colleges would join the festivities.” Pulotu shared the holiday is in celebration of King Kamehameha and how he conquered and united the Hawaiian Islands.

Murray said another holiday that is big in Hawaii is May Day, also called Lei Day, which is held on May 1 and celebrates “the sharing of aloha, stories, hula, adornments and food.”

What do you think Hawaii is known for?

According to Pulotu, Hawaii is known most for surfing and Duke Kahanamoku, “Who was a huge figure in the sport of surfing and swimming.” Haverly said, “As cliché as it is, Hawaii is pretty well known for its white sand beaches and the surf.

We have some beautiful beaches on all the islands and some pretty amazing surf and surfers who live here.”

What is a unique and significant cultural practice of Hawaii?

Hula is one of the most significant cultural practices, Haverly said. “We learn the meaning of the songs, … how to make leis, how to be as one and how to connect and become closer to our ancestors and the land on which we live.”

In a halau, or hula school, Haverly said she wrote and printed out the lyrics to every song in both Hawaiian and English.

Although the English translation isn’t perfect, she said it allows the dancers to have a deeper connection to the song they are dancing to.

Pulotu said Hawaii organizes the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Big Island, every year in celebration of King Kalakaua. The festival is a week-long event where hula dancers from all over the world come to compete and perform in honor of King Kalakaua, she explained.

“King Kalakaua was the last king who reigned in Hawaii. He was a ‘merrie’ king and brought back the arts of music and hula, which had been suppressed for many, many years due to missionary teachings,” she continued.

Murray said the principle of aloha is very unique to Hawaii. She explained, “It means love and trust, and I think that’s where the ‘kick back’ vibe of Hawaii originates from because we innately love

and trust one another.” She said this sense of aloha and trust is expressed by calling someone auntie or uncle or leaving house doors slightly opened or unlocked.

What is a traditional piece of Hawaiian clothing?

Pulotu said a few of her favorite pieces of traditional clothing are lauhala hats, Ni’ihau shell leis and kihei, which is a shawl that ties over one shoulder.

Haverly stated the lei po’o, or the head lei, is her favorite piece of traditional clothing because she enjoyed making them and bonding with her mother and sister.

She said, “Sometimes I get together with aunties and cousins to make lei po’o, talk story and laugh together. It’s a really fun time.”

Murray said her favorite material is kapa, or bark cloth, because of the hard work that is put into making it. The material is made out of the bark of a Wauke or Mulberry tree, and the bark is pounded and soaked in water for multiple days to create the cloth, she explained.

“The [delicate process] is what makes it so special and unique to Hawaiians.”

What is it like going to BYUH having grown up in Hawaii?

Attending BYUH can be a bit of a culture shock, said Murray, because most of the students are from other parts of the world. She said she had to learn to understand the way others lived and vice versa, which pushed her to learn more about people than she had expected.

Haverly said being able to take Hawaiian Studies courses has helped her learn more about her culture. “I have learned a lot about my Hawaiian culture, my ancestors and the things they went through and how they lived,” she shared.

Having grown up in Hauula, studying so close to home is something Haverly said she really loves. “I also get to see friends that I grew up with and be able to make new friends with people from all over.” •

a h alo

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MANAGING CULTURE SHOCK

1 2 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

Students urge others to withhold judgment when they encounter culture shock and be open to learning about cultural differences

BY ELLE LARSON

O

n a campus with students representing more than 70 countries, BYU–Hawaii students said they are no strangers to experiencing culture shock, but acknowledging differences, embracing practices and finding similarities are essential to getting over the shock.

An article from Brown University says most people who move to a new country or new location within a country experience some form of difficulty adjusting to the new culture. This discomfort is commonly referred to as “culture shock,” explains the article.

Acknowledge differences Siwoo Park, a sophomore from Gwangju, Korea, majoring in vocal performance, said Americans’ courteous phrases surprised her when she arrived in Hawaii. “Everybody blessed me when I sneezed,” she explained with a smile, emphasizing how because Koreans don’t typically do that, she didn’t know how to react.

She said she was also confused when people in Hawaii would apologize for small things like passing by her or when she told them an unfortunate story about herself, such as when she was late to class. At first, when people would casually apologize to her, she said she would emphatically assure them, “Oh no, it’s not your fault!”

Park explained, “In Korea, [they] don’t have those phrases” and added people only say they’re sorry when they sincerely mean it.

Living in Libya as a child also brought some cultured shock, Park said. While she was there, she explained the town celebrated Eid Al-Adha, which Andrew Webb on Culture Trip says is a Muslim Festival to celebrate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son.

Families butcher a sheep and use it for a big feast later that week, Webb explains.

Park said she watched the sheep’s head be cut off when she was only 10 years old. “I saw the blood and [the sheep was] screaming,” she described. “It was really, truly a culture shock.” Although the sheep was delicious to eat, she said she still hasn’t quite gotten over the shock, even after all these years.

She said she knew the culture in the United States would be different than what she was used to, so she prepared by watching the American sitcom “Friends.”

Once she acknowledges cultural differences, she said she tries not to question or get upset over how people behave. “If I face culture shock, I think, ‘[People] are different. [They] all have different personalities.’”

Embrace practices Lydia Wilson, an alumna and April graduate from Suva, Fiji, majoring in business management, said she experienced culture shock when serving a full-time mission in the Marshall Islands because she expected the Marshallese island life to be similar to what she was accustomed to in Fiji. Instead, she said she found the culture and mannerisms of the people she served were far from

what she expected. To get over the shock, Wilson said, “I told myself I needed to be like them, to think like them and to try to understand them.” Though it was against her nature, she said she started to talk like the Marshallese people, sit like them and make rice balls with her hands.

She stopped questioning why they acted the way they did and mirrored it instead, she said. As she adopted Marshallese mannerisms, she said the people she served accepted her and she became a crowd favorite.

Wilson said to overcome culture shock, people need to accept themselves and their culture and then accept and respect the culture around them. “Be aware of the people around and accept them for who they are,” she suggested.

Williams said students should be careful to not let themselves be victims of culture shock by not letting it stop them from accepting and learning the culture around them. “[I] can’t be a Fijian in Hawaii without becoming aware of Hawaiian traditions and culture,” she explained.

Find similarities Hadlee Charlton, a freshman from Mountain Green, Utah, majoring in elementary education, said when she first came to BYUH, she was shocked by the high concentration of different cultures she had never been exposed to before.

She said she expected to experience different cultures on campus, but explained, “I don’t think [people] can really predict how it’s going to affect [them]. [They’re] thrown into it and immersed in it all at once.”

She said one day a classmate spoke about an American mannerism that is offensive in his culture, which triggered a moment for her to recognize her limited perspective and acknowledge how big the world is.

Though it was shocking at first, she said she appreciates the culture she’s experienced since coming to BYUH. “I’ve learned so much about other people, the world and myself. It’s caused me to reflect on my own culture and see the world with a bigger perspective than what I was limited to before I came here.”

She said students can find peace amidst culture shock by embracing their situation and being curious. “If [they] hear something that is a little bit of a shocker,” she advised students to “ask questions and try to understand.”

Charlton said if students worry about their differences from others, they will just stress themselves out. She recommended students try to focus on their similarities rather than their differences. She said she believes it is possible to find at least one similarity with every person they meet. • Lydia Wilson enjoying a Spam musubi.

Photos by Sugarmaa (Kendra) Bataa.

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100

things to do outside your room

BYUH students offer ideas for getting out of the house, including attending club activities and having a potluck meal with friends

BY ELLE LARSON

1 4 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

Hao-wen Chih, a freshman from Lexington, Kentucky, studying marine biology.

Walk and chill at the Laie Hawaii Temple Study in the library Get an açaí bowl at the Seasider Cafe Swim at Bikini Beach Play Pokémon Go Get a job Walk around Hukilau Marketplace and see the sights Go to open gym and play badminton Play Frisbee on Saturday night Attend club events Daichi Manabe, a sophomore from Japan, majoring in business management marketing.

Surf at Castles Beach Watch dolphins at Makua Beach Go to Foodland for spicy poke Get your hair cut with a friend Drive around the island Go to 7/11 for a drink Go to McDonald’s and stress-eat sugar Learn Jiu Jitsu on the grass Go to L&L BBQ Run on the beach Amella Pena, a junior from Draper, Utah, majoring in peacebuilding.

Go surfing at Puaena Beach Snorkeling at Electric Beach Hike Wiliwilinui Go to the gym to lift weights on the machines Mermaid dive in the ocean (dive down and come up like a mermaid) Night swimming Pick a destination to watercolor Catch a frog when it rains Play leapfrog across campus Sophie Randall, a sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska, majoring in peacebuilding.

Make dribble castles (take wet sand and drizzle it into a pile) Hike Laie falls Walk across the ocean to goat island Take a nap in the sun Open gym volleyball every night in the Old Gym Climb a tree

Play tennis Read a book on the beach Walk on the beach Write in your journal Ada Palmer, an elementary education freshman from Scarsdale, New York.

Pet campus cats Go to the dining hall Go on a walk around campus Go to class Pick up your mail Go to the beach Go to church Play board games Go to guidance counseling Get ice cream at the Seasider Jezreel Gabut, a sophomore from Básayas, Philippines, majoring in hospitality and tourism management Go to the C-Store and buy ice cream Get tutored at the Heber J. Grant building Play basketball with your friends Throw out your trash Attend ward family home evening Talk to a stranger and make a new friend Play an instrument Get groceries at Foodland Group study at the library Look for inspiration in nature Audrey Pryde, a freshman from Twin Falls, Idaho, majoring in biochemistry.

Go ziplining at Kualoa Paint palm trees in your sketchbook Go swimming at the pool Play intramural sports at the turf field Go to the weekly devotional Go to music concerts on campus Get chips at Foodland Find a shaded spot to read Teach yourself how to play piano in the practice rooms at the Cannon Activities Center Walk at night around campus with roommates Modesta Terry, a junior from the Solomon Islands majoring in business management with a focus on human resources.

Play basketball at the Cannon Activities Center

Go to work Watch movies outside with friends Bike the bike path in the evenings Visit friends and family in Laie Stargazing Babysit at Temple View Apartments Minister to your friends Sunday potlucks outside the library Hannah Meine, a freshman from Canada majoring in marine biology.

Do homework at the Hukilau marketplace under the pavilion Do little acts of service throughout the day Eat with someone new in the dining hall Go to the movie nights at the Little Theater Go to the Hub and play board games Play foosball in the lounge Walk around campus and find the first open bench to study in a new area Check out a movie and a movie room in the library to watch Stick sticky notes on people’s cars Emma Luna, a sophomore majoring in marine biology from Rio Rico, Arizona.

Spend quality time with your unit mates in the common room Do yoga Have movie nights in the McKay Building courtyard Have dance parties at the hale pavilion Meditate outside the library on the benches Walk behind the campus Go to the Swap Meet in Honolulu Watch the sunrise at Laie point Watch the sunset at Sunset Beach Ranitea Teihoarii, a junior majoring in marine biology from French Polynesia.

Go to the beach to get a tan Try new food and restaurants Go on hikes in the mountains Go for a bike ride to Kahuku and go to the food trucks Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

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N E W S T U DEN T 2023 17

Taking care of BYUH’S

MENTAL health NEEDS

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As the number of students seeking help from BYUH’s Counseling Services rises, Counseling Services professional Steve Smith says building a strong community can help overall mental health issues

BY KYLEE DENISON & NICHOLE WHITELEY

S

ierra Allred, an alumna from Oregon with a degree in intercultural peacebuilding, said she was going through a difficult period in her mental health in September of 2021, and she felt the need to turn to BYU–Hawaii’s Counseling Services for help. She said when she went into the counseling center, they handed her a form to fill out that would determine her levels of needs.

“Everyone is worthy and deserving of the resources it takes and the time it takes to heal their heart and help resolve their mental health issues,” said Allred.

Sister Carol Skinner, a counselor at BYUH Counseling Services, who worked as a licensed psychologist for 20 years before serving her mission here, said she helped develop this new system for the counseling center intake form to ensure the students with the most urgent care are prioritized.

She said the first layer is anyone in an emergency, who will be seen within 24 hours.

She said an emergency is defined as “current suicidality with intent.”

The next layer is for students with urgent needs and is defined as people who have had a past history of suicidality but nothing current, Skinner explained. They are seen within seven days.

The third layer is general problems, and she said, the fourth layer is a peer mentor to help with generic issues if the students are willing to see them.

Allred said when she went into the counseling center, she was not in crisis, so they could not get her an appointment for two months. “I have experienced depression in the past, and when you’re in that space and you feel like you can’t get help, it’s a very hopeless feeling.”

She said although in her situation she found ways to cope without the counselors, “it was definitely discouraging because if you want to talk to someone, you should have

that.” She said if she were contemplating suicide or dealing with depression and still had to wait one to two months, “It would be scary.”

Skinner explained, “It is important for the students to understand that if they are in crisis, we will see them. ... We will make space for all the students.”

She encouraged students to just walk into the counseling center if they are in crisis because they will make sure they get you in.

An increasing demand In mid-November 2021, Counseling and Disability Services at BYUH had an evaluation, in which they brought an outside reviewer named Steve Smith.

Smith was part of the BYU in Provo counseling center for 30 years as a training director in the counseling psychology department and served in administration for the counseling center and as director of the counseling center.

When asked if the wait time Allred had experienced was common among other universities, Smith said it was not uncommon to have a waiting period of six weeks. He said the wait time to get in the counseling center at BYU in Provo for those with non-crisis cases is five and a half to six weeks as well.

“The demand has risen everywhere in the country. ...Without enrollment increasing, the number of students asking for help is going up. And that is happening in every counseling center I know of in the country.”

He said this trend is not new to post COVID-19 university life.

In the first year of his directing the counseling center at BYU in 2011, Smith said, the counseling center served about 3,500 individuals in a calendar year, and in his last year as director in 2021, he said they helped 6,000 in a calendar year.

At BYUH, the numbers have also increased between 2020 and 2021 according to Skinner. She said Dr. Eric

Orr, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Sciences and a member of BYUH’s Counseling Services, told her they had 10 hospitalizations in the Fall 2021 Semester.

Normally they only have one or two hospitalizations in an entire academic year, Orr said.

Skinner said the intake form system they created is working to combat these increasing numbers, even with their lack of counselors available for the students.

“The four-tier system really helps us identify people with the greatest need, and so far, fingers crossed, it’s working. I still fear that we could miss somebody. I pray every day, let there be space for people who need it. Our students are really, really suffering.”

Smith said no one really knows why the numbers have increased, but he believes it is partly due to the decrease of stigma for those who seek counseling. Gen Z especially, “are more willing to seek help,” said Smith.

Allred said although many of this new generation of students are willing to seek help, the shortage of space available for students has opened the door for guilt.

She said when she did go in after two months of making the appointment, she felt guilty because, “I know there’s a lot of other students who need help a lot more than I do.”

She said her friends have also expressed this concern where they make an appointment when they feel they need it, but when they finally get in, they feel guilty because they have worked through what they were struggling with, Allred shared. “I don’t think [a student] will seek out help if they feel like their situation is not as bad as someone else’s,” explained Allred.

Emotional drain Smith, along with Student Life Vice President Jonathan Kau, acknowledged BYUH’s Counseling Services employees hard work to help as many people as they are able.

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Allred expressed her gratitude for how mental health services have helped her in the past. She said she didn’t have access to mental health services when she was struggling in high school, but she was able to receive help during her mission.

She said the changes she saw after getting help were “like night and day. Because if you feel like you don’t have a place to turn or people to listen, and it feels like no one cares and you are very alone and very hopeless.”

“After you get the help and the resources that you need, … it’s like a weight has been lifted.”

Due to the lack of counselors, Skinner said, her job can be very draining and she often works longer than she is supposed to because she wants to reach as many students as possible.

“The emotional drain affects me physically.” She said not only would more counselors allow more students to be helped, but also it would increase the quality of the help students receive because the counselors would not be as mentally, physically and emotionally stretched.

She said there is a gear shift that has to take place in the counselors’ heads as they go from one client to the next, and that becomes more difficult the busier they are.

Smith said, “This university... [is] working hard to get people in as quickly as possible...

Right now they are keeping their heads above water, but they are having to swim pretty quickly to do that.”

Kau said, “I commend the Counseling Services team for all they are doing to meet the needs of students.”

While Kau and Smith acknowledged the hard work the counselors do and the struggles with a lack of counselors, Kau said, “There are limits to what the university can provide.”

It is not a simple matter of just hiring more counselors to keep up with such an unprecedented increase … we need to look at this and see what is reasonable and what is needed.”

Responsibility Kau said while he wants to help keep students in the classroom and help them as much as possible, it is not the sole role of the university to provide all counseling and medical services students may need.

“We cannot provide all [the] resources. We will do what we can to help students succeed, 2 0 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

but students may also have to find their own additional support. They have a medical benefit.

They have access to Counseling Services. But there are limits, unfortunately.”

Smith agreed with Kau. “You can’t add enough counselors ultimately to stem the tide and meet the demand.” As director of the BYU in Provo counseling center, Smith was also part of the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors, with more than 600 college counseling center directors who agreed with that same conclusion, said Smith.

Skinner agreed that at most universities this is the case: students should not rely solely on the university to provide mental health care. However, she added, “There’s not enough mental health services in this area that our students can easily access.”

Skinner said due to BYUH’s large number of international students, students without cars and the lack of mental health resources nearby, the situation at BYUH is more difficult than other universities where students can more easily turn to mental health care outside of the university.

Because of this, she said, the responsibility of the students’ mental health care falls back on the university.

Smith explained part of the responsibility of this problem may be to add a counselor, but another aspect is trying to address what the particular mental health issues are on a certain campus.

This is done through effective outreach called primary prevention, he said, which includes QPR training, suicide prevention, stress management, etc.

According to the Suicide Prevention Research Center, QPR training stands for “question, persuade, and refer” and is a suicide prevention training designed to teach the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond.

“Does the university have a responsibility to provide for the comprehensive mental health of every student that comes? I don’t think so.

I think their responsibility is to provide for dealing with those issues that get in the way [of their studies] and helping an individual deal with them.

“And if a person’s struggles are so great, then they may need to take some time away from the university,” said Smith.

Smith said he admires his colleagues at BYUH who are trying to find that balance.

Allred said the amount of time it took to resolve her situation would not have changed meeting with a counselor because, “For me, I feel empowered with a lot of tools to help get myself out of dark places because I have been there in the past and I have gone through counseling and therapy so I have been given the tools.”

However, she said, she felt that it would’ve been more helpful if she could have talked to someone closer to the moment that was causing her distress. “I think the role of the counselors is: if you don’t have those tools, they’re going to give you those tools.

But they’re also going to keep you accountable and help you practice them so you are more prepared in the long term.”

Building community Smith’s advice to students on how they can individually help is to get the QPR training and to have an “awareness of persons who struggle, a willingness to sit and talk, a willingness to engage ...

“Building community is one of the most important things you can do,” continued Smith. BYU campuses have a big advantage because of built-in communities, he said.

Participation in church events helps build that community where they can then invite others to come, said Smith.

Allred said during those two months she was waiting for help from Counseling Services, she found other resources on campus that helped her cope with her struggles.

One of the places that she said she found a community was the yoga classes held several times a week on campus. “I think the yoga class is great. It’s very grounding. … Everyone in that space is very welcoming.” She said there are many places around campus or clubs students can join that can help them through hard times.

Smith said, “If someone is struggling or is suicidal, is it your job to make sure they are okay? It absolutely is not. But can you be part of the solution by building a strong community.”

For more information about BYUH’s Counseling Services visit www.counseling. byuh.edu. •

Graphics by Marlee Palmer.

“

you can be part of the solution by building a strong community.

STEVE SMITH

”

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 21

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N E W S T U DEN T 2023 23

FIRST DATE? We’ve got you covered Stonefish Grill in Haleiwa

Yokohama Bay

Fasay Thai Wagon in Kahuku

Kahuku Point

KAHUKU

Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa

Ka’ena Point

Turtle Bay

Sunset Pillbox Trail

Laie Point

Hauula Loop Trail

LAIE

Waimea Valley

PCC

HALE’IWA

Hike Food

WAIALUA

Dole Plantation

WAINAE MOUNTAINS

KOOLAU MOUNTAIN RANGE Kualoa Ranch

WAHIAWA

WAI’ANAE KANE’OHE

KAILUA

PEARL CITY

MILILANI

‘AIEA

Lanikai Beach

Manoa Falls Trail

WAIPAHU Ka Olina Pali Lookout

KAPOLEI

Makapu’u Lighthouse

Waimanola Bay

HONOLULU Pearl Harbor

The Alley in Ala Moana

O’AHU

Orchids Restaurant in Waikiki

WAIKIKI

Diamond Head

Hanauma Bay

Koko Crater Trail

Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

BYUH students share their favorite spots to get to know their dates

BY RANITEA TEIHOARII

2 4 KE AL A K A‘I 2023 2021

The

SPORTY DATE

Some students, like Naia Pulotu, a junior from Hauula majoring in marine biology, said going on short hikes is a good first date “[because] if you don’t get the vibes from the beginning, at least you won’t have to spend five awkward hours with that person.”

A quick look at AllTrails will give you more details and descriptions of these hikes and their length: Sunset Pillbox Trail (about an hour and 30 minutes) Koko Crater Trail (about an hour and 24 minutes) Makapu’u Lighthouse (about two hours) Manoa Falls Trail (about an hour and 9 minutes) Hauula Loop Trail (about an hour and 42 minutes)

A sunrise

OR SUNSET DATE

If quality time is your love language, these are some combos recommended by BYUH students to get to know each other and enjoy a beautiful skyline:

Sunrise

Watch the sunrise at Temple Beach and have breakfast at Hukilau Cafe Go on a hike to see the sunrise from a different view

Sunset

Get ice cream at Angel’s Ice Cream and walk to Laie Point to catch the sunset Grab a poke bowl at Foodland and watch the sunset as you eat Walk around Haleiwa’s shops before going to Hale’iwa Beach to see the sunset

The

FOODY DATE

Nety Manea, a senior from Tahiti majoring in elementary education, said, “Food is essential. If you are on a date without planning to eat, that’s a really bad idea.” Here are some ideas for where you can take your date out to eat: Orchids Restaurant in Waikiki Stonefish Grill in Haleiwa The Alley in Ala Moana Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa Fasay Thai Wagon in Kahuku Any of the food trucks in Kahuku

A

SUNDAY DATE

Sunday can be a time to stay spiritually minded while still meeting new people and going on relaxed, peaceful dates.

Here are some ideas to get to know someone new on a Sunday: A walk or picnic at the Laie Hawaii Temple Feed the horses along the Maleakahana Bike Path Go for a walk on the beach

The

ECONOMICAL DATE

Teri Fifita, a sophomore from Tonga majoring in biology, said about first dates, “If you can find free yet fun activities or not expensive ones, go for it! It’s just a first date.” Here are some ideas for cheap dates that’ll still be fun: The HUB (free for BYUH students) The Night Show (about $80 per person, but if you go with a PCC worker it will cost $10) Visit Pearl Harbor and take the USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour (according to recreation.gov, tickets are free but there is a $1 reservation fee per ticket) Take a car ride along Kamehameha Highway and sightsee Nu’uanu Pali Lookout (parking fee of $7 per vehicle, according to dlnr.hawaii.gov) The Byodo-In Temple (ticket entrance of $5 per person, according to byodo-in.com) Waimanalo Country Farm ($5 per person for students with ID cards)

An

ADVENTUROUS DATE

“Date someone who is home and adventure all at once,” mindjournals.com says. Here are some date suggestions to bring out your adventurous side: Crab hunting A sunset cruise in Waikiki Chambers Escape Games in Honolulu Foster Botanical Garden in Honolulu The Honolulu Night Market Go on a double date Go on a bike ride together

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 25

Celebrating AAPI

Left to right: Julius Tafiti, Malositoa Teo Tafiti, Elijah Lemusuifeauali’i and Ya Yun Lin at the AAPI Art Exhibit.

Photo by Yui Leung.

BYUH ohana and community members display their artwork at the first BYUH AAPI Art Exhibition

BY RANITEA TEIHOARII

T

o kick-off of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May on campus, Michael Ligaliga, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, said, “It’s time to reflect on the migration stories [of the first Asian American and Pacific Islanders] and celebrate their courageous efforts to leave the confidence of their native homes to navigate in unknown political, social, environmental and cultural identities, [starting with] the first documented Asian Americans who arrived in America in 1597.”

The exhibition was organized by Line-Noue Kruse, a Pacific Studies associate editor and coordinator in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, and curated with the help of Jacob Jackson, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters. For this exhibition, four Pacific Islander artists Elijah Lemusuifeauali’i, Julius Tafiti, Malositoa Teo Tafiti and ‘Ulise Funaki displayed their cultural works.

