When President David O. McKay broke ground for the future Church College of Hawaii on February 12, 1955, he indicated the school was being built for two purposes: First, for things "pertaining to God and His kingdom," and second, to help people "develop manhood, character, and make noble men and women."
He went on to say of the university's alumni, The world needs them. One man said that the world needs men who cannot be bought or sold, men who will scorn to violate truth, genuine gold. That is what this school is going to produce. More than that, they'll be leaders. Not leaders only in this island, but everywhere. All the world is hungering for them and, best of all, the world is recognizing them.
Throughout BYU-Hawaii's 2005 Golden Jubilee celebration, various CCH/BYU-Hawaii alumni — the genuine gold President McKay spoke of — will be featured here and also on the Genuine Gold wall of honor on display.
John Aki
('58-61, Education)Retired school principal and former Hong Kong mission president
I remember taking a recruitment tour, first to the University of Hawaii and then we came here. Dr. Wootton and the faculty came to greet us. The new dorms were coming up. Everything looked beautiful. They stressed the relationship that would last between students and professors. There was something special and unique. I wasn't able to pinpoint it because I wasn't a member, but it was the spirit. There were a few of us who came as non-members and were baptized within a year or two.
When we came the facilities were not finished. Cooper's ranch [in Hauula] was an old restaurant that was converted into dorms. Thirty of us were bussed on campus and ate at the cafeteria. The bus driver, Tex Yamamoto, would take us back around 8 p.m. or so.
We had good, clean fun. Besides student activities, I remember the professors' homes. For example, Bob Laird would take students under his wing. The term now is a PPI, but he would just call us to see how we were doing. He was a wonderful counselor: It was not let's sit down, I am going to counsel you. He would invite us over for dinner with his wife, Myrna, and his children and tell you how special you are.
He helped hundreds. We named our older son, Robert, after him. He would first tell you his own aspirations: He wished he had enough money to run a young men's camp. He would always say you needed to be physically fit to serve the Lord longer; you needed to have a better education, in order to serve the Lord; and then you had to have a good job, so you could serve the Lord.
Several of our Kamehameha alumni group were part of the CCH glee club. One night President Clissold was hosting President McKay. We went over and sang a couple of songs. President McKay was thankful we were there, and that we took time out to perform for him. I remember shaking his hand, which was big. I remember thinking I met a prophet. It felt special, no matter what your religion was. Little things like that make impact on you when it comes time for you to take the discussions or join the Church.
We also enjoyed rich relations with students from all over the world. Ruth Stacy Smith Silvers now lives in Colorado. We just had a little reunion with her. We would go cycling with her; we would get bicycles and started a bicycle club. She is the one responsible for me becoming a member of the Church. She sent over the missionaries. She had the nerve!
CCH was a wonderful learning environment. When I transferred to Provo I didn't feel that I missed a step. Here at CCH we had a saying, "You're a big fish in a small pond. In Provo you are going to be a small fish in a big pond."
You see your friends join the Church one by one, then you see them go on missions and see them having a wonderful time and experience and the changes in their lives. Taking the religion courses helped me. One teacher, I forget his name, was absolutely fabulous. It was his voice: At certain points it would quiver. It was straightforward. You could see and feel what he was saying was true.
I remember the Hiltons, a missionary couple who taught New Testament. He asked me to pray in class. It was the little experiences that helped me gain my testimony. Professors and students who lived their religion, I couldn't help but be influenced by their behavior.
I didn't tell my parents [I was baptized]. When they came home one day, the baptism clothes were in the washer. Mom asked me and then said she was happy. She had two older sisters [who were members] and she told me stories about that. My brother also came here because I was here. After that, we would send the missionaries to my folks every year, once a year.
One of the last sacrament meetings before I went to Vietnam was a missionary presentation. I went off to war and received a letter from my mother telling me that she was getting baptized. No word from my father; [he was] still drinking and smoking. When I came back from the war my father told me he made a promise with the Lord, that if I came back safely he would join the Church. He quit his smoking and drinking, and paid his tithing. My brother baptized him and I confirmed him. I later told him that when I was in Vietnam I was praying: I would give up my life for my family to join the church.
