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CONTACT:
Email: kealakai@byuh.edu
Phone: (808) 675-3694
Office: BYU–Hawaii Aloha Center 134
ON THE COVER: Paula Maguale, a senior majoring in marketing from the Philippines, is shown with her camcorder. Photo by Moevai Tefan.
ON THE BACK COVER: A quote from Sister Megan Naihe, an adjunct instructor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters.
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 70 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 magazine published 8 times a year with a website and a social media presence. Today, a staff of more than 20 students work to provide information for BYU–Hawaii’s campus ohana and Laie’s community.
To access the podcasts, you can go to Spotify, Buzzsprout or YouTube and search for Ke Alaka‘i.
Every photograph tells a story, and every story paints an image. The intersection of photography and literature is where words and visuals embrace, where emotions find both a voice and a frame. This magazine is a celebration of that union—of moments captured and memories woven, of light and language shaping the way we see the world and our existence.
I have always been drawn to the power of visual narratives. A single photograph can transport us to another time, another place, another feeling. A well-crafted sentence can do the same, drawing images in the mind as vividly as a camera lens. What fascinates me most is how, despite the passage of time, both remain—preserving fragments of life and anchoring us to the present even as they remind us of the past.
Perhaps that is why I have embraced journaling, writing, and photography not merely as pastimes, but as sacred acts of preservation. As my late friend Vince once said, “Life is worth living, and every moment—good or bad—is worth remembering.” His words became a quiet hymn in my life, shaping the way I choose to document the world around me. Through storytelling—both visual and written, I learned to seek truth, navigate the depths of emotion, and immortalize the fleeting beauty of joy.
More than just a means of remembrance, photography and literature have taught me to embrace the beauty of growth. A sage once told me, “If you want to witness your own evolution, start preserving memories through photos and words.” And it’s true. The records I have kept—snapshots of fleeting moments, pages filled with thoughts once unspoken—stand as undeniable proof of my journey, a testament to the quiet yet constant unfolding of who I am becoming.
In a world that often rushes forward, urging us to move on before we have even had time to fully experience a moment, photography and literature remind us to pause. They help us see beyond what is immediate, to find meaning in the ordinary, and to appreciate the details that might otherwise fade unnoticed. They teach us that beauty exists not only in grand, orchestrated moments but in the small, unguarded instances—the laughter shared between friends, the quiet solitude of a sunrise, and the stories etched into the lines of a familiar face.
This issue is an invitation to do the same—to see, to write and to remember. Let these pages and stories inspire you to embrace your own narratives, to capture your world as it is, and to recognize the beauty of the moments that shape you. Because in the end, the memories we keep—whether in ink or in images—become the legacy we leave behind.
John Andrew Quizana Editor-In-Chief
TEAM MEMBERS
Marlee Palmer Young Yen Art Director
LeeAnn Lambert Advisor
John Andrew Quizana Editor in Chief
Bella Chimedbaatar Managing Editor
Winslette Quiray-Santiago Copy Editor
Moevai Tefan Lead Photographer
CJ Shinihah Notarte Copy Editor
Kilihea Kanekoa Burke Multimedia Journalist
Guen Ysanth Ramirez Illustrator
Gene Cymmer Ramirez Multimedia Journalist
Tay Kang Multimedia Journalist
Ice Cesario Graphic Designer
Naomi Saenz Photographer
Abigail Adams Multimedia Journalist
Myco Chillian Marcaida Multimedia Journalist
France Valerie Lucillo Multimedia Journalist
Ann Goebel Multimedia Journalist
Cho Yong Fei Graphic Designer
Hiroki Konno Photographer
Linda Laulu Multimedia Journalist
Samantha Faith Satorre Multimedia Journalist
Pimwara Hootini Multimedia Journalist
58 WHEN WORDS FAIL AND PICTURES FADE
64 BYU-HAWAI’I THROUGH THE YEARS
70 USING LANGUAGE TO CREATE ART
74 COMPILING KULA MANU
80 THE FINE LINE BETWEEN PLAGIARISM AND INSPIRATION
84 LITERATURE GEMS AROUND THE WORLD
90 SLOWING DOWN WITH SNAIL MAIL
94 EIGHT WRITING PROMPTS
96 E OLA OLELO HAWAII
98 PUTTING THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE
102 PAGES YOU CAN’T PUT DOWN
106 POWER OF THE PEN
110 A SWIFT GUIDE TO CREATIVE WRITING
116 THE LASTING IMPACT OF LITERATURE
120 16 WRITING PLATFORMS FOR CREATIVE PEOPLE
124 IN POETRY WE SAY...
Section I
Photography is more than just a medium—it’s a way of seeing the world through different eyes, capturing fleeting moments that resonate long after the shutter clicks. In this section, we showcase the artistry of photography, where each image tells a unique story, drawing the viewer in with its composition, lighting and perspective. Whether it’s the raw emotion in a candid portrait, the grandeur of a sweeping landscape, or the intricate details of everyday life, photography has the power to immortalize experiences in a single frame. This section celebrates the photographers’ skill to freeze time, capturing stories that might otherwise go unnoticed, and allowing us to explore the world through their lens.
The healing lens
Three BYUH students share photography serves as a therapeutic outlet for self-expression, emotional processing and personal growth
BY JOHN ANDREW QUIZANA
In an era where visual storytelling is more accessible than ever, photography has emerged as a powerful tool for self-expression and mental well-being, according to the Global Photo Community Website. Whether capturing the beauty of nature, documenting everyday life or exploring self-portraiture, individuals find solace and therapeutic value in the art of photography, the website says. BYU–Hawaii students who are passionate about photography shared how it helps them find peace and emotional clarity.
Escaping through the lens
Kristian Galang, a senior majoring in business management with supply chain and marketing emphasis from the Philippines, shared his personal journey with photography and how it has influenced his mental health. “I found that capturing moments through my camera helped me focus on the present and appreciate the beauty around me,” he explained. Photography became more than just a pastime—it was a form of therapy that allowed him to express emotions he struggled to articulate, he said.
Galang shared photography allows him to offer service and spread joy to others. “Photography is a wonderful way to make people happy. When they are pleased with the results of a photoshoot, it brings me happiness too,” he explained. Galang said he often goes on photo walks, capturing the emotions of people and the beauty of his surroundings, and he finds this process to be deeply rewarding.
He also shared how photography helps him navigate his emotions, both positive and negative. “When I’m feeling sad, I tend to capture darker, high-contrast images, but when I’m happy, I gravitate toward lighter shots,” he said. Through this, Galang said he has learned all emotions are valid. Just as these elements— light, contrast and composition—are crucial in photography, people’s emotions are equally essential to their lives, he said.
Galang said individuals turn to photography as a way to escape daily stressors and find comfort in creative expression. “The act of taking photos encourages mindfulness, urging individuals to slow down, observe their surroundings, and find beauty in the mundane,” he said.
Through his interactions with others, Galang said he has encountered people who use photography as a coping mechanism for anxiety and depression. He said revisiting photographs can reinforce feelings of gratitude and joy. “Some find comfort in nature photography because it encourages them to spend time outdoors. Others use self-portrait photography as a means of self-reflection and self-acceptance,” he noted.
The art of seeing and feeling
Douglas Ferreira, a senior majoring in biology said photography is more than pressing a shutter button—it is an emotional experience. “When I go out to take pictures, I forget about my problems. It’s just me, my camera, and the moment,” he shared.
His fascination with photography began he said when his father gave him a Fujifilm camera for
Kriistian Galang is shown with his camera. Photos taken by John Andrew Quizana. Page design by Ice Cesario.
“Just as these elements— light, contrast, and composition —are crucial in photography, our emotions are equally essential to our lives .”
Kristian Galang
his birthday. Though not a professional DSLR, he said it was a powerful tool that allowed him to experiment with landscapes and the beauty of everyday life. He said it wasn’t long before his talent was recognized by others. “I was invited to take photos of an event in São Paulo attended by over 600 people. I took over 6,000 photos that day,” Ferreira said.
Back then, editing was a struggle, he shared. “It took me a month and a half to go through them all,” he recalled. Despite the overwhelming challenge, he said he discovered the thrill of documenting people’s experiences—an experience that would shape his future in photography.
Ferreira said he believes a great photographer doesn’t just capture an image; it captures a feeling. “I put my emotions into my photos. Whether it’s experimenting with lighting, framing a landscape, or capturing someone’s smile, the goal is always the same—to make the viewer feel something,” he said.
During his full-time mission, Ferreira said he received a DSLR camera as a gift from a generous church member. “It was incredible,” he said. “The member shared how a missionary once gave him a camera years ago, and now he was passing it forward,” he said
As a photographer, Ferreira said he understands the fine balance between capturing reality and shaping a vision. When asked if photography reveals the truth or creates a curated version of reality, he responded, “It depends on the photographer’s intent. For journalists, it’s about capturing the truth as it is. But for others, photography can be more about creating an idealized version of reality. It’s storytelling.”
For university events, Ferreira said he strives to portray authenticity—real expressions, real moments. But when working on creative projects, he said he embraces artistic liberty. “In fun shoots, I like adding a Hollywood feel to my photos, making them vivid and dreamlike. It’s about pushing the boundaries of what an image can be,” he expressed.
Ferreira shared his vision for a perfect image of himself. “If I am in a frame, I want it to be something infinite—about family and the beauty of what we can’t fully comprehend. That’s what photography is to me—capturing moments that make us feel something bigger than ourselves,” he expressed.
“Through my camera, I bridge the external world and my internal self, proving that photography— when approached with sincerity and intention —can be a powerful tool for connection, healing, and self-discovery.”
Joan Sabilly Amadeus
“If I am in a frame, I want it to be
something infinite— about family and the beauty of what we can’t fully comprehend. That’s what photography is to me— capturing moments that make us feel something bigger than ourselves
”
Douglas Ferreira
An emotional outlet and path to self-discovery
Senior Joan Sabilly Amadeus, majoring in Intercultural Peacebuilding from Indonesia, said photography is more than just capturing images. It is a deeply personal form of expression, a therapeutic outlet, he explained, and a means of understanding human connection.
Amadeus said photography serves as a medium to articulate feelings that can be difficult to describe. “Photography has given me an outlet to express emotions that are sometimes hard to put into words,” he shared. “It allows me to focus on beauty, details, and moments I might otherwise overlook, helping me stay present and mindful,” he added.
He said the creative process behind photography offers him a sense of power and reflection, which helps him manage emotional struggles. “When I’m behind the camera, I feel a sense of control and creativity that helps me process my thoughts,” he said. He also said the act of composing a shot forces him to slow down and be in the moment, which for him is grounding.
Self-portraits and carefully framed images help him visualize his emotions, offering clarity and introspection, he shared. Whether dealing with loneliness, change, or self-discovery, Amadeus said he turns to photography as a means of healing and self-exploration.
Photography has the power to shape memory and influence perception, Amadeus said. “I love how images can sometimes alter memories by reinforcing certain aspects while allowing others to fade. Looking at a photo later can make me remember things differently than they happened,” he noted.
Sometimes, he said his photographs reveal details he had not initially noticed, deepening his emotional connection to a moment. “A photo isn’t just about what’s in the frame but also about the emotions, atmosphere, and context behind it,” he said.
Amadeus shared photography is about more than just what is seen. It is about what is felt. Whether using it as a tool for self-expression, emotional processing, or storytelling, he said his work remains deeply tied to his identity and worldview. “Through my camera, I bridge the external world and my internal self, proving that photography—when approached with sincerity and intention—can be a powerful tool for connection, healing and self-discovery,” he said.•
Jenard Cian Perez holds his camera.
Photo by Kevin Tumaliuan.
Page design by Cho Yong Fei.
MASTERING THE BASICS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Exposure triangle
and camera
composition are key to capturing photos, say BYUH student photographers
BY WINSLETTE QUIRAY-SANTIAGO
Whether it be capturing a motion blur, a wide view of the horizon, or a portrait in a low-light setting, BYUH Media Productions Video Specialist Jenard Cian Perez and Ke Alaka’i Lead Photographer Moevai Tefan said the best photos are made with the right use of camera settings.
When taking photos, one doesn’t start well right away, said Perez, a junior from the Philippines majoring in business management with a marketing emphasis. “It is important to be humble while learning and to practice multiple times. Learning the exposure triangle is a good start,” he said.
He shared the exposure triangle refers to the shutter speed, aperture and International Organization of Standardization, simply known as ISO. “When you know how to manage those, you’ll get crisp images, and then if you add a little post-production edit, you’ll get really sharp images,” he said.
Tefan, a senior from Tahiti majoring in visual arts, also said familiarizing different camera compositions within a frame is important because it creates interesting photos. “I like to incorporate depth and layering when taking photos. It adds a more storytelling aspect to the photo, and I love how the foreground and background dynamics make it more interesting,” Tefan shared.
As someone who became interested in photography after learning video editing, Perez said, “This may sound cliche, but the best camera
is the one you already have.” For beginner photographers, Perez said knowing rule of thirds and leading lines helps establish shots.
Perez said rule of thirds is the most commonly used framing tool for photographers, whether for portraits, landscapes and videos. He also said the leading lines show focus and emphasis. “It is great to start in wide shots and then work towards getting tight shots and the details afterward,” he said.
Tefan shared learning camera settings can be confusing but is worth it to learn. Nowadays, cameras have settings on automatic mode but “learning how to capture photos manually makes it personal and will give you control on how you tell the stories of your photos,” she shared.
According to a blog written on the Adobe website by Sapna Reddy, an international landscape photographer based in Northern California, the word “photography” literally means “drawing with light.” It derives from the Greek “photo,” meaning “light” and “graph,” meaning “to draw,” she says.
The three components of the exposure triangle are shutter speed, aperture and ISO. According to the Photography Life website, these work together to produce a photo that is properly exposed. “If one variable changes, at least one of the others must also change to maintain the correct exposure,” it says.
According to Photography Life, it is also known as F-stop. It refers to the size of the circular hole in the lens that lets in light, the website says. “A large aperture results in a large amount of both foreground and background blur,” it says.
ISO
“ISO is simply a camera setting that will brighten or darken a photo,” according to Photography Life. It says as someone increases their ISO number, their photos will also grow progressively brighter.
Shutter speed
It refers to the length of time light is allowed to hit the sensor. It is measured in seconds. The faster the shutter speed, the less light enters the lens, according to Photography Life.
Graphics by Cho Yong Fei
Photographic compositions
Leading lines
These lines pull the viewer’s eye toward a subject or focal point, which then gives flat surfaces the appearance of depth, dimension and shape, according to the Adobe website.
Rule of thirds
According to the Adobe website, it is a way of dividing frames, creating a three-by-three grid to achieve optimal composition. “This tends to allow for more interesting images than simply centering a subject,” it says.
Focus and depth of field
Being aware of what is in a shot and how to focus on it preserves a feeling of space and adds to the illusion of a third dimension within the photo, says the Adobe website.
Photo by Cho Yong Fei.
Photo from Adobe Stock.
Photo from Adobe Stock.
Framing
According to the Adorama website, this composition involves using or adding frame elements to add interest to the image and to lead and emphasize the viewer’s eye to the subject.
The golden ratio
“It refers to the spiral, similar in shape to a nautilus shell, overlaid on an image,” says the Adorama website. Based on the mathematical concept called The Fibonacci Sequence, the website says this composition technique provides greater visual impact.
Negative space
According to Romanas Naryskin, photographer and writer from Photography Life website, this composition technique “makes the subject stand out and attract the viewer’s attention.” It can drastically change the mood and story of an image, whether it be to strengthen positive emotions or add a sense of loneliness and despair, he says. •
Photo by Tolga Ahmetler
Photo by Ali Choubin
Photo by Frederik Löwer
FAVORED SNAPS
BY KILIHEA KANEKOA BURKE
Four aspiring photographers share the stories of love, resilience, dedication and dreams behind their favorite shots
From capturing a couple’s engagement to sports photography to unique and creative artistic pieces, four artists from BYU–Hawaii shared their favorite photos they have taken, along with the inspiration and meaning behind them.