Ya Yun Lin, a senior majoring in fine arts from Taiwan, also displayed the work she created for the annual Bachelor’s of Fine Arts exhibition.

Lin created her 29 painted differently-sized portraits of women smiling by combining both acrylic and oil paints.

Traditional instruments Community member Malositoa Teo Tafiti said he started making Polynesian drums three years ago and exhibited two of his recent toere or pake drums, which are slit log drums he made using Pacific rosewood or milo wood. “The milo wood is a red ochre wood, but with 2 6 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

time it will turn browner,” he said as he explained the difference in the color of the two toere displayed.

Malositoa Teo Tafiti shared, “I have been drumming at [the Polynesian Cultural Center] since I was younger. So I just figured it [out] all myself, because I know what it’s supposed to sound like [and how it] looks like. So I just did it [and repeated the process].”

Malositoa Teo Tafiti said there are different sizes of drums, such as the lomo that is 70 feet long, or the Cook Island drums. However, he said he chose to make the Tahitian toere because it is commonly featured, especially during Tahitian performances with fast dances.

‘Ulise Funaki, an adjunct lecturer in history, anthropology and Pacific Island Studies, presented four fangufangu, or nose flutes. He said one of them was made by Semisi Fakatava, another one was carved with the legend of Maui and one had symbols from his family village of Fua’amotu, Tonga.

Funaki said he learned how to make a fangufangu from Semisi Fakatava, a worker in the Tongan village at the PCC. “[A few years ago,] I would volunteer in the Tongan village and take the opportunity to learn more about my Tongan culture. Semisi taught me a lot, showed me how to play the fangufangu and make one,” said Funaki. The fangufangu made by Fakatava served as a model to Funaki as he made his own and continues to play the instrument, he said.

Bamboo is used to make a fangufangu, said Funaki, and the size of the stick is important. He said he spent two to three weeks making the

fangufangu with the legend of Maui, which took him the longest to create.

“The bamboo stick I used for this fangufangu is very long, so shaping it and sanding it down to have the right look and sound was taking a lot of time. Drawing on it was long as well because it’s a burning drawing [which is also known as pyrography],” said Funaki.

Traditional wear and weaponry Elijah Lemusuifeauali’i, a BYU–Hawaii alumnus and cultural specialist, displayed a Samoan siapo or tapa cloth he made in two weeks with “a lot of late nights for [an approximate] 100 hours,” he said. He also showcased Samoan necklaces, Fijian hair combs and five of his eight Fijian clubs, which he said took him a year and a half to make altogether.

Lemusuifeauali’i said all of his traditional art displayed was created in the last three years whenever he had time. “I’ve done a lot of studying and talanoa with different people, especially in the Fijian community, like Fijian experts and cultural experts. I was trying to make sure that these [Fijian weaponry and combs] are as authentic as possible,” said Lemusuifeauali’i.

He explained he used the ironwood found here in Hawaii, which is similar to the traditional wood normally used for Fijian clubs.

Lemusuifeauali’i added he watched his grandmother making siapo and experimented with making them by himself.

To make a siapo, Lemusuifeauali’i said he used the bark of a paper mulberry tree that he pounded, glued and assembled together to get the desired thickness, length and width. As for the designs, since the siapo displayed in the exhibition was an order from a lady in New Zealand, he said, “Each of the patterns is very specific to her and her family and what she plans to use it for.”

Lemusuifeauali’i explained the importance of understanding the designs and patterns throughout the Pacific, given their abstract representation. “It’s more of their perspective, the idea of how they see the designs and patterns and what it means to them, [rather than the actual copy of it],” he said.

Some of the patterns on the displayed siapo are the “ali ali au,” or black small triangles for the trochus shells, which represents wealth, status and unity, and a flower for the banana flower, which represents the connection to the land, said Lemusuifeauali’i.

Julius Tafiti, a member of the community, displayed his single and double fireknives. He said, “[My dad] was one of the fireknife makers [in Oahu], so people would order them all the time. Growing up I got to watch him make them and now that he’s older, he kind of let me fill the orders.”

To make a fireknife, Julius Tafiti said takes him three to four hours in total. “I cut the knives with a grinder and shape the blade all by hand,” said Julius Tafiti. •

Far left: A custom saipo and necklace made by Elijah Lemusuifeauali’i.

Middle left: A Tahitian toere drum created by Malositoa Teo Tafiti.

Top right: Three of the fangufangu crafted by ‘Ulise Funaki.

Bottom right: Two of the 29 portraits painted by Ya Yun Lin. Photos by Yui Leung.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 27

Elder Neil Andersen and his wife, Kathy, stand along side BYUH President John S. K. Kauwe III and his wife, Monica, outside of the new Science Building.

Photo by Mark Daeson Tabbilos

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NEW SCIENCE BUILDING Confidence is key in the expansion of BYUH, says Elder Neil L. Andersen at the Science Building dedication

BY LEVI FUAGA

NEW DEN T 2023 29 29 N E SWT USTUDEN T 2023

E

lder Neil L. Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, offered a dedicatory prayer for the newly built Science Building, the first three-story building on campus on Jan. 15, 2022. He said he hopes the new building can inspire people to progress forward in confidence in fulfilling President David O. McKay’s vision for BYU–Hawaii.

Confidence in a BYUH learning experience The physical construction of the Science Building, Andersen shared, is symbolic of the growth and knowledge students can experience while attending BYUH because the standards of what students should have at the university were raised.

He compared BYUH student’s learning experience with how the ceilings are designed to be opened. He said he prays students “are not just confined to learn what their professor knows,” but they will learn things even their professors never knew.

He added students must be confident there is no conflict between religion and science. “Everything is known [by] God, and if there’s anything unknown, it’s only a matter of time until [people] know it. And if it seems to conflict, it’s only because [people] don’t understand the principles behind it.”

Whether knowledge comes from revelation or secular learning, both types of learning are compatible, said BYUH President John S. K. Kauwe III, during his remarks at the dedication of the new Science Building.

He quoted President Russel M. Nelson’s dedication of the Life Sciences building at BYU in Provo in 2014. Kauwe said, “All truth is part of the everlasting gospel. … There is no conflict between science and religion. Conflict arises only from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion or both.”

Andersen reminded the audience of a principle taught by President Nelson recently in General Conference. “There really is such a thing as right or wrong. There really is absolute truth - eternal truth.”

Secondly, he shared students must be confident in themselves, so if they return to their homelands and leave a significant mark on their home countries. He added he prays people can be prayerful about this and be lifted by the building “to have the confidence they need to prepare for these sacred moments in the future.”

3 0 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

The dedication featured speeches from former BYUH President John Tanner and Vice President of Academics Isaiah Walker, as well as a musical number entitled, “All Things Denote There Is a God,” in reference to the inscription on the face of the new building.

The song was composed for the occasion by Erica Glenn, an assistant professor of choral activities and voice in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts.

Kathryn Palmer, a member of the Ho’olokahi Chamber Choir who sang at the ceremony, said singing in front of an apostle was really special. “It always feels good when [I] can use [my] gifts or something that [I’m] good at to benefit somebody else.”

Palmer, a junior from Arizona majoring in business, agreed confidence was emphasized during the ceremony. To her, confidence is what she is able to accomplish despite the smaller size of her university. She emphasized confidence means understanding students here “are just as meaningful” and able to impact others.

Momentum to further the mission Kauwe conducted and spoke at the ceremony. He said the building represents the love and sacrifice of every member of the Church and acknowledged the faith and trust they have that makes it possible to live in Laie and learn at BYUH. The building also represents the expectation members of the BYUH ohana will honor their covenants and commitments and strive to love others and live worthy of the Lord’s blessings. He said those expectations include using the blessing of being at BYUH “to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, to serve families, communities, people of [their] homelands and the kingdom of God.” Using the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland from his 2021 presidential inauguration, Kauwe shared this building represents “one more conspicuous step in the fulfillment of prophecy that is inextricably linked with this particular campus.”

Elder Neil Andersen speaks at the dedication of the new Science Building.

Photo by Monique Saenz. Interior photos of the building by Yui Leung.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 31

Above: The Science Building includes a quote from Alma 30:44 that says, “All things denote there is a God.” Right: The ceiling inside the Science Building.

Photos by Yui Leung.

“All truth is part of the everlasting gospel. … There is no conflict between science and religion. Conflict arises only from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion or both.”

3 2 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

He explained, “This building is going to allow for academic preparation, the exchange and discovery of knowledge, in ways that have simply not been possible on this campus before. … This new capacity is going to provide students with learning and experience that will prepare them to succeed in their future endeavors, even in an increasingly challenging and changing world.”

Jonah Gunter, a junior from Washington majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, said the event was uplifting and celebrated the growth of the campus. “It wasn’t just about the building, but it was about the direction that campus is taking and the momentum we have going forward to further the mission.”

He shared Andersen emphasized the importance of confidence in many aspects of life. He said there must be confidence in science and faith working together to resolve any discord.

‘All things denote there is a God’ Walker shared his awe for the building’s interactive space and indoor and outdoor learning facilities. “These characteristics importantly reflect and invite this spirit of inquiry, study and interaction.”

The building, he said, is conducive to the natural environment surrounding the campus. He shared his admiration for the Pacific Ocean, the sacred homeland for the families of Oceania and the sacred mountain tops and forests, which will soon provide for the community.

“I love how this building is situated because to me, it’s an extension of, not a barrier, to the natural elements.” He shared he is excited to see students being able to study the natural beauty from a new building and perspective.

Walker shared fond memories of studying and meeting his wife in the original General Classroom Building, which used to sit where the new Science Building is. “I’m happy to think about the many great memories that will be made in this beautiful place,” he added.

Elise Mitchell, a social media manager at University Communications and a 2020 graduate of BYUH, said she enjoyed the talks because they all centered on the student learning experience. “Whether it was Isaiah Walker or [President] Kauwe, they all were able to connect the building’s significance with student learning, how it’s going to help further the students’ education and how it’s really for the students.”

During the construction of the building, Tanner, who returned for the dedication for the first time since the conclusion of his presidency, shared he wanted to engrave a scripture that would describe what the building would represent.

Tanner said he and former Academic Vice President John Bell, chose Alma 30:44, which reads, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it.” The verse embodies what he said he hopes will happen within the Science Building and on the BYUH campus generally: that students will be taught with the Spirit and come away with strengthened testimonies.

While serving as president, Tanner said he described BYUH as a “Hawaiian Zion,” sharing the connection of the campus mission to several Hawaiian terms. For example, he discussed the Hawaiian word kuleana, which means having a responsibility to care for the land.

Pono, or righteousness, Tanner shared, was also in the dedication of this land through the idea that it would be a land established in righteousness. “Certainly, that’s part of the University’s heritage, to be a Zion community, because we are embracing the idea of pono, or righteousness.”

Another Hawaiian concept Tanner shared he loves is malama ‘aina, or responsibility for the earth. “I hope people ... will feel not only a love [for the earth], not only an understanding of it, but also a desire to take care of it. …

That’s a Zion responsibility.” •

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 33

EMPOWER YOUR DREAMS Every year BYUH hosts an entrepreneurial competition with the prize being money for student’s businesses

BY LINDA LAULU AND ELIJAH HADLEY

T

he upstairs chapel in the Heber J. Grant Building was filled with people full of anticipation as they waited for the winners of the EmpowerYour Dreams competition on Thursday, March 30.With a panel of judges including BYU–Hawaii alumni who had been successful entrepreneurs, thousands of dollars from the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship were awarded to teams of students.

The winning team was LY Logistics, made up of Qing Li, ShangruYe andYilun Wang, who are all from China.They were awarded a check of $7500.

According to Li, a communications major and sophomore, “Based on our student experience, I want items from China. So we’re always thinking about the need in here and want to see how we can contribute to this community and have a better life.”

Wang, a junior majoring in finance, said, “I’m very grateful for this whole project.

Without this teamwork, we cannot make this. So I guess running a business and having a good mentor for us is very important. Just never be afraid to ask for help.”

LY Logistics will keep going into the future, as the team members anticipate facing both success and failure, sharedYe, a marketing major and freshman.

Beetoo Ieru, a senior majoring in biomedical sciences from Kiribati, was awarded fourth place.

“I feel good,” he said. “It’s a lot of work but it’s come to an end.What’s worth it is I was out there and just expressing my passion about my business and helping my country out.Win or lose, we’re all winners after all.” •

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The first, second, third, fourth and fifth place winners for the 2023 EYD Competition.

Photos by Zane Saenz.

Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra)

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 35

Heading towards zero waste by vermicomposting Students work on a project at the campus greenhouse to fertilize the soil with worms

BY RANITEA TEIHOARII

A

lfred Kapeli, a senior from Tonga majoring in biology, said, “It’s very important that we take care and know that worms are unique, they have essential roles in the soil, and we can help people avoid taking worms out from the soil.”

Throughout the Spring 2022 Semester, Kapeli said the botany class held twice a week, dedicated one of those days to vermicomposting, or using worms to fertilize the soil. He explained the students worked on this project at the campus greenhouse building a plot for the colony of worms they got from the Waikiki worm lady.Working with the worms during a short semester was difficult because of time management and care, he said.

Dr. Esprit Saucier, assistant professor in the Faculty of Sciences and teacher of the botany class, said she was intrigued by this project, especially after finding the website of the Waikiki worm lady. On the website, live records of the food fed to the worms are recorded since the organization started, she said. Saucier expressed how good it would be if BYU–Hawaii could also produce zero waste by feeding the waste to the worms.

How to start composting with worms For the vermicomposting project, the worms used were the Indian blues and Red wigglers, not just any worms, explained Saucier. She said, “There are different species of worms and some of them like to live together and some of them don’t. For vermicomposting, you’re going to use the kinds of worms that want to stay together.That way there is no competition between them, and they will do the work.”

3 6 KE AL A K A‘I 2021

Bats Phillips, a junior from Pennsylvania majoring in biology, added, “It’s usually good to have different types of worms because they like different types of foods, and that way they won’t be wasting any food given to them.” Phillips is the botany class teaching assistant and the manager of the greenhouse.

In a normal setting, cardboard is used to put at the bottom of a bin, but coconut fiber is good too, explained Saucier. After putting down the base, she continued, the worms are put in and covered with leftover paper shreds.

Then everything is covered with a mat to help keep the moisture in and the chickens away.The pile is then watered and the worms fed once a week, said Saucier.

Top left: Student working in the greenhouse. Bottom left: The worms used to fertilize the soil. Right: The scrap produce used to feed the colony of worms.

Photos by Yui Leung. Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

“To feed the worms, it will depend on the colony.The ones we have need between 15 and 20 pounds of food that I get from the salad bar at the cafeteria, and this is just from the fruits and the lettuce chopped,” she said.

The benefits of vermicompost Bats explained, in terms of waste, “A lot of landfill space is usually used unnecessarily because it’s being mixed with things that aren’t compostable.

So we can’t even use it. But if we do it right, we could make it to our benefit.”

She added, “The product of vermicomposting can be used as a fertilizer mostly called liquid gold.You can feed and water the plants in your garden and give flavor to the food.”

Kapeli expressed his enthusiasm for working on that project as a learning experience. “Worms are not just worms,” he said. “Worms play an important role in the health of the soil.We need to be more sensible about their nature and avoid taking them out of the soil.”

Kapeli said it was hard to get the Waikiki worm lady to give away some of her worms. He said, “If a lady could get attached to the worms and worry about who she sells it to, it really means that they are important.” •

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10 days in

Thailand Political science students say the summer field study in Thailand galvanized their passion for international work and has successfully set them up for life after graduation

BY RAHEL MEYER

Statue in the Golden Palace complex in Bangkok, Thailand.

All pictures in this story are by Emarie Majors.

Graphics and design by Yichi Lu and Sugarmaa Bataa. (Kendra) N E W S T U DEN T 2023 39

T

he trip to Thailand has provided Rafael Tzanis, a senior from Australia, majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, with incredible insights as a person wanting to work in international development, he said.

“You can’t learn these things in a classroom.

We can’t learn them from just watching videos or hearing first-hand stories. These unique experiences can’t be learned by reading a book because these are life lessons that are teaching you. They are changing you as a person.”

Emarie Majors, a senior from Montana majoring in political science, said prior to the trip she was set on pursuing a position as a Foreign Service officer for the U.S. State Department. However, it wasn’t until she was able to meet with a myriad of employees at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, she got a true feel for the job.

“It is fair for me to assert that had it not been for this field study experience in Bangkok, I may have wasted months, if not years, of precious time and energy chasing a career that wasn’t suitable for my talents and lifestyle preferences.

“This was truly a once-in-a lifetime opportunity that changed me. This study galvanized my passion for international development and provided me with the necessary experiences I will need to do successful work going forward.”

Before the trip to Bangkok, Thailand, at the end of Spring 2022, 10 selected students, wanting to work in the international field, were being taught Thai politics, cultural conducts and the Thai language. In addition to already planned visits to the United Nations, the U.S. Embassy and an organization called Courageous Kitchen, students were able to reach out to organizations themselves and request visits.

In the weeks leading up to the trip, Fahina Lauti, a senior from Oakland, California, majoring in political science, said she acquired language skills as well as the information about different organizations that helped her feel

more prepared for the immersive experience.

Before this trip Lauti said she had never been outside the country, so she naturally experienced some anxiety about getting around.

“This trip has taught me that a language barrier should not stop you from seeing the world. At the end of the trip, I got to a point where I was comfortable enough to walk around Bangkok by myself. And after the trip was done, I felt like I could go wherever I want in the world, and I would be okay.

“As someone from a place like Oakland, where not many get to see the world and actually talk to professionals internationally, it has been a life-changing experience. I feel

Preparation meets opportunity Rand Blimes, assistant professor in the Faculty of Business & Government, said he has been doing trips to Bangkok, Thailand, with his students for the last 10 years. Blimes said he started the trips to Thailand because he realized there were things students need that can’t be learned in a typical classroom setting.

“Deep education comes through experiences that are impactful. It creates a different kind of learning that you can never do in a classroom.

The thing students need as they’re getting out in the world is a bit of inspiration, [and] to see people who are doing the jobs that they’ve been thinking about, whether it’s being a diplomat, working for the U.N., or being interested in issues of refugees.

“You meet the people who are actually doing those jobs. It creates a sense of positive empowerment and inspiration where you’re like: Oh, people are actually doing this. I can do this.”

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Top to bottom: Students in Bangkok, Thailand, prepare for a meeting with a local organization. Field study participants explore the Buddhist temple Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand.

A monk walking up the stairs at the Golden Mountain Srakesa Temple in Bangkok, Thailand.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 41

Top to bottom: Field study participants meet with official representatives of Humanitarian Affairs Asia and The Asia Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand.

4 2 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

empowered … like I can do anything. Shout out to Dr. Blimes and his wife, Michelle Blimes. They made this trip possible and I was able to really feel empowered because of their guidance.”

Making a difference Tzanis said it was extremely helpful to visit the headquarters of the United Nations and the U.S. Embassy to have these important international connections, but he also found the value in the small organizations they connected with during the trip.

“You don’t have to aim super high to be able to make a great difference in the world.

You just have to be the difference and positively impact the people around you.You don’t have to be in a great position to be involved in big organizations.”

Meeting Panisha, a cook at Courageous Kitchens, an organization that works with refugees and homeless people, and looking at the work she does, showed him that everybody can make a difference in their own way, said Tzanis.

Top left and right bottom: Students participate in a cooking class with Courageous Kitchens instructor Panisha. Top right: Field study coordinators Rand and Michelle Blimes meet with BYUH alumna who interns at Humanitarian Affairs Asia.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 43

4 4 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

Left page: The Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, Thailand.

Right page: Traditional food, Thai monuments and street market at night in Bangkok, Thailand.

“She is in her own element. She has a small team of people. The work she is doing is fulfilling her and she is able to serve. That is something really valuable I learned. People always want to create something big, but it might be the small and simple things that create the biggest impact in your life and in the lives of the people around you.

“If everyone just had that attitude that you could influence your own individual spheres and make the smallest bit of influence, the world could be a better place. That is definitely one of my biggest takeaways from this trip.”

The beauty of Thai culture After a full week of visiting different organizations each day, the students had one

day, Saturday, where they had the opportunity to travel to Kanchanaburi, which is a five-hour drive north of Bangkok. They were able to see the famous waterfalls, eat spicy Thai food and connect with locals throughout the trip.

Tzanis, who had lived in Thailand for five years and helped out as a translator on the trip, said it was amazing to see the awe in his fellow traveler’s eyes when seeing all the ancient monuments and the beauty of nature.

“Watching everybody’s eyes light up as they tried the new food and seeing the excitement everybody felt when visiting these historically unique places was really cool for me.

“Being able to share culture is something that is really important because that’s how

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 45

Left page: Waterfalls in the Erawan National Park.

Right page from top to bottom: Traditional food and flowers sold at a market in Bangkok, Thailand.

Merchant selling his products to customers.

4 6 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

we keep culture alive. It helps us to be more affirmed in our identities.”

Majors said sometimes she felt she was walking back in history when visiting these breathtaking historical landmarks. “I always saw pictures of Thailand, but they don’t do the country justice. I was in constant awe with the beauty of the architecture, especially the grand palace, and the beauty of the people.”

Lauti said one of her favorite cultural memories was waking up early in the morning to get breakfast and seeing the locals in action cooking food, going to work or school and selling trinkets.

“I loved seeing the monks in their saffron robes and people praying with them. I just loved seeing a different world and culture. I would buy mango sticky rice with the very few Thai words I knew and would just watch the locals do their thing. It was a good way to start my day.”

Majors said the one of the best parts of the trip was getting to know the Thai people.

Their kindness, generosity, and passion are something she will always remember, she said.

“Whenever we tried to speak our limited Thai to them, the vendors were so excited.

I’ve rarely met so many people who are so welcoming and kind.” •

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 47

Exhibit the values that make

MONGOLIA

shine

United States Ambassador to Mongolia encourages Mongolian students to be proud of their identity

BY ABIGAIL HARPER

W

hile speaking to BYU–Hawaii’s Mongolian students, the United States ambassador to Mongolia advised them to “Tell your stories.” Ambassador Richard Buangan said, “Right now, all Americans know of Mongolia is Genghis Khan, but there is a Mongolia of today and that story needs to be told.” Buangan is from California, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from St. Austin’s University in Texas and speaks French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

During the discussion hosted by the Mongolia Club on Jan. 20, Buangan said during his work in Mongolia, he has observed that the Mongolian people are incredibly self-aware of their place in history.

As a democratic country sandwiched between two authoritarian powers, Russia and China, they are in a very unique position, he said.

Tsetsgee Enkhbold, an alumnus who graduated in business management and psychology, said she has heard rumors of their Mongolian democracy struggling through the years. “It is very hard to be entirely independent from the two countries around us, so as an ambassador from one of the leading democracies in the world, what can we do to fortify our democracy?”

The rumors and expressions of criticism against the government that Enkhbold has seen are a strength in Buangan’s eyes, he said.

“Democracy is not perfect. It’s not clean,” he said, “but it’s the best system of government to allow voices to influence the direction it goes.”

In his opinion, he said the more transparent democracies allow their systems to be, the stronger they are. “Embrace your democracy,” he advised. “Vote. Hold your elected officials accountable. Don’t be afraid to express your thoughts and ideas no matter how critical they are of the government.”

“People like me,” said Buangan, “Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, we were considered three-fifths of a person when the United States Constitution was written. That’s not something to be embarrassed of, that’s something to learn from.” Buangan explained the many civil rights movements and additional constitutional amendments that got America to where it is today create an incredible story to tell. He encouraged the Mongolian students to be proud of their identity not because it is perfect or clean, but because it is strong.

Above: A group picture of Richard Buangan with President Kauwe and the students.

Right (top to bottom): Richard Buangan speaking to BYUH students; Buangan with Tserennyam Sukhbaatar, President Kauwe and Advancement Vice President Laura Tevaga; Students listening to the speaker; BYUH student playing the morin khuur.

Photos by Uurtsaikh Nyamdeleg. Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

4 8 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

Striving for peace While admiring the beauty in democracy, Buangan also recognized the need for other countries. He said he was in China for work in 2008. “It was a country I had long admired, but one that my country’s government is deeply suspicious of,” he said. While he was there, he said he realized he loved Chinese people and culture.

“I hope and pray that someday our two countries can learn to work together, because there are a lot of problems that cannot be solved without the U.S. and China working together,” he said. That is not a popular thing to say in his profession, acknowledged Buangan, but he said those who are able and willing to travel and interact with others can build bridges.