I have counted about 32 people who have joined because of my baptism. [Professor] Bob Laird said by virtue of being the first in your family, you are the patriarch of your family. You remember those words that ring true from professors. Back then it didn't make sense, but now looking back, it does.
The diversity at CCH and attending this school prepares you mentally and physically. The gospel gives you a full understanding. You constantly have to adjust and prepare. When you go out into the real world, it is the same.
I submitted my papers and was called to serve in what was then the Southern Far East Asia Mission. Now, there are individual country missions. In 64-65 the Philippines and Taiwan were slowly opening up.
The mission president sent my companion and I to India, which was opened and dedicated in the 1800s, mainly because of the British troops that were there. When the British left, so did the missionaries. Apparently there was a man named Paul, whose daughter came here. He found a missionary pamphlet about the Church which explained numerous LDS topics, so he wrote the Church and my mission president received the letter. The question was, should he be baptized in Madras State. After a period of time and approval from the First Presidency, my companion and I went and baptized him and his family members. We were there for six months and basically administered the Church there.
It was a joy to go back in 1995 as the Hong Kong mission president. Before then, I was interviewed twice by Elder Oaks, and then by Elder Holland. They both said something may happen or nothing may happen. Then one morning, President Hinckley calls, talking in Chinese, and I am thinking I am probably going to Hong Kong. I didn't know how to talk Chinese. I was flabbergasted.
My wife was also shocked because she's from Hong Kong. When she came here she came with the thought she would return to Hong Kong to help her people. She majored in social work, but when we got married that killed her plans, so she came back and got her teacher's certificate. Going back as the mission president's wife she could speak freely in her own language, and we were there when the temple was dedicated.
I never thought I would be a mission president. In fact, I don't think anyone ever thought I would go forward and be an ambassador to the world. We now realize that if we do our part, being the best we can be, then President McKay's prophecy will come true.
Two of our children also graduated from BYU-Hawaii. Robert is now a podiatrist, and Naomi is a schoolteacher. Jonathan will finish medical school in June. I was a schoolteacher, became a vice principle, then principal. For 15 years I worked at the state DOE office running a family program trying to get the parents involved in the schools.
Submitted November 4, 2004
Bernard 'Kateta' Balibuno
('02, International Business Management)I can do it, no doubt
Bernard "Kateta" Balibuno's odyssey from the Democratic Republic Congo, through South Africa, Virginia and BYU-Hawaii is filled with courage, faith, hope, and a longing for independence. Fleeing the turmoil of war-torn D.R. Congo under the dictatorship of Mobutu Seseseko Kukungbendo Wazabanga, Bernard found at BYU-H the "I can do it! No doubt" confidence that he will use to serve and lift others.
Bernard expressed his appreciation for the faculty's understanding of international students which is prevalent at BYU-Hawaii. Specifically mentioning the School of Business, Bernard stated, "The teachers help you learn in your own way. They look into your future and help you achieve in your own direction. They don't force their ideas or tell you to follow their way, but give you tools that will enable you to progress in your own way. Looking back from where I came to where I am right now, I am sure the future is bright. I have learned to be positive — to realize I can do it! No doubt!"
As President of the African Club, Bernard already had opportunities to serve, but his most memorable experience, other than meeting and marrying childhood friend and sweetheart, lovely Yaya Cikoma, is his association with faculty and staff at BYUH. President Eric Shumway, and Vice Presidents Isileli Kongaika and Keith Roberts are just like uncles. "I'd stop by their houses and have tapioca. This place is just like a little family to me. The guidance and counsel from professors in the School of Business and the friendships I've developed here with students from all over the world are what I will probably remember and cherish most."
Bernard began his college career in Sud-kivu Province, Bukavu , in the Congo.
At that time, Mobuto's faction began harassing the locals and closing the universities. Bernard knew trouble was brewing, but since there was already civil war in his home state of Sud Kivu, he fled barefoot through Tanzania, traveling in very bad conditions, sleeping sometimes outside and eating once a day, or sometimes once in two days. Bernard covered a distance of a six-hour airplane ride in fourteen days, eventually reaching Durban, South Africa, with two other students.