A reflection of perception
Denzyl Dacayanan, a senior from Las Vegas, Nevada, majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, said his favorite photo was taken through close observation. He shared he walked along the canals of water and began to see the reflection and the distortion of the picture in the water. “In that moment, the distorted reflection itself was a more accurate representation of my perception of the world. Skewed, changing and abstract,” he explained. The photo was the closest he had ever taken to an impressionist photograph, which is something he has not done, he added.
His photography journey began at a young age, documenting life and moments with loved ones, Dacayanan shared. Fascinated by YouTube and creating, he said he got his first camera in middle school and started vlogging. Before leaving on his mission, he said he bought his first real camera, but later sold it to bring a smaller one to document his mission. During his missionary service, he said he fell in love with photography more and is now pursuing his passion professionally.
An abstract reflection of a picture in the water with a mix of warm and cool tones.
Photo provided by Denzyl Dacayanan.
Capturing love
Sariah Richardson, an alumna from Folson, California, and a wedding photographer, said her favorite photo came from a session, where the bride and groom shared a meaningful first look, seeing each other in their wedding attire. Richardson said the photo is special because it is a visual representation and connection to the couple’s story.
She explained they are both surfers and love catching the waves. “To be able to have such a beautiful wave hit at the exact spot, creating a splash that enveloped them, felt perfect because of their connection to the ocean,” Richardson said. “The photo you see today was created through a careful eye, a patient hand and a wave of energy,” she continued. To her, it was more than just a beautiful shot—it perfectly captured the couple’s love, trust and shared passion for the sea.
Growing up, Richardson said she fell in love with storytelling through film and photography. In college, she said she studied film and worked to save up for her first camera. She now runs “Sariah Films,” a wedding photography business, capturing meaningful moments for couples. As a wedding photographer, she said, “I fell in love with being able to capture a piece of love in every photo, from the look a husband would give his wife, the way a fiancé would carry his bride or the genuine joy from a proposal.”
A couple in a wedding attire and are both surfers, stand on a rocky shore.
Photo provided by Sariah Richardson.
Framing the dream
With a dream of becoming an NBA photographer, Brigham Robert Busania, a senior from the Philippines majoring in business management with marketing emphasis, said his favorite photo is one he captured of Stephen Curry at a closed event at BYUH. “I even printed it and had him sign it when he visited campus,” he said. During the event, he said he balanced both videography and photography, holding a gimbal in his left hand for video while snapping photos with a camera in his right. “That’s how persistent I am to achieve my dream of becoming an NBA team photographer,” he continued.
Growing up, he said he was surrounded by music and played over 10 instruments, but he never felt passionate about it. He believed in the quote, “You will know your passion when you lose track of time doing something,” which led him to explore photography. A year ago, after seeing a photo of Jordan Clarkson taken by a friend at a Utah Jazz event, he said he was inspired to pursue photography seriously. “When I first bought my first used professional camera, all I remember was $9 left in my bank account,” Busania added. Driven by determination, he said he spent countless nights watching tutorials and learning from photographers. He said it took a whole year of consistency and practiced for four to six hours daily to get where he is today.
A photo of Stephen Curry wearing a Hawaiian lei. while in the Cannon Activities Center. Photo provided by Brigham Busania.
A piece of resistance
Moevai Tefan, a graphic design junior from Tahiti, said her favorite shot was taken in Greece. “There were so many cultures with perfect sculptures with perfect profiles and proportions, but I was drawn to this portrait,” because of the imperfections, she explained. This piece shows it has lived through so many things, Tefan added. She called this photo a “piece of resistance.” Tefan explained the features of this art spoke to her deeply, and the simplicity of the photo carries a profound meaning as she connects the idea of resilience in her own life.
Growing up, she said her mother was a photographer for part of her life. During this time, she became used to being in front of the camera, which was her initial introduction to photography. Tefan said it wasn’t until college that her brother encouraged her to pursue photography. “He pushed me to buy my own camera, and it was a huge investment,” she recalled. Her brother, who got into photography while on his mission, began teaching her the basics when they both returned from their missions.
Tefan bought her first camera at BYUH in 2021 and started by taking photos of people, later expanding to landscapes and nature, she shared. As her skills improved, she said her brother encouraged her to charge for her work and helped her learn how to grow a business. Tefan’s journey from hobbyist to professional has been a long one, but she said she’s grateful to have built a career around something she loves.•
A photo of a sculpture in Greece. Photo provided by Moevai Tefan. Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
BYU-Hawaii students were randomly given disposable cameras with one task: Take photos. Here are the results.
STUDENT’S
Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
POV
Brooklyn Bridge in New York.
Photo by Marlee Young Yen.
People jumping off cliffs during sunset. Photo by Bryton Pack.
A woman sitting by the ocean. Photo by Anna Yamaguchi.
Perfect imperfection, unique lighting and the suspense of waiting to see what gets developed, are why photographers say they use film
AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE WITH FILM PHOTOGRAPHY AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE WITH
BY CJ SHINIHAH NOTARTE
Film photography allows people to appreciate the boring, experience the surprise of opening newly developed film and capture memories to look back at, said two BYU-Hawaii students and an alumna. “It’s real, it’s genuine and it has personality,” said Bryton Pack, a junior from Utah majoring in business management, about film photography. Pack said he loves this type of photography because it’s imperfect, and it gives a nostalgic look. “The beauty of photography is there is beauty all around us, but it depends on how you capture it,” he said. Sometimes people like to take a photo of things that are pretty, “but sometimes you can find pretty in very mundane things, too,” he continued. Everyone should try to pick up a camera and just take a photo, he added.
AnnaYamaguchi, a visual arts sophomore from Japan, said film photography allows her to preserve memories. She said, “Just looking at the photos is a wonderful experience for me… It takes me back to what happened. Like what we did, and what I felt at that time.”
Marlee Palmer Young Yen, an alumna from Utah and Ke Alaka‘i’s art director said she got her first film camera in 2021. She said she loves that she does not see the photos right away. “My favorite part is getting those photos back… It’s like a surprise every time like ‘Oh, I don’t remember taking that photo,’” she continued.
Pack said he has been doing film photography for about four years and digital for two years. Film photography was what got him into photography, he recalled. He said he had friends who were photographers. “They had these nice film cameras back in high school, and they would bring them to many events,” he said. Pack said he saw the outcome of his friends’ photos and thought it looked cool. “I had to get myself one, and I had my buddies who knew enough to help me out,” he shared.
Film photos taken by Bryton Pack
Film photos taken by Bryton Pack on his travels to New York and California and from his home state of Utah, as well as portraits he was hired to shoot.
Yamaguchi said one of her friends back in Japan invited her to a Japanese photographer’s photo exhibition. “When I saw his pictures, I also wanted to take photos like he does,” she said. She looked him up on social media and learned he uses film, she shared. “So I bought a film camera and just started from there,” she continued.
Surprise and reward
Aside from the surprise she gets from seeing her developed film photos, Young Yen said she’s very proud of herself finally figuring out
the settings. “It’s rewarding after having so many blurry rolls, waiting to get a roll out and see that it has perfect lighting and perfect focus,” she continued.
Pack also said, “I think it’s the delayed satisfaction.” Film photographers cannot see their photos until after they are developed, and sometimes it takes weeks or months before they get developed, he continued. “I love the process… It’s addicting,” he continued.
Young Yen added recreating a film shoot does not give the same result using digital. “You can try recreating it with filters, but films just
Film photos taken by Marlee Young Yen
Film photos taken by Marlee Young Yen on her travels to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as photo from a wedding she photographed on her film camera.
have such a unique look to me,” she continued. “I think more people should try it out. We should bring back film photography,” she said.
Digital and film
Yamaguchi said she takes a lot of photos and uses both digital and film. She said digital photography is convenient and easy because she can take a photo anytime. “But for film, I think about what I want to take a photo of and why I want to capture the moment,” she said.
Pack also shared his love for digital photography, but said he prefers film more. With digital photography, photographers take photos in
a raw format and edit the color, lighting, contrast etc., said Pack. “But once in a while it’s nice to just take a film camera and take a photo of the moment,” he continued.
Young Yen also said she uses both digital and film. She said she always brings two of her film cameras and still takes digital photos at the same time. “It’s for convenience and safety just in case the roll does not work out and vice versa,” she continued.
One of Young Yen’s film cameras is manual, and her other one is automatic. She said she doesn’t need to adjust the settings for her automatic film camera. “For my manual film camera, I have to change
Film photos taken by Anna Yamaguchi
Photos taken by Anna Yamaguchi, mostly taken in Laie, some of them were taken during her trip in Taiwan, during her mission, and her hometown.
the aperture and the shutter speed,” she continued. Young Yen said it’s trial and error because she can’t see the photo right away. “If you have a film camera, you have to learn how to work with the settings,” she added.
Challenges
“You should never expose film rolls to light because it ruins it,” said Young Yen. She said her two cameras require a different way of loading the film.
“Before unloading a film you have to wind it up all the way,” she said. If it’s not properly done, one of the photos will be ruined, she continued. “It’s really hard. I had to watch YouTube videos, and I still have to,” she shared.
“Film photography is expensive,” said Yamaguchi. When she started doing film photography seven years ago, it was already expensive, but she said she could still afford it because she was working part time. Today, she said it’s more expensive. “As a student, it’s hard to buy one, but I can still work and earn,” she continued.
Pack said aside from film being expensive, there’s a bigger learning curve when it comes to film photography. He said you need to know more about how cameras work, how to adjust the aperture, the shutter speed and film speed. “But it’s fun!” he continued. •
Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
Above: Paula Maguale smiling with a vintage camera, surrounded by instant photos.
Right: A collection of cameras. Photos by Moevai Tefan.
LEARNING THROUGH THE LENS OF SELF-TAUGHT PHOTOGRAPHERS
Start with what you have and get help from fellow photographers are key lessons self-taught photographers say helped them master the art
BY PIM HOOTINI
Three self-taught student photographers, Randy Biador, Rosalind Pedron and Paula Maguale, shared their journeys from humble beginnings using phones to discovering their personal styles working through challenges, using online resources and exercising creative freedom. They said despite facing impostor syndrome and technical hurdles, they embraced photography as a medium for storytelling and growth.
The beginning of a self-taught journey
Biador, a junior majoring in political science from the Philippines, said his journey began with an Android phone back home where he took photos of flowers in his garden. “I started capturing sunsets, sunrises and ordinary things around me. It made me happy to take pictures because I got to see things from a new perspective,” he said.
Pedron, a senior double-majoring in political science and Pacific Islands studies from Australia, said her journey into photography was inspired by her husband, Didier Pedron, who introduced her to cameras. “My husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, had cameras, and I had always been interested in photography,” she said. “I was also really into editing even before I knew how to take proper photos,” she continued.
Maguale, a marketing senior from the Philippines, said her passion for photography began as a child when she used her mom’s old phone to take photos and videos. “I would borrow my cousin’s digital camera whenever I got the chance,” she said. “But I got my first camera in high school as a gift from my brother, who also discovered photography while studying here,” she shared.
Overcoming challenges and imposter syndrome
When Biador moved to a professional camera, he said the transition wasn’t easy, especially when it came to editing. “Editing is hard. I needed to figure out lighting, color grading and the theme, and whether I wanted something dramatic or vibrant,” he explained. “I also learned how to highlight key elements by separating focused objects from the background.”
One of the main challenges Pedron said
she faced as a self-taught photographer was finding her own style. “There’s so much great photography out there, and just because you admire it doesn’t mean it’s your style,” she said.
“For me, [finding my style] was about finding my own editing presets,” she continued.
Maguale shared joining the Polynesian Cultural Center’s media team was a pivotal moment for her. “I had no prior technical experience and was intimidated by the more experienced photographers,” she said. “But I overcame imposter syndrome by focusing on why I started and rediscovering the joy in documenting life.”
Learning and resources
Biador said he learned photography through online research and trial and error.
“Over time, I developed my own style, which is a blend of cinematic and dreamy, with greenish, saturated tones,” he said.
Pedron shared resources like Instagram and YouTube played a big role in her learning process, but a strong photographer community at BYUH also helped. “We learned from experienced photographers like Manu Tefan and others who have been a great help,” she said
Maguale said her growth came from connecting with others. “I joined Facebook groups and found communities of photographers online,” she said.
“Even on campus, I’ve connected with talented photographers who have helped me grow,” she shared. Maguale said she doesn’t use YouTube often for learning but prefers asking experienced photographers directly.
The creative freedom of being self-taught
Being a self-taught photographer offers more creative freedom than formal training, Biador said. “There’s no pressure to meet
Rosalind Pedron with her camera takes photos at Laie Point. Photo by Moevai Tefan.
someone else’s expectations,” he said. “I can experiment and explore my own vision,” he added. “In formal settings, a teacher’s style or opinion can limit creativity,” he explained.
Pedron said being self-taught gives her creative freedom without oversight or deadlines. “But you do need to set your own goals and have the self-discipline to stick to them,” she added.
Maguale said being self-taught allows her more creative freedom since discovering a unique style is a personal process. “Professional training is great for technical knowledge, but when it comes to creativity, it’s something you discover on your own,” she shared.
Biador said social media has motivated
him to keep improving. “I post my work on Instagram, and when people react positively, it drives me to do better and stay consistent,” he said. He also said following photography groups on platforms like Facebook and Instagram helped him stay inspired. “Seeing others’ work gives me new ideas,” he continued.
Pedron said social media has helped her find opportunities to practice and connect with others. “My Instagram feed is filled with photography content, and it’s helped me meet people who want to be photographed,” she said.
Advice for beginners
Biador and Pedron said beginners don’t need a costly camera to start. “You don’t need
expensive gear to capture something meaningful,” Biador said. “The key is understanding angles, lighting and composition,” he said. “Start with what you have before thinking about upgrading,” Pedron said.
Biador’s advice for aspiring photographers is simple: “Just start, even if you have basic tools,” he said. “Ask for feedback, practice editing and don’t let challenges hold you back,” he added.
Pedron said it’s important for students to be interested in learning photography to connect with others. “Just because you’re self-taught doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Reach out to other photographers, ask for advice and seek feedback,” she said.
For students wanting to start photography,
Maguale also said the key is to start with what you have. “Don’t wait for the perfect gear or the perfect time. A phone is enough to begin your journey,” she said.
Maguale added connecting with experienced photographers is essential for growth. “The feedback [from photographers] will build your skills and boost your confidence,” she said.
Expanding into videography and commercial work
Maguale said her love for photography also extends to videography. “My videography style mirrors my photography. I document life as it is, like a movie journal,” she said. “It’s a way to capture sound, movement and emotions in a way that photos can’t,” she shared.
“The key is to start with what you have.”
Maguale said she worked at the PCC’s for over a year, where she handled social media and took photos for various campaigns. “It was challenging at first, especially dealing with imposter syndrome,” she added. Maguale said commercial photography required her to follow guidelines and branding, but she still incorporated her personal style. Reflecting on her journey, Maguale said the experience helped build her confidence. “I had fun working with the models and now I feel much more confident than when I started,” she said.•
Randy Biador looks through his camera’s viewfinder.
Photo by Moevai Tefan.
Page design by Cho Yong Fei.
Photos of Vioanna Obley and her camera taken by Hiroki Konno.
MY FIRST CAMERA
After getting her first camera, a BYUH student turns a long-time admiration for photography into a passion for storytelling and cultural preservation of her Samoan heritage
BY LINDA LAULU
What began as a teenage admiration of photographers became a personal passion when Vioanna Obley, a junior from Samoa majoring in health and human science, said she bought her first camera. Obley said her first camera brought her deeper interest and love for photography in a way that meant more than just taking pictures. It’s a way to tell stories and preserve culture, she said. “Now, I use photography with my first camera to capture emotions, history and the beauty of my Samoan heritage,” she added. From her first photoshoot using her first camera, Obley said it broughther cherished moments with others, as her journey behind the lens included great growth, creativity and dedication.
Admiration to action
As a teen, she said she was drawn to the way photographers were able to capture moments so beautifully. However, owning a camera always seemed out of reach for her. “I had always wanted a camera as a teenager, but I never got one,” Obley said.