President John S. K. Kauwe III said one of the founding ideas of BYUH is to learn how to be an example to the world and build peace internationally. “That’s a grand experiment in a world that’s really struggling to have peace. We’re not perfect at it,” he said, and then added with a grin, “But we are really good.”

Reaching the world Mongolia’s economy is based on commodities, said Baska Purevochir, an alumnus who graduated in business management with a concentration in finance. He asked the ambassador how Mongolia could improve their tourism and bring more visitors from the U.S. “I think a reason why Mongolia is not very high on the list of places to visit is because there aren’t any direct flights,” said Buangan. With a more developed tourist industry focused on marketing what Mongolia has to offer, such as fly fishing and other outdoor experiences, Buangan said he thinks there will be more of a demand to visit Mongolia.

Another way to increase that demand, said Buangan, is for Mongolians to tell their stories. “When you interact with an American, whether that’s shopping or walking down the street or meeting someone on the bus, you are establishing a connection and you are telling a story. Exhibit the values that make Mongolia shine.” •

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 49

Lei Making

BYUH alumna explains how to create three types of leis and connecting back to the land

BY ABIGAIL HARPER Pilialoha Haverly, an alumna from Hauula who studied secondary education, explained when creating leis, “You took from the land so you’re gonna give back to the land. Traditionally you don’t throw away your lei, but you give it back to the ‘aina.”

“You have to have the right na’au when you make a lei. The right heart, the right spirit. You can’t be angry or grumpy or not want to make it. If you do, the lei is not going to turn out very well.”

Prep Work • • • •

Collect ti leaves.

Clean the ti leaves - if you don’t, you can get sick from wearing it.

Soften the ti leaves by microwaving them for about fifteen seconds.

Cut some of the ti leaves into sections with pointed tips.

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Maile Lei

The ends of the lei should reach mid-thigh.

• • • • • •

Cut along the spine of the ti leaf, giving you two sections.

Twist the ti leaf section.

Using your big toe as an anchor, twist the ti leaf so it is ropelike. Then cross the two sections over each other. Twist, cross, twist, cross.

Add the smaller ti leaf sections into the twists.

Add a small leaf, twist, add leaf, twist. Continue until finished.

When the leaf starts to get short, add another ti leaf and twist it into the rope to add length.

Haku Lei These can be worn around the head, ankles or wrists.

• • • • • •

Snap the spine of the leaf and pull the spine out.

Cut off half of the leaf.

Repeat the first two steps for three leaves.

Tie the stems of the leaves together.

Pinching the ends between your toes, braid the three leaves.

Add a small ti leaf into the middle section of the braid at every cross-over.

• Continue braiding to desired length, then tie the ends together.

Plumeria Lei The lei should lay mid-chest in the front, and shoulder blades in the back.

• • •

Using biodegradable string and a lei needle, thread plumeria flowers and pull them down the string.

Continue to desired length.

Tie string together, making sure there aren’t any gaps between the flowers.

Pilialoha Haverly making leis with ti leaves and plumeria flowers.

Photos by Uurtsaikh Nyamdeleg.

Graphics by Marlee Palmer and Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 51

THE OTHER HALF OF THE RESTORATION STORY

THE WOMEN

Strain creates a new religion course about women’s contributions to the restoration

BY NICHOLE WHITELEY Photos by Uurtsaikh Nyamdeleg.

Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

5 2 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

From left to right: Eliza R. Snow, Martha Hughes Cannon, Susa A. Young Gates, Emmeline B. Wells, Chieko Okazaki.

Photos courtesy of the Church History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

R

ebekah Strain, who created a new religion course offered at BYU–Hawaii titled Women and the Restoration, said, “This class is intended to help women in the Church feel they belong and develop faith and hope. I want them to know they have a place.

They’re needed.

“They’ve always been important, they always will be important, even if it hasn’t felt like it culturally, even if the voices haven’t been heard in the history. They are so needed.

They’re half of the restoration story.”

In this course, Strain, temporary Title IX deputy coordinator and adjunct professor in the Faculty of Religious Education and Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, shares the stories of well-known women and women in the background who played a crucial role in the church’s restoration. She said many of the women exceeded the expectations of how women were supposed to behave and think in their time, which played a vital role in the restoration.

Strain said the importance of men taking this course is that women’s contributions to the restoration are also part of their history.

They should also be aware of the struggles women have and still go through, she said.

“When women suffer, men suffer too. We both thrive together. One doesn’t thrive alone. We

do have men in the class, and I would love more men to take it because I do want them to hear this other half of the story.”

Sierra Allred, a junior from Oregon majoring in intercultural peacebuilding and a student in Strain’s class, said, “Honestly, before this class, I did not want anything to do with the church. ... but the readings that Sister Strain assigns are really meaningful and thought-provoking. A lot of it resonates with me a lot more than I thought it would. I don’t think I’ll become active again any time soon, but this class has reminded me why I once was.”

Discovering her box The idea to create this class had been in Strain’s mind for several years, she said, but only within the last few years it became a reality.

Strain said her interest in women’s history in the Church began while earning her bachelor’s of arts in history at BYU in Provo.

She said she was drawn to women’s journals and learned about history by reading about their struggles and daily lives.

While reading Latter-day Saint women’s journals, Strain said she realized the current expectations for what LDS women should look and act like have not always been existent.

So, she said she began to wonder why she felt trapped in a box of who she should be.

Strain shared, “It’s okay if you don’t fit in the cultural female box.You may have other gifts that are outside the box that are divine and beautiful that you can develop.”

Some of the current expectations Strain listed included the idea that women are more righteous than men, cry more, are excellent bakers and their sole purpose is to be a mother and a wife. The questions of, ‘How well behaved are your children?’ and ‘How many of your children have served missions?’ also form the box around women in the church, Strain said.“I’ve had enough friends who don’t fit in the box [and] who then feel there’s something wrong with them when they don’t fit in.”

Strain said all these expectations are dangerous because they marginalize people and force them to conform to those boxes or be ostracized from the group. Strain said, “Boxes inhibit our ability to see our eternal potential because if there’s something in us that’s divine and amazing that doesn’t fit in the box, we may suppress it.”

Strain added these expectations are “definitely not God’s box. I don’t think God has a box. Heavenly Father and Mother.Your eternal potential is just this open, wide, vast array of potential.”

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 53

Climbing out of her box After being a stay-at-home mom with six kids for 12 years, she chose to pursue law school at BYU in Provo, said Strain. As her time divided, she said the stress of law school and the guilt of not being as engaged in her children’s lives set in. She said she started to wonder why she was pursuing her law degree when it was not a necessity.

She said one day a male student pulled her aside and said, “What you’re doing is great and your kids will benefit.” She said he explained how proud and inspired he was when his mother pursued her degree while raising him.

Strain said hearing his words “lifted some of the mom guilt” because she realized “what our kids see does shape how they perceive the world.”

While it strengthened them in the end, Strain said the three years of law school were challenging for her entire family, as they often experienced judgment and biases from others. Jeff Strain, Rebekah Strain’s husband and assistant professor in the Faculty of Math & Computing, said they had matching T-shirts from the law school. He said it was shocking the number of times he was congratulated for going to law school, and Rebekah Strain was congratulated for having her husband in law school.

One of the comments Jeff Strain said they received was his wife “‘only got in because you’re a woman.’” He said they heard such comments often.

What encouraged Rebekah Strain to go to law school, she said, was a statement from Dallin H. Oaks in the New Era magazine that encouraged women to get as much education as they could because women are needed in the workplace.

When Rebekah Strain and her husband were dealing with these challenges, Jeff Strain said another statement from Oaks to the BYU law students, reaffirming educated women and female lawyers are needed, helped them push past the judgment.

Strain said she still gets frustrated, feeling left out and marginalized for being outside of the box, which can be painful, but it helps her to remember that “our boxes here are so temporary, and they’re not reality. The reality is so much more open, and better and glorious.”

Strain said she created the Women and the Restoration class to provide students with this same realization, by sharing inspiring examples 5 4 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

of women who have “jumped out of the box” and “thrived and done beautifully in the gospel” by utilizing their talents and gifts to fulfill their potential.

Pulling others out of their box Charlotte Kennington, a senior from Washington majoring in elementary education a student in Strain’s class, said she often feels defined by so many things, including her parents and boyfriend. She said the Church defines her as needing to be nurturing, a wife, a homemaker and a mother.

Kennington said the class is teaching her how to balance all the things she wants to be, so she can achieve her full potential of being a mother and having a career, instead of being defined by someone else.

When Strain dove into the women’s journals, she said she came out with some of

“It ’s okay if you don’t fit in the cultural female box, you may have other gifts that are outside the box that are divine and beautiful that you can develop.”

Rebekah Strain her own questions, which she just let ruminate in her mind. She said she assumed and accepted that was just the way it is, but then said she learned, “that’s not the way it has to be.”

So, she took her questions and became an “observer of the change.” Strain said she observes change in conference talks, policies and teaching curriculum because it illustrates in her mind “that if things don’t make sense now, it’s because we don’t have a fullness of truth and understanding and we’re not living in a perfect world now.”

Strain said she does not just set her questions aside and practice blind faith, be-

cause the “restoration is still ongoing, and it’s a progression.”

Kennington said, “It’s so cool to see [how] everything that we’ve learned so far is just showing ... the Church is still being restored.

Obviously, we don’t understand everything right now, and we’re not going to understand everything, but in order to understand the whole restoration process, you need to see both perspectives.You need to see the women’s side.You need to see the men’s side as well.”

“You really have to make it equal. But right now, we’re trying to lift women up to where the men were already sitting,” Kennington added.

Strain said, “You can still look, search, question, wonder and push for change, but also have hope that in the eternal scheme of things, women and men stand as equals even if I’m not always seeing it now.”

Through her religion class Strain said she provides her students with what she did

not have: resources to discuss and answer their questions. She said people’s questions and struggles should be treated with sincerity because they are legitimate and should never be dismissed.

Allred said, “The classroom environment is open and free of judgment. It’s okay if you don’t know something. We are all learning and growing. Sister Strain welcomes questions and challenges us to think deeply about topics that we are familiar with but maybe haven’t contemplated before.”

Strain said, “[The students] should be able to have a safe space to talk about it, and to bring it up, and have it respected, and listened to and addressed.

“I don’t know how we can help our youth and build faith if we’re not doing that.” •

Rebekah Strain reading about important women figures in the restoration.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 55

GROWING

IN PAIN

Two siblings attending BYUH share how they overcame the grief of their father’s death

BY NICHOLE WHITELEY 5 6 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

Photos by Marwin Jay Villegas.

GraphicsGraphics

by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

by Akira Nagahama.

T

hrough the difficulty of losing their father and the grief they felt after his passing, a brother and sister from the Philippines now attending BYU-Hawaii said they came to better understand Heavenly Father has helped them to survive and thrive just as he helped the plants continued to grow in their father’s garden back home.

The roots of healing When his father was ill, Randy Biador, a freshman from the Philippines majoring in political science, said he looking for someone to give him a miracle or do something that would save his dad. But no miracle happened.

Then after his father’s death, Biador said he felt like only a miracle could relieve him and his family’s grief and bring back their hope. “But there was no miracle. … Until I was looking at the trees [and] the plants that I planted.”

He continued, “Every time I see beautiful trees or big trees, it reminds me of my dad - that he loved trees, and he took care of them.” So Biador said he spent most of his time outside or planting, something his father taught him to do.

During his time in the garden, he said he marveled at the perfection of the flowers blooming on the trees, the beauty of the clouds in the blue sky, the fruitfulness of the garden his father taught him to foster and the wonder of the stars and moon as they hung to sparkle the night sky.

As he took in the scene, he said he realized each of these creations was the miracle he was looking for.

“I was just amazed that there’s something there that can give me that [and] restore my hope.”

Biador added, “My Heavenly Father is still there. He is still taking care of everything. If

He was not there, then how come this plant is still growing, still alive and me still alive.

“I can still feel the beautiful creations, I can still feel the fresh wind, fresh air, and I can still see beautiful stars in the night.”

The loss of their father Looking back on when his father passed away, Randy Biador said their house was cleaned in preparation for his ill father to come home. But his father didn’t come home.

When his father was transferred to another hospital, he explained the nurses removed his oxygen. With the lack of oxygen combinated with of COVID-19, pneumonia and prostate cancer, Biador said medical personnel were unable to revive his father,, he said.

“He’s supposed to not die,” said Biador, “I felt very down, like we’re not important people. … Like our lives are not important because we have no money. The only

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 57

important life was those who [had] money, and so I was helpless,” Biador said.

He said what happened to his father hurt him deeply, but no matter what he could do, such as sue the doctors or file a case, he could not get his father’s life back. So, instead he said he focused all of his effort on caring for his family, planning the funeral and managing anything else needed. “It was just very painful,” he expressed.

After his father passed, he said took two months off work to focus on his family and healing.

He said he thought, “What’s the purpose of working? What’s the purpose of pursuing my dream to go to school?” But then he looked at his siblings and realized, “Who’s going to inspire [and] encourage them, or support them and help them?” Biador said he wondered.

But as he thought of his father’s garden and Heavenly Father’s love for all his creations including himself, he said he felt hope again.

Family grows together Karen Biador, Randy Biador’s sister, a freshman majoring in hotel and tourism management, said, “I’m so grateful that there is a plan of salvation [so] that I can be with [my father]. I can see [him] again after this life.”

She said there are 11 children in the Biador family and, after their father passed, they did their best to keep up their spirits in between the tears.

She said they used humor to cope with their father’s passing and tried their best to make each other happy and smile. Having fun together helped them to heal faster than crying, she explained. Karen Biador added it was easier to enjoy being together and enjoy life as much as possible.

“We just try to have fun, so we rent a videoke or karaoke, and we cook food together, and we sing because of my mom and my dad. ... They dance together,” she reminisced. After their father’s passing, she said even though their mother would dance alone when they sang, they still took videos and photos like they used to do.

How they got to BYUH Karen Biador said her dad was always very supportive in whatever path she wanted

5 8 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

to take. “I hope that he’s proud that I am here, and I am just thinking I wish he’s still alive and witness this. That his two kids got here at BYU–Hawaii, because he knows that a lot of Filipinos want to get here. So hopefully he’s proud.”

Randy Biador said he applied to BYUH three times before being accepted and cried tears of joy when he received his acceptance letter. Still, he expressed his discouragement, “I felt that, ‘Why this time? My dad is already not here. My dad is not existing anymore, so he can’t see this. He will not be able to know about this. I feel that it’s kind of late.”

Despite his disappointment with the timing, he said, “For the sake of my future, and my siblings [and] my mom, I love that this opportunity is a great blessing. … If I keep on learning for my future, and to support my siblings and my mom, my dad will be proud.”

Randy Biador said he was inspired to study political science to learn more about how the legal process works and his and other’s rights in that area. He said, “I felt my rights as a human in the Philippines when my dad passed away - our rights, my dad’s rights were abused.”

“I was amazed that truly the Lord can do miracles and can do everything.”

Karen Biador Karen Biador said she also had difficulties getting to BYUH - issues with her visa, her flights and all the documents required to come to Hawaii. When she had to defer to this Fall, she said, “I just tried to be patient, but really, I am almost giving up. I already told my brother, ‘No, I’m not going to Hawaii. It’s not my plan.’”

But then she said she prayed and felt BYUH was where she was supposed to be.

She applied and received her acceptance letter two weeks later, and said the Lord provided the way for her to get to Hawaii despite all forces working against her. “I was amazed that truly the Lord can do miracles and can do everything.”

Randy and Karen Biador plant taro in memory of their father.

Karen Biador said she recalled when she and her father would sit and talk about future career paths for her, discussing what was her best fit and which programs she should look into.

She said even though they were often just joking around because she knew they could not afford to send her to school, “[My father was] just encouraging me to pursue my dreams because he’s not forever by my side. … At the end of the day, I’m going to stand by my own with my family in the future, and I need to have my own career. He’s just trying to help me dream.”

When she has felt overwhelmed during her first semester here, Karen Biador said she remembered her dad’s advice to pursue her dreams. “I know that if we stretch out, it means the Lord wants us to improve or to reach our capacity. It’s so scary sometimes, but those experiences that I’ve gone through are my inspiration. I can’t give up now. … I can’t give up. I can do this. It’s hard but it is not impossible.”

Trusting in His plan Karen Biador recalled, “The last time that I saw my father was when they were about to bring him to the hospital. I helped my mother change my father’s clothes.” She thought, “He’s so strong,” and that he would make it. She said her entire family regretted taking him to the hospital because they felt he would still be alive if they would have been able to take care of him. Despite this pain and regret, Karen Biador said, “I know that it’s the Lord’s plan as well. … We’re not going to live here forever. … Our life is very short, and we need to make the most of it.”

Randy Biador said his testimony of eternal families gives him “hope to still see my family [and] that we will be all together.”

Unbreakable bond Recalling their connection with their father, Karen Biador said, “The only thing that I can remember and treasure are the experiences we have together.” She continued, “My father is so caring.” She said she remembers

he was always the one who took care of her when she was sick. He would be by her side, giving her medicine, feeding her and asking her how she felt.

Randy Biador shared their home was frequently hit with large typhoons and his father worked to protect their family. “I could see in his actions that he really loves his family and protects his family by doing that.”

During these times,he said he helped his father and explained, “We did not talk much when I helped him … [but] that action and desire to work together and help each other … with one purpose, one objective … to support or to protect our home or family - it builds connection. •

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 59

6 0 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

Graphics by Marlee Palmer.

Laie couple, Miruka and Manase Aida Tetuanui.

Photos by Kristen Staker.

SCHOOL OF LIFE CALLED

"MATRIMONY" N E W S T U DEN T 2023 61

A couple from Japan says marriage taught them how to manage their money wisely and how to express their feelings

BY XYRON LEVI CORPUZ

M

anase Aida Tetuanui, a newlywed and sophomore majoring in human resources from Saitama, Japan, said being married taught him how to manage his money. He admitted, “I hate counting how much I have, how much I can use and how much I should save.” But now being married, he said he and his wife need to save and spend their money wisely.

Also learning from their marriage, Miruka Aida Tetuanui, Manase Aida Tetuanui’s spouse from Tokyo, Japan, said a life lesson she has learned is to talk more and express her feelings. “Tell your husband why you didn’t like [a specific thing]. Or tell him what you want him to do.

Just tell him what you feel and communicate together,” she explained.

She said before marriage, she was not as expressive of her feelings but being married helped her to push past that. “Because I was able to express my feelings more, I was able to gain more love. And because I was able to talk more and have more communication, I was able to love my husband more,” she commented.

A great example Anri Nakagawa, a student spouse from Hokkaido, Japan, and a friend of the Aida Tetuanui couple, said she looks up to how the couple protects each other from cheating. The couple, she said, have access to each other’s phone and social media accounts, including each other’s passwords, allowing each to check it at any time.

She said she respects how they love each other in a way they still find time to go on dates together. Anri Nakagawa added even though it is difficult to find a time, they still make it happen and have fun at least once a week. “That’s one thing they’re working on super hard,” she commented.

Koto Nakagawa, a freshman majoring in information system from Osaka, Japan, and husband of Anri Nakagawa, said he also looks up to the couple in many ways, especially how they care for each other. “When Manase finishes his work, he always calls [his wife] while on his way home,” he said.

He explained Manase Aida Tetuanui does not want his wife to think he is with other girls. This practice preserves the strong bond between the couple, Koto Nakagawa added.

He said even though they are a newlywed couple and imperfect human beings, they are a great example to him and his wife. Koto Nakagawa explained, “They’re trying so hard to follow the gospel standard to build a strong foundation for their family.”

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The value in companionship Miruka Aida Tetuanui shared one important factor of marriage is becoming better being married in comparison to being alone. For example, she said there’s a limit to developing a person’s skills with patience if one is single.

Miruka Aida Tetuanui said being together, they both need to practice a lot of patience. She added, “I can develop my skills for serving others because I have to serve my husband [and vice versa].” She explained being with someone increases one’s capacity to love not only towards her spouse but other people too.

Through the gospel perspective, she said having a family means having a lot of experiences together, such as raising children and, eventually, becoming like Heavenly Father. It’s a good preparation when that time comes, she added.

Gems of marriage Manase Aida Tetuanui admitted he didn’t want to get married until his 30s because he wanted to enjoy his single life. He said that changed after he met his then-girlfriend and now spouse.

He said because his spouse was so strong in the gospel when they were dating, he changed his mind about waiting to get married. In fact, he said she was the one who invited him to attend church and read the scriptures. Doing those things helped build his testimony while they were dating, Manase Aida Tetuanui added. He said he then realized she was the one he was looking for because she helped him grow.

Miruka Aida Tetuanui said being married means she does not need to face her troubles alone. “Now that I am married, if there are some problems [me and my husband] can solve the problem together,” she commented.

She shared she once faced a personal problem and she felt she had to deal with it alone. But she realized she was no longer alone and could rely on her husband.

Manase Aida Tetuanui said one of the best things about being married is the delicious food prepared by his wife. He said when he wakes up in the morning, there’s good food to greet him and a delightful dinner when he returns from school. •

Japanese married couple, Miruka and Manase Aida Tetuanui, pose in photos together on campus.

Photos by Kristen Staker. Graphics by Marlee Palmer.

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FOOD FEST

2022 BYUH ohana and local community members gather to taste the cuisine prepared by 38 diverse student clubs

BY MAHANA TEPA AND VIVIANA CHUAH 6 4 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

Latin America Club members serving food.

Photos by Yui Leung.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

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hirty-eight clubs displayed unique, cultural dishes of food at their stalls as aromas of spices and sauces filled the air during BYU–Hawaii’s Food Fest 2022.

Crowds of people rushed between the different clubs’ stalls in the Flag Circle on Saturday, Nov. 11, enjoying the extensive event. Thirteen of those clubs were from Asia, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia and the Philippines.

First-time participant Saran Kumar Sekar, a freshman from India studying hotel and tourism management, said this is a new experience for him. “[The colleges in India] don’t have different clubs from various nationalities as we have here at BYUH. It’s great to see everyone coming together.”

Former Cambodia Club President and current Vice President of Activities, Soktheavy Phouk, a junior studying political science from Cambodia, said there was a sentimental value behind the food her club chose to make this

year. Phouk explained, “Nom plae ai is a small mochi ball with brown sugar and fresh coconut filling. When you bite it, you can feel it burst in your mouth. That was my favorite dessert as a kid. Now I want the world to experience the joy I had with this dessert.” Cambodia Club members sold three desserts at Food Fest: jek k’teis, nom korm and nom plae ai.

Shiori Shimada, a senior from Japan majoring in elementary education, said she loved the nom plae ai dessert. “We have mochi dessert in Japan, but this was new to me. It was so good. I didn’t expect a mochi ball to have coconut [as a filling]. That was a perfect combination.”

Shimada shared her experience was different from last year because this year she got to walk around instead of helping her club.

She said, “My friends and I bought [food] from most of the stalls and tried them all together.

[I’m] so happy I get to experience cultural diversity in Hawaii.”

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To make Food Fest a unique experience this year, Jay-r Ragsag, a freshman studying business management and the current president of the Filipino Club, said the club presidency and committee decided together to make popular Filipino street food. He said they chose kwek kwek, which are deep-fried boiled quailed eggs covered with orange batter, and Filipino barbecue. When asked about his childhood memories of Filipino street food, Ragsag explained the barbecue reminded him of his first family business.

He said, “I remember barbecuing with my family and selling skewers at the night market when I was a kid.” Ragsag said it was a wonderful experience but also sad because they sold out pretty quickly. “It was hard to tell people that we were sold out when the line was still long.” This experience has taught him to always make extra food for Food Fest, he said.

Thinking back on his childhood, former Korea Club Vice President Sijun Lim, a junior studying computer science from South Korea, shared a tender memory of his mother. “When I was a little kid, my mom always took me to a tteokbokki place. She bought one or two bucks of cheap tteokbokki for me, and that’s the best tteokbokki I’ve ever had. That’s anan

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unforgettable memory in my life,” he said.

Tteokbokki is part of Korean pride and identity, Lim explained. “Although almost every Korean student knows how to make tteokbokki. The recipe can be unique from family to family,” he said.

Sumiya Munkhbaatar, a sophomore studying finance and the former vice president for the Mongolia Club, explained the reason behind her club’s chosen menu. She said the

Mongolian Club served chicken rolls with fried potatoes and a fresh salad to reflect the diversity of BYUH. “Chicken isn’t the main meat that we eat in Mongolia, but [we made it] because we’re in Hawaii and Food Fest is kind of like a [celebration of diversity].” She explained they usually only use chicken during celebrations, but the Mongolia Club thought it would be good to make a fusion dish. Munkhbaatar

expressed her hope to make more fusion dishes with other cultures for the next Food Fest. •

Top left: Korean Club’s sign lighting up their booth.