After two days of no food or refuge, Bernard met two missionaries who were on their P- Day. The English-speaking missionaries obviously wanted to help, but Bernard spoke only French and Zulu. Offering a mission card on which the mission office address was printed and using hand gestures, the missionaries indicated that someone spoke French in that direction. Bernard could read the address. The three refugees found the mission home where they met President Dwayne Stevenson's wife, Carolyn, and her sister, Glenda Sanderson, who spoke French. The sisters fed the refugees and listened to their plight. President Stevenson arrived and took the boys to a hotel where he arranged for food, a room, and telephone service. One of the boys made connection with relatives in Europe and was able to leave, but Bernard and the other young man could not turn to family.
Bernard and his companion lived at the hotel for two weeks. At that time, two missionaries were moving from their apartment, so the two refugees took the apartment for the remaining six months of the lease. They were among the very few black Africans living in that upper-class neighborhood. "South Africa was just coming out of its apartheid system, and the relations between white and blacks were still not good. We were the only two Africans in that apartment, and the white people didn't appreciate our presence there. That caused trouble for the missionaries in the area, but the mission president loved us and the contract was still in place, but they could not renew it after that."
President Stevenson offered to move the two refugees to the mission home in downtown Durban until another apartment could be found. Bernard accepted gratefully, but the other boy went out on his own. Because of the laws of the land, Bernard was not allowed to work, but he did routine chores around the mission office.
Missionaries needed to learn French because Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius were part of the Durban mission at that time; so Bernard taught "a little" French to missionaries who were assigned to these places.. He also taught Madagascon and Morishush which is spoken on the French Island Reunion. In return, Sisters Stevenson and Sanderson taught Bernard English, using the Book of Mormon and the Children's Friend.
No one pushed Bernard into going to Church. He was impressed with the love these people had and how they cared for him. This prompted him to ask what church they were serving, and they explained that they were missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bernard asked for the chapel address, found the way, and walked to church at the Durban Berea Ward Chapel. Once he found the Church, someone, especially his "home teacher," Arthur Renold, came to pick him up every Sunday afterwards.
Although there were very few Africans in the ward, Bernard was welcomed by all.
One African lady and her children and one African family especially welcomed Bernard into his "new" ward. It did not take him long before he felt that the ward was his family. "I loved Sundays because at least that was the day I could not miss home, as I was with friends — members of the Church."
Born into a Christian Church Pentecostal, and raised in Catholic schools, Bernard already had studied from the Bible and was receptive to the spirit. One thing that impressed Bernard was the Elders — two young men from Idaho — who left their families and friends and made the great sacrifice of their lives and time to go on a mission!
"It didn't take me long to join the Church. After about four weeks, I asked to be baptized and that the baptism be done in French — the first "French" baptism in that mission"
Soon after Bernard's baptism, President and Sister Stevenson were released from their mission and tried to get temporary papers to take Bernard to the United States to study since Bernard was still not officially allowed to work in South Africa. When their attempts failed, they provided him with food and rent and school tuition for one year in South Africa. The Stevensons continued to try to arrange for a visa for Bernard when they returned to the states.
In the meantime, Bernard visited the American Embassy in South Africa, constantly being interviewed, hoping to obtain his visa. The Stevensons kept in touch with him, and when Bernard successfully obtained a visa, they sent him an airline ticket to Alexandria, Virginia. Although the Stevensons had encouraged Bernard to come to northern Utah where they lived, he did not want to impose on them further. He wanted to make it on his own.
Bernard was active in the Virginia Alexandria Ward. The Stevensons went to visit him during Christmas1999. He was working construction in Washington at that time. Together, they visited the Virginia McClem Ward. President Stevenson talked to George Q. Cannon's great-grandson, Mark, who was in that ward and suggested that BYU-Hawaii might be a good place for Bernard to continue his education. Mark called President Shumway immediately and found that President Shumway and the Polynesian Culture Center President, Lester Moore, were in Washington D.C. and would like Bernard to come and meet with them.
After meeting with President Shumway, Bernard applied to BYUH . . . ."quick, quick and it wasn't long before I was accepted."