That changed when she came across a camera for sale on Facebook Marketplace. “I knew I had to get it,” she said. Purchasing the camera was an exciting moment because, for the first time, she said she had the proper tools to explore photography the way she had always wanted.
“It felt like it was the perfect opportunity to start something I had been dreaming of for years,” she added.
Obley said the first photo she took with her camera was during a photoshoot with Moana Nayusan, a senior from Samoa majoring
in information technology, who was wearing Samoan traditional attire. Obley said the experience felt both exciting and surreal. “I tagged along to practice, and I remember feeling so excited to use my camera in a real setting,” she said. “The sunset, the cultural attire and the whole atmosphere made it such a magical moment.”
After the shoot, Obley said she couldn’t wait to start editing. “I wanted to bring out the colors and details in the best way possible,” Obley said. At that moment, she said, she realized photography wasn’t just a hobby, but it was something she truly loved.
Capturing cherished moments
Obley said her first official photoshoot was at Kawela Bay during sunset, featuring her friends Tautaisau Segi and Grace Mata’itusi also dressed in traditional Samoan attire. “It made the experience even more meaningful,” she said.
She recalled the emotions she felt as she took photos of her friends for the first time as an actual photographer. “I felt excited because it was my first real shoot, and I finally had the chance to capture something meaningful,” Obley said. “But I also felt pressure because I wanted to represent our Samoan culture in the best way possible,” she said.
Once she started shooting, she said everything fell into place. “The way the sunset lit up the ocean, the details of the traditional clothing and the expressions in the photos made it such a special experience,” Obley said. She added the shoot deepened her love for photography, particularly as a way to celebrate her heritage. “I love
capturing my Samoan culture because it’s a way of preserving our traditions and showcasing the beauty of our people,” she said. “That shoot solidified my passion for cultural photography.”
Nayusan was the first person Obley photographed with her new camera. Nayusan recalled a defining moment at her wedding, where Obley captured not only images but also emotions. “Everyone loved her work,” she said. Obley turned moments into lasting memories, she added. The experience, she added, affirmed Obley’s gift for storytelling through photography. “She truly outdid herself, and I’m so proud of her growth,” Nayusan said.
Scherryan Paia, a senior from Samoa majoring in Pacific Island Studies, recalled her first professional photo shoot with Obley. “It was exciting,” she said. She had great pose ideas that fit the pictures perfectly, Paia said. Obley’s creativity stood out, especially in the way she worked with angles, lighting and backgrounds, she added. “She has the talent,” Paia said. “Although there were times she struggled to adjust to good lighting under the trees with the sunset, Paia said she was able to pull off good photos.
From capturing images to telling stories
Obley said her view of photography has evolved from simply taking nice pictures to telling meaningful stories. She noted every photo carries emotion, history and meaning. Over time, she said she has learned photography isn’t just about the camera, but it’s about perspective, framing moments and bringing emotions to life.
“Photography has given me a deeper sense of purpose,” Obley explained. “Capturinging moments that reflect our Samoan identity allows me to share the beauty, strength and traditions of our people with others.” She continued,” Seeing how my work resonates with people makes me keep growing in my craft ... and see where this journey takes me,” she shared.
Reflecting on her experience, she said she would tell her younger self to start sooner and trust her passion for photography. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the best camera or the most experience. What matters is how you see the world and the stories you want to tell,” she said. She said she wishes she had taken more photos of her culture and her people recognizing the lasting impact of those images. “Photography is about preserving history and emotions that can be felt for generations,” she said.
Growth and dedication behind the lens
As Obley’s understanding of photography deepened, those around her also took notice of her passion and progress. Nayusan recalled Obley’s interest in photography became evident when she purchased her first camera. Nayusan said. “I could tell she was excited to do it, and I was happy to see her willing to try.” Over time, she added Obley’s dedication and experience have helped her refine her skills. “Now with the experience she’s gained, she’s become skilled, and it’s truly beautiful to see her growth.”
Paia recalled Obley initially having challenges with editing. “I remember her saying, ‘This photo is nice, but I can’t adjust the edits to it because
of bad lighting,’” Paia said. However, she added Obley worked hard to improve her editing skills, experimenting with different features and textures. “After Paia’s first photoshoot, people started messaging Obley because they saw how beautiful her work is,” Paia said. “She was nervous at first, but I told her her artistic skills speak volumes.”
Paia said she is proud of Obley’s growth and dedication. “Today, I am very impressed and proud of her for coming out of her shell and continuing to develop the incredible talent she has,” she said. “Everyone loves her work, and her passion and dedication bring out the best in her.”
Obley shared one of the most rewarding aspects of photography is its ability to connect people. “Whether it’s capturing a special moment for someone or sharing cultural beauty through images, photography has the power to tell stories that words can’t always express,” she said. •
Photos to the left were taken by Vioanna with her first camera.
Photo taken by Hiroki Konno. Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
FINDING THE RIGHT
DOCUMENT LIFE WAY TO
From journals to videos, BYUH students find personal ways to preserve memories
BY MYCO MARCAIDA
Documenting life is more than just a habit but a way of storytelling, said John Carlo Santiago, a senior double majoring in psychology and intercultural peacebuilding from the Philippines. “I’m forgetful and I tend to forget experiences I had in my life,” he said. To combat this, he said he turns to photography and videography.
Storytelling through photos and videos
Santiago said his process of documenting has evolved over time. He recalled he first started journaling during his missionary service and would develop photos he took from his digital camera. “I unfortunately lost my journals at one point in my life. So instead, I found a simpler way by filming videos and taking photos of my life as a modern way of journaling,” he added.
He said he was grateful living in a digital age where people post on social media and treat posts as a form of keeping a journal to better stand the test of time. “If you check my social media accounts, I never miss a week of posting,” said Santiago. “As long as I have fun things done or experiences I don’t want to forget, I’ll post them,” he continued.
Santiago said people have told him to put his phone down and enjoy the moment. However, he said he feels differently. “I believe I am more present than detached when I am documenting my experiences,” he said.
Santiago said when he visited New York, he made sure to visit locations from the movie “Home Alone 2.” “I love watching movies and looking at the places I’ve only ever seen on screen takes me back to childhood. It resonates with me because it helps me be the main character of my own story,” he continued.
Crafts and memories
Kristine Galang, a sophomore majoring in marketing from the Philippines, said she found her passion in journaling the traditional way through the Church initiative “Personal Progress.” It is an achievement program designed to help young women strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ and prepare for their future roles, says The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website. “I want to remember things that happened in my life, but I also want people to remember me,” said Galang. She said people will likely see who she is as a person through reading her journal.
“Personal Progress had activities that needed journaling,” Galang said. “At first, it was difficult for me to write everyday, but eventually I found peace during the first months doing it.” Galang said her love for journaling is a way to express herself. “I don’t limit myself from being creative and journaling gives me peace,” she added.
Inspired by watching Korean dramas and anime, she said she began incorporating themed designs and emotional elements into her journal pages. “During COVID-19, I ensure I was enhancing my journaling skills since I wasn’t really doing much at the time. I knew writing in a journal was the avenue I had to use to record my thoughts and feelings, she continued.
She said she did not have a lot of material elements when she first started journaling. “I started with a ready-made journal that had prompts and dates, and as soon as I noticed consistency in my writing, I began designing my own pages with photos, stickers and drawings,” she continued.
Galang said despite the rise of digital journaling, she prefers pen and paper. “I already use my devices every day, so I think if I turned journaling into a digital hobby, it wouldn’t be healthy,” she explained. “But I do see the appeal. It’s easier to publish a journal page if you work on it online,” she added.
A therapeutic tool
According to Journal Habit, audio journals offer convenience and flexibility and allow people to record their thoughts even when a pen and paper aren’t available. “Known for her audio diaries is Iolene Catalano, who struggled with substance abuse. Her audio diary, ‘All the Way Broken,’ contains her thoughts on tape leaving a raw and emotional record of her life,” says the website.
The website says Catalano’s recordings won the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in 1996 and served as an honest testimony of her experiences.
Women’s Health Magazine also says TikTok plays a large part in the growth of audio or voice journaling. “It offers a quick and easy way to let your thoughts flow without the hassle of noting them down,” the website says.
Peleg Amkoya, a counseling psychologist at Peaches and Screams, says audio journaling comes with spontaneity of speech, which means people will less likely censor themselves compared to writing. “It helps individuals process their thoughts, speak freely and reflect on their entries over time,” he added.
Amokoya said audio journaling can evoke a more immersive recall of memories and emotions. “It is more than just a therapeutic tool. It’s an auditory adventure into the soul,” he added. •
Left: Kristine Galang says she started journaling as a teen for a Church initiative. Right: John Carlo Santiago says he used to write in a journal, but when he lost the journal, he switched to using his phone to take photos and video and upload them to social media.
Photos taken by Cho Yong Fei.
Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
WALKING AND CAPTURING: THE ART OF PHOTOWALK
Photowalk sparks their creativity and helps them to blend their intent to capture images with randomness, say three BYUH students
BY FRANCE VALERIE LUCILLO
From architectural buildings and nature to people, anything can be the subjects of photowalk, a group activity where photographers take photos while exploring a location, said BYUH students. “By doing photowalk, it helps with what type of photography you want to take on... like portrait, landscape, etc., leading you to be more creative and imaginative,” said Karlos Navida, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in biology and health and human science.
Giovanni Boenari, a senior from Indonesia majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said he did not do photowalk until he came to Hawaii. “It was something new to me, but I think it’s fun to take pictures with other photographers as well,” he said. Boenari said photowalk sparks his creativity because of the randomness of the photos he took during those times. “By walking outside with other photographers, I get to see what they capture and how they do it,” he added.
Jared Bangal, information technology senior from the Philippines, said he used photowalk to spend more time with his family. “My initial
thought was how can I take pictures regularly and spend time with my family as well?,” he said. Bangal said it sparks his creativity when he randomly takes photos without thinking about the composition at the beginning of his photowalk session.“I let inspiration [come to] me by walking around, observing details, and trying different angles helps me,” he added.
Navida said he started photowalk when he was on his mission in the Philippines. He said he used different types of cameras where he would capture landscapes. However, he said his main medium is a film camera. “I chose a film camera as my medium because it brings you in the moment. It makes the photo more intentional,” Navida said. He said by using film in his photowalk, it draws him more to the subject. “I am more of a random type of person, I love capturing colors and film helps me with my style,” he continued.
“I am more into taking random photos [too],” said Boenari. He said being intentional is already planned, but the concept of photowalk is
Left: Union Theological Seminary building in New York.
Middle: Karlos Navida says he started doing photowalks as a missionary and this method draws him into the subject matter.
Portrait of Karlos taken by Moevai Tefan.
Right: A pregnancy photoshoot at the beach.
Photos by Karlos Navida.
more about randomness for him.“I will be taking pictures, and I don’t have to think much about it, like going to Chinatown and taking random pictures there,” he continued.
Through becoming both intentional and random in taking pictures, Bangal said he found his style in photography. “My previous shoots were more on drone shots, but right now, it’s more on film… because I feel like it suits me better,” he said. Bangal said he also used a film camera as one of his mediums to take photos nowadays.
Recently, Navida said he had a chance to go to New York, and during a photowalk, he took a particular photo of a building with an intricate pattern. By using a 60 year-old film camera, he said he captured tons of amazing portraits, places and landscapes that continuously sparks his creativity and leads him to get more inspiration for future photowalks. “It makes me feel unique,” he said.
“I would not say I feel inspired in an emotional way when doing photowalks,” said Bangal. He said there are moments during his photowalk sessions that boost his confidence because he captured one photo that makes the whole walk worth it. Although there are times he cannot get the photo he likes, he said he learned how to enjoy the process. “It helps me improve my patience and leads me to remember why I love doing photography in the first place,” Bangal added.
Boenari said there was one time during a photowalk where he felt inspired. “I was using my drone to take photos of mountains and the beach, and it looked so good,” he said. Because of this experience, he said he found his subject for his photos, which is landscape and nature.
“Photowalk helps photographers learn more about composition, colors and lighting,” Boenari said. Photowalk allows him to ask advice from fellow photographers as well, he added. Seeing other people take
Right: PCC Samoa Village workers posing in tradional attire. Middle: A woman standing in a field of tall grass duing sunset. Left: Giovanni Boenari is pictured with his camera. He says he loves taking photos of landscapes and nature. Portrait taken by Moevai Tefan.
Photos by Giovanni Boenari.
photos pushes people to try new styles and different perspectives, he shared. “Overtime, you grow as a photographer because you’re always learning something new,” Bangal continued.
Photowalk should be incorporated in every photographer’s routine, Navida said. “Sometimes, with photography especially as a business, you get burnout, and I feel like photowalk is a pause,” he said. He said it gives the photographer a freedom to capture a lot of things, where they can be creative and be inspired. Although Bangal enjoys his experience doing photowalk, he said not all people like photowalk. “It does not have to necessarily be incorporated in their routine,” he said. However, he encourages them to learn from fellow photographers too.
“Having a community is important to have a network, find clients and most especially if you need advice,” Boenari said. He emphasized that through photowalk, they create a sense of artistic community that leads to networking and learning especially for beginners. “With other photographers, you get to notice things differently because they have their own way of seeing the world beautifully,” Bangal added.
Navida recounts his encounter with film photographers who do photowalk, he said because in this type of community he feels more seen. “You get to meet people who have gone through the same struggle as you do,” Navida said. •
Left: A girl running on the shore of Sunset beach during sunset. Middle: A photo of Jared Bangal.
Right: Iolani Palace in Honolulu.
Photos by Jared Bangal. Page design by Cho Yong Fei.
When words fail and pictures fade
BY SAMANTHA FAITH SATORRE
BYUH student writers and photographers ponder the limitations of literature and photography saying by combining them, they can tell compelling stories
As storytellers, both literature and photography seek to capture the essence of human experiences, but the limits of their craft are hurdles they sometimes cannot evade, said four student writers and photographers from BYU–Hawaii. However, they rejected the notion some stories may remain beyond their reach as storytellers because by combining both writing and photography, they can compensate for the limitations of each medium.
On one hand, the student writers said words have the power to articulate emotions and unseen moments, but they can sometimes fall short in conveying the depth of feelings. Photographs, on the other hand, can vividly freeze a moment in time, but they can lack the ability to reveal unseen emotions and context beyond the frame, the student photographers explained. Kevin Tumaliuan, a senior from the Philippines majoring in communications, media and culture who has been doing photography since high school, said, “Recognizing these limitations is essential because only by understanding the challenges can we find ways to adapt and overcome them.”
The paradox of language
Kale Moss, an English education senior from Oregon, said, “Language is both a powerful tool for expression and an imperfect one.” Literature allows people to articulate complex ideas, evoke emotions and share perspectives, but there are certain experiences and human feelings far too vast, too profound and too deeply felt to be confined by language, he explained.
A couple poses in a lush, green field. Photos provided by Haley Peterson. Page design by Ice Cesario.
He shared he is someone who deeply connects with others, and he often finds himself struggling to encapsulate the depth of his love and appreciation for them through words despite being a writer since high school. “Although I have access to descriptive words, metaphors and all sorts of devices to emphasize a feeling, there are always moments when words simply fall short,” he expressed. He shared this might be one of the reasons why the existence of other art forms like photographs, paintings and music are significant.
English major Beka Poh, a junior from Papua New Guinea, shared her insights. “When you’re writing, you are trying to create a feeling. You’re trying to create your own little world—your own universe— and you are letting the readers see a glimpse of it.” She said it is often challenging to choose the right words for the emotions and ideas she wants to convey.
However, Moss and Poh said these challenges and limitations do not make literature any less beautiful. They emphasized the unparalleled power of words to touch people’s lives. “I love writing as my way of self-expression. But besides that, it allows me to explore details and perspectives that can influence other people for good,” Moss said.
“I write because there are so many things I find hard to express verbally. Growing up, I often found myself in situations where I could not speak up, but literature solved that problem for me,” Poh expressed. She said words, with their power to make emotional expression so much easier, opens the door to people’s hearts.