Bottom left: Hong Kong Club members promoting their popular egg waffle.

Right: Meat kabobs barbecuing over the grill.

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

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CREATING A SAFE SPACE

Community member Maya Lee-Cameron says Women’s Circle is a space for women to be heard by each other

BY RANITEA TEIHOARII

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YU-Hawaii’s Women’s Services & Resources held its first Women’s Circle with the purpose of creating a safe and peaceful place for women to gather together once a month and talk about different topics of life. The event, which took place on Jan. 25 in the Heber J. Grant Building, focused on a discussion and reflection on the happiest moments from last year and goals and improvements for this year. According to Women’s Services & Resources, future topics of discussion will include healthy relationships, setting boundaries and self-love.

Maya Lee-Cameron, a community member volunteering in Women’s Services & Resources, said, “Circles were an ancient form of gathering for men and women, [mostly] to talk stories.” She explained further, “Circles are a nice way to get over the competition that might exist between women and communicate with each other, share our stories and lift others with similar shared experiences.”

Sierra Allred, a program development lead at Women’s Services & Resources and a senior from Oregon majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, said the Women’s Circle is meant to bring people closer by connecting with a support system to facilitate cross-cultural exchange and learning from each other’s cultures and experiences. “We want this to be a space where we can talk about topics that might be taboo within different cultures,” she said.

“Positivity and happy feelings” are the words Naw Shee, a BYUH alumna, used to describe her first experience at the Women’s Circle. “Meditation [and the other activities] we did made me feel happy, positive and hopeful for my future. I realized the things I needed to do to keep my family happy too,” shared Shee.

Yennifer Carroll, a senior from Panama majoring in art education, said she liked the energy radiating from the women present and felt happy and safe to share her feelings openly. “It’s a safe environment where I can share my feelings knowing that I’m not going to be judged,” she expressed. •

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Left: Sierra Allred speaking in the Women’s circle and notebooks placed around the circle with pens.

Right: Students participating in the Women’s Circle.

Photos by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 69

Culture Night:

Uniting students through performances

Clubs Leadership Council and Student Leadership and Service highlight the importance of Culture Night at BYU-Hawaii.

BY CHRYSANTHEMUMOLIVE TIAFAU

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n an effort to enrich the BYU–Hawaii experience for all students, the Clubs Leadership Council and Student Leadership and Service stated clubs are formed to enhance the BYUH experience for all students through a living laboratory of opportunities that promote learning, leading and building.

The CLC and BYUH SLS leadership stated clubs give students the opportunity to “develop a sense of belonging at BYU–Hawaii, apply principles learned in academic programs, serve the campus and community by sharing their hobbies, talents, cultures, traditions and interests and learn and practice leadership. … Student leadership trains student leaders, implements and supports their requirements, and creates guidelines and procedures for all student clubs.”

Culture Night is a two-day event held at the Cannon Activities Center and is also broadcast live on the BYUH streaming page via YouTube. According to CLC and SLS information, participation in Culture Night is optional for all clubs. “It is a celebration of cultural diversity and promotes peace internationally,” they said. CLC and SLS

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said Culture Night not only allows clubs to showcase their talents and contributions but serves as a platform for them to further develop their leadership skills.

Jacquie Alisa, the student activities coordinator for SLS and Laie native, spoke about the importance of Culture Night for students. “We believe that Culture Night echoes the school’s mission of preparing students to become lifelong disciples in their chosen field because it allows them to further develop their leadership skills by instructing, planning, organizing and executing a cultural performance for their members,” said Alisa.

She explained Culture Night fosters a sense of unity and inclusion with the community and students by inviting members of the community to assist clubs with advice on how to incorporate cultural techniques into songs and dance movements to enhance their performances. She said, “Community members who are alumni may participate in supporting clubs as musicians.” She added, the community is also welcome to watch the Culture Night performances.

According to Alisa, Culture Night provided a platform for all willing country cultures to present a significant part of who they are as people. When students on campus learn a dance or song from their own culture or another, she said, “It is a moment in time and the various culture clubs all unite to celebrate as the people of Jesus Christ.”

Fatima Dagohoy, a junior majoring in biology from the Philippines and supervisor for the CLC, said she believes every performance from previous Culture Nights were outstanding. “They highly depict the unity and inclusivity within our community. I was heavily moved by the Afro-world performance. The message of their performance made me realize the school’s vision of bringing international peace. It was heartfelt and filled with passion,” said Dagohoy.

Student supervisor of Leadership for Clubs, Sirawit Kitwongpak, a senior majoring in accounting from Thailand, said, “My highlight [from previous Culture Nights] was to see all cultural performances come together in one place and on one stage, to help each culture represent themselves on an international stage.”

BYUH SLS and CLC leaders encourage students to join a club each semester. Additionally, they said students could participate in a variety of events scheduled for the upcoming semesters such as Food Fest on Nov. 4 in Fall 2023, Culture Night on March 13 and 15 in Winter 2024 and its first variety show on June 5 in Spring 2024. • Left: India club performing. Top right: Men from Cook Islands club dancing. Bottom left: Samoa club’s men performing. Bottom right: Latin America’s club dancing with fans.

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

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During the March 2023 Culture Night, 1,200 students from 31 clubs performed. The clubs that performed were: 1.

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Professional Accounting Society Hapkido Hawaiian Hong Kong Indonesia Afro World Hmong Singapore/ Malaysia Kiribati Thailand Aotearoa Vietnam Tahiti Korea Cook Islands Tonga Rock N Roll Lahu’i Va’a Hip Hop Cambodia Taiwan Intertribal Japan Mongolia PNG Filipino India China Latin America Fiji Samoa

Left: PNG club Right, top left: Hawaii club; Right: Mongolia club contortionist; Middle: Samoa club; Bottom left: Taiwan club; Bottom right: Japan club.

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

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N E W S T U DEN T 2023 73

CREATING A NEW LIFE through her BYUH education

Gaining an education has helped her to break the cycle of disadvantage, says BYUH student from Thailand

BY CHENOA FRANCIS

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After Tangsitpan finishes her studies at BYUH, she hopes to return to Bangkok, Thailand and help students who don’t get the education and chances they deserve.

Photo by Marwin Villegas Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

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ose Tangsitpan said no matter how much effort she put into her previous studies, no one cared, supported, or tried to help her leave the stagnant box that she felt the educational system had put her in.

Despite her past experience, she said she has learned, “Hard work pays off here at BYU–Hawaii.” At BYUH, Tangsitpan said she believed there was a chance for her.

She said, “[You] will have the opportunity to reach out or even the opportunity can come to you. … America is a land of opportunities.”

Tangsitpan, a sophomore majoring in psychology from Bangkok, Thailand, said she felt the big world was waiting for her with open arms when she came to BYUH because there were few opportunities for her back home.

Freshman Phak Phakdeerat from Roiet, Thailand, agreed with Tangsitpan and said BYUH had provided him a chance to grow in his goals and career pathways. He said, “Here [in] Hawaii, you have a lot of opportunities. If you love music, sports, communication or theater, there are options to follow through with it.”

In Tangsitpan’s hometown, she explained how students are put into classes based on their academic intellect, with the scale ranging from class one being the highest to 13 being the lowest. She expressed that she felt the future was dim for her coming from class 12 in the Bangkok education system. She explained being in class 12 meant there weren’t many opportunities for her to be something greater than what was offered. “A lot of people could get a lot of opportunities if they were in the higher rank,” she said.

Not excelling in academic studies reduces the opportunities and attention of those students she clarified. “I was put in the low-rank class … so I didn’t really have opportunities to know what was happening in school, or possible careers or the scholarships offered. A lot of smart people would get there first and we would know it later,” Tangsitpan recalled.

Seeking and finding opportunity

Tangsitpan says she felt the big world was waiting for her with open arms when she came to BYUH.

Similar to Tangsitpan, other students have expressed gratitude for the opportunities they have found since coming to BYUH. Loisi Nalesoni, a freshman from Australia majoring in biology, said she has had similar experiences to Phakdeerat and Tangsitpan regarding opportunity. She said she has found her purpose since being here by wanting to give and be present for her community. “I’m glad that I am here. I’m growing and learning here. … It has helped me feel the bond of a community, and I feel that I have a lot of opportunities,” Nalesoni explained.

Through her hard work, Tangsitpan said she had a stroke of luck. During Spring 2022, she said her religion professor asked her to share her research paper on women translating the Book of Mormon in the Religious Topics section of the April 2022 Undergraduate Research Conference. Tangsitpan won an award of $1,000 for her research. Expressing how touched she felt for someone to recognize her efforts, she said, “After trying so hard, I saw that my efforts weren’t useless.”

After Tangsitpan finishes her studies at BYUH, she said she hopes to return to Bangkok and help students who don’t get the education and chances they deserve.

With a major in psychology and a minor in organizational behavior, Tangsitpan said she aspires to become a career counselor and achieve her goal of helping children and youth back home who are experiencing what she experienced. “I want them to get the opportunity that I received [at BYUH],” she said. •

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DAVID O. MCKAY DEVOTIONAL 2023 David O. McKay faculty lecturer Yifen Beus discusses the way film can help people view the world differently

BY ABIGAIL HARPER

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fter giving her David O. McKay Lecture on the ways film can help us see the world through different lenses,Yifen Beus said she was asked by a curious faculty member, “Do you think directors think of those things when making the film or is it film critics who tease out complexities?”

During the question-and-answer panel about her work, Beus said her colleagues’ questions and comments in response to her work is similar to film critics’ comments; they help her tease out the complexity in her own research.

While framing her talk, Beus said, “We, as an audience, offer our willing suspension of disbelief when engaging a fictional world, and better yet a willing suppression of prejudice when engaging an unfamiliar or strange world with our eyes seeing and our ears listening.”

Filmmaking is usually seen as an invention of colonizers, she said, but Oceania filmmakers have modernized their storytelling by repositioning themselves in a cinematic space. She shared two clips from different films that illustrate Indigenous filmmaking.

One of the clips was from the movie Seediq Bale, set in Beus’ homeland, Taiwan. It is a dramatization of the 1930 Wushe Incident, an anti-colonial rebellion by one of Taiwan’s Indigenous groups, the Seediq, during Japanese rule. During the panel discussion, Dale Robertson, a retired political science professor, asked Beus how she would respond to someone who says that colonization is not their fault and they should not dwell on it because it causes feelings of guilt.

Beus said she would use herself as an example as someone who is Han Chinese, one of the groups that colonized Taiwan. “Self-referentiality is very important,” she said, “we need to recognize where we are coming from. We take the guilt and move it toward a positive direction together as a community because that is productive.”

She also emphasized that she does not want to speak for Indigenous people but wants to speak with them. To engage in the kind of work Beus discussed, she encouraged everyone to come to the film forums held on campus. •

Left: Yifen Beus speaking to the audience about her research in film.

Right: A portrait of David O. McKay. Photos by Joseph Ariono.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 77

POLITICAL SCIENCE senior shares his story

Unsure he would be able to go to college, BYUH Winter 2023 graduation student speaker John Lidang says he found purpose through his trials

BY HADLEY WURTZ

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Born in the Philippines, John Lidang says he wondered if he would be able to pay for college and is now graduating summa cum laude from BYUH on April 14.

Photo by Mila Stanley Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

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rowing up in Isabela, Philippines, John Kenneth Lidang said he and his family lived by simple means. He said, “I’ve seen how my parents struggled. I didn’t think I was going to college.” In 2010, he remembered his dad cutting his hair because at a shop it would’ve cost $7, and they couldn’t afford it. “That was the first time I ever thought, ‘If we can’t afford a $7 haircut, how can I go to college?’” Later his parents separated, his mother worked three jobs, and Lidang said he helped care for his sister.

However, 13 years later, Lidang has been asked to speak at the Winter 2023 Commencement ceremony and is graduating summa cum laude with a degree in political science and a certificate in legal studies.

Lidang said his mother had only met one summa cum laude in her life. “That’s what pushed me to do it.

[I told her] the next person I want you to meet that is a summa cum laude is your own son,” he said.

Despite having sometimes felt unseen, he said the moment he was asked to speak at graduation, he realized, “It’s not so much to show the world that I graduated, [but] … maybe it’s for others too. …

“We don’t just graduate for ourselves. We graduate for our family, our people, our country, our dreams, especially our God. This whole thing was not just us. It is everyone’s. This accomplishment is for those who were rejected coming to BYU–Hawaii, … for the mom in Guatemala paying her tithing for us to afford this and the two Primary children in the Philippines who would give two pesos for us to go to school. It’s for them. It’s not just for us.”

When asked to speak at graduation, he said, “It felt like I was hugged by my Heavenly Father.”

John Lidang says he hopes to work with people to help them achieve their dreams and believe in themselves.

Photo by Mila Stanley.

Doing hard things is good

Staying connected to God

After serving his mission in Hawaii, taking classes from BYU in Provo and getting his associate’s from BYU-Idaho, Lidang said he felt a pull telling him to return to Hawaii. He said of the first time being back on the island it “felt like heaven and earth met. … It reminded me of home, but most importantly, there was just a certain spirit that was here.”

With gratitude for the challenge of coming to the university, he said, “Moving to America is first, but moving to BYU–Hawaii for my schooling has been the second hardest thing I’ve done.You start over again. It’s hard if you don’t know anybody.You don’t have resources.”

He said of attending all the BYUs, BYUH “is my favorite because it was hard. It helped me to learn that I can do hard things. Hard is good.”

Lidang compared the experience of leaving heaven to coming to Earth to learn to students’ journeys coming to BYUH to learn. He said, “For us on Earth, heaven is home. We had to leave home to learn. So in a way, what we are doing here at BYUH is the plan of salvation in action.” He added because the Lord has a plan for “our entire mortality,” He has a “plan for our education.”

Lidang said he recognizes God has the power to do anything. However, he continued, “One thing that He maybe chooses not to give us is experiences. [God] says, ‘I can tell you how to get here, but I can’t walk the walk for you.’ And that is what we’re doing.”

Most often, Lidang said, keeping connected to God and the Savior despite people’s busy lives is difficult. He said, “In the moments where I really felt I needed to call God, … I always make time to walk to the temple.” He said for him making that walk is a physical symbol of him coming to the Lord. Recognizing the strength it can take to make the walk at times, he said, “Sometimes it was those teary walks. They were rainy walks. Those were painful walks.”

The days he said he felt unworthy or struggled to want to walk past or to the temple grounds, those walks were a “physical reminder God is saying, ‘There’s nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing to be afraid about. There is literally a physical manifestation of me that I am here, that I am looking over the school. I am looking over the mountains. I am looking over the water. I see you.’”

Lidang said making these walks, despite the challenge at times, taught him his priorities as he had to drop “anything and everything, mentally, physically, emotionally. … When I do, I am going to the Lord.”

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John Lidang in front of the McKay mural.

Photo by Mila Stanley.

Individuality With the pull to return to the island, Lidang said one of the aspects of the school that drew him in was the individuality that exists within the campus and community. He said, “BYUH teaches you a lot about individuality. … What caught me was that everybody was different. There was a sense of individual identity for everybody who was here.”

Lidang compared his small close-knit town in the Philippines to Laie where “everybody knew everybody.”Your name and your town became your identity, he said, as everyone was “all just one.” But when he came to BYUH, he said he realized everyone was representing something more. “Each student here represents not only themselves, [but] they represent a family [and] most importantly they represent a country. … That individuality is what brought me to learn about people’s stories.

That’s what drew me here.”

Despite struggling to learn English in his youth, Lidang said he now can converse in 14 languages and is fluent in English, Tagalog, Ilocano, French, American Sign Language, Spanish and German. He said when he got to BYUH he told himself, “I want to talk to [someone from] every single flag that’s represented [in the Flag Circle]. I’m going to hear a story from every single one, because I want to put a face behind each flag.” He said with pride, “The whole time I’ve been here, I’ve been able to do that.”

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After going on a solo trip to Europe this previous year, Lidang said the trip taught him “learning can be anywhere. It can be from anything and that the actual teacher is our Heavenly Father.” Despite being in a completely unknown place, surrounded by unknown people and languages, he said the feeling was still the same as he had felt when learning from people and places in the past. “I think there is only one testament of that. Heavenly Father came on that trip with me.”

Comparatively he continued, “Heavenly Father came here with us [to BYUH]. Different places, different people, same identity is what I got from that trip. It’s the same feeling I felt here at BYUH, the same feeling I felt when I moved to America. … For me, that’s been my cornerstone. The spirit verifies things.”

Appreciating the importance of the diverse university and connection of students, Lidang said, “I’m graduating with a degree, but I think most importantly, … I’m leaving with people’s experiences. I think that’s the greatest education I can ever take with me.” He said it is these experiences, that people learn from other people, that will teach them and stick with them. “Those are the lessons you won’t have a hard time finding an application for, because every single person has a story [and we] can benefit from that.”

Serving others Lidangs efforts in reaching out and learning from others at BYUH also manifested in his work as a lead mentor for the Political Science Department to help provide support to struggling students. Troy Smith, professor in the Faculty of Business & Government and mentor to Lidang, said Lidang “had some very unique approaches and interactions in ways of reaching people that has just been phenomenal.”

Smith said Lidang “interacts very well” with a variety of people and has taken it on as a personal “objective to help others, to lift them and bring them along.” He explained Lidang is very good at reading people and “orientating himself to reach them, their interest, their needs and concerns.”

Attesting to his ability to reach others, Valerie Agustin, a sophomore from the Philippines double majoring in political science and finance, and Lidang’s coworker, said, “[Lidang] can easily connect with people. He [will] meet a mentee once, and it feels like they have been together for so long. It’s just magic I think.” She explained Lidang is not just a mentor, but he is a friend to everyone around him, always treating everyone as an equal.

Agustin said, “He knows when you’re stressed even when you don’t speak and will try to uplift you. … [When you’re stressed,] he will never leave you.”

Smith said he admires Lidang’s “positive mental attitude” and expressed his joy in being able to watch Lidang interact with others.

He said, “[He has a] positive mental energy and [directs] that towards people. It’s both for him but for others to lift them up.”

Lidang said working as a mentor taught him that “the solutions to our problems or the hardships that we yearn to fix are found while we are serving others.” He said this is what gave his education substance.

“It’s more than just books and essays. It’s about connection, purpose and helping those who need your help, and in turn, they help others.”

In his time working with others and making an effort to learn from them, he said those are the connections that will not fade, that last and have meaning. So, Lidang said despite also having a scholastic degree in political science, he said, “That’s what I’m getting my degree in - people, people, people.”

Augustin said, “Everything he does is always connected to his concern for others and how he can be a help to them, even in the future.”

Smith said within the department, Lidang “leavens everything. He raises the quality, [and] brings the humor.

Cultivating purpose To push through the difficulties of college life and his studies, Lidang said finding and having a purpose is what moved him forward, and the message he always strived to share with those he mentored.

Lidang said to find his purpose in his studies, he always remembered his parents’ sacrifice. He recalled a story of a time his mother received a 25 cent tip, and after only living in America for a year, she did not realize how little that was. “She came home, and she was crying at the dinner table” out of gratitude. He said he encouraged her to keep that tip as a reminder for the future. “That was huge for us.” He said he looks back at that moment with amazement that he is now able to pay thousands of dollars a semester for tuition.

“The hard thing about a purpose is we can’t see it. It’s hard to believe sometimes that it is there, but it is the same way as faith,” Lidang explained. “I feel like purpose is this tangible, organic thing that we always work to cultivate. It’s like a plant. If we stay away from the purpose, like if we step away and not water it for a day or two, then it starts to wilt. For me that’s what really kept me going.”

Agustin said finding your own purpose is one of the lessons she has learned from her time working with Lidang and being his friend. She said, “The first question he asked me is why I am taking political science? … One thing I’ve learned is if you have purpose, and that’s your foundation, you’ll try harder.” She said this was always a main point he tried to share with his mentees as well, asking them, “What inspires you to do things?”

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 81

Accomplishments and goals

Words of wisdom

In his time at BYUH, Lidang said he has accomplished many things and been a part of several projects to push him towards his future goals of working in international law.

As a student Lidang has interned at the Utah Attorney General’s Office and Government Relations for the Church. He also took first and second place at the Undergraduate Research Conference for his research on “the effects of religiosity on violent crimes,” and he was a finalist in the Empower Your Dreams business competition. In addition, he said he has won several awards within mock trials and in his graduating program and served as a vice president of the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society.

With all his accomplishments, Lidang said he plans to continue to dream big and go into international relations and foreign diplomacy, with the goal of someday being a judge or president for the International Court of Justice for the United Nations.

He explained, “Originally, I wanted to be in an international field where I get to empower people saying, ‘If I can do this, so can you.

Don’t be scared.’” But connecting it to education in a religious institution, he said, “It gives me a glimpse of how the atonement of Jesus Christ really works” as government to him is the “language of heaven.”

He explained the words they use in court and in preparing for heaven are the same. “The trials we go through in life, the Savior being our advocate or a lawyer, we’ve got witnesses that attest to what’s true and what’s not, and I think most importantly testimony.” He continued, “I get to understand how heaven works a little more. It gives me a view of how the Lord’s forgiveness works. It teaches me about second chances, what is worth fighting for and giving me an eye of what the Savior is willing to do.”

After graduating, Lidang will be attending BYU Jerusalem in the spring and preparing to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) after.

The first time Lidang said his family was together in America, it had only been about a month, and they went to McDonald’s. He said a hamburger was $1, but in the Philippines at the time, that amount of money (50 pesos) could feed a family. He said, “We got a burger. We split it in four, one for my mom, dad, my sister and one for me.”

So when the university leaders asked him to give a speech and were questioning their decision, Lidang said, “It is similar to people’s experiences, and if I can make it from there to here, then why can’t you?” He encouraged further, “People are going to make fun of what you sound like [and] look at you differently, but you just keep walking. Because at the end of the road, you’ll realize it’s up to you, the Lord and those who really, really believe in you. We owe it to those who believe in us to keep going.”

Lidang said his advice to current students is, “Sometimes it feels like there is no use for what you are accomplishing. When it gets really hard, it’s easy to forget your purpose. But that’s all a part of this. The process of education is not meant to be an easy walk, because if it was, then everybody would do it.” He encouraged students to write down their experiences, and if something is hard, “Do it.”

As for his fellow graduates, he encouraged them to “always remember that education is a gift and the Lord needs us to use that. Knowledge is a stewardship and an endowment. It’s for us but also for others.”

He explained there are needs in the world to be filled and each graduate will fill these needs in different places with their gifts and what they learned. However, he reminded them to ask on the journey, “Where am I needed, and how do I do this for Heavenly Father?’”

Lidang stressed the importance of not forgetting the gift of gratitude. “When all the celebrations are over, I want them to take a moment to thank [others but] recognize that this was also your hard work. Express thanks. Let’s never forget and always remember why we are doing it. Close this with dignity.” •

8 2 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

John Lidang says “When all the celebrations are over, I want them to take a moment to thank [others but] recognize that this was also your hard work.”

Photo by Mila Stanley.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 83

Prevent, Defend, React Local police, Campus Safety & Security and 2 self-defense teachers explain how students can prevent and react to dangerous situations

BY NICHOLE WHITELEY AND CHENOA FRANCIS

8 4 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

M

ichelle Blimes, adjunct faculty in the Faculty of Education & Social Work and Faculty of Arts & Letters, teaches an empowerment self-defense course and gave students tips on how to handle themselves in a potentially dangerous situation.

Blimes said a large part of her curriculum is teaching her students how to trust themselves and have confidence in their feelings, intuition and actions in any situation.

Blimes covered the definition of harassment and stalking, different types of consent and non-consent, what to do in pressurized settings, how to set boundaries and how to trust yourself.

Iona C. Teriipaia, from Campus Saftey & Security, said a preventative safety measure is to “notify housing or [your friends] when you are going out.” He said when going out with a friend group, be aware of your surroundings, observe and also avoid dark areas.

Teriipaia said when going out or traveling, look to be vigilant and alert and be aware of the people around you who may seem suspicious or make you uncomfortable. He said one way to determine if someone may have questionable intentions is if they are watching you continuously. He advised students to “move away and keep distance.”

Hunter Ah Loo, acting major for District 4 which covers the Kaneohe Police Station, Kailua Police Station and Kahuku Police Station, shared a few precautionary recommendations for avoiding dangerous situations.

He said, similar to Teriipaia, being in pairs always helps the situation. “You’re less of a target when you have numbers around you.”

He recommended people lock their doors and

not leave valuables in the car, especially if they are visible. He continued, “A lot of crimes [happen] because of opportunity, … so you want to reduce opportunities.”