Bernard left for BYU-Hawaii on the 28th of August, 1999 after spending three days with President Stevenson and his family in Utah. Bernard later learned that President Stevenson, who had planned to sponsor Bernard and to pay for his tuition, was killed in a car accident the very next day, August 29th. In spite of this tragedy, miracles continued to fall into place for Bernard.
At President Stevenson's funeral, Rebecca Bergman, a sister missionary who served in South Africa under President Stevenson, realized that Sister Stevenson was no longer in a position to help Bernard. Rebecca insisted that Bernard allow her parents to pay his tuition and provide his sponsorship in the absence of President Stevenson. Bernard met Rebecca's parents on his wedding day, February 1, 2001, in the Laie Temple where he and his wife, Yaya, were sealed.
His association with fellow students at BYU-Hawaii and hearing their testimonies has strengthened Bernard's own testimony. He has served as a ward mission leader as an Elder's Quorum teacher. "I would take home the Church spirit which abides here — the Spirit of Aloha." He has thoroughly enjoyed "melting in the pot", working and rubbing shoulders with students and teachers from diverse cultures. "I love bringing people of different tribes and backgrounds together."
Two important events soon occurred in Bernard's life. His baby son, Steven (named after President Stevenson), and Yaya and he were sealed in the Laie Hawaii Temple. He was also accepted in BYU Provo in the Romney School of Public Management and Public Administration, a graduate program that will take him two years to complete.
After that? Bernard hopes to make a difference back home in the Congo. He has already started a non-profit organization for orphans, children who are victims of war, and AIDS-born children. Named "Savers of Hope," the organization was legally incorporated June 15, 2002. Primarily a fund-raising organization, Bernard's "Savers of Hope" offers hope to the young victims caught in the crossfire of power and diplomatic struggles in an emerging country.
A dream of Bernard's is to become President of the Congo. "It's just a dream, really, nothing serious -- because if I were President, I would be shot dead quick, and my wife doesn't like that." The Congo is a democratic country made up of eleven big states, warring tribes, and a collection of people speaking 260 languages.
Financial help from private sources and BYU-Hawaii scholarships made Bernard's education possible. His entire countenance beams as he expresses appreciation for all that he has received. "I am so grateful . . . and appreciate very, very much all those who have made by experience here possible. It is really very much a miracle."
M. Lamar Benavides
('87, Human Resource Management)
(Benavides, who was also known as Kaleo and Kealoha at the Polynesian Cultural Center, is originally from Kaneohe, Hawaii, but now lives in Hamilton, New Zealand with his wife, Moana, and family.)
The best decision I ever made was to attend BYU-Hawaii. After serving my mission in Utah for two years I really thought I was going to attend BYU, the University of Utah or Utah State; but my good friend, Wayne Kimokeo, said I should go see Dr. James Smith at BYU-Hawaii, tell him Kimo sent me, and ask for a scholarship.
Meeting Dr. Smith was one of the highlights of my years at BYUH. He became more than a teacher to me, he became my friend and biggest supporter, a person with whom I could share my good and bad times. Likewise, he shared things about his early days and the time he got cold feet before his wedding day. Sorry, Uncle Jim! He was a true friend and remains so until today.
There were many others friends, including Brian Ludlow, Ron Walk, Mark Loo, Mike Ramsey, Daryn Shaw, the Hawaiian village staff at PCC, Rick Walk, Bobby Akoi, Kaui Alohikea, Lei Cummings, Kalani Kanahele and many, many more at PCC such as Haunani Kaanaana, Logo Apelu, Jack Uale and Sione Pasi. They were all fantastic.
Being from Kaneohe, I never liked going to Laie. I thought it was da pits! But now, be careful of what you say. I have a DEEP and enduring love, respect and yearning for Laie as I now look back.
My university days were filled with the weight room, the beach, more weight room and beach, and the occasional Seasider for grinds; and, oh yea, some class work in between. I also miss those ward competition nights, with the whole stake competing, which was real cool stuff.
Being a part of the choirs was a real treat. Learning how to sing properly was truly an eye opener for me and I find that I am still opening my eyes but opening my ears a little more, ha,ha,ha.