“Literature also has the unique ability to convey movement and flow in a way static visual arts like photographs and paintings cannot,” Poh added. While an image captures a single, frozen moment, literature unfolds the scene dynamically, immersing the readers in its progression, she explained.
Framing the invisible Haley Peterson, a sophomore from Utah studying health and human sciences, said living in Hawaii emphasized the limitations of photography for her. “Every time I step outside—whether I’m gazing at the mountains, the ocean, or taking a hike—I find myself thinking, ‘I could take a picture of this, but no photograph will ever truly capture the beauty of what my eyes see at this moment,’” she expressed.
She said she has pursued photography as her vocation since she was 14, and she is a big storyteller through her art. “I always strive to make people’s memories feel authentic and real. My goal is for the camera to capture each moment so vividly anyone looking at the photo will feel as if they are right there, witnessing it unfold in person,” she shared. She said she often finds herself drawn to the challenge of capturing what a camera sometimes cannot— the warmth of the moment, the weight of emotions and the stories in the subjects’ eyes.
Meanwhile, Tumaliuan focused on technical and practical limitations. “Whether we like to admit it or not, equipment plays a significant role in the craft,” he said. The quality of a photograph is influenced by the gear used, he explained. “Another limitation could be the absence of a proper mentor,” he added. He said he respects self-taught photographers, and although online videos and tutorials are valuable resources, he believes there is no substitute for hands-on learning through an apprenticeship with an experienced photographer.
Peterson and Tumaliuan also acknowledged the challenge of helping subjects feel at ease in front of the camera. “The camera tells stories by capturing the world with curious, honest and natural eyes,” Tumaliuan shared. They emphasized the importance of authenticity in every photograph. “I don’t like photos or videos that feel staged. I want them to reflect real moments, not something forced or artificial,” Peterson said. She said she does not want them to look back at their pictures and feel they have fake memories.
Back and forth:
The literature-photography dialectic
Tumaliuan explained photography and literature are two mediums that can exist in a constant push and pull, each filling the gaps left by the other. Referring to Newton’s Third Law of Motion, he said, “The greater the force exerted on one object, the greater the equal and opposite force exerted back to it. For me, the relationship between photography and literature is based on this principle.”
He said photographs capture raw emotions and visual truth, while words provide depth and context. He emphasized the importance of engaging both the eye and the mind. “Separately, they are powerful in their own
right, but together, they create a richer, more complete form of storytelling,” he explained.
Poh shared she is a witness to what literature and photography can do together as someone who has been a writer and a visual artist for as long as she can remember. “Words and images, when paired together, can become more compelling,” she expressed.
Poh also shared she has seen both literature and photography significantly impact people’s lives. She said her sister struggles with reading, making audio-visual learning especially important for her, while at the same time, she knows others like herself who value reading above all other forms of media. “For different people, I believe literature and photography can fulfill the same purpose, whether by themselves or together,” she said.
“Words are how a lot of people express themselves in general, so I think it’s really special when I get to pair them with my visuals,” said Peterson.
She said whenever she matches her photographs with song lyrics, the emotions she seeks to convey are amplified. “It completes my art. Words do a good job triggering emotions and the imagination,” she expressed. However, she also said it will ultimately depend on what triggers their feelings and memories, because different people feel emotions differently.
“Together, they solidify the meaning of your work,” Moss said. He said he once tried combining his literary works with photography through a photo narrative project, and the experience revealed to him how visuals can enhance writing, helping readers envision ideas more clearly. “With accompanying images, readers can form a more specific picture of what I want them to see while they’re reading. I think that’s how literature and photography complement each other,” he explained.•
Misty hills with broken branches. Cold. The hawks head bobbing. Images blurry, Her eyes sharp, she clasps the glove. The man’s figure in the mist, solitary.
Excerpt from The Ballad of the Hunt by Beka Poh
through the years 1955 1955
Milestones of growth and community at BYUH
BY LINDA LAULU
BYU–Hawaii has evolved significantly since its groundbreaking in 1955, growing from a small college into a globally connected institution. Over the decades, the university has expanded its campus, academic offerings and community impact, all while preserving its core mission of providing education rooted in faith, character and global leadership.
1955
President David O. McKay presided over the groundbreaking of what is now BYUH on Feb.12, 1955, witnessed by more than 1,000 members and guests.
1955
The dedication of the university was held in 1955, where President McKay shared his vision, emphasizing moral leadership, the importance of truth and the guidance of the Spirit to shape the lives of future leaders for a global mission.
Photo of the first student body.
Photos all from BYU-Hawaii Library Archives. Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
1955 1955 1958 1956
1955
BYUH welcomed its first student body and faculty, laying the foundation for a diverse and globally connected campus in 1955.
19 55
Aerial view of the BYUH campus in Laie, showing its buildings and surrounding landscape in 1955.
1956
BYUH students playing basketball in 1956 at the old gymnasium.
1955-58
The McKay Building under construction in 1955, named in honor of President McKay, was built later as part of the permanent campus development. It became one of the central academic buildings, symbolizing the school’s mission and growth.
1960 1959
1959
More than 300 students and their loved ones gathered for a devotional service in the McKay Auditorium in 1959.
1960
Dorm life in Hale 1, taken in 1960. One student is standing ironing her clothing and another is reading her scriptures on the study table.
1970
In the 1970s, the McKay Building foyer displayed the university’s name on its walls when it was still called ‘The Church College of Hawaii.’ The name later changed to ‘Brigham Young University–Hawaii Campus.’
19 90
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ stood by the early version of the tram bus, known as the Laie Trans, which later became the Laie Tram Tour. This tram takes guests on a guided journey through the Polynesian Cultural Center and the surrounding community in the 1900s
2009
Two members of the BYUH basketball team stand together on the court in the Cannon Activities Cener, a space that witnessed years of competition, teamwork and school spirit. The CAC served as a home for Seasider basketball, and other sports programs, before intercollegiate sports ended in 2017.
1990s 2009
2015
In 2015, a BYUH Seasiders volleyball player set the ball during a game at the NCAA Division II level, continuing the team’s legacy of excellence at the Cannon Activities Center in Laie.
2021
Science building was completed in 2021 and is a state-of-the-art facility designed to support the university’s growing focus on science education. The building features modern classrooms, laboratories and spaces for research and collaboration. It serves as an important resource for students studying in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics and other natural sciences.
2022
Students wear masks in one of the classrooms at the science building after returning to in-person sessions after the COVID-19 pandemic.
2024-2025
Construction of Hales 11–13 on the south side or campus marked a significant expansion in student housing. Towards the end of 2024, Hale 11 was dedicated as the female residence, where students currently live. Hales 12 and 13 are still under construction.
2021 2022 2024-
2025
Section II
In literature, the written word is an avenue to explore the depths of human experience, to convey emotions, and to delve into ideas that shape our understanding of the world. This section is dedicated to the timeless art of storytelling—whether through prose, poetry or essay, with each piece offers a window into the author’s heart and mind. Literature has the power to reflect society, challenge perspectives, and connect people across time and space. Here, we celebrate the beauty of language, the intricacies of narrative, and the boundless possibilities of imagination. Every story told and written serves as a testament to the enduring power of words to inform, inspire and ignite change.
BY ANN GOEBEL
The value of language diversity and the important role of oral traditions
Life is richer when people “have different ways of talking about and classifying the world through language,” said David Beus. An associate professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, Beus said language shapes the way people think. He explained when using a new language to think and speak, “You’re forced to think differently because of the different ways [languages] are structured and call a moment into being.”
Having studied French and English literature, he said even these two languages that are somewhat similar offer different ways of understanding the world. He said having also studied a little Swahili, Greek and Russian, “even getting a little bit, you get a sense of how much differently you can think.” He shared when a person only speaks one language, it can limit their understanding.
Larry Kimura, a professor of Hawaiian Language & Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo, similarly said, “Every language sees the world through its own lens, or in the way the language expresses that world.” One example he shared of the differences between English and Hawaiian is the difference between mahalo and thank you. “Mahalo is a little bigger than thank you. It’s a felt appreciation.” Translating Hawaiian phrases that carry specific cultural significance and emotions can be difficult, he shared.
Kilihea Burke chants standing on the shore. The traditional Hawaiian oral history of the genealogy and creation of the Hawaiian universe, the “Kumulipo,” has more than 2,000 lines and was memorized before Hawaiians had a written language, says Larry Kimura.
Photos by Moevai Tefan. Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
Kimura said, “Every language is sovereign.” He said all languages have a God-given right to exist and be used. Beus said one way languages can be preserved is through art and music. “Art can generate interest and encourage kids to keep learning languages … You can’t imagine the Civil Rights Movement without music. You can’t remember the Hawaiian Renaissance without Hawaiian protest songs.” He said learning a language is enhanced by learning things specific to that culture like its understanding of history.
Vilai Ilolahia, a political science senior from Tonga, said Pacific Island nations are caught in a globalization wave. In high school, he said, “We spent more time learning about the history of the West and world wars, but we never dove into our own histories with much depth.” He said one way to combat the absence of cultural expression and education is through oral histories, which he called “a big part of Polynesian cultural identity.”
Another historical account is the “Kumulipo,” which is “a traditional genealogical Hawaiian record of the creation of the Hawaiian universe” that Kimura said is an account with over 2,000 lines. Native Hawaiians traditionally passed down oral records by relying on memory, and they did not have a written language until after Westerners came to Hawaii, he shared. King Kalakaua was instrumental in helping preserve the Kumulipo through writing, Kimura said.
He described “kumu” as meaning “source” and “lipo” as meaning “deep darkness.” This idea can be found in Polynesian cultures, and he said, “It makes me feel like we have this common belief... It has been among the people for a long, long, long time.”
Depending on the discipline, the Kumulipo is classified as many things from a cosmogonic genealogy to an epic poem. Kimura said in Hawaiian, the Kumulipo is classified as a ko‘ihonua or a genealogical chant that describes how different parts of the Hawaiian universe are connected.
He said the Kumulipo also shows Western cultures were not the only ones that thought scientifically. “A common question, I believe, to all mankind is how did all of this happen and where did it come from?” when thinking
about creation, Kimura said. “All humans think that way, and the Kumulipo encapsulates one Hawaiian thinking of that question.” He said, “I think for people who are very close to nature, it is almost common sense.”
Beus said the Kumulipo is different from many adventure-driven epic poems like India’s “Ramayana,” but it shares similarities like explanations for the origins of the universe, gods, peoples and the natural world. “It is epic in scope,” he said. He said stories, including epic poetry, “tell us who we are and what our values are.”
Some people think oral traditions are inferior to written traditions, but Beus said they should not be viewed that way. He said even “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” started as oral poems before they were written. For those interested in epic poetry, he said the “Sundiata” from West Africa is the “great epic of Mali … It is really fun and interesting.” •
When fundamental space altered through heat
When the cosmos altered, turning inside out, When the sun was flickering between darkness & light Attempting to brighten the moon, When this complete abyss was dotted with tiny stars, Then began the slime that established a physical space The source of impenetrable darkness, so profound, A fathomless power, reincarnating itself.
–translation of the “Kumulipo” by
Larry Kimura
THE HEART OF STORYTELLING: COMPILING KULA MANU
BY FRANCE VALERIE LUCILLO
Susan Eve Suyama and Myco Marcaida laugh surrounded by copies of Kula Manu from over the years in the Smith Library.
Literature and artwork in Kula Manu hopes to become an inspiration amidst the diversity of the university, says a BYUH professor and student
Poetry, stories, personal essays and photographs are just some of the literary and artworks featured from students, faculty and community members in “Kula Manu,” a BYU–Hawaii student-run literary journal under the Faculty of Arts & Letters, says the Kula Manu website. “[Kula Manu] is such a good way to represent how diverse we really are, not only where we’re from, but also from our way of thinking and experiencing things,” said Carly Stone.
Then and now
Stone, an adjunct faculty in the Faculty of Arts and Letters and teaching assistant for English 392: Introduction to Literary Editing and Publishing, also known as Kula Manu, said the literary magazine serves as a time capsule for each year it has been published. “It captures the feeling of every year, how we’re concerned about different things then, and how we’re happy about different things today,” Stone said.
She said there were not many literary journals from Hawaii or Polynesia, but through the people who started Kula Manu more than 50 years
ago, they felt the power of documentation and its influence on people. “I think the first group in 1962 put together what they thought was collectively who they were at that time,” she continued. Stone said it is really fun to see the different trends in literature and art published in Kula Manu. “In 1962, you can see the version was formal. It had a rhyme scheme, but now, the students are experimenting with grammar like texts and formatting,” said Stone. She said the submissions from each student, and faculty and community members were really creative and different. “They are not just sticking to one way of doing things,” she added.
Myco Marcaida, a senior from the Philippines with a major in communications, media & culture and an editorial team member of the 2025 Kula Manu, said the designs of the magazine have evolved over the years. She said there is much diversity today. “There are a lot of artwork and photographs that are different now because we have more students than before,” she explained. Stone said Kula Manu does not have a definite genre. “Although in the past we’ve always focused on island life and on cultural aspects of what you’re experiencing as students [and] what
Left: Myco Marcaida poses by bookshelfs in the Joseph F. Smith Library. Below: Marcaida holding up Kula Manu.
the community members are experiencing,” she said. Stone said they have traditionally pushed more themes like diverse experiences such as self-discovery.
Nature has also been part of the theme, especially regarding Hawaii, said Abish Torio, a senior from the Philippines majoring in political science and a member of the 2024 Kula Manu creative design team. “Especially in 2024, we want to focus on calming, introspective and nature themed [journal],” said Torio. As for the upcoming Kula Manu journal, Marcaida said it is leaning more into nature, culture and spirituality. “We came from different parts of the world. We’re a Church school, and we’re on a Polynesian island, so it’s bound to have those in it,” Marcaida said.
Moving forward with technology
Stone said it depends each winter semester who is on the team that handles Kula Manu, what they will put in the journal and how it will look like in the end. “Once they decide what pieces of work they want to include, they will work with authors on grammar and will start publishing and creating the book,” Stone explained. In the 2024 Kula Manu journal,
Torio said she felt good with everything she and her design team put into the journal. “I feel like everything we put there has its own charm to it,” said Torio. She emphasized it was handled with love and care as it has its own significance to the journal and the community itself.
Marcaida said the submission of entries for Kula Manu are blind, meaning the team doesn’t know who submitted an entry until it has been selected. The editorial team considered itself as mediators to other teams who have published Kula Manu to ensure unity moving forward with decisions for the magazine, she added.
In terms of using the advancement in technology, Kula Manu has been striving to level up its game, said Torio. “In promoting the journal, we used social media like Instagram and we also contacted the university communication through email and student bulletin to disseminate the information regarding the submissions for Kula Manu,” Torio explained. For the promotion of the 2025 Kula Manu journal, the staff is still working it, said Stone. She said because English 392, or the Kula Manu class, is only offered every winter semester, it makes it a lot harder to manage a website. Marcaida said the Kula Mahu staff “also collaborates with dif-
“It is vulnerable to share certain aspects of [this] creative work because it’s not easy to open up to people.”
ferent departments, like Ke Alaka’i, because of its growing followers,” she added.
Stone said the website Kula Manu has is only for the submission of entries and not for actual online publication for now.
Marcaida said one of the biggest challenges of producing the magazine is time management. “There came a point where people will be submitting on the deadline, and we have to go through all of the submissions because we want to be fair even though it’s all blind submissions,” she said.
As for Torio she said it took awhile for them to selection what art and literary works they put into the 2024 Kula Manu journal. “Not everyone on the team agreed on the same things, but we did compromise,” she said. Her team also struggled with time, said Torio. “That is why ours is different from the previous ones. It does not have QR codes of songs or music, etc.,” she explained.
Connecting with people through stories
Kamryn Ivie, a junior from Utah majoring in English with an emphasis on professional writing, said she will be submitting an entry for the Kula Manu 2025. “It’s definitely a process of revising, editing and getting everything to look good,” she said. She said she must feel comfortable with the writings she will be sending for the Kula Manu because if it is accepted, it will be published and seen by people. “It is vulnerable to share certain aspects of [this] creative work because it’s not easy to open up to people,” she said.