Ah Loo explained it is crucial, when in potentially dangerous situations, to try and avoid the situation and to immediately call the police. He said, “Some situations are unavoidable. But the situations that are avoidable, you just want to be aware and respond as safely as you can.”

How to recognize suspicious activity or unsafe behavior and people Reka Bordas-Simon, a resident of Laie, teaches a self-defense class with Blimes once a month, different from the course Blimes offers for credit. She explained being aware of how you feel in any situation is critical. “Many times when we think of self-defense, we think of someone jumping out of the bushes to attack us, which can happen, of course. But most assaults actually happen by someone we already know.”

According to the National Institute of Justice, “Eighty five to ninety percent of sexual assaults reported by college women are perpetrated by someone known to the victim.”

This is why in any situation, Blimes said the best thing to do is “listen to your own gut feeling and intuition.” If the situation feels unsafe, Blimes and Bordas-Simon advised to leave as soon as possible.

Bordas-Simon added, “If something feels off, it’s probably off. Really trust yourself.”

When looking for unsafe signs or behavior Blimes said, “I don’t think there are certain signs to look for because everybody’s behavior is different. There’s lots of different ways we can interpret nonverbal behavior. It may be what the person means, but maybe not, so just listening to our gut feeling is really important.”

Director of BYU–Hawaii Campus Safety & Security Anthony Pickard said suspicious activity can be identified by recognizing people who don’t belong in the area. He said, “You see something, you report it. … There is no harm in reporting it to local authorities.”

Resources to turn to on and off campus BYUH and PCC Security offers a pamphlet that covers and educates students on Everbridge Alert [a system that provides immediate emergency notifications via text or email], things to know before buying a car, having a bike, having a car on campus and safety tips. The safety tips offer information on sexual assault and other crimes, telling people to “make smart choices. Be aware of your surroundings, never go anywhere alone with someone you don’t know well [and] participate in group outings.”

The messages from Everbridge, according to Campus Safety & Security, inform students of hurricanes, tsunamis, active shooters and more.

The Campus Safety & Security website shows students how they can receive alerts on ongoing events happening on campus through Everbridge: “To receive emergency alerts from BYUH’s emergency mass notification system, please sign up by following these instructions: Step 1: Login to Student Center.

Step 2: Click on ‘Main Menu’ > ‘Self Service’ > ‘Campus Personal Information’ > ‘Phone Numbers.’

Step 3: Click on ‘Add A Phone Number.’

Step 4: Select the phone type by clicking on the drop-down in the first column and choose ‘Campus Alert’ from the drop-down list.

Step 5: Enter or update your phone number in the field next to that phone type, then click ‘SAVE.’” Pickard said whether students live on or off campus, they should report any suspicious activity to local authorities by calling 911, the Honolulu Police Department or the BYUH safety hotline, which is open 24/7 at (808) 675-3503.

Other resources for off-campus students living in Laie, Punaluu, Hauula or Kahuku include the shuttle service provided by BYUH Campus Safety & Security Monday through Friday at 10 p.m. and midnight, shared Pickard. When walking home at night or grabbing food from Foodland, Pickard advised students to walk in groups.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

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The recent campus curfew lift doesn’t impact regulations BYUH Safety and Security has set in place for on-campus students, said Pickard. From midnight to 5 a.m., BYUH Security officers check IDs and driver’s licenses of incoming vehicles driving on campus.

How to react in a dangerous situation Ah Loo said in a dangerous situation, “Safety of yourself and others around is always a priority.” To avoid confrontation, he said, “The key is to remain calm and think ‘Safety first.’”

He added the goal is to get out of or avoid the dangerous situation and notify the police when you are safe. However, if avoiding is not possible, he said the best thing to do if a confrontation arises is to de-escalate the situation. There is no set way of dealing with every situation, Ah Loo explained, but he advised to remain calm and to not agitate the person further or make the situation worse.

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Physical self-defense Blimes said learning simple self-defense techniques can help someone get out of a dangerous situation. “The thing I like about empowerment self-defense skills is that they’re very easy and anybody can do them even with any kind of skill level or physical ability.”

Bordas-Simon explained learning selfdefense skills are so essential because they transfer to muscle memory. Blimes added as you practice these simple skills and build that muscle memory, even in a panicked state your body can recall how to react to the danger.

Often in a dangerous situation, BordasSimon said people will freeze instead of fighting back. So, she said, “Knowing the physical skills is not enough,” which is why empowerment self-defense teaches more than just physical defense. It focuses on mental and verbal defense as well such as yelling, BordasSimon explained.

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In the self-defense class Blimes and Bordas-Simon taught they had the women attending practice using their voices to yell “No.” They said they taught the women to use a loud, powerful “No” because it sets your boundary clearly and notifies others around you when you are in an unwanted situation.

Bordas-Simon said many women feel uncomfortable practicing their voices, but it is crucial to do so. “So many attacks can be prevented by just yelling,” she added.

“It’s your right to yell,” Bordas-Simon said. Both women said it is important to know each person has the right to say no, to leave a situation and to set boundaries for themselves.

This could be in an escalated situation like discussed before, or in a calm situation such as turning down a date that you are not interested in. •

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Farah Sokolowski showing off her unique skin.

Photo by Yui Leung.

BEAUTIFUL SCARS BYUH students share their scars add to their uniqueness and it’s a badge of honor they carry throughout their life

BY SHARINI SHANMUGANATHAN N E W S T U DEN T 2023 87

Differences aren’t bad and challenges can bring us closer to God, students say

F

arah Sokolowski said of having vitiligo, or loss of pigment in blotches on the skin, “I learned to really love my skin. I think it makes me unique, and no one else has it like I do, so I just grew to embrace my differences over the years.” Sokolowski is a senior from Los Angeles majoring in political science.

Sokolowski explained vitiligo is an autoimmune disease where her body attacks certain spots’ ability to produce melanin.

According to her, the spots of her vitiligo are pure white since she can’t make melanin in that part of her skin. Even if she goes in the sun, she said those parts of her skin will just burn and then go back to white since it is unable to get darker.

Sokolowski said dealing with her skin differences while growing up was difficult.

“I looked different than everybody else, and it made me stand out.” She said sometimes it was good to stand out but other times it was not when she said she would receive mean comments such as, “What’s that on your face?” or “What’s wrong with your skin?” She said, “People thought I had a bad spray tan or my make up was rubbing off in that spot and that made me feel outcast from everybody else.”

“I got it when I was 6 years old. I went to the hospital suddenly because my neck swelled up really big and I couldn’t breathe.

The doctors tried all these tests on me, but they couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. Then they ended up putting steroids into my neck to get the swelling down and then about a month later vitiligo showed up,” said Sokolowski.

Nothing is a hindrance Mya Thornton, a freshman from Kailua double majoring in communications and intercultural peacebuilding, said after suffering an injury from gymnastics, she said, “I was frustrated. I felt like my injury was holding me back, keeping me from reaching my full potential. But as time went on, I realized something important. My scar was a badge of honor. It showed that I had been through something difficult and come out the other 8 8 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

side. It reminded me of how strong I was and how much I had overcome.”

Thornton said she had always been a natural athlete. Ever since she was 3, she said she had excelled in gymnastics. “I would spend hours every day at the gym, practicing flips, jumps and balances. I loved the feeling of soaring through the air, of defying gravity with my body,” said Thornton. Her coaches even told her she had a real shot at making it into big competitions one day, she said.

“I was practicing a difficult routine for my competition where I was flying in the air and landed horribly. I landed awkwardly on my ankle and felt a searing pain shoot up my leg,” said Thornton. She said she fell to the mat, clutched her ankle and gasped in agony.

It turned out that Thornton had sprained her ankle badly and had to wear an aircast boot. She said she was told by the doctors she would need to rest and recover for months.

But Thornton was determined, she said, “I didn’t want to lose my edge. [I] didn’t want to fall behind so I pushed myself to recover to be fully healed.”

She said she was constantly reminded of the injury and the pain she had endured. She said it was a reminder that she needed to take better care of her body, to listen to her limits and not push herself too hard.

While her injury served as a reminder, it also affected Thornton’s dance life. She said she found out she couldn’t do certain moves as easily as before. Her ankle would ache after long practices, and she said she would have to take breaks to stretch and ice it.

Despite the change, Thornton continued to dance. She said she learned to work with her injury to find new ways to move and express herself. And she said she found out she loved dance even more because of it. “The scar on my ankle wasn’t a hindrance. It was a part

of who I was, a part of my story and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” expressed Thornton.

Recklessness Saravanan Sekar, a sophomore from India who is majoring in exercise and sports science, said he is a thrill-seeking person. He shared he loved to push himself to the limits, try new things and take risks. One day, Sekar said he and his friends decided to go snorkeling in the ocean, but because of rough waves, he said he decided to hang by the reefs.

“A massive wave hit me. It was like a wall of water, and it sent me tumbling under the surface. I felt my knee hit something hard. My friends rushed over to me, and they could see I was bleeding from a gash on my knee,” he said.

Sekar explained his friends helped him back to shore where they cleaned and bandaged the wound. He said he couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened. He realized he had been reckless, he said and that he ignored the promptings of the Holy Ghost to not go too far from the group.

“As I lay in bed that night, I thought about my relationship with Heavenly Father.

I realized I had been taking unnecessary risks [and] that I had been ignoring the still small voice that guided me. And I knew that I needed to change,” said Sekar.

Over the next few weeks, Sekar explained he began to pray more earnestly. He expressed he asked for forgiveness for his recklessness, and he promised to be more careful in the future. He said he also listened to the still small voice more diligently, looking for guidance and inspiration.

As he did these things, he said his relationship with Heavenly Father grew stronger. He said he felt peace and joy he had never experienced before. He knew his scar wasn’t only the physical reminder of his recklessness, but also how far he had come, he explained.

Whenever he feels the urge to take unnecessary risks, he said he remembers his scar. “I remember the pain and the fear, but I also remember the peace and the joy that comes from following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I know that as long as I listen to that still small voice, I will be guided safely through life’s waves.” •

Left: Mya Thornton looking at her reflection.

Above: Saravanan Sekar sitting on a tree at Temple Beach.

Photos by Yui Leung.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 89

CANOE RACE 2023 9 0 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

Students represent their home countries as they paddle canoes at Kahana Bay

BY ELIJAH HADLEY

A

brisk breeze skimmed across the ocean waves in Kahana Bay on the morning of Saturday, March 25. The bay served as the playing field for the annual canoe race, which was put on by Seasider Sports & Activities. With fifteen teams made up of students and alumni from BYU–Hawaii, those who competed said they were glad to enjoy the experience and spend time with their friends.

The team Fenua Maohi, which was made up of mostly Tahitians, emerged victorious in the final race. They were awarded first-place medals and a trophy, along with black shirts with the word “Champion” emblazoned on them in red letters.

Chesser Cowan, an alumnus from New Zealand who graduated in Spring 2021 with a degree in intercultural peacebuilding, was part of the winning team. Of the victory, he said “It feels amazing, [and] doing it with friends is even better. We’re very close, and so … we were all in sync.”

Santhosh James, a freshman majoring in computer science from India, said he participated in the canoe race to expose himself to different cultures. His team, called Jai Balaiya, consisted of mostly Indian students and ended up coming in second place at the final race.

Before the canoe race at Kahana Bay, James said he had only rowed once in a canoe and wanted to have the experience again by racing. “It’s

not easy for everyone to get this kind of opportunity, and the college provides it… We are all so excited to participate,” he said of his team.

Although Julie Simaima, a member of the Green Team and a senior from Samoa majoring in communications, said sleeping in on Saturday morning was appealing to her and her friends, she said they still showed up. “[We’re] just enjoying the ride with our friends and colleagues.

Because when we leave this school we’ll get to look back at these memories and these moments… And even though we’re not gonna win, even though we’re not gonna hold that trophy, we’re just gonna go for the food and for the fun.” •

Left, bottom and middle right: Students paddling in the race.

Top right: Winning team of the race.

Photos by Ke Alaka’i photographers.

Graphics by Yichi Lu. N E W S T U DEN T 2023 91

CHOIR ELEMENTAL BYUH choir held a concert centered around the four elements - earth, water, air and fire, celebrating how they have united people

BY VIVIANA CHUAH

9 2 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

A

Choir Celebration spotlighted the four natural elements of earth, water, air, and fire and celebrated how these elements have united people from across generations and cultures. Erica Glenn, visiting assistant professor of choral activities and voice from the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, said the concert featured “unique experiences of choir members growing up in the Church in non-US regions of the world.” She expressed, “I think it would be hard to live in Hawaii and not have the majesty and beauty of nature turn your thoughts towards God.” This was the inspiration for the concert, Glenn explained.

Incorporating the four natural elements wasn’t coincidental because they are parallel to what has been featured in “cultural narratives throughout the world [and appear as important symbols in the scriptures],” Glenn added. The BYUH Ho’olokahi Chamber Choir and Seasider Singers performed this concert on Saturday, Oct. 22. They

collaborated with senior missionaries and three clubs: Hawaiian Club, Latin American Club, and Chinese Club.

Ganchimeg Gantulga, a senior from Mongolia studying hospitality and tourism management, explained she attended the concert to support her friends in the choir. “I think it was fantastic to see the choir groups singing, dancing, and acting [simultaneously]. My favorite part was [when the choir sang] along with the Hula dance. It was wonderful,” added Gantulga. She expressed her excitement that the traditional Mongolian instrument, the morin khuur, was performed by her friend, Yondonjamts Bayartsengl, in the international choir. • Left: The choir posing with Dr. Erica Glenn.

Right: The choir performing at the concert.

Photos by Uurtsaikh Nyamdeleg.

Graphics by Yichi Lu.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 93

GREAT IDEAS COMPETITION

Students gather for BYUH’s 2022 Great Ideas business competition where students can earn a money prize

BY MAHANA TEPA 9 4 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

H

awaiian Pacific Theater at the Polynesian Cultural Center was filled with cheering and clapping for the 12 finalists of the 2022 Great Ideas Competition last fall. The competition ended on Nov. 10, with Eden Hydroponics winning the Greatest Concept award, becoming the overall winner of the competition and earning $3,000. Vibez won second place and was awarded $2,000. In the Young Entrepreneurs category, Happy Bee, Ghost Fish and Mano Wai won first prize and earned $1,000.

During the Finalist Presentations, each Great Ideas contestant was given three minutes to present and two minutes to answer questions from a jury. The competition addressed four categories: Business, Social Venture, Influence and Young Entrepreneurs.

Ezra Magno, the founder of Eden Hydroponics and a senior from the Philippines majoring in mathematics, said the purpose of his business was to help areas that cannot grow vegetables, plants and food to produce these foods. Magno shared, “We want to help others produce their own products. Life is expensive and through Eden Hydroponics, people can have the necessary equipment [to produce food] at affordable prices.”

Gerome Romero, a member of Eden Hydroponics and a junior from the Philippines majoring in biochemistry, said, “The money we won is going into our inventory. We will order more products and gradually develop our business by creating more units.”

Kailani Rich, a high school student at Kahuku High School from Laie and the founder of Ghost Fish, explained the meaning behind her business’ name. She said, “The word ‘Ghost’ refers to giving a second chance and a second life, and the word ‘Fish’ represents the ocean.”

Rich shared, “My mission statement is to help the environment by keeping the beaches clean and to inspire others that they can create anything from nothing. I gather microplastics on the beaches and using them to create keychains, magnets, coasters and original art.” •

Left: Student’s watching speakers pitch their businesses.

Right: Student finishing her presentation.

Photos by Yui Leung and Pristine Shek.

Graphics by Yichi lu.

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 95

A transforming

SALSA ORCHESTRA BYU-Hawaii students say the crowd’s excitement helped them perform their salsa music passionately and wholeheartedly

BY MAHANA TEPA

T

he David O. McKay Auditorium was filled with students and community members dancing, shouting and swaying in their seats while watching the BYU-Hawaii Salsa Orchestra Concert on Nov. 19. Dr. Darren Duerden, professor in the music program and the conductor of the show, introduced the theme of Salsify Classics, an idea that consists of taking regular song recordings and transposing them into one of the many salsa music styles form Latin America, the Caribbean and Brazil.

Vilai Ilolahia, Jr., a drummer in the salsa orchestra and a sophomore from Tonga majoring in political science, defined this event

9 6 KE AL A K A‘I 2023

as an electrifying, heartfelt and memorable concert. “It wasn’t about reading the music sheets or learning what we practiced during the rehearsal. The great audience we had tonight made us throw away our music and play with our heart out,” he explained.

Ralph Mallapre, a vocalist in the salsa orchestra and a senior from the Philippines majoring in vocal performance, expressed his appreciation to the orchestra members for their patience towards the vocalists. “We have been rehearsing since the beginning of the semester.

The salsa music is really demanding, especially for the rhythm and cadence, but I feel profound gratitude toward Dr. Duerden for his support and for choosing me to be part of this concert,” he said.

Mallapre added, “Tonight, the audience’s involvement in each song we performed allowed us to do even better than we did during our last rehearsals. They motivated us to give everything we could on stage, and it felt so great to see these wonderful faces dancing and singing from their seats.”

Ilolahia invited anyone who did not attend the Salsify Classics Concert this semester to attend at least one of the BYUH Salsa Orchestra concerts. “You will be satisfied and will enjoy all the music, talent and performances on stage. These concerts will make salsa more enjoyable for you,” he said. • Students performing and singing at the Salsa Orchestra concert.

Photos by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 97

BY HADLEY WURTZ

HOLOKAI

Photo by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

T

o graduate from BYU–Hawaii, students must complete their degree within the Holokai system, a trisectioned system allowing students to choose their major(s) and minor(s) from three categories: Arts & Humanities, Math & Sciences, and Professional Studies.

According to the BYUH Holokai website, Holokai is the Hawaiian word for a voyage when “Pacific Islanders sailed to new lands in voyaging canoes using the stars and waves for navigation.”

The website states the purpose for students to chart their voyage wth the Holokai academic system “allows you to have both breadth and depth of knowledge in a combination that will set you on your voyage to your own personal destination in life.”

“In order to earn a BYU–Hawaii degree, students must complete 120 credits and a combination of one major from one category and two minors/certificates (or additional majors if they fit within the 4-year allotment) from each of the remaining categories [within the trisectioned system],” states the Holokai website.

Along with the required courses for a students chosen major and minors within the three categories of study, students must also complete the following core classes within their curriculum.

Once you have decided your academic plan or if you have any questions, contact your Academic Advisor. For more information, refer to holokai.byuh.edu.

and minors to choose from within each category. • Core Classes • Holokai Foundations (1 Credit Hour) • Mathematics Requirement-Quantitative And Logical Reasoning (3-5 Credit Hours) • Reading/Writing/Speaking (6 Credit Hours) • Religious Education (8-14 Credit Hours Depending On Transfer Credits If Applicable)

MAJOR

CORE

MINOR/ CERTIFICATE

Religion English Math

MINOR/ CERTIFICATE

Core classes + major and two minors/certificates in three Belowareas are the+three categories of study and the available majors different religious education = BYUH degree.

ARTS & HUMANITIES

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MATH & SCIENCES

PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

CHOOSING FITNESS Yoga instructor and BYUH student, Joshua Cox says he loves how yoga provides balance throughout various aspects of life

BY LEXI LANGLEY

S

easider Sports & Activities hosted a fitness kick-off event to highlight the fitness classes offered here at BYU–Hawaii. The first half of the event was a high-fitness class taught by two high-fitness instructors, Sadie Walker, a junior from Idaho majoring in business management, and Isabelle Lewis, a senior from Idaho majoring in hospitality and tourism management.

According to Walker, “High fitness is your basic HIIT workout, but a lot more fun.”

High fitness uses choreographed movements and exercises to increase one’s strength and stamina. Tutehau Hunkin, a sophomore from Utah majoring in business marketing, said he loves high fitness. “It helps me with my cardio and [to] focus on becoming more in shape,“ said Hunkin.

The second half was a yoga class taught by instructor Joshua Cox, a senior from Montana

majoring in marketing. “This is a beginner level class. It doesn’t really matter what level of fitness you are.Yoga is awesome for everyone,” said Cox. “Yoga is great because it provides balance in all aspects of life. As you find balance in your body and peace in the classes, it can translate into the rest of your life as well,” he continued.

After the classes were finished, SSA served fruit cups to the participants and concluded with a raffle. Prizes included water bottles, Puma bags, SSA clothing, and a yoga mat. • Top: Joshua Cox leading a yoga class.

Right: A student stretching during yoga.

Photos by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

N E W S T U DEN T 2023 99

MORE THAN A BUILDING FULL OF BOOKS Staff share about the special spirit and services offered by the Joseph F. Smith Library

BY ELIJAH HADLEY

F

or years, the Joseph F. Smith Library has opened its doors to the students of BYU–Hawaii and members of the Laie community, providing a quiet space to read and study. Beyond the library being an area for study, its staff members said the building offers a greater spiritual refuge from the difficulties of life and helps to bring people from diverse backgrounds together.

The still, small voice Becky DeMartini, assistant professor and head of instructional services at the library, said she enjoys the peace found in the building, and how it seems to affect the students who walk through its doors.

“I love getting to meet all the new students and getting to help them,” she said.

“It’s fun to be in this academic setting, always learning new skills and new ideas. There’s also 1 0 0 KE AL AK A‘I 2023

almost always nice people here in the library.

People are here to relax and learn.”

“Around the corner [from her office] is the temple display, for the 100th year celebration for the Laie Temple. In general I would say that the library is a place of love and respect where people are trying to help each other, so I believe in general there’s a good spirit,” DeMartini said.

For Stephanie Robertson, an assistant professor and outreach librarian for the Joseph F. Smith Library, the library is a place where the spirit is invited, “because we know we can hear the still, small voice better. But also because I feel everyone who teaches here or is a student here has some kind of special story about how they came here or what drew them here.”

Alipate Latu, the Joseph F. Smith library circulation supervisor and an alumnus of

BYUH, also said he sees spiritual benefits students can reap from the library. “I see all these students from all these different countries.

I walk around and I see them studying and I know they’re all from different cultures. I’ll talk to a few of them and say hello. I can tell who’s a new student and who is not. I like to welcome them to the library and tell them if they need anything, to let me know.”

He continued, “We would get a connection going. They would tell me the story of how their family converted to the church.” Latu remarked on the relative ease in which library patrons and staff “can go from just a regular conversation to a spiritual conversation.”

“It’s a place for [library patrons] to be spiritual. … A place of peace and quiet, to study. If you’re in a dorm, it’s kinda loud, but when you come over here, there’s a quiet place that’s very peaceful,” Latu said.

Services Latu explained how the Joseph F. Smith Library possessed items not found anywhere else in the world. “I think we’re kind of a small library, except for maybe high school libraries.

One of the very unique things we have here is the archives. A history of everything here in the community; in Laie and around Koolauloa.

One of the other very neat things here is an original copy of the Hawaiian Book of Mormon,” he added.

He said the library offers services for students to help them save money, such as the textbooks on reserve, which can be checked out for two hours at a time in the library.

“If students need help with their research, we have the librarians. Especially when they’re freshmen, they might not know how to do MLA, APA and other types of research like that. The librarians will be able to help them with their research paper,” Latu continued.

Students are also able to reserve study rooms for several hours to meet as groups, and may check out markers and other materials such as laptops and headphones. Latu emphasized that a student’s ID card is required to be presented at the circulation desk when borrowing an item.

As an outreach librarian, Robertson said the Joseph F. Smith Library has a purpose beyond being used by students for studying and homework.

“We love to have everyone come to our library if that’s helpful to them. If it’s a good environment for them to get done the things they need. Community members can come, and they can use the community computers with some help from our student workers.

They can scan things at our scanners. Also our faculty, if they have particular textbook needs, they can talk to our access and acquisitions librarian to get help for the resources for their courses ordered or made available.

“I was a student here. I taught as an adjunct faculty member since 2009, and I’ve only been an actual librarian for a year now, and I don’t even know all the resources. It’s been a learning curve for me to see what is available, because we have so many e-resources that I feel like I could click on a new one everyday and not be done for years.

Looking to the future, Latu said he believes in the next few decades, the library will continue to grow, but may move away from physical books and more towards digital ser-

vices, “because everything’s online now. Back then, everyone would have a dictionary. Now everyone has a dictionary on their phone.”

Even with an increased use of e-books and online services, Latu said the library will still be in need of its employees working at the circulation desk. “The digital world is a good thing. Everything is easy to access. Moving forward, it’s gonna be interesting,” said Latu.

Personal connections Latu said he was put on the right path by the library. While a student at BYUH, Latu worked as a tour guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center, guiding tours from Waikiki down to Laie. However, through help and encouragement from his wife, he found a new job as an assistant supervisor in the Pacific Island Studies room.