It was at BYUH that I met Ralph Rogers and Newell Dayley. They became good friends, even if Ralph and I didn't always see eye-to-eye. He was too short for starters, oh, and bald (like me right now). Being selected to sing the lead in This is Polynesia was an honor and a huge blessing for me. It is something I will never forget as long as I live. It opened up a few more doors for me; and as long as I kept my mouth from running away, I was all right.
The other BYU-Hawaii professors were also okay, even if they were Boston Celtic fans...how wrong is that! They were always jealous of the only true NBA team, the LAKERS. Chris Carlson (alumni) knows he's a Laker, too.
BYU-Hawaii is where I met my sweetheart and eternal companion, Moana McAneney. And that's after I vowed never to date another New Zealander. Again, be careful what you say. Yikes!
After graduating I worked at PCC with Emosi Damuni and Pulefano Galea'i. What a blast: We hardly worked at all...shhhhhh. Becoming a part of the Theater musicians was fun and another learning curve for me. Dallin Muti is, without question, the best musician I have ever seen or played with. The man is incredible. The best group I ever had the privilege of being a part of was Dallin, his sweetheart Tia, Dofi Faasou, David Huihui and Thomas "Uncle 5 cents" Au; and working with the late Larry Reis was one of the best experiences of my life. President Lester Moore and David Hannemann also played an instrumental role in my career at PCC.
It was great to be a part of and watch the Center grow and develop. Travelling on promotionals was also a nice bonus. I still sell the Center whenever I get the chance. It will always remain in my heart. My two oldest children were born and raised back stage and Lisa (my oldest) still remembers those days.
How I yearn to return to Hawaii again, but for now life in Aotearoa is good. To President Shumway (still pulling down your shorts on the court) to Raymond Mariteragi, Cy Bridges, Delsa Moe, Harry Brown and Jay Akoi, Keith Awai and Benny Kai — my aloha to each of you. To Ellen Gay Dela Rosa (love you Gay), I'm still waiting to be asked if I can make it on the next promo to Japan, ha. To my brothers, Milton Kaka and Kaipo Manoa — also great musicians and two of my best and closest friends — my fond aloha to you and your ohana. Aloha, Kuhio and the promo team! To Moa Mahe who helped me get into Tihati's in Waikiki and to Lloyd Chandler who ALWAYS caught my back...mahalo forever.
As you can tell, I had an AWESOME time at BYUH. Passing my senior English class from Dr. Ned Williams was a highlight...an A- grade! Thanks, Ned. Looking back, I wish I majored in English...or perhaps marketing and strategic planning. Oh yeah, and I would apply myself way more than I did. I would definitely do it all over again. I want my kids to have those kinds of experiences at BYUH/PCC, too.
Joseph S. Berardy
('89, Business Management)President & CEO, DBI Hawaii
(Joe Berardy, who is originally from San Bernardino, California, first came to BYU-Hawaii in '85 as a freshman after having previously served a mission in Argentina. He met Susan DeLeon of the Philippines his first summer in Laie "and married her that December" when she graduated in travel management.)
I'd just gotten back from Taiwan where I'd spent eight months studying Chinese. A friend of mine there, whose dad was a professor here, suggested I come and check out the school.
I lived on the beach in Ned Williams' house, listening to the sounds of the ocean. Going to school here was a real positive experience. The student body was full of nice people who were very culturally diverse.
I majored in international business and I knew somewhere along the line I wanted to be in business for myself, but the thing that really opened my eyes was when I was the retail manager at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
I had no previous experience and was just thrown into that position. They said, here's your desk and here's your staff. We had great staff, but no one mentored me. I went down and learned first hand on the sales floor. I was very fortunate to work with some very top-notch people. It was kind of like doing different things in a laboratory. They worked, and we were able to do well with the retail.
I graduated in 1989, with a minor in Chinese. Susie and I started DBI Hawaii, a Hawaii corporation, and opened our first retail store as South Seas Mercantile and Trading Company in 1991 at Dole Cannery. I left the [Polynesian Cultural] Center in 1992. From there we opened another store in Waikiki.