Ivie said if she could describe Kula Manu in one word, it would be inspiring. She said it inspires her to improve in her own literary life. “But it also inspires me to learn more about other people’s stories and to recognize that everyone has different ways of influencing others,” Ivie continued. She said because of the inspiring artwork and literary works published in Kula Manu before, and support from her friends, led her to work on her own submission. “I get to share my story, and the things I’ve gone through through writing and especially poetry,” Ivie said. By telling her story through literary works, she said she gets to find common ground and relatability with other people. “I get to be a better writer because I’m writing for an audience,” she explained.
One of Ivie’s hopes for Kula Manu is to see more showcasing of the actual people who are being published in the literary journal. “It can be a way for me to learn more about them and their background, like where they came from and their cultural significance so I can better understand more and empathize with their piece,” Ivie said.
As promoted by the Kula Manu team under the Faculty of Arts & Letters, Kula Manu 2025 will be published by the end of the Winter 2025 Semester. Winners of each category, photography, short stories (fiction and nonfiction), and art, will win $50 to $100. The deadline for submission of entries for the journal was March 4, 2025.•
Physical copies of Kula Manu. Photos by Moevai Tefan.
Page design by Cho Yong Fei.
THE FINE LINE BETWEEN
PLAGIARISM & INSPIRATION
Plagiarism verses inspiration: Students say use your own culture and experiences to keep your writing original and unique
BY PIM HOOTINI
Plagiarism and inspiration may share similarities, but both are entirely different from each other, said three BYU-Hawaii students.
Kantima Romyasai, a junior from Thailand majoring in elementary education, said plagiarism involves copying someone else’s work without credit, while inspiration allows individuals to build on existing ideas to create new work.
Understanding plagiarism and inspiration
Renae Buckles, a junior from Las Vegas, Nevada, majoring in cultural and sustainable anthropology and a tutor at the campus Writing and Reading Lab, said she views plagiarism and inspiration as distinct but closely linked concepts in both academic and creative work. “For me, the line between plagiarism and inspiring is black and white,” she said. “You can’t discredit what’s already been done, but you also have to add your own creative twist,” she shared.
Mark Redd, a senior from California majoring in English with an emphasis on creative writing who is also a tutor at WRL, said he sees plagiarism and inspiration as distinct concepts, though the line can sometimes be blurry in creative works. “If you’re taking direct quotes, you obviously have to cite them, even in creative writing,” he said. “Inspiration can come from themes or archetypes, but the key is to make sure what you’re putting out is truly your own work,” he continued.
“Plagiarism is when you copy someone’s work and say it is yours,” Romyasai said. “Inspiration is when you get ideas from someone but make something new in your own way,” she continued.
The importance of giving credit
Buckles said understanding plagiarism is essential for academic success. “Plagiarism exists to protect research, but it’s also about ensuring accountability,” she said. “When you’re mindful of how to credit others, it often changes the types of articles you choose to use,” she shared.
Romyasai said giving credit when using someone else’s ideas is important for fairness and integrity. “The person who made the idea worked hard, so we should respect them,” she said. “Also, it helps people trust you when you do your own work,” she added.
Redd said one way to acknowledge inspiration in creative works is to reference it with an introduction. “If you’re pulling specific ideas, it’s good to say, ‘This is what inspired me,’” he said. “That way, you’re not misleading readers into thinking it’s entirely original,” he shared.
Challenges with plagiarism among students
In her experience working with international students, Buckles said many of them face challenges due to differing educational backgrounds. In other countries, “plagiarism hasn’t always been emphasized the way it is in the U.S.,” she said. “In American education, there’s a strong focus on crediting others, and if you don’t, you risk consequences,” she continued.
Romyasai said plagiarism has been a frequent topic in her education courses. “My professors talk about the need for citations a lot,” she said. “What stands out to me is sometimes students do not know they are plagiarizing, but it is still wrong,” she added.
Buckles said students often unknowingly plagiarize due to a lack of understanding. “It’s rarely intentional unless they’re blatantly copying or using AI tools like ChatGPT,” she said. “For many, it’s just that proper citation wasn’t part of their curriculum,” she added.
Redd said a common misconception among students is thinking AI-generated content is their own work. “Some students believe that because they typed the prompt, the AI-generated output belongs to them,” he said. “But you’re not the one who wrote those words. AI did,” he added.
AI and plagiarism detection
Buckles said AI can be both a helpful tool and a potential pitfall in academic writing. “I’ve worked with ChatGPT for a whole semester, and when used correctly, it’s an amazing resource,” she said. “But when students rely on it to generate full responses without analysis, it’s obvious because AI lacks the human element of sensory details and depth,” she shared.
Redd said he hasn’t seen many students plagiarize unknowingly. “Our English staff does a good job explaining proper citations,” he said. “I’ve run into a few cases of intentional plagiarism, and I gently remind students about the Honor Code and the potential consequences,” he added.
When asked whether he can distinguish AI-generated writing from human work, Redd said it depends. “Sometimes, it’s easy if I’m familiar with the student’s writing style or the topic,” he said. “Different AI tools have distinct patterns, so I can usually tell when something doesn’t sound like it came from a person,” he shared.
Romyasai said technology has helped her do grammar and plagiarism checks. “AI makes me more confident when I write because it helps keep my grammar in check,” she said. “I also use another tool, like Grammarly, to check plagiarism,” she added.
Encouraging creativity while avoiding plagiarism
When discussing inspiration in creative writing, Buckles said it’s important to recognize the difference between drawing ideas and directly copying. “We’re all taking inspiration from somewhere,” she said. “It’s about how much of that original work you’re borrowing and how you’re transforming it into something new,” she added.
Romyasai said elementary teachers can encourage creativity while also teaching students to respect original work. “Teachers can tell students to make their own ideas first before looking at examples,” she said. “Also, they can show how to change something to make it their own,” she added.
For creative writing, Buckles said variation is key to avoiding unintentional plagiarism. “I love fantasy and some tropes—like
enemies to lovers or dragons—are common,” she said. “But the audience and the way you present the story make it unique,” she shared.
Redd said students can maintain originality by drawing on personal experiences or cultural backgrounds. “Academic resources are often Eurocentric,” he said. “Because of our university’s diversity, students can use their cultural experiences to say something different you won’t find in a typical research paper,” he shared.
Strategies for avoiding plagiarism
To maintain originality while drawing from existing work, Buckles said students should be able to analyze and reframe information. “Quoting is important, but paraphrasing and breaking down ideas in your own words are essential,” she said. “If you’re inspired by how someone said something, you can adapt it to fit a modern context,” she added.
Redd said students should be mindful of their inspirations. “You need to be conscious of where your ideas are coming from,” he said. “One way to avoid unintentional plagiarism is to have others review your work before you submit or publish it,” he shared. “They can help you spot similarities with other works and make sure you’re staying original,” he continued.
Buckles said creative inspiration often involves acknowledging influences while creating something different. “Tolkien’s work is a classic example,” she said. “He based parts of ‘The Lord of the Ring’s on religious themes and the world wars, but modern fantasy authors adapt those ideas for new audiences,” she added.•
Kantima Romyasai poses holding up a book while in the BYUH Store.
Photo by Hiroki Konno. Page design by Guen Ramirez.
“Plagiarism is when you copy someone’s work and say it is yours. Inspiration is when you get ideas from someone but make something new in your own way.”
-Kantima Romiyasai
From left to right: Chance Chandler, Kenneth Dadson and Rean. Abancia pose in the Joseph F. Smith Library.
LLiterature gems around the world
BYUH students share their country’s representative literary works and authors
BY TAY KANG
iterature serves as a mirror of society across the world, reflecting its culture, values, history, struggles and identity, said BYU–Hawaii students. From the revolutionary novel of José Rizal in the Philippines to the timeless teachings of Valmiki in India, students shared the literary works that have shaped their nations and continue to inspire generations today.
“Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not) by José Rizal (Philippines)
Sweet Garancho, a freshman majoring in psychology from the Philippines, said “‘Noli Me Tangere’ (Touch Me Not)” is a piece of literature that most represents her nation.
“It is unique because it was written to raise awareness of social conditions and Spanish tyranny in the country,” she said. Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, wrote it as a plea to stop the unfairness and the corruption, sparking the revolution that freed the Filipinos from the control of Spain, she shared.
The story follows Crisostomo Ibarra, a young man who returns to the Philippines after studying abroad and dreams of helping his country, explained Garancho. She added Ibarra learns the truth behind his father’s death, faces excommunication from a corrupt church, and struggles against the oppression of colonizers, facing numerous problems and tragedies in society.
Garancho emphasized Rizal’s message is evident in the novel that shows the blatant corruption and injustices in the society people face daily, encouraging Filipinos to be courageous and stand firm on their values.
“Rizal used his talents to stand against the Spaniards who abused Filipinos, inspiring them to dream and fight for their freedom,” Garancho said. She shared Rizal was also a doctor, artist and poet. Like Ibarra, he studied abroad and wants return to the Philippines to help ordinary folks.
“The Great Gatsby” by
F. Scott Fitzgerald (USA)
“The Great Gatsby” shows a representation of America, even though it’s difficult to capture every aspect in one book due to its large communities and diverse cultures, shared Mark Redd, a senior majoring in English from California. “The novel serves as a commentary on Americans, reflecting their anxieties, fears and hopes, depicting the struggles of the American dream,” he said.
Set in 1920s New York, when America was shaping its cultural identity, the story begins with Nick, the narrator, meeting his neighbor Gatsby, a mysterious man who throws lavish parties. explained Redd. The secrets and internal turmoils of Gatsby and the other characters are unveiled as the plot develops. “It critiques both opulence and the dream of upward mobility with a romanticized but cynical voice,” shared Redd.
Capturing both achievement and flaws, the story shows the shallowness of attempting to find fulfillment through materialism, shared Redd. He explained the author, Fitzgerald, was a writer who engaged in diverse genres. Growing up with internal conflict mainly due to the financial situation of his family inspired him to write from a place of disillusionment with American society.
“The Great Gatsby” wasn’t successful in Fitzgerald’s lifetime. It was only after his death that this work was examined for its literary merit, shared Redd.
Poetry by Ho Xuân Huong (Vietnam)
“Ho Xuân Huong’s poetry is one of the most unique and representative literary works of Vietnam,” said Mai Vo, a freshman from Vietnam majoring in communication, media and culture. Her poems, written in Nôm script, native Vietnamese characters, use witty and satirical language to critique the feudal system and highlight the struggles of women in a male-dominated society, shared Vo.
Redd said, “She used clever wordplay and double meanings to challenge societal norms while expressing women’s strength.” In one of her most famous poems, “The Floating Rice Cake,” Huong transforms an ordinary object—the floating rice cake—into a powerful metaphor. It symbolizes female strength and endurance, adding layers of context. Vo said Huong’s poetry reflects the wit, resilience, and rebellious spirit of the Vietnamese people, especially women.
Vo shared Ho Xuân Huong was a poet known as the Queen of Nôm Poetry. “She was one of the first poets to discuss female desire, emotions,and struggles openly,” she said. Vo also said she is celebrated as a symbol of feminism and resistance against outdated traditions in modern Vietnam. Her works continue to inspire and challenge readers with her sharp humor and deep insights into human nature and society, she said.
“My Nature Land” by Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj
(Mongolia)
Reciting the poem, Purevsuren Tovuudorj, a sophomore majoring in business marketing from Mongolia, shared, “This, this is my native land, The lovely country – My Mongolia. Land where all is covered with snow and ice in winter. And the grasses twinkle like glass and crystal. Land where all is a carpet of flowers in summer. And full of songbirds from the distant lands of the South.” Tovuudorj shared this line describes and appreciates the beauty and uniqueness of Mongolia’s nature, from its blue sky to the deserts.
“Every person is tied to the places they were born in, deep inside their heart. The place I was born in will always be tied to my heart,” expressed Tovuudorj.
She shared the poem reminds her of Mongolia and its environmental value. “Even though the environment changed, it helps me remember how it was before and how we want to save our homeland’s nature for the future,” she said.
Tovuudorj shared the author, Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj, is a legendary author of modern Mongolia. She shared Natsagdorj not only wrote about the nature of Mongolia but also the reality of society and values in daily life to enlighten people.
“This, this is my native land, the lovely country—my Mongolia. Land where all is covered with snow and ice in winter, and the grasses twinkle like glass and crystal, land where all is a carpet of flowers in summer, and full of songbirds from the distant lands of the South.”
Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj
Kenneth Dadson going though books in a shelf.
“Counting the Stars at Night” by Yoon Dong-Ju (Korea)
Self-reflection and beautiful recollections through the narrator, who has left his family and hometown, looking wistfully at the night sky, “The Starry Night” by Yoon Dong-Ju is a work Koreans admire, said Hyojin Cho, a freshman majoring in accounting from South Korea. “Through this poem, we can see the spirit of resilience and justice to preserve the identity during the Japanese occupation,” she shared.
The poem represents the humility of the people, who try to improve by reflecting on themselves, she added. Cho shared, “This piece is special because it metaphorically expresses nostalgia, reflection and hope through seasonal changes.” In particular, she said the artist effectively conveys the message by including symbolic meanings in every object.
As an example, Cho said, “The night and winter represent hardships and trials, while spring represents hope, life and the liberation of the motherland. Finally, the stars are objects of longing that evoke memories and represent the speaker’s inner world,” she said.
Yoon Dong-ju was a Korean poet, writer, and independence activist born during the Japanese occupation. He wrote more than 100 poems and died in prison at the early age of 27. He is a historical figure for Koreans, known for his reflective and volitional style of writing that reflects Korean sentiment, said Cho.
“Phra Apahai Mani” by Sunthorn Phu (Thailand)
Samila Araktham, a sophomore from Thailand majoring in TESOL, shared “Phra Aphai Mani” by Sunthorn Phu is the literary work that most represents Thailand. The book title translates to Jewel of Forgiveness in English, and it speaks about freedom and peace in spreading enlightenment.
The story starts with a prince who is more interested in music to seek peace rather than learning governance to be a king, shared Araktham. He goes through a series of fantastical adventures, a challenging love story with a mermaid, and their son traveling around the world to find him, she added. “From all these journeys, we see the development of the characters, how they gain an understanding of the world and become wise. It teaches moral values with entertaining stories and intricate verses,” Araktham said.
She said the author, Sunthorn Pu, is a legendary poet in Thailand. His work is widely loved and studied by people. Unlike most writers from noble families in that era, he was an ordinary person, she explained. “When language was only accessible to people in higher society, he showed that even a normal person could write good literature,” she said.
She said he wrote this piece in prison while trying to earn money for his release. She added after his death, the public produced more literature, inspired by his legacy to learn and write about the language and their stories.
“Ramayana”
by Valmiki (India)
Neelima Mungamuri, a sophomore from India majoring in social work and intercultural peacebuilding, shared “Ramayana” is a literary work representing India. “It shows us how to be a good son, king and human. Regardless of the diverse religions in India, it unites people by its wise teachings,” she said.
The story of Ramayana starts with the king ordering his eldest son to leave the kingdom for 14 years, explained Mungamuri. Together with his faithful wife and brother, the son obeys and begins a long journey, she explained. I
It incorporating its mythical and intriguing story with answers to questions humankind has pondered over centuries, the “Ramayana” covers a broad spectrum of ethics, she shared. “In human relations, the story focuses on obeying parents, being loyal to the spouse, and cherishing family and friends around us. The story values and promotes love in humankind,” said Mungamuri. These valuable lessons are recreated in different forms and are widely loved in Indian society, she said.
Considered the legendary poet of India, Mungamuri shared Valmiki’s greatness lay in transforming valuable yet profound life lessons into a form every member of society could understand. “His enlightening teachings inspired people to have love and compassion,” she shared.•
Abancia smiles for the camera. Dadson reads a book. Photos by Hiroki Konno. Page design by Ice Cesario.
Ann Goebel writing on her journal.
Photos taken by Marlee Young Yen.