“My major was Pacific Island Studies,” he said, “but I always wondered, ‘Why the library?

It’s a pretty boring place,’” he continued with a laugh.

After enjoying his time as an assistant supervisor for several years, Latu said he was promoted to a full-time circulation supervisor and has been at the library ever since.

Robertson said she originally did not get into BYUH when she applied as a freshman.

When she transferred over, she viewed being on the campus as a new beginning for her life and stated the library gave her a strong feeling she was needed and wanted.

“I remember the very first week of class sitting up in the quiet study area and saying to myself, ‘Okay, this is a fresh start. This is a special place and I want to do my best. I am going to commit to being in this good environment to give myself the best chance to succeed as much as possible.’ And really for the first time, setting aside time to be mindful and study.

That was back in 2004.” •

Left: The front of the library.

Photo by Sadie Madriaga Wesley.

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TRANSPORTING AROUND CAMPUS From bicycles to mopeds, students share their diverse choices for a better mobility around the campus

BY MUTIA PARASDUHITA

B

YU–Hawaii students shared their effectiveness in riding wheeled devices, from classic bicycles and boards to trendy electric scooters. Despite their preferred device, they all agreed it’s very convenient to transport within the campus and around Laie.

Scooter

A junior majoring in computer science from Taiwan, James Chen, said he chose to use a traditional scooter because it is affordable.

He said he got the brand-new scooter for $50 and it’s enough to fasten his mobility to hop from one class to another. He said, “If you have [a higher] budget, I would suggest buying the electric one because sometimes you’ll get tired of pushing it.”

Electric scooter Bike

Electric bike

Steven Tee, a freshman majoring in vocal performance from the Philippines, said out of any other option, he chose to use a traditional bike because he didn’t need to buy gas or charge it. “I don’t like walking too much, so I don’t need to rush for classes but arrive faster.” He said the average cost of a standard new bike could be around $100 to $180 but it can go higher if you try to find good quality.

He said, “If you decide to buy a second-hand bike around the campus, make sure to ask how much it was when they first bought it, and you can bargain.”

A junior from the Philippines, Jade Magracia, said, “I chose e-bike because it is convenient for campus commuting. The size is small and makes parking easier for me. It helps me quickly zip through the campus from TVA, and I don’t need to do any physical exertion.”

She said she bought it for $300, but if the size is bigger, it can be more expensive. She said something to consider with an e-bike is the battery life and rainy season. According to Magracia, it’s hard to estimate the distance she could reach until the battery is out and she has to wipe the bike if she bikes through the rain to keep the machine in good performance.

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Rannod Vandyarto, a senior majoring in biochemistry from Indonesia, said, “I chose to use an electric scooter because it’s not bulky, I can fold it and I don’t get tired because it uses a machine.” He said he bought his e-scooter for $300 which already included the digital lock. He said the lock helped assure him his e-scooter wouldn’t get stolen because the machine won’t work when the user doesn’t know the pin. But he encouraged everyone to lock it with the traditional lock too.

Pennyboard

Marvel Ariono, a freshman majoring in biology from Indonesia, said he chose to ride a penny board because the size is small being only 27 inches. He said the advantage of a penny board is that it is handy and light.

Ariono said it doesn’t take much space to keep it and it only costs between $20 to $30. He explained the challenge for this small vehicle is there is less space to put your feet when riding it. “There are many people who say the penny board is harder than any other kind of board.

I feel it’s a lot cooler when many people can’t ride it,” he added.

Skateboard

Raj Jerry, a freshman from Malaysia majoring in TESOL education, said his skateboard has helped him get to the education building. According to Jerry, the price average of a skateboard is between $50 to $70, but it depends on the quality. He said people need to make sure they can ride it before buying a skateboard, because it requires a good balance to avoid accidents. He said, “When I first started to ride a skateboard, it was hard for me to learn to balance. Even if you are already good at it, you can fall easily if you don’t pay attention to the ground conditions.”

Longboard A junior from Tahiti majoring in visual arts, Edelweiss Chonger, said she loves to ride a longboard because the wheels don’t make a lot of noise when she rides it. She said there is a variety of sizes, heights and shapes for longboards, so it’s better to consider the personal needs before buying it. Chonger said, “The bigger the body the slower it goes and harder to maneuver, but the bigger the wheel, the faster it goes.” She shared the average price for a longboard is around $60 to $100.

Moped

Jonah Crandall, a junior from Colorado majoring in biology, said a moped is helpful to transport from campus to his off-campus housing. Crandall said it doesn’t require much gas to commute around campus. “It only takes about $5 and for it to last for a week or two.

As a student, Crandall said he had to be mindful about the budget, so he bought a second hand moped. If people want to buy a second hand moped, he suggested people check the mileage and registration. He added if the mileage is too high and there is no registration, it’s not a good one to purchase. Crandall suggested waiting until nearly the end of the semester to get a good price because many people need to leave the island and need to sell it as soon as possible. • Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra), upklyak on Freepik.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS & REQUIREMENTS BYUH financial aid website gives information on the different on-campus scholarships available to students

BY ANTONIETTE YEE-LIWANAG AND RANITEA TEIHOARII

Federal Financial Aid Programs: SAP - SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS To remain eligible for federal financial aid, students are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

These SAP standards are designed to ensure the appropriate and efficient utilization of federal financial assistance in support of students’ educational goals. The requirements establish a clear distinction between satisfactory academic progress and mere progress towards graduation. To receive financial aid, students must fulfill the following criteria: • Maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 or higher throughout their enrollment.

• Complete all graduation requirements within 150 percent of the minimum hours required for their degree.

• Successfully complete at least 67 percent of all attempted credits in which they are enrolled.

THE TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION (TEACH) GRANT The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a grant not based on financial need and offers a maximum of $4,000 annually to students who are currently enrolled in an eligible program. To qualify, the student commits to serving as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field at a low-income elementary or secondary school for a minimum of four years within eight years of program completion. Before receiving the TEACH Grant, the student must sign an agreement committing to this service and must also undergo all required counseling.

To be eligible for the TEACH Grant, students must meet the following requirements: • • • • • • •

Photos by Lexie Kapeliela and Unsplash.

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

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Enrollment in an eligible academic program.

Enroll for at least 12 credit hours each semester.

Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

Have an approved academic plan in place.

Complete both TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling.

Sign the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

Complete the exit counseling process.

FEDERAL PELL GRANTS Federal Pell Grants are grants provided by the U.S. Government to students, offering financial assistance without the need for repayment. To potentially qualify for Pell Grants, students must satisfy the eligibility criteria outlined below and demonstrate their financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information provided in the FAFSA is used by the federal government to assess whether a student is eligible for Pell Grants.

Eligibility requirements include: • U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or other eligible non-citizenship status.

• Admission to BYU-Hawaii as an undergraduate student in a degree-seeking program for the current or future academic year.

• Not possessing a prio- bachelor’s degree or paying graduate-level tuition.

• Meeting all Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

• Absence of default on a federal student loan or any outstanding refund owed for federal grant attendance at any educational institution.

FEDERAL STAFFORD LOANS Federal Stafford Loans are loans offered by the Federal Government at a low-interest rate. These loans provide a fixed 5.498% interest rate for the 2023-2024 academic year and are aimed at assisting students who need additional financial support beyond their personal and family savings.

There are two types of Stafford Loans: 1-Subsidized loans are the more favorable option as the government covers all interest payments while the student is enrolled in school at least half-time and for a six-month grace period after graduation or withdrawal.

2-Unsubsidized loans start accruing interest 60 days after disbursement. Students have the choice to make monthly payments on the interest while they are still in school.

To be eligible for Federal Stafford Loans, students must fulfill the following requirements: • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or meet the criteria for other eligible non-citizens.

• Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.

• Have been accepted into BYU-Hawaii as a regular student pursuing an undergraduate degree, teacher certification, required recertification, or prerequisite courses for admission to a graduate degree program for the current or upcoming academic year.

• Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

• Receive the loan award by the final day of eligible enrollment and not exceed federal loan limits.

• Not be in default on any federal student loan or owe a refund on a federal grant.

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THE FEDERAL PARENT LOAN FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (PLUS) The federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a loan available for parents on behalf of their dependent undergraduate students. Repayment of this loan commences, and interest starts accruing 60 days after full disbursement.

Demonstrating financial need is not a requirement for PLUS Loans. The loan amount may be awarded up to the estimated cost of attendance for a given enrollment period, minus any other financial aid received during that time. Approval of PLUS Loans is contingent on the parent borrower’s credit.

If a parent’s PLUS application is not approved, the student may become eligible for additional unsubsidized Stafford loans.

In such cases, students can consult a financial aid counselor for further details.

Eligibility criteria for the PLUS Loan include: •

•

• • • •

U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or other eligible non-citizen status for both the student and the parent borrower, along with a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent Enrollment in a degree-seeking undergraduate program and being classified as a dependent student by the U.S. Department of Education.

Meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements.

Absence of default on a federal student loan or owing a refund on a federal grant Enrollment in at least half-time status (six hours per semester).

Not exceeding federal loan limits.

IWORK INTERNATIONAL WORK OPPORTUNITY RETURN-ABILITY KULEANA The IWORK (International Work Opportunity Returnability Kuleana) program is designed to support students from Oceania and the Asian Rim (South Pacific and East Asia) in pursuing a high-quality education at BYU-Hawaii and fostering self-reliance.

Eligibility requirements for the IWORK program include: • • • • •

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Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for at least one year or more.

First-time attendance at a university in the United States of America.

Demonstrating financial need through the financial aid verification process.

Hailing from one of the Pacific Islands or South East Asia countries.

Parents must reside in their home country, not in the United States of America.

Dean’s List Scholarship Mentoring Scholarship Holokai FOundations The Holokai Foundations course at BYU-Hawaii is jointly taught by University President John Kauwe and Academic Vice President Isaiah Walker, along with other campus leaders.

In this course, carefully selected peer mentors play a crucial role as exemplars of students who embody the principles of Holokai Foundations and strive to fulfill the university’s mission. As an incentive, chosen peer mentors receive a halftuition scholarship but are expected to meet specific standards and carry out associated responsibilities.

To be considered for the role of a peer mentor, students must meet the following criteria: • Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0.

• Have completed at least 30+ credit hours at BYU– Hawaii.

• Commit to dedicating approximately 4-5 hours per week to perform service throughout the awarded semester.

Within these weekly service hours, peer mentors are accountable for the following tasks: • Managing the attendance of assigned students during class.

• Facilitating class discussions effectively.

• Demonstrating consistent and faithful devotional attendance.

• Providing mentorship and guidance to assigned students.

• Responding to unit assessments promptly.

• Acquiring, honing, and applying effective mentoring skills and responsibilities.

• Participating in the improvement of the course curriculum and/or logistics.

• Serving as role models by exemplifying the principles taught in the Holokai Foundations course.

• Assisting in the setup and logistics for class activities.

DEAN’S LIST SCHOLARSHIP Every semester, students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher are placed on the dean’s list and automatically considered for a $500 scholarship for the following semester.

Those enrolled in the university’s work-study programs are eligible to receive the Dean’s List Scholarship without having to submit additional applications. The scholarship amount can reach up to $500 for the subsequent semester.

After grades for the preceding semester are posted and the cumulative GPA is calculated, qualifying students will receive an award letter from Financial Aid & Scholarships, notifying them about their scholarship. As a part of the process, students are required to complete a brief survey and write a thankyou letter, which will be shared with the generous donors contributing to the scholarship fund. Once the Financial Aid & Scholarships office receives these letters, the scholarship funds will be disbursed into the student’s account.

Departmental Scholarship/ Academic Program DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIP/ACADEMIC PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships for academic programs are determined by the respective academic departments. Each program has its unique application procedure and criteria. For further details, students are advised to reach out directly to their academic program.

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David O McKay Scholarship DAVID O MCKAY SCHOLARSHIP BYU–Hawaii provides a potential David O’ McKay award as a benefit to select qualified students within the new and admitted student cohorts. The number of recipients is variable each year, depending on factors like class size, available funds, and university recruitment objectives and criteria.

To be eligible for the award, students must meet the following criteria: • • • • •

Admitted as a new freshman or first-time transfer student pursuing an undergraduate degree.

Former BYUH students and IWORK students are not eligible.

Must be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Enroll and complete at least 14 credit hours in each semester.

From Oceania, including Hawaii, or the Asia rim.

No separate application is required. All admitted students who complete their CES application by the standard semester deadlines will automatically be considered. Evaluation for the award will be based on information provided in the CES application, taking into account factors like academic excellence, spiritual preparation, leadership, declared major, school preference, recommendations from priesthood leaders and seminary teachers, and CES application essays.

The David O’ McKay award is non-renewable and can be combined with other first-year awards or scholarship offers, such as the RM voucher and Holomua. The award amount may be either a half or full tuition for three semesters. Award recipients will be notified through their BYU–Hawaii student email account.

All above guidelines are also applicable to the Holomua Award.

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Mission Deferred Intent to Return and Return Missionary Voucher Program MISSION DEFERRED INTENT TO RETURN AND RETURN MISSIONARY VOUCHER PROGRAM Mission Deferment Intent to Return and Return Missionary Voucher are provided to students who have been admitted to BYU–Hawaii after serving a mission. By completing this process, students declare their intentions to either return to the university or decline readmission and can also apply for the RM voucher award if interested.

Deferment applies to students who have not attended or earned credits at BYUH and deferred their admittance to serve a mission, making them categorized as ‘NEW’ students.

Admissions is responsible for managing the list of deferred students on a mission. On the other hand, discontinuance pertains to students who have attended and earned credits at BYUH, classifying them as ‘FORMER’ students. The Office of the Registrar manages the list of discontinued students on a mission.

Exceptional missionaries who have shown strong leadership and dedication to study and are from or have served in the Oceania and Asian Rim regions (South Pacific and the Far East) may qualify for an award equivalent to one-half tuition for one semester at BYU–Hawaii if they do not meet the criteria for the IWORK financial aid program. Mission presidents can nominate eligible individuals for this award.

To be eligible for this award, the prospective student must meet the following conditions: • From or has served a full-time mission in Oceania and the Asian Rim (the South Pacific and the Far East).

• A returned missionary with an honorable release within the past year (must be admitted to BYUHawaii within 12 months of release).

• First accepted to attend BYU-Hawaii.

• Enrolled as a new freshman or new transfer student in a minimum of 14 credit hours for winter and fall semesters and 9 credits for spring semester. Former BYU-Hawaii students do not qualify.

• Committed to uphold the Honor Code.

LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS BYU-Hawaii Student Leadership & Service has access to a variety of scholarship opportunities. Contact the Student Leadership and Service office located in the Aloha Center.

DEPENDENT OR EMPLOYER-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS Your parents’ employer might offer a scholarship program. Encourage them to inquire about the details at their employer’s human resources office.

External Scholarships EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS Likewise, there are scholarship opportunities available through off-campus organizations. Financial Aid and Scholarships encourages students to proactively research and apply for as many external scholarships as possible, as it can be a valuable endeavor. To explore these options, students may consider reaching out to various resources such as high school counselors, community and high school clubs, local organizations, businesses (including parents’ and previous employers), banks, local non-profit organizations, state and national scholarship programs, and scholarship search engines.

It is essential to exercise caution when sharing personal information. The Department of Education provides guidelines to avoid scams while applying for scholarships.

For further assistance, students can explore additional resources, including the BYUH dedicated external scholarship database called: Scholarship Universe, the Hawaii Community Foundation, Kamehameha Scholarship, Hawaii Education Association (HEA), ScholarshipExperts.com, ScholarshipOwl.com, Scholarships.com, Collegeboard.org, International Scholarship Opportunities, and the American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC)

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How to use TheBus’s HOLO card to pay for transportation

BY ANNA STEPHENSON

J

ust as landline phones, iPods and printed-out assignments are fading into the past, so are paper bus passes on Oahu.

Starting July 1, 2021, the Honolulu-based transit company TheBus no longer offered paper passes, including monthly and day passes. If you intend to ride the bus more than one round trip a day, you will need a HOLO card. However, getting a HOLO card is easy. With the lack of paper passes, you must pay individually for every route in the transfer.

The funds on the HOLO card never expire.

1.Go to holocard.net and make an account with an email address and password. (You technically do not have to do this, but it’ll protect you in case of theft or losing the card.)

2. Then, go to the Laie Village Shopping Center Foodland customer service counter and ask for an Adult HOLO card. They cost $2. They will activate your card and give it to you. At this stage, however, you can’t use it to ride the bus.

The card still has to be loaded and registered.

3. Register and load the card online using a credit or debit card. You can load the card with as much money as you want. (You can also load the card at Foodland. Just register it online and bring it back to the customer service counter, where you’ll need to pay cash to load it. Local 7/11 stores also can load cards.)

4. Return to your holocard.net account and select “Add HOLO card.” Input the card number and security code, then press the “Add card” button. From there, you can load the card, as well as check how much money is left on it if you’re not using a monthly pass.

5. The website also gives you an option to auto-bill your bank account or credit card every month.

TheBus website says monthly passes cost $80 and can be purchased after the 19th of every month to be valid for the following month. Also you can earn a monthly pass by simply using your HOLO card. Once you reach the $80 amount on your card, you can ride the rest of the month for free, says the HOLO website. Additionally, using a HOLO card and paying fare for two trips automatically grants you a daily pass with free transfers within two and one-half hours of riding. Individual trips are still $3 each. If you do not have a HOLO card, each bus trip, including transfers, will cost $3 in cash, exact change only. TheBus will no longer be handing out paper day passes, so you must pay each way.

To use the HOLO card, simply tap the card against the card reader at the entrance of the bus and wait for the shaka sign or the ukulele tone. On your way off the bus, you don’t need to tap again. If you’re running low on funds, the reader will flash yellow to remind you to reload the card.

While you can keep your HOLO card in your wallet, take it out before tapping the reader. According to TheBus’s Frequently Asked Questions on its website this is important so the reader is able to detect the microchip on your HOLO card only, not your other cards. The reader will not take payment from the same card more than once within two minutes, so don’t worry about accidentally double-charging. Thus, you cannot pay for other people. Each passenger needs their own HOLO card.

If your card is lost or stolen, you should cancel it online and get a replacement card at Foodland or online. Register your new card and use the website to transfer the stored balance from your canceled card onto the new card.You can’t do this if you didn’t register your first card at a holocard.net account. Be aware, TheBus does not guarantee replacing HOLO cards will always be free.

According to Hawaii Public Radio, the HOLO card will be usable at the newly opened rail stations with the cost of a one-way trip being $3 and includes transfers made within two and one-half hours.

The changes may be difficult for some students. Amelia Meli, a junior from Kaimuki double majoring in biology and Hawaiian Studies, said she takes the bus fairly often but isn’t sure if she’ll get a HOLO card.

“I’ll miss the one-day pass. It was useful.” She said she feels as though TheBus is primarily making this change to squeeze extra money out of card-less passengers who need to make transfers.

If you have friends or family coming to visit Oahu and they intend to take the bus, you could advise them to get a HOLO card. There are locations near the Honolulu Airport where they can pick one up.

If you qualify for reduced bus fares due to disability, are on Medicare, or are under 17 or over 65, you cannot get a HOLO card at Foodland. Disability and Medicare cards must be retrieved from TheBus Pass Office on Middle Street in Honolulu. Senior and Youth cards can now be retrieved from certain city halls, Foodland, Times Market and 7/11. If you prefer to purchase a HOLO card via mail, it can take up to 10 business days for it to be delivered. At this time, only Adult HOLO cards are available for purchase by mail.

Customer service representatives could not comment on if student discounts will become available in the future. •

Left: TheBus and an example of a HOLO card. Photos by Mark Daeson Tabbilos.

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MĀLAMA I KA ‘ĀINA A Hawaiian phrase, it means caring for the land and so much more, and students say they are embracing the call to respect the island

BY KYLEE DENISON

T

he literal translation for malama i ka ‘aina, according to the Hawaiian Dictionary, is “caring for the land.” In fact, it is even the name of the science curriculum for K-12 students in Hawaii, according to the Malama I Ka ‘Aina website. But for BYU–Hawaii students with Hawaiian heritage, they said it means so much more than that.

Kalani Jensen, a sophomore from Huntington Beach, California, majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said malama i ka ‘aina means “not only to care for but to respect the land that your ancestors made and built up for you.”

Kiana Serrao, a junior from Stansbury Park, Utah, majoring in biology, said malama i ka ‘aina means “taking care of the culture and the people who live there. It is being respectful to everyone who is here, not just the people, but the animals and the trees.”

A call to action While visiting the island when he was younger, Jensen said his dad would encourage him to pick up trash whenever they saw it.

“When we would go surfing, we pick up at least five pieces of trash out in the water.”

He said he feels this concept is something instilled in most Hawaiians.

Jensen said local Hawaiians “respect the kapu, or the sacred land. They try to push to keep that land sacred … they fight really hard for what they believe and they fight really hard for their land.”

Listening to the locals is also important, Jensen said. If locals do not go on certain a hike, don’t go, he explained. People educating themselves about the island and leaving a place cleaner than it was found, are examples of malama i ka ‘aina, he added.

Being respectful Serrao said when visiting the island in 2016, she and her family were walking along Bikini Beach when they ran into a local woman carrying a bag she said she fills up with trash on her morning walk every single day. “Just the little things like that,” she added, are ways to take care of the land.

“It is our responsibility, especially here in Hawaii as guests on this island, that we take care of everything. We don’t come in and disturb the ecosystem,” Serrao said, and students should be respectful of sacred lands.

Although it might make for a good photo, Serrao said it is important to give wild animals space. “It is disrespectful to the locals and to the animals,” she explained.

In fact, “endangered, threatened and indigenous species, including humpback whales, false killer whales, Hawaiian monk seals, the yellow-bellied sea snake, numerous species of dolphins and all species of turtles are protected” under Hawaii state laws, says the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources website.

Madison Richter, a junior from Ohio majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, said she is trying to be more environmentally conscious about what she consumes.

“Right now I am trying to learn the Hawaiian culture for how to take care of the land.” Richter shared she has been vegan for a long time, but after moving to Hawaii, she decided to take a break from being vegan in an effort to be more fully immersed in the Hawaiian culture.

“It is important for me to respect the culture by living it,” she continued.

Richter said she is respecting the culture by incorporating more Hawaiian foods and by going out and being in nature. •

Photos by Emarie Majors.

Graphics by Emily Hendrickson.

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B DIGITAL

Marketing agency class, b digital, allows students to gain real-world experience by working for real companies

BY ELLE LARSON & ABBIE PUTNAM

A

nn Springer, of the Faculty of Business & Government, said she worked for several years to bring a marketing agency class to BYU–Hawaii where students gain real world experience, and she is thrilled to see it start. In the class, called “b digital,” students apply what they learn in other core marketing classes to real world experiences, she shared.

“They know how to run a campaign. They know how to develop social media presence.

They know the theories and the vocabulary.

They just need a place to fly the plane.”

That place to fly, Springer said, is the b-digital class.

How it works Springer said students in the class divide and conquer the work, collaborating in teams to perform tasks for their clients. Each team has a student leader, so as students work their way through the marketing agency from semester to semester, they gain valuable

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leadership experience. Springer said, “This [class] is intended to be student led.”

Sydney Sears, a junior from China studying business management-marketing, said the class is “basically functioning like a real digital marketing agency.” During her second semester taking the class, she was given more leadership roles, she said.

This helped her “be more involved with … deliverables and clients,” Sears said. “I wish this class was offered years ago because I would have loved to take it for three or more semesters.”

Sophie Richmond, a BYUH alumna from San Diego who is Springer’s intern, said as part of b digital, students do branding and re-branding, promotions, sales, social media, Instagram monetizing, advertising and create web content.

Jason Yamamoto, a senior from Hawaii studying marketing, said at the beginning of the semester, students could choose which of the four teams they wanted to be a part of.

The teams were “social media management, sales and promotion, branding and web development.” He said the teams “are all intertwined” and work together to “make a masterpiece.”

He said the class will help marketing majors and minors hone their skills and take them “10 steps ahead of [their] competition.”

The class has benefitted him,Yamamoto shared, because he has been able to “shift from being a college student to being a marketer.”

Springer said the work students do in the class varies by semester because they are always working to keep the class current.

Clients request certain marketing skills, Springer said, and students work together to fulfill the requests. Doing so helps students become proficient in current market demands.

She said the class is important because it allows students to complete real projects, which offers them a new perspective as they overcome inevitable complications then work together as a team to create a cohesive plan.

Springer said the projects allow students to “see the success … in real time.”

In addition, she said, the class helps build student’s portfolios and resumes because telling a potential employer they can do something doesn’t matter.

What matters, she explained, is being able to show employers what they have done.