Then we were approached by Costco North America in 1994. They asked us to do road shows, and within that year we became so successful that we sold both leases and went into specialty shows with Costco and wholesaling. We manufactured our Hawaiian-style quilting products in the Philippines, produced by hand by as many as 1,200 people.
Our wholesale business grew tremendously once we closed the retail stores. Now we're more diversified. We also produce a variety of gift lines to include home accessories, etched glass, statues, a children's educational line, a collegiate logo program, a hotel amenities program, furniture, and we just recently got back into retail with Hawaii Home Interiors, a furniture business in Honolulu. We import Chinese antique furniture, futons from Malaysia, teak furniture from Indonesia, outdoor furniture from New Zealand, and rugs from Nepal.
We have direct employees who act as our agents, but most of our business is done through partnership agreements with manufacturers in China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand.
Three years ago we decided to set up an endowment for Filipino students under our names, Joe and Susie Berardy. At that point we were invited to be on the President's Advisory Council. At that time, Susie was also invited to be on the alumni board as well. We were given the distinguished alumni award in 2001.
That was a catalyst to being invited back to the campus to speak, mentor students and get involved in the annual business plan competition. At that time, too, because of the endowment, we became the first local founders for the university's Center for International Entrepreneurship. We do a lot of speaking and mentoring with that, and I'm also on the executive board with Greg Gibson. We're also tied into the Philippines through the ACE Foundation — the Academy for Creating Enterprise — where returned missionaries run through an eight-week program to learn how to get into their own businesses.
Deep down, I've always known I would be successful in business, but I didn't know how or what it would be; so it's very interesting to me how things have fallen into place. Doors opened and I've been lucky enough to position myself to take advantage of the many opportunities we've had. We also love Hawaii and the chances we've had to work internationally.
Helping people has got be a focus when you're an entrepreneur. I believe that Heavenly Father uses us through our talents. When we recognize the only reason we're here is to help each other, then He will continue to bless us. The more opportunities we provide, the more He blesses us. The kingdom can be built by successful people giving of their time and their resources. Susie and I have always believed that.
Our BYU-Hawaii/PCC experiences were integrally related. I went to BYU-Hawaii fulltime and worked at PCC fulltime. That left so many wonderful impressions in our lives, and it's one of the reasons we want to come back, and give back. Our experiences have had a direct, profound impact on our personal and business lives.
The alumni who flow through this campus need to return. It is all of our responsibility to perpetuate the "learn, earn and return" concept. It's also our responsibility to help financially secure the future of BYU-Hawaii. Heavenly Father will help us do that. What Susie and I have done so far has been a great blessing in our lives.
I encourage other alumni to catch the vision and give back. This is a great opportunity to help others. That's what life's about.
Theresa M. Kalama Bigbie
('58, Education)Retired Associate Dean, Division of Continuing Education
BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway and Academic Vice President Keith Roberts presented the university's Distinguished Service Award to Theresa Bigbie on December 11, 2004. The citation read:
The person we honor today has had a long and rich association with this university and the community of Laie.
A graduate of Kamehameha School for Girls, Theresa Maunahina Kalama enrolled as a freshman at The Church College of Hawaii in 1956. In 1958 she was awarded an Associate of Arts in education from this campus. In 1960 she married Bruce Kunio Meyers in the Hawaii Temple, and after completing their bachelor s degrees in education at BYU in Provo, they returned to her home island of Molokai where they both worked as teachers. In 1976, at the age of 38, Brother Meyers suddenly passed away, leaving Theresa and five children ages twelve-to-three.
After much prayer and fasting, Theresa moved her family to Laie, "to see if she still had it in her to continue school." She enrolled in classes and in 1979 moved her family to BYU-Provo where she obtained a master's degree in educational administration. There she met Fred Raymond Bigbie and they married in 1983. In 1987, both Fred and Theresa were hired to work at BYU-Hawaii, Fred at the physical plant, and Theresa at Continuing Education as associate dean. Thus began a 23-year career as an administrator with BYU-Hawaii until this year, 2004, when she retired from the university — but not from her many volunteer assignments in the community.