SLOWING DOWN WITH snail mail
Learn how a BYUH student uses physical letters to slow down in a fast-paced and technologically driven-world
BY ANN GOEBEL
In an increasingly digital age, Esmond Poon, a senior in business management from Hong Kong, said sending and receiving physical letters is more personal than other forms of communication like email. Whenever he opens his inbox, Poon said he feels irritated as he is bombarded with spam mail about job applications and hale clean check results, but opening a physical letter does not come with those same feelings. He compared reading a physical letter to the pleasure of reading a physical book instead of an ebook. “The feeling of flipping the letter open. That feeling is different.” A worker at the BYU–Hawaii Mail Center said letterwriting is personal because it takes more time.
Poon explained the connecting power of letters can serve many purposes depending on who a letter is sent to. One of his business professors said people who write thank you letters after interviewing make a better first impression than someone who did not write one, Poon said. “If you think from the perspective of the recruiter, you actually care about the job, you actually care about the recruiter themself.” On his mission, he said he sometimes received postcards in the mail, and it made him feel cared for.
Apart from the actual written content of a letter, there are ways to customize mail, Poon shared. One of his favorites is letterlocking, he said, a method of folding letters so they do not need to be placed in separate envelopes. He said, “The first impression is nice because you can tell that person probably spent time to think about it. It’s more of a surprise.” Knowing the writer spent more time folding the letter makes him feel loved, he said. “I really appreciate it when people pick different colors [of paper] to make the letters ... Also, you can draw on the outside. It’s fun and it’s giving life to the letter.”
Another employee at the Mail Center said the United States Postal Service is an important agency of the United States government because it serves people that FedEx and the United Parcel Service (or UPS) will not. If someone has an address, even if they live out of the way on an isolated mountain, USPS will still deliver their mail, they said.
Find more folds in the book “Letterlocking: The Hidden History of the Letter” by Dana Dambrogio and Daniel Starza Smith.•
Photos by Marlee Young Yen.
Page design by Guen Ramirez.
In a new light:
EIGHT WRITING PROMPTS
Artistic prompts to inspire, cultivate, and create
BY SAI RAMIREZ
In the modern classic “The Alchemist,” Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho wrote, “The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.” As per an article by The Stanford Daily, inspiration is everywhere as long one takes the time to perceive it and use it as such. Chosen from Poets&Writers website, Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction, Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction and Creative Writing: Four Genres in Brief, here are eight writing prompts that turn the ordinary to something extraordinary.
WRITING PROMPT NO. 1: WRITE ABOUT YOUR OWN TENDENCIES
In their post “In Real Life,” the Poets&Writers website explained the creation of “On the Shore of Lake Atitlán, Apparently I Ruined Breakfast,” a poem by Ariel Francisco recounting a puckish remark caused the derailment of an otherwise upbeat meal with the speaker’s mother and aunt. As per the post, Ariel Francisco commented the poem tried to capture his teenage immaturity to overturn a beautiful moment with his flippant attitude.
The post encouraged writers to think of their own tendencies in life they may have been self-critical about, and write about it using a lighthearted tone or a darker tone that turns unexpectedly bright.
WRITING PROMPT NO. 2: WRITE ABOUT A LOVED ONE
In their post “You’re the Inspiration,” the Poets&Writers website encouraged writers to write about their friends and loved ones, rather than themselves. They shared Stanford psychiatrist, Dr. Anna Lembke’s words in a recent The New York Times Magazine interview. “Our culture is demanding that we focus on ourselves so much that what it’s creating is this deep need to escape ourselves,” she said.
The post urged writers to forget about self-actualization and create a lyrical profile of their close friend or loved one, and to correct their course if they instinctively relate their own observations and memories back to themselves.
WRITING PROMPT NO. 3: WRITE WHILE NOTICING THE MINIATURE
In the book “Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction,” Lia Purpura wrote, “The miniature is mysterious. Miniatures offer changes of scale by which we measure ourselves anew.” She shared understanding the smallest and briefest things like bonsai trees, birds, and chihuahuas offer unfamiliar surprises to a writer. They are compressions of something grand that are often overlooked but ultimately add more physicality, she said.
For a writing exercise, Purpura suggested taking a work-in-progress piece to an unfamiliar space and reading it aloud, taking note of the tiny details that create the new atmosphere. She said new perspectives, personalities, and dreams will come to the page while doing so.
WRITING PROMPT NO. 4: WRITE ABOUT A BRIEF BUT TELLING MOMENT
“By compressing your story, which self do you reveal?” asked Carol Guess in “Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction.” She said by honing in on a moment or a detail, a writer could capture a longer story in just 2,000 words.
Guess suggested capturing someone by describing a telling moment or detail, for a writing prompt. “Compress a life’s worth of memories; allude to the gifts they gave or the damage they did,” she said. If done right, she said a flash or a glimpse would tell a reader all there is to a character’s life.
WRITING PROMPT NO. 5: WRITE ABOUT AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING
In the book “Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction,” short story writer and fiction editor Nathan Leslie suggested writing a story revolving around an article of clothing, like a hat, a jacket or a shirt. “The article of clothing doesn’t necessarily need to be the primary focus of attention, but it will hopefully act as a trigger to or as a symbol of your imagination,” he said.
As an example, he used “The Sock,” a story by Lydia Davis that portrayed detailed and intimate internal struggles of an unnamed female narrator through the simple article of clothing. With it, the story was able to tell a complex theme of love, divorce and expression, he said. “Imagery is of the utmost importance,” said Leslie.
WRITING PROMPT NO. 6: WRITE ABOUT AN IMAGE
“Manoa: A Pacific Journal of International Writing” editor Robert Shapard shared his best stories came from focusing on the image that prompted the story. He quoted writer A. Van Jordan’s words on his creative approach saying, “The image is what comes to mind first. Trying to correlate that image with an emotion is the rest of the process.”
Shapard suggested starting a story with an image in mind.
“The image may be simple or complex, involving senses other than the visual, such as the spoken word. The main thing is to choose an image not because you think others will like it but because somehow it matters to you,” he said.
WRITING PROMPT NO. 7: WRITE USING AN ACTIVITY
David Starkey, author of the book “Creative Writing: Four Genres in Brief,” said creating poems from various inventive activities helped his students create a poem that became part of their writing portfolios. As part of his invention activities, Starkey suggested keeping a journal to write down everything that might become material for a poem, whether it be ideas or observations in the world. “The more material you collect, the more likely some of it will begin to cohere into a fully formed poem,” he shared.
WRITING PROMPT NO. 8: WRITE WITHOUT WORRY
“We have emphasized that you need to make every word count in your finished story, but when you’re actually sitting down to write, you want to shake free of the demon,” shared “Creative Writing: Four Genres in Brief” author David Starkey. He said a key characteristic of a writer is to reconcile with their drafts and accept the first one will never be perfect.
“Sit down in front of your computer—or notebook or voice recorder—and begin,” he said. As a guide, Starkey suggested as long as a writer has a central character with a desire, it will be enough to ignite the story. •
Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
E OLA OLELO HAWAII
BY KILIHEA KANEKOA BURKE
Photo from Unsplash Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
The Hawaiian language continues to be revitalized through state initiatives and within BYUH
The Hawaii State Department of Education encourages schools to celebrate February as “Mahina Olelo Hawaii,” or Hawaiian Language Month, a designation made official by the State Legislature in 2013. However, controversy arose at a recent City Council hearing. An uproar followed after a witness responded to testimony in the Hawaiian language and said, “I’m not sure what language it was. I’m assuming it was Hawaiian, and that is a dead language, so it would not work on a translator.”
Is the Hawaiian language alive?
According to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hawaiian is the most studied Native American language and “it is the only Native American language that is used officially by a state government.”
Ban of Hawaiian language
The University of Hawaii Foundation (UH Foundation) shares online the timeline of when the Kingdom of Hawai‘i instituted Hawaiian medium education in 1,100 schools in 1841. “Later that century, the Hawaiian literacy rate was estimated to be more than 90 percent,” says UH Foundation information. Three years after the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian islands, in 1896, the government banned education in public schools in the Hawaiian language, shares the Hawaii State Department of Education.
The 1896 Act 57 states, “The English language shall be the medium and Batis of Instructional at all public and private schools… Any schools that shall not conform to the provisions of this section shall not be recognized by the Department.”
Alohalani Housman, dean of the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, said in the 1980s there were only 1,500 people in the state of Hawaii who were fluent in the
Hawaiian language and the majority of the speakers were elders aged 60 years or older.
Revitalization of the Hawaiian language
According to Kamehameha Schools Research and Evaluation Division, despite the displacement of the Hawaiian language by English, Hawaiian was preserved by some native families, and they became a big part of the Hawaiian immersion movement.
In 1984, the Aha Punana Leo Preschool was opened, followed by more sites over the next two decades, according to the Aha Punana Leo website. Housman shared the Hawaiian language was not something she only studied, but her family also committed to speaking the Hawaiian language at home. With her knowledge of the Hawaiian language, she said, “I was asked to teach the very first Hawaiian language immersion class on the island of Oahu at Waipahu Elementary School in Pearl City.” Housman shared she understood the responsibility she has to learn and perpetuate the Hawaiian language so it is never lost.
Malelega Lauano, a junior from Laie majoring in Hawaiian studies, shared she grew up attending a Hawaiian Immersion school, and that the Hawaiian language was her first language. She shared stories of her ancestors being punished for speaking in their own tongue, so it is very special to her to be able to speak Hawaiian freely.
Tia Mo‘o, a senior from Laie majoring in chemistry and Hawaiian studies, said she is a native Hawaiian but was unable to go to a Hawaiian Immersion school and comes from a family that does not speak Hawaiian.
Along Mo‘o’s journey of learning the Hawaiian language, she said she recalled learning it felt very complex. She said there were moments where she felt she couldn’t keep up with the pace. However, one day
as her class was listening to tapes of native speakers, Mo‘o said she gradually began to comprehend and grasp the story they were telling. She said, “I recognized the vast knowledge I could learn from knowing Hawaiian. It opened doors for me to access knowledge and gain new perspectives.”
Perpetuating the Hawaiian language at BYUH
When she began studying the Hawaiian language, Housman said her friends discouraged her to do so because Hawaiian is a “dead language.” However, because of her commitment to study and teach, Housman said she has positively impacted Native Hawaiian youth and adults and have inspired them to learn it as well. She shared she taught within the Hawaiian Immersion schools for 14 years and now teaches up to 400 level classes here on BYUH campus, encouraging Hawaiian students to use their native tongue.
Lauano shared seeing the growth of the Hawaiian language, despite the trials and challenges, is something she is proud to see her people do. She shared a quote from her kupuna (ancestors) that states, “E paepae hou ‘ia ka pohaku i pa‘a maila ke kahua hale hou,” meaning, “Let’s reset the large stones in place to complete the new house foundation.” Lauano said in relation to the Hawaiian language, this is an act of rebuilding or laying a solid foundation for something new, something so stable that it will never fall. “We make sure when our kupuna laid the foundation, we gotta build it and make it strong,” she said.
Lauano shared “E kaupe aku no i ka hoe a ko mai” meaning “put forward the paddle and draw it back.” She shared, “Hanauna (generations) today and future ones to come should be able to move forward with the task that was started and to finish it and make sure we puka me ka lanakila (we win).” •
Putting things into perspective
BY SAMANTHA FAITH SATORRE
How a photographer frames a photo, says BYU-Hawaii student photographers, influences how people looking at the image perceive the person. Samantha Satorre is pictured from a lower angle making her appear more dominate, they say. Page design by Ice Cesario. Photos by Hiroki Konno.
Framing an image and a narrative calls for a specific choice of perspective, say
student photographers and writer
Describing perspective as the crux of storytelling, student photographers and a student writer from BYU–Hawaii said it has the power to shape emotional depth, reliability and overall impact. The audience’s experience of an artwork is shaped by the artist’s chosen perspective, making it a crucial part of their craft, they said. As they put it, both photography and literature benefit from an artist’s ability to choose the right point of view.
On the Writer’s Digest website, author Kerri Schlottman’s take on perspective reads, “It’s the magic of character development and what brings the storyline to life by inviting readers to understand why and how characters behave and how they interact with one another.” She says perspective, in literature, determines the readers’ level of engagement with the text. According to the student photographers, this principle applies to photography in just the same.
Intentional positioning
Manuarii Tefan, a senior from Tahiti studying business management with marketing emphasis, said the choice of angle and framing plays a crucial role in storytelling through photography. “For example, shooting from a low angle can make a subject appear more dominant, powerful or significant, while a high-angle shot can create a sense of vulnerability or insignificance,” he explained. Tefan said a photographer can guide the viewer’s focus, emphasizing certain elements while downplaying the others, through intentional framing.
He shared he has been doing photography for a long time, and with his experience, he discovered the potential for dynamic and layered storytelling by capturing photos of the same subject from different perspectives. “For example, if you are photographing a couple getting ready for their wedding, each shot taken from a different angle or moment reveals a unique aspect of their story,” he said. Each image offers a fresh interpretation, whether it is an intimate close-up of a shared glance or a wider shot of the exciting preparations, he explained.
Tefan said his craft centers on capturing photographs with intent. “Before I even start, I have a clear vision of what I want to highlight and the emotions I want to convey,” he shared. For instance, if he is visiting a location with a famous landmark, he might go for a wideangle shot to fully catch the setting’s grandeur, whereas at a wedding, he might often opt for tighter shots to focus on small but meaningful details like the bride’s intricate pieces of jewelry, he explained.
“Tighter angles feel more intimate. They feel more like you are there at the moment,” he stated. He noted this in contrast with wider ones, saying wide angles make the viewer feel more like an observant rather than a participant. He said both perspectives serve a purpose, and the choice depends on the story the photographer wants to tell and the level of connection they want to achieve. “I tend to prefer wide angles—somewhere in the medium-wide range—because I can capture a subject while still providing a strong sense of their environment,” he expressed.
Nich Arancibia reads a book in one of the McKay building courtyards. Right: A student walks along the sidewalk between the Banyan Dinning Hall and the McKay building. Using different perspectives in writing, says a student writer, shapes how readers connect with stories.
Page design by Ice Cesario.
Photos by Hiroki Konno.
Seeing beyond the surface
Jezel Ann Asong, a freshman from the Philippines majoring in psychology, said specific choices in perspective allow the viewer to see the image beyond its surface. “For example, in portrait photography, different angles can reveal unique aspects of a subject’s emotions and personality,” she shared. A slight tilt of the camera can emphasize vulnerability, while a head-on shot can convey confidence, she explained. “And a sideways angle not only showcases body shape but also adds depth and dimension to the composition,” she added.
Photography goes beyond creating a visually appealing image because images can also serve as a means for storytelling, she stressed. She shared she always decides on the angle based on the story she wants to tell. “My process typically starts with crafting the story first, then selecting the shot that best supports the narrative,” she shared. She said she ensures intentional meaning and depth for each image with this approach, guiding her creative choices for her photos’ themes.
As someone with a deep passion for literature, she said creative writers’ artistry significantly shaped her approach toward photography, inspiring her to blend visual storytelling with written narratives. “I aim to create images that not only capture moments but also evoke emotions and deeper meanings,” she shared.
Participating in the page
“I think perspective shapes how deeply readers can step into another’s shoes and experience the story from within,” said Kimiye Westover, a senior from Arizona studying business management with a concentration in human resources. For more personal connection and relatability when writing, she said she leans towards a first-person perspective, but if she thinks the story is best understood from a broader, more detached viewpoint, she said she opts for third-person.
Studying creative writing as her minor, she said she has come to understand assessing the emotional connection helps her determine the most effective point of view to use in storytelling.
“That’s why I find stories with alternating POVs so compelling—when different chapters are told from different perspectives, it allows readers to see different sides of a story,” she expressed. She said it adds depth and helps her gain a more complete understanding of the characters and their experiences.
“I believe a story’s meaning can change depending on the perspective in which it is written,” she added. For example, telling the same story from a man’s and a woman’s point of view would result in two very different narratives because men and women often perceive and experience the world in unique ways, she explained. She said perspective influences how a character interprets events, reacts to situations and navigates their environment.•
Myco Marcaida sits on an oversized book pondeing about her favoire reads.