Diverse clients Because BYUH is a global university, Springer said, clients can come from anywhere in the world.

“A lot of people have reached out. The agency is definitely successful and people are hearing about [it].” She said the class is booked with possible clients for several semesters.

She explained there are unique markets in different countries, from secluded Mongolia to booming Hong Kong. She said there have been and will continue to be opportunities for students to work with accomplished BYUH alumni.

Mariah Jones, a junior from Salt Lake City, Utah, majoring in business marketing, said the class has been valuable to her because she has been able to “bounce ideas off 10 brains and experience what working in a marketing agency will be like.”

She said it has shown her she is “capable of doing [her] dream job.”

Yamamoto said the most valuable project for him has been working with the Ho‘okele Department “to bring more students, faculty and employers to the Asia-Pacific Career Conference,” he shared.

“As the sales and promotion team, I have had the opportunity to discuss and plan events with my classmates I would never have thought of initiating. They are always new ideas and initiative being taken and I absolutely love it.”

Referring to the name and branding of the class, he said, “B daring. B successful. B digital.”

Building from the ground up Springer said the students who took the class during its first semester developed the name together. The name they chose, b digital, was inspired by President Gordon B. Hinckley’s “be’s”: be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble and be prayerful.

In addition, she said, the name represents how a lot of companies “need to take the digitization step” and “take advantage of Generation Z and their creative power.”

She said students who took the class in its first semester also worked together to develop the branding of the class and pitched it to companies to develop a pool of clients.

This was valuable because it showed the students “how much work goes into launching a new brand,” said Springer.

Sears, who took the class during that time, said, “Building b digital from the ground up has taught me the inner workings of a digital marketing agency and how much work is necessary to really succeed.”

Moving forward, Springer said, students will have a say in everything, including clients, services and company growth.

Sears encouraged students to take advantage of the class. “If this opportunity is available, take it. [Students] can take a bunch of marketing classes, but there’s no better experience than actual hands-on experience.”

Inspiration While she was envisioning the b digital class, Springer said, she was impressed with the digital marketing agency classes at both BYU–Idaho and BYU in Provo because they work with real clients, have budgets of

thousands of dollars and create impressive resumes for the students involved.

She spoke of one student in the BYU in Provo class that started a $10,000 account for a client and turned it into $100,000 in revenue.

“She put that on her LinkedIn,” Springer said, “and had multiple job offers coming out of the pandemic before she graduated.”

Springer said students with that kind of experience are more likely to be hired for a management position. “A student with leadership experience on top of that level of return on investment is super powerful in the workplace. … For the rest of their career, they’re going to make more money.”

Digital marketing is an easy field for students to get into and start themselves, Springer said. “Anybody with a laptop or a cell phone and great internet can make a lot of money.”

She said this is a great opportunity, especially for female students who want to continue in the workforce and make money without working a full-time job.

Springer said BYUH’s new professor, Tserennyam Sukhbaatar of the Faculty of Business & Government, alternates with her to teach the class.

Sukhbaatar said he plans to share his global connections and experience while teaching. “I’m taking some notes on how to deliver the best outcome for the students,” he said.

“I would like to share lots of really practical experiences and knowledge with the students.” • Graphics by Katie Mower.

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e h t

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BYUH alumna says if she gets caught under a wave while surfing, she combats fear by remembering if she stays calm, she will find the surface again

BY KYLEE DENISON

If you are learning how to surf, here are some tips from Janna Irons in an Outside Magazine online article titled, “A Beginner’s Guide to Surfing”

Her remedy is, “be more present and more mindful and more faith-filled. It helps to say a prayer,” she explained. “Meditating, taking deep breaths and grounding yourself can help alleviate fears.”

Step One: Find a beginner spot

‘Know that it is okay to be afraid’

Step-by-step guide

The first thing Irons suggests is to go to beginner spots, and before paddling out, make sure to watch the surf for at least 30 minutes to learn how the waves break.

Castles Beach in Laie and Pua’ena Point in Haleiwa are good beginner spots close to campus and on the North Shore.

Step Two: Know the right of wave It is also important to understand the rules and be respectful, says Irons. Surf etiquette is important to understand, which includes only one person per wave. The surfer closest to the break gets the right of way (or “ride of wave”), and paddle out away from the break, says Irons.

Step Three: Find a foam board and get out there!

Amanda Penrod, an alumna from Oceanside, California, who majored in English, suggested borrowing a soft top/foam board if you’re a new surfer.

“If you don’t have any friends to go with you, one option is taking a lesson, but the other option is just doing it and watching other people surf,” she said.

BYUH alumna Katie Mower from Boise, Idaho, agreed. When she first learned to surf, her sister-in-law gave her instruction once, then every time she went out with her brother, he would leave her to figure it out herself, said Mower.

Overcoming fear Getting past the fear of surfing “just came from watching people and trial and error,” said Mower.

Penrod said even though she loves surfing there is still fear involved sometimes.

Mower said her family friend often says, “At the end of the day, it’s just water,” and the wave will pass over you.You might get hurt while surfing, but “to learn to surf.You kind of just have to be okay with that. ... Embrace the water,” she said.

Mower explained if she falls and is stuck underneath a wave, she will try to relax and stay calm instead of tensing up. Eventually, “I’m going to get up, find the surface again and I’m going to be okay.”

If someone loves the water, loves being outside and loves being active, there is no reason they shouldn’t give surfing a try, she shared.

“It is a great way to have fun.” However, Mower warned if you’re not experienced, to not go out in bigger waves.

Penrod added with more experience comes more comfort. For her, understanding people are all in God’s hands has helped her relax.

Mower said her favorite time to surf is during the sunset hours.

“The water is reflecting the colors, and you’re just out there enjoying a beautiful sunset,” she said. “Doesn’t get any better than that.”

Go out there and try!

Nichole Whiteley, an April graduate in communications from Saratoga Springs, Utah, said she went surfing for the first time last Fall Semester. She explained despite her fear of drowning and sharks, “I promise you’re going to regret not going.”

She said she is trying to get out of her comfort zone while in Hawaii. “Live life to the fullest and experience new things because that’s the whole point of life … [to] learn and grow,” said Whitely.

While first surfing, Whiteley was unable to catch a wave, but she said her experience led her to make a goal to start going to the gym and get stronger.

During her first day, a wave came and Whiteley’s surfboard was titled just enough for the wave to knock her over. At first, she was frustrated, but after falling in the water for the first time, she shared she felt more comfortable after that. •

Amanda Penrod (top left), Katie Mower (top right) and Nichole Whitely (middle right) surfing together.

Photos by Emarie Majors.

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GLOBAL CONNECTIONS BYUH professor says new minors in political science give students an understanding of how they fit into world events

BY RAHEL MEYER

D

r. Rand Blimes, associate professor in the Faculty of Business & Government, said the international experience students get at BYU–Hawaii is what sets them apart on the job market.

“Especially as countries become more and more integrated economically and socially, that [international experience] becomes a real, valuable skill. BYUH students have an advantage going into any kind of international work.”

Blimes said he has been pushing for international relations and international development to become minors since he started teaching at BYUH 10 years ago because when he first got here, it was not a specific minor or major. “I thought it was a little weird, given how international the school is.”

Jarek Buss, a BYUH alumnus and foreign service officer in the United States Department of State currently serving in North Macedonia, said BYUH did everything for his international career and offered him fantastic opportunities for overseas and international experience.

Buss explained he chose BYUH over BYU in Provo because he realized BYUH is where he would be immersed in an international environment. “I had to think about which classes in the political science program I could take to map together a major with an international focus. But now, the new minors can actually provide a structure and a plan so students who are interested in that know what they can do.”

Recognizing the gap When first starting out as a professor, Blimes shared 1 1 8 KE AL AK A‘I 2023

he had the opportunity to visit Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji. While visiting those countries, he asked BYUH alumni, specifically those who had studied political science, what they wished they had learned but didn’t.

“Almost every person I talked to brought up issues related to economic development. So, I realized there was kind of a gap there.” From there, Blimes explained he started to advocate for the creation of international relations and international development minors by gradually adding classes to the political science curriculum.

“The minors really line up with the goals BYUH has in terms of helping build leaders internationally. There are an awful lot of students at BYUH where, when you sit down and talk to [them] about what they want to do in the future, it’s not something they can accomplish without thinking about how countries interact with each other.”

The international relations minor Blimes said it is important for everyone to understand how countries interact and what is going on behind the scenes, even if they are not thinking about working in international trade or becoming a diplomat. International relations is a broad subject and takes in a lot of different topics, he shared, and for some students that’s a great fit.

Students can easily pair their international relations minor with their major, even though it might not look like that at first sight, explained Blimes.

For example, in the field of public health and preventing viral outbreaks, he said the international relations minor can help students understand other components. “You may be studying science so you understand the virus side, but then backing it up with an [international relations] minor, to understand more about how countries can cooperate on issues like this, or understand how international law works, could be really valuable.”

Blimes explained sometimes it is difficult to jump in, read the newspapers and immediately understand how and why the world works the way it does. Common questions such as “Why did this country do this?” or “Why is this happening?” are discussed in the new minor. “[Students] learn to think about life from a different perspective. To me, it’s super fascinating. I can’t imagine anybody who doesn’t want to understand how the world works.”

The international development minor For students who are more interested in countries’ problems that stem from poverty, the international development minor allows them to focus on developing countries specifically, explained Blimes.

Many BYUH students come from developing countries, he said, emphasizing how his goal is to try to help students to work through effective ways to help their countries.

He said this minor is even helpful for those who are in good positions because they can think about how they can help those who are less fortunate. “Having good intentions is great, but it’s not enough.

[People need] to have enough knowledge [they] can turn [their] good intentions into actual useful policies.”

Blimes shared it is great to see Pacific Island students come to BYUH and gain knowledge and tools to take back to their home countries. He added students who are from the Pacific are sandwiched between the “two biggest economies that ever existed,” China and the United States.

“That’s an interesting position to say the least,” he added.

Studying those relations and how Kiribati, the Cook Islands or Fiji are impacted by it is something the new minor focuses on, explained Blimes. “There’s a real sense [people’s] well-being in, [for example], Fiji, is not just determined by [them]. It’s determined by other actors and how they treat each other.”

He explained people should want to understand what is happening and what their place is no matter where they are from. “The best thing is to study it in an organized fashion, which we do in political science.

We try to make sense out of all the kind of crazy that is going on.”

Blimes explained being surrounded by Pacific Island students impacted his own process as an international relations scholar, as he now thinks more about how smaller states interact with larger economies.

Qudaela Taleni, a sophomore from Samoa majoring in political science, said her goal is to give back to her community by addressing human rights and poverty in her home country. She said political science gives her the tools she needs to realize her goal.

“The classes in those two minors really help me gain a better understanding of global issues, the effects of establishing relations with other countries and some of the resolutions that can be made to solve international conflict.” She added the classes have also taught her how she can contribute to addressing issues in her country such as poverty.

A support system of professors Buss said the new minors could draw in people who thought about studying international relations or international development and draw attention to the real strengths of BYUH. “There’s a lot of things [people] can do, and [they] get what [they] put in.” Buss explained all the hands-on experience BYUH has provided has been incredibly helpful in his life because other universities with larger student bodies don’t give the same chances.

“That’s the amazing thing about BYUH.There are a lot of opportunities, and when [people] put in the effort, [they] can do a lot,” he said.

There are a lot of different directions one can take with international relations or international development, Buss explained.

Whether it be working in a Non-Governmental Organization, as a diplomat, implementing projects or running projects their self, there are a lot of options, he explained.

Buss said he loves his job as a diplomat because he can live in different countries, learn new cultures and languages and be in meetings with world leaders. Then other times, he said his job can lead him to places he didn’t think he would go. For example, in 2020 he said he was put onto a COVID-19 task force with the State Department that focused on helping evacuate a cruise ship in Japan.

Working as a diplomat, Buss explained he still considers his professors some of his greatest friends and mentors and still asks them questions about their opinions on different parts of foreign policy relations.

“They’re just really, really good people who really care about their students, and it made a huge difference in my life. The political science department really does have some of the best professors I have ever met.” •

A photo collage including Sakiusa Tukana, Lehonti Ovalle, Michael Kraft, Bruno Miyabe, Levi Fuaga, Xyron Levi Corpuz and Connor Hansen.

Photo illustration by Emarie Majors.

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Aloh Learning The

Information from the Collections of Waikiki website.

Photo by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ) Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra) 1 2 0 KE AL AK A‘I 2023

aloha

used when greeting someone and saying goodbye

ha Lingo

mahalo

used to express gratitude; turn it into “Mahalo nui loa” to add emphasis

da kine

from the word “the kind” and used as a substitution word for all scenarios

keiki

meaning child

shoots

a slang word used as “okay” or an acknowledgement

grindz

food or a meal; must be spelled with a ‘z’

shaka

hand gesture meant as a greeting, farewell or sign of approval

talk story

meaning chatting and reminiscing with friends and

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Humanities major says she creates and sells her own abstract art to express herself and destress

BY LEVI FUAGA

From doodles to

SIDE BUSINESS

A

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lex Mortenson said one night while she and Sierra Cox were talking about homework assignments, she told Cox, “When you do lots of homework, your brain begins to leak out of your ears.” That night, Mortensen said Cox painted a portrait of a person’s brain leaking out of their ears.

Mortensen said she was amazed and responded, “That’s exactly what my brain feels like.”

Cox, a senior majoring in humanities from California, said she posts and sells her artwork through Instagram and Etsy, an online platform for selling handmade goods, @sluggyshug. Doing so allows her to manage her business from the comfort of her handheld device.

She explained she channels her creativity through doodling and painting. “It helps me express myself better than I can in other ways. It’s definitely a hobby that’s good for when I’m stressed because I can relax when I do it. It calms me down,” she shared.

Inspired through studies Cox said as a humanities major, she has learned about the history of various well-known art styles and artists, which prompted her to ponder how art can have an impact on others. “It made me more interested in how art affects people and how it [is expressed] in different ways for different people in different places.”

In addition, she said she enjoys making things that are different and have not been created before. “I used to draw and doodle on my homework, and I started painting and I really liked it,” Cox explained.

She said she has experimented with linoleum, carving and ceramics in hopes of seeking an appealing style to claim. Through

her exploration, Cox said she became interested in an abstract style of art using acrylic paints, which became her favorite medium. She said she enjoys creating her own original artwork instead of illustrating something from real life.

“It’s hard to draw things exactly as they are. I prefer to make something up,” explained Cox, adding she prefers an expressionistic style of art.

Paint and gain Cox said she began selling her artwork in 2019 to help her pay for more art supplies. She explained she gained inspiration to do so from her friend in California who sold her artwork on Etsy.

From there, Cox said she gained confidence in promoting her work with the support of her friends. “It’s still not huge … but it has definitely grown a lot since I first started.”

She said her business is based out of her home in California and she does not sell her paintings on campus. However, she shared she uses a design app to input and edit her designs onto shirts and stickers, then manages the shipping and handling for her customers.

Cox said she fears pursuing an art career would limit her creativity because she would have to paint for certain audiences and work within a time frame. “I don’t really want [selling my artwork] to become my job because I feel like that would ruin my hobby [because] … I wouldn’t be able to do it when I want to.”

Illustrated friendships Although her business is based elsewhere, Cox’s reputation as an artist has been noticed at BYU–Hawaii by her friends Abbie Putnam, an alumna from

Utah who majored in communications, and Mortensen, a sophomore from Utah majoring in hospitality and tourism management.

Mortenson said, “It makes me feel proud of her, that she’s expressing herself in a way that a lot of people can’t and that she’s developing this talent God has given her.”

She explained she learned of Cox’s talent while watching her doodle in her notebook during a devotional, which led to Cox showing her more artwork on her Instagram page.

Cox’s roommate, Putnam, said, “It’s been fun to watch her create art in her free time. … I always like to tell people when I’m introducing her that she’s a talented artist because I think one of the most unique things about her is her artwork. She does a really good job.”

After serving in the Australia Brisbane Mission together, Putnam said she and Cox then became roommates and close friends while attending school together. She shared while visiting her in California, she bought one of her T-shirts that has her illustration of someone pulling a chicken drumstick out of another person’s hair. Putnam said she then wore it during a weight-lifting class, which caught the attention of one of her classmates, who then went on to follow her Instagram page.

Putnam said Cox isn’t afraid to express herself, loves to laugh and is a fun person to be around. Mortenson said Cox’s art style represents her vibrant personality.

Cox said creating and selling her artwork has increased her confidence as an artist. She advised aspiring artists to draw inspiration from other creators with a similar art style and to not be afraid of what anyone thinks. “If you don’t try, you’ll never know,” she said. • Examples of Sierra Cox’s artwork.

Photos provided by Sierra Cox.

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PARKING PERMITS & RULES FOR BUYING CARS

BY RANITEA TEIHOARII

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A

ccording to the Campus Safety & Security website, all students, faculty and staff are required to have a current BYUH parking permit. Here is some information on how to register your vehicle: To register a vehicle, a person is required to fill out the permit form and pay online on the Campus Safety & Security website. After, a copy of the receipt must be brought in to the Campus Safety & Security office between 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday to receive a parking permit.

For vehicles and motorcycles you will need: • • • • • •

A current state vehicle registration card Current no-fault insurance card Current vehicle safety inspection card Valid driver’s license, A current BYUH ID card A payment for a $5 fee.

For bicycles and mopeds you will need: • • • •

A current state registration Proof of ownership or bill of sale (if none, a signed statement will suffice) Valid driver’s license A current BYUH ID card and a payment for a $3 fee.

Why get a byu–hawaii parking permit?

If you do own a car, bicycle or moped, you can enjoy convenient parking near Hales, TVA, classroom buildings, the Aloha Center, and other campus buildings. All students, faculty, and staff with cars, bicycles or mopeds are required to have a current BYU–Hawaii parking permit.

How do you get a parking permit?

In person: go to the Campus Security office next to the back entrance of the Auditorium on the Big Circle.

Online: https://safetyandsecurity.byuh. edu/publicsafety/parking-permits

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

What happens if I don’t have a parking permit?

Cars, bicycles and mopeds without a current parking permit are subject to parking tickets that will be given and posted to your student or employee account. After three or more unpaid tickets, your vehicle may be towed. Unpaid tickets may also create a block that won’t allow you to register for classes until they are paid.

Remember: • Anyone living on campus (Hales or TVA) who owns a car must have a current BYU–Hawaii parking permit AND park their car on campus (effective Jan 2014).

• Make sure you watch for signs that identify which lots you can use with your permit.

• BYU–Hawaii is a small campus and is designed to be a walking campus.You may not need a car - and could save some money by using alternative transportation like The Bus, Costco/Wal-Mart shuttles, and the on-campus Car Rental program

by Hertz (www.hertz747.com).

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WATERMELON PINEAPPLE ‘OTAI ’Otai (OH-tye) originated in Tonga but is now enjoyed across Polynesia

INGREDIENTS • • • • •

5 cups shredded watermelon 20 ounces canned crushed pineapple with juice 13.5 ounces canned coconut milk 2-3 cups water 3 tablespoons granulated sugar to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large bowl, combine watermelon, pineapple and coconut milk.

2. Mix in 2-3 cups of water to desired consistency. Stir in sugar to taste.

3. Serve chilled with crushed ice if desired.

Recipe from Tara’s Multicultural Table.

Photos by Emarie Majors.

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WOMEN’S AND MEN’S HOURS

at the Fitness Center

BY LINDA LAULU

S

ince November of 2022, the BYU-Hawaii Fitness Center has held women’s and men’s hours for the students of BYUH to experience a new change of lifestyle through living a healthier one. For the latest update, Janelle Farley, the University Fitness Center and EXS Issue Room manager, said the women and men’s hours remain the same since it started. “Women’s hours are from 5 o’clock to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, while the men’s hours are from 5 o’clock to 6:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday,” according to Farley. Students who have been participating in these hours shared how it has impacted their lives until this day.

Una Taito, a senior from Magiagi, Samoa, majoring in social work and psychology, said her experience of going to the women’s hour with her friends and being highly motivated through the experiences of other female individual’s journey shared in the BYU-Hawaii’s Fitness Center have have helped her and her friends to keep going. “There were so many things I have learned from being involved in women’s hours at the Fitness Center,” said Taito. “Social support and accountability through having a workout buddy can provide motivation from the camaraderie and encouragement of like-minded individuals who share similar fitness goals,” she added.

As Taito continues to be consistent in attending the women’s hours, she talked about some of the things she witnesses throughout her journey that anyone can experience as well. She said the empowerment she has gained focuses on building self-confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness in women. It involves nurturing their talents and encour-

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aging them to believe in their abilities and pursue their goals. “Womens hour helps me with social empowerment which focuses on challenging and changing gender norms, stereotypes, and discriminatory workouts that limit women’s participation,” she added.

Taito added she has learned to embrace of her body, as well as some of the things she had done to improve herself through regular exercise are positive changes in body composition, such as increased muscle mass and decreased body fat, significant benefits for mental health and stress relief, engaging in physical activity that allows people to release tension, reduce anxiety, and improved mood. She stated, “The Fitness Center or the women’s hour workout sessions can become a space for self-care and an outlet for managing the stress of daily life.” In addition to this, she emphasized as women witness these changes and become more attuned to their bodies, they may develop a healthier body image and improved self-confidence. Taito said, “Working out helped me appreciate and embrace my body for what I can do, rather than solely focusing on appearance,” said Taito.

With bold a smile on her face, Taito concluded with words of advice for anyone who doubts themselves, their strengths and the goals they have set in becoming healthier in their journeys. “Shift your focus and remember that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth and new opportunities. Be patient with yourself, be kind to yourself, and remember that every journey begins with a single step,” she said.

Samuel Regidor, a senior from Tokyo, Japan, majoring in biology, shared his insights on how upset he was when the women and men’s hours were introduced at the Fitness Center, but he said he later came understand the reasons as to why it is convenient to have it.

“I was a little frustrated the first time I heard about the men and women’s hour, because I think it’s a little challenging to accept that sometimes some of the lifting and workout machines were not used by females or males during their hour, when there is a long line waiting outside,” he said. Regidor expounded on how many times he has noticed that there was equipment not being used in the Fitness Center when males only were working out, that could be used if any of the females who were waiting outside could take the spot and use the equipment.

“Instead of calling it a women or men’s hour, maybe it will be efficient if it’s called a women’s or men’s “priority” hour,” he said, “in that way anyone can come in the Fitness Center to workout using the equipments, but priority goes to either female or male depending on which hour it is.”

Regidor continued, “In fact, as I continued to attend the men’s hour, my experience and heart of understanding increased that everyone is quite different from one another, and that there can be times where some females are not comfortable working out around males.”

He said he was selfish at first for wanting a men’s hour when hearing that there was going to be a women’s hour. “I was acting selfish towards myself by stating things like, I want a men’s hour too because the women are having hours at the fitness center,” said Regidor. “However, times changed when I believed that everyone is unique in style and has different ways of becoming the better version of themselves, and that requires them to be comfortable enough to reach their goals,” he added.

Regidor said as a gym rat, his motivation to continuously go to the gym has been influenced by finding others to work out with in the gym. He shared everyone he was introduced to in the Fitness Center during men’s hour became his friends, and they started to build a bond and joke around. “Building the bond with most people who come to the Fitness Center, allowed us to crack a few silly jokes that made me smile and has helped me feel that motive to continue loving what I’m doing,” he said.

In conclusion he said, “With this, my mental health and self confidence increases as I set goals to attend the men’s hour daily, knowing that I am comfortable to reach my goals as an individual,” he said.

Monday: Yoga from 5-6pm Cardio Fuse from 6-7pm Tuesday: High Fitness from 6-7pm Wednesday: Yoga from 5-6pm High Fitness from 6-7pm Thursday: High Fitness from 6-7pm

Women work out together in the Fitness Center during the women’s hours that are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Top right: Youngkwong Kwon works out during the men’s hours that are Mondays and Wednesdays also from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Photos by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra) and Yui Leung.

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

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THE BYUH STORE 1 3 0 KE AL AK A‘I 2023

From textbooks and office supplies to rentals and cell phone services, the BYUH Store aims to meet the diverse needs of the campus community

BY CHRYSANTHEMUMOLIVE TIAFAU

D

avid Fonoimoana, a native of Laie and the campus store manager, shared an overview of the services offered at the BYUH Store. Located in the Aloha Center, he said it is open to BYUH students, faculty, the community and anyone visiting.

In terms of the range of services provided, he said, “We offer clothing with alumni logos, office supplies, school supplies, textbooks and even rentals like surfboards and recreational equipment. We also provide cell phone services and plans at more affordable rates, catering to our international students who may not have a credit score.”