In the past decade, Theresa has served as president of the Laie Community Association (1991-2001); as a member of the Laie Government Relations Committee (1997-present); and the Malama Ohana Council through the Queen Emma Foundation and Hooponopono Koolauloa Foundation (1997-present). She is the founder and president of the Laie Community Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to assist with economic development, community education, and historical preservation. The Foundation works hand-in-hand with the Laie Community Association and today serves as a funding arm of the community.
One of its projects is a Laie beautification program, to which it provides low-interest loans for painting homes in the community. In addition, as chair of the BYU-Hawaii Jubilee Beautification Committee, this year alone Theresa organized the removal of 70 abandoned cars and scrap metal totaling 100,000 tons, from the community. She also organized free professional landscaping consulting services to Laie residents, and more than 50 have benefited from the program this year.
Theresa also serves on the Executive Committee of the Hawaii Reserves, Inc. board of directors, a position which she has held since 2000.
Through the many challenges she has faced in her life, Theresa remembers pledging to the Lord that if she and her young family were blessed to move home to Hawaii, she would "devote all her time and talents to give back what she had so abundantly received from Him."
Shortly after arriving in Laie she became very involved in the development of the community and, for ten years during a volatile period in Laie's history, she labored with her associates on the Laie Community Association board seeking to unify the diversity of views. She remembers that although issues brought to the table were often heavily disputed, in the end there was always trust the "the Lord was looking over us," and that their decisions, though filled with uncertainty, "would be best served by the spirit of unity in striving to accomplish the goals envisioned for Laie."
Theresa is a calm soul in the fiercest storm, a considerate advisor to friend and stranger alike. She leads with quiet humility and moral and ethical strength rooted in the principles of the Restored Gospel. She treats every individual with equal kindness and courtesy, and community members from all walks of life trust both her confidentiality and competency. She is truly a woman of exemplary grace and character.
For her exceptional ability to bring people of diverse views together in accomplishing common goals; for her selfless service in helping others by improving the quality of life; for her great generosity of spirit and remarkable devotion to student and community members alike; and for her generous contribution of her time and talents toward fulfilling the Lord's purposes in this University and the community of Laie; on this day, the 11th of December, Two Thousand and Four, Brigham Young University Hawaii is pleased to bestow its Distinguished Service Award upon Theresa Kalama Bigbie.
Randy Boothe
('75, Music)BYU Associate Professor of Music, and internationally recognized artistic director
[Most currently, Boothe is directing the upcoming Remembering the Prophet, Joseph production in commemoration of Joseph Smith's 200th birthday, that will be presented in the Marriott Center at BYU in August.]
Millions of people have and will continue to enjoy the creative talents of one of BYU-Hawaii's most distinguished alumni, Randy Boothe. His long list of accomplishments includes:
- Directing the BYU Young Ambassadors since 1978, who have toured over 40 countries.
- Directing Luz de las Naciones in the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City as part of the Church's worldwide Hispanic celebration in 2004.
- Directing Light of the World, the spectacular production put on by the Church in the new LDS Conference Center during the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Directing other BYU performing groups, including The Lamanite Generation, Curtaintime USA, BYU Sounds, and Sounds of Freedom.
- Directing the Church's 1997 Sesquicentennial Celebration Spectacular, Faith in Every Footstep, featuring a cast of over 6,000 in the BYU Cougar Stadium in Provo, Utah.
- Each summer he is the music director for the Jackson Hole Playhouse. He has also served as an entertainment consultant for the Magic Kingdom in both California and Florida, directed Disney's All American College Singers, Dancers and Show Band, and produced Christmas and summer shows for the Promised Valley Playhouse in Salt Lake City; produced and coached recordings, directed international TV specials, adjudicated numerous competitions, composed or arranged numerous songs, and along the way received many awards and honors.
Of course, all of this was still in the future when Randy, who is from Spanish Fork, Utah, was still an undergraduate and recently returned missionary from Germany who came to Church College of Hawaii in 1972 to direct the Showcase Hawaii student performing group.
"Norm Nielsen, a PR assistant to President Stephen L. Brower, gave me a wonderful opportunity to come over for, I thought, a year. President Brower was really into the idea of entertainment with a message. He wanted to communicate some of the values of our people and our institution."