ALAKA‘I
PAGES YOU CAN’T PUT DOWN
Ke Alaka’i staff recommends four must-read books one should read at least once in their life
BY GENE CYMMER RAMIREZ
From personal favorites to the classics, Ke Alaka‘i staff members curated a list of four books they recommend whether it be experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions or immersing oneself in a pool of wisdom. As shared by our staff, these books changed their lives in ways they did not expect.
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
“‘Pride and Prejudice’ is easily my Roman Empire,” said Ke Alaka‘i Multimedia Journalist Abigail Adams, a senior from California majoring in biology. When asked about her favorite book, she said this Jane Austen classic will always be her go-to answer.
Filled with humor, drama and romance, Adams said the story explores social issues, teaches fundamental life lessons and is something everyone can relate to in one way or another. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “Pride and Prejudice” is a timeless classic in English literature that has remained a critical and popular success for over two centuries after her death, reflecting her legacy.
As per Encyclopedia Britannica, the story revolves around the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, opening with one of the most famous lines in English literature: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
“I think, in some ways, I also associate ‘Pride and Prejudice’ with my independence,” she shared. Adams said experiencing the novel in moments of solitude in her life became a symbol of her own coming-of-age story.
“Babel” by R.F. Kuang
“R.F. Kuang grabbed me by the neck with this piece,” shared Samantha Faith Satorre, a Ke Alaka‘i multimedia journalist and sophomore from the Philippines majoring in accounting. She said the novel deep and even the title itself is layered with interpretation.
Set in an alternate history where the British empire uses language as a tool for imperialism, “Babel” revolves around the power of translation and its impact on social and political structures, Satorre said. It explored themes of colonialism and resistance, and captured feelings of fear, resentment and betrayal, she added.
The story begins with Robin Swift, an orphan boy privileged with a place in Babel, the university of translation and magic, as per the edition published by Harper Voyager. He sets out in his pursuit of knowledge until he, unavoidably, will have to choose between enlightenment or honor.
“Reading ‘Babel’ reacquainted me with the beauty of literature,” she expressed. The book helped her get out of a major writing slump and has since become a huge inspiration for her as a writer, Satorre explained. She said it was the spark to keep her artistic engine functioning.
“The School for Good and Evil” by Soman Chainani
Ke Alaka‘i Multimedia Journalist Myco Marcaida, a senior from the Philippines majoring in communications, encouraged others to read “The School for Good and Evil,” a novel about hope and friendship. “It changed the way I see villains in stories,” she shared.
Marcaida said the book taught her no matter how different people are, there will always be a way to connect and to love each other. “Look out for your besties!” she said as she noted the incredible companionship and dynamic between the main characters, despite their obvious differences.
According to the published edition by HarperCollins, “The School for Good and Evil” is a story of best friends Sophie and Agatha who are set to be trained in heroism and villainy. Though Sophie seeks to be trained in the School for Good, and Agatha in the School for Evil, their fates are switched and their fortunes reversed, as the two seek to uncover their true identities.
“I resonate with all the characters. Even with the author himself,” Marcaida said. She said the book excellently combats the idea of determinism, successfully teaching the power of agency–especially in young children–in real life.
“The Elements of Cadence” by Rebecca Ross
“It’s a fantasy with Scottish folklore vibes, magic, and solid romance plots.What’s not to like?” said former Ke Alaka‘i Editor-in-Chief Manhattan Ethington Prien, a BYUH alumna from Ohio. Though she said the duology wasn’t the series that changed her life the most, because that award goes to Harry Potter, she said it was the series that helped her get back into reading as an adult.
“The Elements of Cadence” is a series sophisticated in writing but engaging in content for all ages, she said. Prien shared the books can tackle mature themes in a way that matches her standards. “The worldbuilding was very whimsical but also centered in elements of Scottish folklore and traditions that I enjoyed learning about,” she said.
According to the published edition by Harper Voyager, the series starts with Jack and Adaira, living in a home ruled by spirits of fire, water, earth and wind. Though connected through a reluctant partnership, they find they must work together towards a common goal: find the missing girls of their isle.
“The books teach that you shouldn’t let yourself get so caught up in revenge or grudges that you forget to focus on your family, friends, or the people who matter most to you in your life,” Prien said. She said the books helped rekindle her desire to find more books to love as an adult.•
Abigail Adams holding up a lantern as a representation of her personal growth.
Photos by Hiroki Konno.
Graphics and page design by Ice Cesario.
Jessika Santoso poses holding up a book . The Reading and Writing Center tutor says writing provides people an opportunity to take the time to relfect on their lives.
Photos by Hiroki Konno. Page design by Ice Cesario.
The power of the pen
Literature provides an opportunity to learn, escape and find common ground, BYUH students and professors explain
BY ABIGAIL ADAMS
Words have power because they offer connection, new perspectives, and reflection, said BYU–Hawaii students and professors. “You can use words to not only understand yourself but to make other people understand you or themselves,” explained AnnaMarie Christiansen, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters. Through literature, people can gain new perspectives, explained Jessika Santoso, a senior from Indonesia majoring in TESOL
Dr. Patricia Patrick, associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters, also shared, “It’s a place where we can find common ground, [somewhere] we can go and be fully seen for who we are.”
Understanding the human condition
Patrick said stories don’t always have to be shared through traditional literature to have an impact. “Although we don’t have a collected book, there’s the book of all our conversations and the storytelling we share” that allows people to connect, she explained.
Iliana Rivers, a senior from Waianae majoring in biology, said she feels closer to her ancestors when she reads about their life experiences in their journals. “Even though I don’t know them personally, I know about their integrity, their personality and how much charity they have, which gives me more inspiration to be like them,” she shared.
While working on a family history project for a Hawaiian studies class, Rivers said, “One specific [story] I stumbled on was about my great-great-great-great-grandfather.” She said he was an orphan, originally from China, who was found by sailors in Samoa. They called him “Ahmu” in reference to where he was found, Rivers explained. As an adult, he found missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who introduced him and Rivers’ ancestors to the church, she said. “His testimony was really inspiring because when he passed away, he left his property and his house to the church,” she shared, “He sold it to them for $1 and now it holds up the Apia Samoa Temple.”
Christiansen shared, “Reading literature helps you understand other people and the human condition.” Literature often has themes of death and love, she explained, which are universally understood. “Everybody understands loss [and] strong emotions like love, so I think that’s what drew me to literary texts at first,” she said.
Seeing students struggle with understanding reading material, Santoso said, “If someone has at least one thing they can relate to, it will overpower the loss or confusion.”
Through literature, Patrick said, people have a space to share deeply personal thoughts and experiences. “When you’re looking for consolation for something you wouldn’t want to tell your best friend, that person can be somebody in a book who’s asking the questions you thought you were the only person who had,” she shared.
The transformative impact of literature
Patrick said literature allows readers to see the world from another person’s point of view. “One of the big things I look for in my reading is, ‘What are other people thinking? What’s life like for other people?’ and that’s vastly empowering in the way that a person can get outside their limited perspective and experience,” she shared.
Referencing “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo, Christiansen said, “Important literature has either driven or come out of political change.” Set in the 1800s, “Les Misérables” used narrative to display the societal issues that followed the French Revolution, Christiansen explained.
“For any group that’s ever been persecuted or marginalized,” Patrick said, “having the power to get your story out there is the power to say that things need to change.”
For Queen Liliuokalani, Christiansen said, writing was a way to disprove rumors and display her true character during the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. “She was smart and civilized and had faith in other humans. She was proud of who she was and where she came from. All of that comes across really strongly in her book,” she explained.
“A story, in a lot of ways, reaches beyond the capabilities of simple language,” Patrick shared. Through William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Patrick said readers could see the negative effects of revenge
and aggression. “It makes us think. It makes us want to make the story to turn out differently,” she explained.
Santoso and Rivers, writing tutors in the Reading Writing Lab (RWL), said they’ve been able to help others find joy in literature through their work. “We wear a lot of hats as a tutor, not only as the one who knows how to [write], but also as an ally who comforts or encourages,” Santoso explained.
Through RWL’s Book Club, Rivers said she’s observed students being transported into the world of literature. “They wished they were in the book, in the character’s shoes. It gave them empowerment to be more confident and challenge themselves,” she said.
Iliana Rivers reads a book on campus. She says journaling is therapeutic for her because as she reflects on what she has written about her life experiences, she feels hopeful.
Photo by Hiroki Konno.
A token of memories and reflection
Whether through journaling, creative or academic writing, Santoso shared, literature provides a platform to reflect. She said her sister often advised, “‘If you have all of the strings jumbled in your head, try to write it one by one and it will make your mind much clearer.’” When looking back on personal writing from the past, Santoso shared one can see their improvement over time. Rivers said journaling is also therapeutic for her. “It makes me reflect about my life, where I am, and it gives me hope at the end of the day,” she shared.
Christiansen said she often wrote creatively as an undergraduate student but stopped during graduate school. She said
it is an important means of expression now that she’s returned to it at a later stage in life. “I’ve lived quite a bit and I feel fairly powerful in reframing the stories of my life,” Christiansen shared.
As a child, Santoso said she enjoyed writing poetry about her life. “Back then life felt so simple, so beautiful, it was just easy to write it down,” she shared, “[It was] also a token of preserving memories.”
Christiansen said, students “are in this constant state of learning and reassessing and learning,” She said she hopes students will take advantage of their opportunities to read and write throughout their educations because they “grow the world around you, what’s in your brain [and] the way you think.”•
Jessika Santoso pose smiling while reading a book. She says literature can empower people by learning from the characters they read about.
Photos taken by Hiroki Konno. Page design by Ice Cesario.
Creative writing is a journey that develops through effort and dedication, BYUH students and a professor shared. From starting creative writing, looking for inspiration, finding uniqueness in a story, honing techniques for writing, developing a writer’s mindset and improving through feedback, they shared creative writing tips they gained from their experiences.
Just start reading and writing
Reading is the best way to start with creative writing, said Joseph Plicka, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters. “Don’t start by asking, ‘How do I write a book?’ but gather your sources and knowledge,” he said. Learning and gathering information, such as reading more books, taking classes, and listening to creative writing lectures, are the first steps to take, he shared.
“If you want to write a book, you need to read a book–a lot of books,” Plicka said. He shared reading will improve an individual’s creative writing skills, and 80 percent of what students learn as writers is from teaching themselves by reading and observing the masters.
Juan Carlos De los Reyes, a senior majoring in English with a creative writing emphasis, shared to just start writing. He said to simply begin writing and not wait for the perfect moment to start. “Whatever you are doing right now, just drop everything and write,” he said. Writing gets better as soon as one starts writing, he shared.
A journey of dedication
When teaching students new to writing, Plicka shared he helps students recognize the importance of dedicating themselves to creative writing. “You don’t become a writer when you win an award. As soon as you start
to write, you are a writer,” he said. Students perceiving themselves as writers can help them be more serious and committed to writing, he said.
“If you want your works published, it takes much dedication,” Plicka said. He shared dedication as a writer really just means consistency. For instance, to write a self-help book or a vampire novel, one should read about 50 books in that genre, he said. He added writers may need to go through a few unsuccessful attempts before creating the book only they can write. “Writing isn’t just a destination, but a journey developed through daily, weekly and monthly consistency,” he said.
“Suppose you could read for 30 minutes a day, like if you read one short story, two poems, or 10 pages of a novel. Imagine how much that would add up to over a year,” he explained. He said most people have jobs, schools and other responsibilities, so even a little bit every day is enough. He emphasized reading something that will feed one’s appetite and brain for writing daily.
While personal situations and managing responsibilities can make the daily time spent in writing differ from one another, he explained consistency is the key. He said consistency varies between people–daily, weekly or yearly. “If you could do 30 minutes daily, amazing,” he said.
Eli Holmes, a junior majoring in English with a creative writing emphasis from the Philippines, said, “Continue to read and write until you see improvement in your writing.” Progress may not be immediately visible, but with constant dedication, he said one can realize how they improved as a writer compared to the past.
Holmes shared this process is similar to the principle of enduring to the end in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Like keeping his commandments and repenting daily through hardships, he
explained writing is also a process that requires persistence through discouragements.
“Even when you feel like you can’t write anymore, just write,” he said. Growth comes from enduring the tunnel of uncertainty, he shared.
For beginners, he shared the best advice is to write daily without overthinking—jot down thoughts, dialogues, or anything that comes to mind. He said reading extensively is also essential for development.
Finding inspiration through books and movies
De los Reyes said, “The more you read or watch, the more ideas you will get on how to form your story.Your imagination gets larger and wider.” He said he finds inspiration by watching various TV shows and movies, and reading books. Doing so
makes it easier to write as there are many sources to draw from, he said.Turning to these sources helps him recharge his imagination when experiencing writer’s block or feels creatively drained, he said.
He also emphasized finding inspiration from real life to create a balanced, exciting and realistic story. “Finding inspiration only from real life will be boring because real life is not as exciting as a movie. But at the same time, solely getting inspiration from a film or a book might make the story too exciting, so it’s unrealistic,” he explained.
He said people will feel inauthenticity and have difficulty immersing themselves in the story. He also said creating extremely unrealistic situations and depicting human emotions as realistically as possible creates intriguing stories.
Writing a long romance story was one of the most challenging experiences he had, said De los Reyes. Not knowing how to write one, he said he watched a lot of romance movies with his best friend to learn how to write romance. “And then she became my fiancé. So, at that time, my worldview changed. Now I know what love and romance feel like,” he said. Gathering inspiration from romance movies and life experiences in love, he was able to apply it to the story, he said.
To create lively and realistic characters in the story, De los Reyes shared he finds different experiences and perspectives by interviewing people. When he was writing a short romance story, he shared he asked six people what they would do when their best friend they liked asked them out on a date. As the answers
will vary by person, he said asking for their reactions and reasons is essential to make the characters as authentic as possible.
Holmes shared he focuses on reading consistently and finding books and genres that speak to him. “Find the books you can genuinely enjoy,” he shared. This can be difficult, but it gives the inspiration to write, he said. He shared he pays attention to how the authors structure their writing, including dialogue and descriptions, and adapts techniques to make them his own.
Finding your own story
When writing his first short story, Holmes shared he started by recreating a scenario from another story and adding his own twist. “As a beginner, try to imitate your favorite story and writer, and make the most out of it. It will show you the
direction you need to go,” he said. He said as one grows as a writer, one will develop one’s own story and writing style.
Consuming media for inspiration, De los Reyes shared not everything has to be original. The story one is going to tell has probably been told before, but it’s the flavor of the story that matters, he shared. “Marvel movies are different from each other. But if you dissect their story roots, it’s basically just the same story. It is a story of a hero rising to the challenge, fighting a villain, and saving the day. But it’s in different flavors,” he said.
To create originality, De los Reyes said to put unique flavor based on personal experiences. He shared his current writing is a superhero story where the main character is a member of the Church, and his mentor is one of the three
Nephites who gives weapons from the Book of Mormon. Inspired by various superhero stories, particularly the template of wtier Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, he shared the main character loses his powers if he loses faith. “It’s the same story, but it has an LDS flavor because I’m a member of the Church,” he said.
Sharpening skills for writing
De los Reyes said the most challenging part of his creative writing journey was to use new and elaborate vocabulary to depict the story. Even as a native English speaker, one needs to expand and weaponize the English language to send it into the battlefield of storytelling and be able to create an impact on the reader, he shared.
To improve sentence composition, De los Reyes emphasized consistent effort in writing the sentence according to the genre.
“Write the same sentences in five different ways, and then choose the best sentence,” he said. Even though one will never notice the improvement, he said keeping up with the practice will make a visible result in the long term.
De los Reyes said a sentence can have the same meaning but a different impact through the arrangement. For example, he said, “‘The door opened, and the monster came in, and it was surprising because she was relaxed.’ You can put the impact on the last part to create a thrill in the sentence, such as, ‘She was relaxed, but then she was surprised when the monster came in.’” In this writing process, he said to imagine oneself as the reader and question if the reader will experience the maximum effect in the sentence.