Anais Fry, a senior majoring in social work from Boston and a BYUH Store employee, said the store plays a vital role in supporting students by providing course materials, communication services and leisure activities. “It meets needs in all different kinds of categories, whether it’s for classes with textbooks, communication with cell phones or leisure activities with rentals and school supplies,” said Fry. According to Fonoimoana, when it comes to affordability, the store strives to offer competitive pricing. “Our cell phone plans are cheaper than most other places, with no credit checks or contracts. We work with popular providers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, often offering plans at half the price,” stated Fonoimoana.

He shared discounts and promotions are also part of the store’s services. While there are regular sales, he said the cell phone plans and surplus computer sales stand out as popular and quickly sell out. He added the store collaborates with third-party vendors for events like holiday sales and General Conference promotions.

Regarding digital resources, he stated depending on the preferences of the professors, the BYUH store can accommodate both digital and hardcopy course materials.

Additionally, he said students have the chance to get their money back. “We facilitate textbook buybacks each semester, providing students with the opportunity to recoup some of their expenses.”

“The student book loan service [the BYUH Store] provided is yet another way for students to save money and assist them in times of need,” said Fry. She said all full-time students are pre-approved for a $450 book loan each semester, and loans are open 10 days

prior to the semester and end six weeks after the semester’s start date. “Book loans must be repaid before registering for the following semester,” added Fry. Fonoimoana said one of the challenges the BYUH Store faced is the inclusive access, where professors decide the format of course materials. He said opting out of digital access can sometimes cause frustration, requiring students to communicate directly with their professors to avoid redundant purchases. To address this, Fry said, “I have been working on creating highlights on our [BYUH Store] social media [accounts] to provide students with valuable information. These highlights include step-by-step guides, such as opting out of services, ensuring students have easy access to essential information.”

She added the bookstore serves as a valuable resource for students, offering convenient access to essential supplies, textbooks and services. In order to make life simpler or more affordable, Fry advised students to take advantage of all the resources at their disposal, including cell phone plans.

She said if students have any questions, they can email them or visit their website to learn more about their services.

In addition, Fry said the bookstore operates throughout the year, with special events, sales and giveaways announced on social media platforms like Instagram. She encourages students to stay informed through these channels, where helpful guides and information are shared. “In order to assist students all year, [the BYUH Store] will try to provide affordable services,” said Fonoimoana.

To stay up to date on information regarding the BYUH Store, follow them on Instagram @byuhstore or visit www.byuh. store.

BYUH Store photos by Ho Yin LIn. Graphics by Yichi Lu.

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CLUBS

at BYU–Hawaii

BY CHRYSANTHEMUMOLIVE TIAFAU

A

ccording to Student Leadership and Services leadership, clubs are formed to enhance the BYU-Hawaii experience for all students through a living laboratory of opportunities that promote learning, leading, and building.

Get the most from your BYU-Hawaii experience and get involved in the vibrant campus community by joining one of the 40 clubs available. Whether you’re interested in academics, culture, or special interests, there’s a club for everyone. Here’s all you need to know about joining a club or starting one.

Academic Clubs (subject to change) 1. Marine Biology 2. Professional Accounting 3. Human Rights 4. Psychology 5. Healthcare 6. Pre-Dental 7. Real Estate 8. Film and Theater 9. Social Work 10. Econ Club 1 3 2 KE AL AK A‘I 2023

Culture Clubs (subject to change)

Special Interest Club(subject to change)

1. Cambodia 2. Philippines 3. India 4. Kiribati 5. Taiwan 6. Singapore Malaysia 7. China 8. Samoa 9. Hong Kong 10. Mongolia 11. Fiji 12. Hawaii 13. Korea 14. Japan 15. Tonga 16. Indonesia 17. Melanesia 18. Latin America 19. Aotearoa 20. Tahiti 21. Vietnam 22. Cook Islands 23. Thailand 24. Australia

1. Hapkido 2. Cat 3. Hip Hop 4. Dive 5. Evolution outlet 6. Ultimate Frisbee

Students man booths at the Club Fest head at the beginning of each semester so students can learn about and join clubs. Photos by Uurtsaikh Nyamdeleg.

Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

How to Join a Club: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Visit the Engage platform.

Click on the blue sign-in button in the top-right corner and use your student net ID and password to sign in.

Select “Organizations” from the top panel.

Search for specific clubs of interest.

Choose your preferred club and click “Join.” (Note there is a Club fee that will be charged to your BYU–Hawaii student account) You will receive a notification once your request is accepted.

Alternatively, use the Corq app: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Download the Corq app from your phone’s App Store.

Open the app and search for “Brigham Young University– Hawaii.”

Select “Sign in for Exclusive Campus Features” and log in using your student credentials.

Access the “Organizations” section.

Search for specific clubs and select your preferred one.

Click “Join” to submit your request.

You will be notified when your request is accepted.

Creating a Club: 1.

2.

3.

Complete the online club registration on Engage during the club registration period at the start of a semester.

Club Requirements: • Full Club Name • Stewardship Statement (club purpose) • Learning Outcome (what the club aims to teach members) • 5 officers and 15 registered members are needed to be recognized as a club Club Officer Requirements: • President: attends leadership class and manages the club • Vice President: coordinates service projects and career workshops

• • • •

Vice President: coordinates activities Treasurer: manages vouchers and accounts Secretary: coordinates meetings, records, and publicity recognized as a club

Club Registration Process: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Before the registration deadline, submit the online club organization registration through Engage.

Ideally, the president should submit the registration on behalf of the club.

Each officer must agree to and submit the online stewardship agreement form received via email.

Check your Engage notifications in your go.byuh.edu account.

Your advisor must agree to and submit the online advisor agreement form received via email.

You will receive an email notification once your club is officially approved.

Once approved, your club’s organization will appear on the Engage community website.

The club presidency must attend mandatory leadership training in the first few weeks of the semester.

Get involved, make new connections, and create lasting memories by joining a club at BYU-Hawaii!

Note: This information is based on Student Leadership and Services website at BYU-Hawai’i. Please refer to the official university resources for the most up-to-date information.

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Photo and graphics by Yukimi Kishi 1 3 4 KE AL AK A‘I 2023

Creature feature:

MONK SEALS

BY ANNA STEPHENSON

T

he Hawaiian monk seal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is one of the world’s most endangered species of seal. For 60 years, their population has been declining, and their current population level is only one-third the amount it once was. According to the Marine Mammal Center, the current population count has surpassed 1,500.

However, NOAA stated on their website the population is rising.

It credits this to their recovery efforts, such as habitat protection and vaccinating wild seals against viruses.

The American Oceans site states if the Hawaiian monk seal were to go extinct, the Hawaiian ecosystem would be devastated. Monk seals are apex predators and have an important role in the food chain keeping crustacean, fish and squid populations under control.

According to a National Geographic profile on monk seals, they live between 25 to 30 years and can weigh up to 600 pounds. From nose to back flipper, they grow to be about 7 feet long.

The Oceana website states monk seals are usually solitary when they’re not breeding or raising pups. They can dive up to 1,800 feet in the water, and their main predator is the tiger shark.

Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) says beach visitors should stay at least 50 feet away from monk seals, and 150 feet away if the monk seal is a mother with a pup. If HMAR or NOAA-sanctioned personnel are present, follow their instructions, as harassing a monk seal is illegal under the Endangered Species Act and can cost thousands of dollars in fines.

The monk seal’s Hawaiian name is “ilio holo i ka uaua,” which the Marine Mammal Center translates as “dog that runs in rough water.” They are found only in Hawaii, making them an endemic species, according to the Marine Mammal Center.

The Marine Mammal Center explains most monk seals are part of six main breeding populations: Kure Atoll, Midway Islands, Pearl and Hermes Reef, Lisianski Island, Laysan Island and the French Frigate Shoals.

For 60 years, their population has been declining, and their current population level is only one-third the amount it once was.

These islands are all found in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the mostly unpopulated northwestern islands in the Hawaiian archipelago. The Center for Biological Diversity says on its website more and more monk seals are moving to the main islands, such as Oahu, where pups have a better survival rate.

Another less natural threat to the monk seal is a protozoal disease called toxoplasmosis. NOAA has documented at least 11 monk seal deaths to toxoplasmosis since 2011. Toxoplasmosis is spread through the droppings of cats infected with the disease, meaning that Hawaii’s large population of feral cats has become an indirect threat to the endangered monk seal, according to NOAA. NOAA encourages people to report monk seal sightings to its local NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840.

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BOOST YOUR RESUME

THROUGH ON-CAMPUS INTERNSHIPS BYU–Hawaii students share their experiences in collaborating with companies on their hands-on projects to gain valuable skills

BY MUTIA PARASDUHITA

T

o provide sufficient work field experience for the students, the BYU–Hawaii Career Services, Ho’okele Department, designed an On-Campus Internships program. Enrolling in this class enables students to collaborate professionally with a real company in their hands-on project.

Adon Eccles, a junior in business management from California, said unlike the

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traditional internship off campus that requires a long recruiting process and administration, students will directly participate in the internship experience. Students don’t need to be juniors or seniors to participate, and Eccles explained there is no prerequisite class to participate in this on-campus internship. The process is as easy as enrolling in CRDEV 301R class. He added how this class is encoded with

‘R’, which means repeatable, so if the students are interested to participate in another internship project they are allowed to repeat the course.

The experiential learning supervisor who is also the internship instructor, Elder James Mason, said, “I recruited companies into projects and students will experience a real-life project. We always have way

more projects than we have students, so the students get to pick the best projects.” He shared how students rank the order of their favorite projects based on their interests and internship needs. He said they are typically put in a group of five and when collaboration across the majors is needed in the project, they can work together toward the same goals with individual roles. Every person should be willing to dedicate their time for seven to nine hours of work a week for their project, so they cumulatively work for 40 hours as an intern team, Mason added.

Mason shared his experiences where students thought it was impossible for them to do a project for their specific major, but the On-Campus Internships always has projects in store. “This seems sad because we have all these students who want to do an internship but can’t find one, and we have extra internships that they don’t sign up for,” said Mason.

Mason explained, “This internship is about negotiating with your sponsor/teacher and answering every question with the solutions to these problems. For example, if you have a business problem, you have the whole 16 weeks to solve it, and you are solely responsible to your sponsor, team and BYUH.” Eccless said a lot of students don’t like the lecture form of class and they want to get that feeling of an internship instead. He continued, “That’s what we provide. The class is structured for you to work on your internship for the vast majority of the class time. Elder Mason has put together his valuable work experience to help students be successful in their internships because most of them haven’t done an internship before.”

As a mentor, Eccles said this program was so effective because he was able to see students receive a sense of eagerness as they participate in the work. He shared he had seen the way students actively participate in making crucial decisions in a company. For him, he said it will help them use the skill if they work in a real field one day. He said, “It’s really good for your resume. If you think you particularly gave a weak resume, that’s the opportunity that campus internships offer, so you can write your resume with something that is appealing.”

A junior majoring in accounting and communications from Mongolia, Azbayar Baldansharav, shared her team’s specific fields they worked on. “I was doing the

Students in the On-Campus Internship class work together on projects working with real clients. Photos provided by BYU–Hawaii Career Services, Ho’okele Department. Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

communication part in my internship team.

My team leader, who majored in business management, had to manage all the teamwork, including communication with the clients, sponsor companies and everything. For my other team member [is majoring] in TESOL, she did all the professional writing that tied closely with the real documents.” She added, “I would like students to know that there is a lot of trust because you are representing BYUH and the sponsor company gives you full access to the information for the job-related information.”

Baldansharav said she was able to see what it looks like to work in the communication field in a real company through On-Campus Internships. She encouraged students who doubt the validity of this internship to “just take it.” She said she ”wasn’t really sure if I could get real-world experience, but then I realized that even though it’s on campus, the

companies treat you as their employer. So you have a full responsibility to complete the task.”

Although she said for her, the task is not always easy and can be stressful sometimes, she said she understood those experiences are the things she needs after graduation.

An Vu, a sophomore from Vietnam majoring in supply chain and marketing, said she decided to take the On-Campus Internship class during her freshman year. She said, “I feel I needed to take it because I know that it will give me more experience, and when I’m working on a project, it builds my resume.”

She explained how most of the time during the project, she worked closely with the professor and the sponsor, so they could meet the needs of the clients. For Vu, the On-Campus Internship is not like a regular class because she has to be professional at all times. She added it is not like a test in the class. It’s about working with a real company. • N E W S T U DEN T 2023 137

Jobs and career

OPPORTUNITIES Sourced from PayScales and various websites, show potential job options and average salaries could be for several majors at BYUH

BY RANITEA TEIHOARII AND ANTONIETTE YEE-LIWANAG Integrated humanities An integrated humanities degree has an average salary of $39,349. Indeed.com said some of the different careers are: High School Teacher Editor Writer Public relations Graphic designer

Psychology Indeed.com said a psychology degree can lead to career opportunities with an average salary of $40,858, such as: Researcher Therapist Behavior analyst Professor

Health and human science The average salary for health and human science majors is $43,051. The following careers are offered, according to Indeed. com: Paramedic Anesthesia technician Health educator Health services administrator

Hospitality and tourism management An average salary with degrees in hospitality and tourism management is $43,446, with employment opportunities according to Prospects.ac.uk such as: Event manager Air cabin crew Tourism officer Hotel and fast food restaurant manager

Elementary education An elementary education degree has an average salary of $43,796. Zippia.com said some of the different careers are: Child care center administrator Camp director Training specialist Program coordinator

English Majoring in English can lead to careers with an average salary of $44,761. The different career opportunities have been listed by Coursera.org: Copywriter Technical writer Editor Social media manager Brand strategist

Social work A degree in social work can lead to a job with an average salary of $44,906. Indeed. com listed the different careers and others: Health educator Habilitation specialist Outreach worker Probation instructor Child welfare specialist

Communication, media and culture Coursera.org said a communication, media and culture degree can lead to career opportunities with an average salary of $45,257, such as: Public relations Marketing and advertising Social media manager Human resources specialist Journalist

Anthropology and cultural sustainability An average salary with degrees in anthropology and cultural sustainability is $46,800, with employment opportunities according to …..such as: Archaeologist Environmental anthropologist Museum curator Medical anthropologist

Hawaiian studies A degree in Hawaiian studies can expect to make $41,216 on average. These are some of the careers available, according to Indeed. com: High school teacher Environmental coordinator

Biology An degree in biology can expect to make $41,559 on average. These are some of the careers available, according to careeraddict. com: Biologist Botanist Zoologist Pharmacy technician Phlebotomist

Secondary education A degree in secondary education can expect to make $41,559 on average. These are some of the careers available, according to Zippia. com: Data analyst Science teacher Social studies teacher Adjunct instructor/faculty Substitute teacher

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Film A degree in film can expect to make $47,855 on average. These are some of the careers available, according to indeed.com: Film crew Camera operator Media researcher Film producer

Theater According to Indeed.com, a degree in theater can lead to different jobs in showbiz with an average pay of $50,427, starting with the most popular: Actor Choreographer Dancer Assistant director Broadcaster Writer

History Themuse.com said a history degree can lead to career opportunities with an average salary of $50,893 such as: Research analyst Legislative aide Curator Technical writer

TESOL A TESOL degree pays on average $51,369 with opportunities to work, according to Indeed.com, as follows: Adult education teacher Academic advisor Corporate trainer Private tutor ESL Instructor

Visual arts A visual arts degree has an average salary of $52,654. The different careers opportunities have been listed by Indeed.com: Gallery manager Interior designer Technical designer Graphic designer Creative director

Political science A political science degree with an average annual salary of $52,859 can lead to careers in the following fields, according to Indeed. com: Legislative assistant Research analyst Director of communications Policy analyst

Music A music degree, pays on average $52,899 with opportunities to work, according to Greatvaluecolleges.net, as follows: Composer Sound engineer Conductor Music teacher

Mathematics Majoring in mathematics can lead to careers with an average salary of $62,906. The different career opportunities have been listed by Indeed.com: Economist Investment analyst Statistician

Business management According to research.com, a business management degree has an average salary of $65,000 with opportunities to work as: Project manager Market research analyst Human resource manager Account executive

Information technology A degree in information technology can expect to make $66,919 on average. These are some of the careers available on Indeed. com: Network administrator Computer network architect Application developer Web designer

Intercultural peacebuidling An intercultural peacebuilding degree, pays on average $68,024 with opportunities to work, according to Indeed.com, as follows: Professor Human rights lawyer Diplomat Human resources director Mediator

Entrepreneurship An average salary for those with a degree in entrepreneurship is $70,935, with employment opportunities in accordance with Indeed.com such as: Appraiser Public relations manager Management analyst Sales manager

Computer science A computer science degree, pays in average $71,156 with opportunities to work, according to coursera.org, as: Software developer Systems engineer Programmer Data scientist

Information systems An information systems degree, pays on average $76,156 with opportunities to work, according to Indeed.com, as follows: Software engineer Systems analyst Database administrator Web developer

Accounting The average salary for accounting majors is $77,000. The following careers are offered, according to Indeed.com: Budget analyst Business and financial consultant Financial analyst and examiner Finance manager Personal financial advisor

Pacific island studies An average salary with degrees in Pacific islands studies is $79,669, with employment opportunities according to Hawaii.edu such as: Lecturer Program manager

Photos by Unsplash.

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

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BYU–HAWAII MAIL CENTER The Mail Center provides guidelines and services for all residents to simplify the mailing process and guarantee effective delivery

BY CHRYSANTHEMUMOLIVE TIAFAU

T

he BYUH Mail Center is located in the Aloha Center and provides a range of postal services to students, faculty, staff and the community. Workers there encourage and welcome students to stop by for any queries they might have and to inquire about the services they offer for any needs they might have.

Operating Hours The Mail Center is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, providing services at both the pick-up window and the retail counter. On Saturdays, only the pickup window operates from 9 a.m. to noon.

These hours enable students and visitors to access the center’s services conveniently while maintaining a balanced schedule.

Mail Delivery and Outgoing Mail: Mail is delivered to BYUH from Monday to Saturday. Outgoing mail is collected by the USPS on weekdays at 2:20 p.m. and on weekends at 9 a.m. The pick-up window

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is closed during holidays, but mail is still processed. It is crucial to keep these delivery schedules in mind when planning any timesensitive mail or shipments.

Address Guidelines: When addressing mail, it is essential to adhere to the Mail Center’s guidelines. A mailbox number is available to residents of faculty/staff housing, Hales, TVA and university housing tenants. To obtain your assignment mailbox number, it is advised that you go to the Mail Center. It is optional for people who live off campus to use the services, but if they do, it is advised that they visit the Mail Center to rent a mailbox. It is strongly advised not to use a child’s name or “Hale Room Assignment” when addressing mail. Additionally, always include a four-digit mailbox number to ensure accurate delivery. Packages sent to new students prior to their arrival and mail addressed to children or non-student spouses without a dependent ID will be returned to the sender.

Receiving Packages and Mail: To receive packages, individuals must be current residents of Hales, TVA or have a paid rental. If you’re a student in the Hales, you’ll be notified when you receive a letter or package. For TVA residents, you’ll receive notifications for packages. Additionally, they offer mail-in or out services for both domestic and international mail. Packages are stored in lockers for 24 hours before being moved behind the pick-up window for collection. If you need any assistance with mailing, don’t hesitate to ask, as they are more than happy to help.

Authorized Mail Pickup: When picking up letters or packages, a valid photo ID is required for verification. If you are unable to collect your mail personally and wish to authorize a friend to do so on your behalf, simply email mailcenter@byuh.edu with the friend’s name, student ID number and the item they will be collecting. This process ensures your mail is safely retrieved by trusted individuals.

Mailing Center App: The Mail Center offers an official app that enhances convenience and accessibility.

By downloading the app, you can receive notifications when packages are deposited into the locker system. Utilizing Bluetooth functionality, you can even open your locker directly from your phone. To use the app, simply enter the email address where you receive package notifications.

If unsure, visit the retail counter for assistance.

Once a package is placed in a locker, the app will send you a notification. Open the app and locate the package under “My Packages.” You will find information such as the locker number, status, PIN, delivery and expiration times and a QR code.You can choose to scan the QR code, enter the PIN into the locker console or use Bluetooth to open the locker. Remember, packages are only kept in the locker for 24 hours, after which you must visit the pick-up window to collect them.

The BYU–Hawaii Mail Center strives to provide students with efficient and secure mail services.

By following the guidelines and utilizing the Mail Center app, students can ensure seamless delivery and retrieval of their packages and mail. For any further inquiries, feel free to visit the retail counter for assistance.

The Mail Center is located in the Aloha Center.

Photos by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

Graphics by Enkhtuvshin Chimee (TJ).

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THE BANYAN Dining Hall A mix of memories, culture and modernity, is having its grand opening after eight years of preparation

BY JIEUN SHIN

A

fter eight years of preparation and construction, the Banyan Dining Hall is a combination of community memories, Hawaiian culture and BYU–Hawaii’s diversity in a modern setting.

“We tried as much as we can to bring freshness, ambiance and a welcoming feeling to make it home away from home for all,” said David Keala, the director of Food Services working at BYUH for the past 20 years.

He explained building the dining hall involved many contributors, including architects, engineers, construction people and food consultants.

“One of the highlights for this university is this beautiful dining facility that will serve so many people… and that was the goal,” said Keala.

Keala said the salad station in the Banyan Dining Hall used to be the location of a banyan tree. “Pretty much every Sunday or every night after nine o’clock, people would go and cook and share food,” said Marilou Lee about the old banyan tree. Lee is a club manager at Food

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Services from the Philippines and a BYUH alumna who has worked on campus for 25 years.

President Galeai, the executive chef of the dining hall, explained the banyan tree was located right outside the old cafeteria. People used the barbeques that were located under the large tree, he said, and clubs would rent the spot to have activities. He shared the tree had a lot of memories for people in the community and students on campus.

Lee said she and her friends used to gather on Sunday to grab a sack lunch from the cafeteria and sit under the banyan tree, talking stories and eating dinner. She said people could hardly find room to sit on the benches and most of them had to sit down on the grass.

Keala said customers can see the pieces of the banyan tree on some of the tables in the dining area.

Lee explained the name “Banyan Dining Hall” through the naming contest. Many people voted for this name, so it was sent to the President’s Council for approval and became the official name of the dining hall.

Depicting Hawaii and diversity

Left: Looking down from the second floor of the dinning hall. Above: President John Kawue and Academics Vice President Isaiah Walker pause for a photos while eating at the dining hall. Bottom: Students work preparing food. Photos by Zane Saenz and Pristine Shek.

Graphics by Sugarmaa Bataa (Kendra).

Keala explained the blue screens on top of the seats on the main floor represent ocean waves, and the curves of the middle dining area represent Maui’s fishhook from native Hawaiian mythology. He explained they wanted the main dining seating to be curved, unlike what he and his committee saw from many campus dining facilities that had straight L-shaped table seating.

Over at the dining hall’s lava station, a large wood stone oven cooks pizza, chicken, pasta and desserts. Keala said the warmth of the oven and the red lamps next to it represent a volcano, while the mural of the Kona Coast on the Hawaii’s Big Island depicts the view from one of the local volcanoes.

The local station also provides local foods such as loco moco with mac salad, said Keala, and the world station cooks international dishes such as Thai chicken curry. “Ethnicity was important for us,” he said.

Keala said local and international foods, lava-inspired decorations and wave motifs were brought together to represent Hawaii.

“All the students and employees [as part of a whole new generation] are blessed to work at this brand-new facility,” said Galeai, With the current low staffing problem, Lee shared she wants to hire 30 more employees at Food Services to manage the dining hall efficiently. She said those who are social and hard-working would love joining the Banyan Dining Hall team.

Freshness, visibility and natural lighting Keala shared that he and other groups of people spent time researching and gathering data to build the modern facility. He said they visited schools from the East Coast to the West Coast and Canada, meeting directors, presidents, vice presidents and student services of universities.

Keala said the critical elements of designing this building were freshness, visibility and natural lighting.

He explained they intentionally located the salad bar near the main entrance to help customers view freshness as they enter the building.

Because the grill station, carving station, and the bakery area are all relatively open, Keala said customers can see how their food is prepared, made and served from taller seats at dining bars on opposite ends of the cooking stations.

“The concept was the cooking area into the dining room,” said Keala. He said they wanted to help customers of the dining hall see, smell and feel the experience of eating in the building. He shared they also worked to provide variety in seating, including outdoor seating with views of Laie, booths, four-seater tables and two-seater tables.

Keala discussed the different sizes of windows and how they allow natural light to fill the dining hall. The large windows throughout the building create an open, lighted ambiance, he explained.

The focal point, Keala said, was that as people enter from the main entrance, they would see a beautiful silver facility and cooks making dishes in front of them.

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