To keep creativity alive, he encouraged students to continue writing and experimenting. People think creativity is a bank, but creativity never runs out, he said. People have been saying that 50 years ago movies were all the same, and moviemakers are running out of ideas, he said. On the contrary, nowadays, more movies have been made with new ideas, he shared. He said as time passes and the world changes, new ideas are presented and people integrate them into their lives. “Creativity never stops. It only stops when you stop,” he said.
De los Reyes added to write down every idea that comes to mind. “Always have a notebook with you, ask questions, and get ideas into one place so that you can source a pool of ideas for your writing,” he said.
Plicka also shared there is a way of reading like a writer. “It means you’re not just reading for pleasure or discovering its meaning. It’s about paying attention to words, sentences, plot, characters, and setting,” he said. He emphasized the importance of having the right questions and focusing on details when reading. If the story is compelling, have curiosity in the character development and plot structure rather than the more profound meaning or the context of the piece, he said. “Look at the technique and the writer’s word choices,” he added.
“Writing is a never-ending process that always leaves room for modification”
-Joseph Plicka
Plicka said questioning the length of paragraphs and sentences or the word choice is beneficial. “Just having this mindset, you’ll start to notice things you wouldn’t notice if you were just reading on the beach to be entertained,” he said.
The writer mindset
Plicka shared students ask if their writing is good, but it’s the wrong question. “It’s about what can be done better. I never talk about things in terms of being complete or perfect,” he said. Writing is a never-ending process that always leaves room for modification, he said.
He added the importance of respecting the uniqueness of each work. He said each piece has its purpose, and how well it fulfills that purpose is subjective. In his class, he said students analyze each other’s writing and appreciate the uniqueness of each piece. “Every piece is going to be different, and we discuss it in terms of being better and what’s missing,” he said. Creative writing is not about judging but improving it, he shared.
As a writer, “One crucial ability is to push through discouragement and rejection,” said Plicka. He shared it’s easy to be hard on oneself in creative writing. At first, writers are rejected by themselves, and eventually, when writers send their works to editors, they will be rejected by magazines and publishers, he explained.
Having a cousin who has published multiple books, Plicka shared his cousin told him her most valuable skill as a writer was her ability to take rejection and keep going. “Instead of falling apart, she just kept going,” he said.
Not only in terms of professional publication, but he also shared accepting criticisms and being strong in developing oneself is included in this attribute. “Sometimes, students can get sensitive to criticism. You can take it personally and think ‘I’m not good,’ or you can take it professionally and think, ‘I can do
better and work more’,” he said.
Plicka noted it’s crucial to appreciate and give you and your work credit. “Anybody who writes a poem and turns out to be not that good is still doing better than the person who thinks about writing a poem but doesn’t because they’re afraid it’ll be bad,” he said. It’s just about doing it, he shared.
Accepting criticisms
Porter Carr, a sophomore from Utah majoring in biology with a creative writing minor shared the best way to improve in creative writing is to ask for others’ honest opinions. He shared when one keeps their story to themselves, they are likely to get lost in finding improvements and give up on the piece. He encouraged students to find a supportive outlet to share their creative writing. “By sharing with others, you can find what needs to be fixed and what is missing. This will keep you writing because you know which direction you need to go,” he said.
“If you want to show the world what you’ve written, then you must be ready to receive criticism,” Carr added. Accepting criticism is hard but worth it, he said. “If you are talking with someone who’s coming out of a place of love and genuine thought, that’s what makes their criticism constructive,” he said. In this case, Carr shared one should accept it as it is meant to lead to improvement.
Overcoming the barriers of criticism, Carr explained online and offline communities supported him. “Even with good concepts, you can feel like you’re stuck. Talking with other people gives you a path you have never thought of before,” he said. As a member of the Kula Manu program, students learn how to evaluate pieces and give effective feedback to each other one-on-one, he said. In the online group, he shared he regularly meets with them, sharing ideas and providing helpful insights on how to build the pieces.•
Beyond the page: The lasting impact of literature
Sister Naihe reading a book in her office.
Photo taken by Hiroki Konno.
BYU-Hawaii Instructor Megan Naihe reflects on
the
transformative power of keeping literature at the heart of her life
BY SAMANTHA FAITH SATORRE
Everyone contains a multitude of stories, and no matter how small they may seem, they can impact someone’s life in unimaginable ways, said Megan Naihe, an adjunct instructor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters. She said her bond with literature had transformed her life into a spectacular journey. One takeaway she hopes her students will remember from her class is to always know their stories matter. “Tell your story. You are the only one who can tell yours. Keep writing,” she urged them.
A life dedicated to literacy
Naihe shared she found herself in various places throughout her life, but wherever she went— from Northern California to Oahu, to Utah and back to Oahu— she always carried her love for words with her.
She said she studied English literature in college and has always been drawn to the power of storytelling. “Writing has been a constant passion of mine, and I naturally gravitate toward narratives—both my own and those of others,” she expressed. Stories encapsulate the uniqueness of human experiences, and she finds endless inspiration in dissecting and exploring their layers, she explained.
“Literature is my safe space—a place where I can both challenge myself and find comfort in the pages of a good book,” she voiced. She said apart from the opportunity for deep analysis and research for broader implications, the most rewarding part is discussing it with others. “It’s a blessing to hear perspectives I never would have considered on my own,” she shared.
She also said it is fascinating how literature intersects with every discipline. “It can connect to anthropology, history, science, religion and even mathematics in some way,” she explained. Literature’s reach is limitless, making it an endlessly rich field of study, she said.
However, Naihe said she used to see teaching as an entirely separate and daunting task. She recounted her first teaching experience at BYUH as a fresh graduate and remembered getting so shaken by it that she had to step away from the profession for as long as 10 years. “I did not like teaching at all because I have never been comfortable in front of people,” she shared.
She said she put her career as a reading and writing instructor aside for a while but not her connection with what she is teaching. “During that time, I worked for a nonprofit, writing grants and operating a bookmobile,” she shared. She said she was a grant writer for years for a nonprofit called Hawaiian Literacy, raising funds for the converted handyman van she drove to deliver books around the island.
“Eventually, after having my fourth child, I was given the chance to return to teaching here,” she shared. She said one of her former professors encouraged her to come back, and although she was initially nervous to step back into the classroom, she fell in love with it the second time
“The things that you do should be things that you love, and things that you love should be things that you do.”
– Writer Ray Bradbury
around. “It was the students who changed everything for me. They are, without a doubt, the best part of this experience,” she expressed.
She said she learns so much more from them than she could ever hope to teach, and she considers it a privilege to be surrounded by global talents, united by faith and pursuit of knowledge. “This university is truly a special place,” she stressed. She said she has been teaching English consistently at a university level since 2013.
Where words take root:
Touching students’ lives
Beyond personal expression, writing gives power to people’s voices, a means to teach and learn from one another and a way to connect on a deeper level, Naihe shared. She said the greatest joy of teaching about reading and writing is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives. “But I often find my students have an even greater impact on me. Every day, I come home and share with my husband how much I learned from them,” she expressed. She said she considers it the most rewarding part of her career.
She shared one of her former students from when she first started teaching at BYUH in 2013 recently reconnected with her to tell her about the publication of his first book. The student is from Mexico, and it has been an incredible experience for her to see him grow because he had a natural talent for writing, she explained. “It was such a surreal moment to hear about his success because, as a teacher, you don’t always get to hear these stories,” she shared.
She said her former student made a point to tell her that her encouragement and belief in him played a significant role in his journey. “I couldn’t be prouder. One of the best parts of teaching is seeing students surpass your own skills, pursue their dreams and truly believe in themselves,” she expressed. She said it will always be her goal to help her students see themselves the way she does.
The wonderful influence of writing extends beyond just one life, and that is fascinating, Naihe reflected. She said another former student
who is now a mother shared how Naihe’s class inspired her to start journaling, and she describing it as a transformative experience. “She explained writing has reshaped the way she approaches parenting, allowing her to reflect on each day, learn from her experiences and strive to be better the next,” Naihe shared. She said writing is truly a powerful tool for self-assessment and growth.
Desire as the single prerequisite
Among other things, Naihe said students struggle with having the desire to read and write, making them dislike the subject. “That’s why, during the first few weeks of class, I focus on helping them discover the value of reading and writing in their own lives,” she shared. Once they recognize the significance, they are more inclined to practice and integrate both activities into their daily routines, she explained.
She said she considers desire as the most crucial skill an aspiring writer must develop. “With a strong desire, a writer can cultivate and refine any other necessary skill—whether it’s mastering grammar, developing a unique voice or learning the nuances of storytelling,” she explained. She said passion is the driving force that fuels persistence, creativity and the willingness to improve, and without this internal motivation, technical proficiency alone will fall short. She stressed desire as the foundation upon which other writing skills are built.
In addition, she said she prioritizes encouraging her students because she witnessed how self-doubt can plague their desire to engage in anything. “They need to hear they are capable, their skills can improve and most importantly, their voices and perspectives hold immense value,” she emphasized.
More than just publishing books
Naihe said she thinks it is a common misconception among people that being a writer means becoming a published author. “Writing is a fundamental skill that extends far beyond the realm of books and novels,” she explained. She said a love for writing is not defined by
authorship alone as it can take different forms, each offering unique opportunities for creativity, influence and growth.
Writing is crucial in any profession, she emphasized. “No matter what job you have, you’ll always need to communicate, whether through emails, reports or even text messages,” she said. Nearly every industry looks for individuals who can communicate ideas clearly and persuasively, from journalism and marketing to law, education and corporate communications, she explained.
“Beyond that, the most profound thing is its ability to deepen our understanding of others and cultivate empathy—something that feels increasingly rare in today’s world,” she added. She said literature gives people the opportunity to learn to step into someone else’s shoes and to see the world from a different perspective, and in doing so, it expands their capacity for compassion. “Reading isn’t just good for the mind. It’s good for the heart. It challenges us to see the world through different lenses, making us not only better thinkers but also better people,” she said. •
Megan Naihe typing on a computer..
Photo taken by Hiroki Konno. Page design by Marlee Young Yen.
16 WRITING PLATFORMS FOR CREATIVE PEOPLE
Discover websites you can use for publishing and sharing your creative contents
BY MYCO MARCAIDA
Writing Platforms are combinations of an author’s audience engagement, brand identity and public presence, says the Bestsellingauthor website. “It is more than just a promotional tool but the foundation of a successful writing career,” says the website.
What is Medium?
In a published article from MediumCourse, the site says Medium is a free and open publishing platform founded by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams in August 2012. It is a platform where users share ideas and stories with a diverse community of writers, journalists and experts.
What is SEO?
Wordstream website says SEO stands for search engine optimization. It is making one’s website structure and content into pages people can discover what a user has to offer through search engines. According to Feather, a search engine optimization (SEO) friendly blog that allows users to publish blog content through Notion, there are 16 alternatives for publishing content:
LinkedIn is a social media platform that helps build professional connections and networks. This platform offers a variety of paid and free learning courses for earning certificates, upskilling and enhancing job prospects. The official blog page features careers, job searches and workplaces as resources for self-improvement information and careers.
HubPages offer opportunities to earn money through ads and recommending products on Amazon. It provides more SEO Control and lets users optimize their content to reach broader audiences through search engines.
Vocal.Media is a platform that recognizes writing skills through regular writing challenges and cash prizes. Though catchy headlines and social media platforms, writers can boost content and receive tips from engaged readers.
Dev Community is a site offering informative blogs on various programming languages, frameworks, libraries and other technologies. It also features videos, guides, job listings, podcasts, software comparisons and mentors to support a user’s learning journey.
Blogger is a platform powered by Google and is a user-friendly blogging platform with customizable templates and seamless integration of Google services. It is made for those seeking a supportive online community to start their own blog. It is free of charge with Google services and a helpful online community.
Tumblr, comparable to Medium, is an excellent choice for creative and entertaining publishers. It is a blogging platform for those who prefer not to manage their websites. Tumblr pages can be customizable to reflect the personalities of its users to show creative expression and audience engagement.
Write.as is a platform for blogs, newsletters and journals with an attractive user interface showing simplicity and negative space. It allows users to publish content online while remaining anonymous.
Substack is a platform that simplifies monetization and publishing for independent writers. It enables writers to earn through reader subscriptions rather than traditional advertising.
Ghost is a blog platform allowing users to build self-hosted blogs without platform guidelines making content monetization through various avenues. Ghost offers a powerful platform for writers to manage their blogs independently.
Wordpress offers a range of themes for customization for free and premium users with integrations with various platforms for scalability and feature enhancements. A versatile platform for users seeking a customizable, feature-rich website-building experience.
Steemit is a blockchain-powered platform similar to Reddit where users can share both short and long content. The platform rewards users based on engagement.
Bear Blog is a site for effortless content creation for clean and minimalist design highlighting written content. This caters to users who are looking for a straightforward and privacy-focused blogging experience.
Pixpa simplifies the art of blogging with innovative features. Users of this platform can craft blogs without coding experience.
Feather allows a user to publish blog content through notion without requiring design or coding skills. It allows users to set up a Subfolder blog (domain.com/blog instead of blog.domain.com, because the subfolder is better for SEO).
Notion is known for productivity features, letting users turn any Notion page into a published blog using the user-friendly editor. The websites produced by Notion are becoming popular for portfolios, blogs and documentation. Integrating Notion pages with Feather can transform them into fully functional blogs or websites.
Hashnode is a platform tailored for developers and tech enthusiasts, providing a space for publishing and sharing content with a smooth blogging experience. Users can write on their own domain or use the site’s free domain. •
Page design by Cho Yong Fei.
IN POETRY, WE SAY…
Use metaphor and poetic license to share ideas in deeper ways, says writer
BY PIM HOOTINI
Jay Parini, an American writer and academic, says poetry is the language of metaphor, a way of comparing things to help us understand the world better. In his book “Why Poetry Matters,” he says, “Poets, like Aristotle believed, are good at noticing connections between things.”
Parini explains the study of metaphor began with Aristotle’s Poetics and was later expanded by thinkers like Cicero and Quintilian in ancient Rome.
“During the Middle Ages, metaphors and symbols gained religious meaning, and scholars studied the many layers of meaning in texts,” Parini says. According to Parini, this long history shows why metaphor still matters in literature, science, and history today.
Parini says a new trend related to poetry, “In English we say, but in poetry we convey,” has become trending on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Threads. The trend compares simple, direct phrases with poetic, emotional versions to show how poetry adds depth and creativity to language. For example, posts often share comparisons like, “In English, we say, ‘I miss you,’ but in poetry, we say, ‘the moon refuses to shine without you.’”
Graphics and page design by Guen Ramirez.
In English, we say:
In poetry, we say:
“You are not just one star, but an entire constellation, that fills every inch of the sky, so even when the sun doesn’t shine, I know that I never walk in darkness alone.”
In English, we say: “I adore you.”
In poetry, we say:
“I wish I were the wind so I could kiss your skin, weave through your hair, and carry your scent with me forever.”
In English, we say:
In poetry, we say:
“Even if the night sky is filled with stars, I’d rather see them reflected in your eyes.”
In English, we say:
In poetry, we say: “I long for someone with whom I can shed all pretenses and speak my soul beneath the stars.”
In English, we say: “I miss you.”
In poetry, we say: “I’m sitting here waiting, as each day fades, into the next, for you to absorb me, with shy hands, so flexed, my heart beats a dance, softer than ballet, flash me your smile, like the break of day.”
In English, we say:
In English, we say: “I don’t know what to say”
In poetry, we say: “Silence, a language I don’t yet speak. Perhaps my heart will script the lines when my tongue surrenders its battle.”
In poetry, we say: “Go where the wind calls you by your name loudest. I will watch, but not weigh your wings”
In English, we say:
In poetry, we say: “Even if I could shine among the stars, I’d choose to sit in the rain with you.”
In English, we say: “I don’t want to regret it”
In poetry, we say: “So I move, not fearless, but with care because I don’t want to carry.•
Photos taken by Ke Alaka’i photographers.
“Tell your story. You are the only one who can tell yours.”