"I came over with a desire to create a show that would promote family values — a message of peace and world brotherhood. It happened, and the one year stretched into two, three and four. I ended up graduating from BYU-Hawaii in 1975 and working for the university."
"I had some great experiences. There's nothing like living in the dorms. One of the most outstanding experiences was having President [Spencer W.] Kimball come to visit the campus. His wife was with him at the time, and I was the student body president [in 1974-75]. I was privileged to present her with the Na Hoa Pono award. What a great opportunity it was to have him watch the students perform."
"BYU-Hawaii also provided me with so many leadership opportunities. During that time the student body president and other positions were priesthood callings. It was a real experiment in Church leadership and a magnificent experience. President [Dallin H.] Oaks came over and spent time training us. My subsequent experience as a bishop, and in a stake presidency, were tremendously impacted by those years when I was taken under the wing of some powerful priesthood leaders, in the spirit of aloha, and wrapping my arms around people of many different nations. It was a great time."
"As you can see, since then I've traveled all over the world. My comfort level just being able to go into a country, I think, really came from kani ka pila ['playing music'] with a bunch of ukuleles and everybody just singing along. You learned the songs and enjoyed the experience."
"All the things I learned at BYU-Hawaii I've been trying to take with me all over the world. We're in the schools probably every day, just as we were with Showcase Hawaii. We visit hospitals, just like we did Kalaupapa. All of those experiences just really set the pace for what I've been doing worldwide.
The Church began to realize that I had the kind of experience that they wanted, so they invited me to direct the spectaculars at BYU Stadium, during the Olympics, and the Church-wide Spanish conference. In the upcoming Remembering the Prophet, Joseph, which is in commemoration of Joseph Smith's 200th birthday, we're working with about 40,000 youth to highlight all of their efforts in the Marriott Center in early August."
"The BYU-Hawaii experience is unique in all the world. Nowhere else will they be able to come in contact with so many cultures, and people who may have been raised in an environment different from their own, and yet get to know them and get to love them. It is a magnificent place for brothers and sisters in the gospel to try to understand what they need to know to go forth and serve."
"You can come to BYU on the mainland and have a great education, but it's much bigger here and students don't get that one-on-one experience. My experience at BYU-Hawaii is that we were all together in this great adventure.
"When President McKay said that students from this University would influence the world and world peace, there's no question that is happening with our student body, even if it's just beginning in their own homes as they teach the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man."
"Once you have become a part of that 'family of aloha,' it's impossible to disconnect."Zolijargal Budayev
('05, Accounting)
A hand-made book on Christ
Growing up in what was then known as the Mongolian People's Republic, Zolijargal Budayev learned to make her family meals with weekly rations that included small amounts of rice, meat, vegetable oil, and whatever other luxury was in season. Many trips were taken to the market only to find salt. Tearfully she says, "I remember not having any food"
With only two television stations to choose from, Zolijargal preferred the Russian over the Mongolian station. Through this preference she gained two influential gifts that would change her forever: She became fluent in Russian which led her to understand the scripts that often times would incorporate Christian principles; and as she mimicked the actor's performance of prayers she gained a personal testimony. Through the Russian television station she says, "I gained my testimony of Jesus Christ"
In 1991 when Mongolia became democratic, Christianity was accepted as a form of worship, and Zolijargal's curiosity of Christ turned into a a passion to know more of Him. Living without any religious books, she created one of her own — a hand-made book on Christ that consisted of clippings from Mongolian and Russian journals which were collaged and folded on 96 full pages.
That book kept her faith active until she was introduced to the Book of Mormon. Zolijargal Budayev became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 16, 1998. Her gift of learning Russian became an instrument as she served the Russian people in Oklahoma for 6 months.
"If I never believed in Christ and the [self-made] book, I would never have become a member, meaning I wouldn't be attending BYU-Hawaii" she said. "That book was my faith before I was taught"
Arriving at BYU-Hawaii was the result of responding to promptings. The application process was tedious and full of complications. Regardless, she says, "even though I had never been here, I knew it was where I was to be" Zolijargal added she learned many personal lessons from professors, students, and friends — ones she says couldn't have been learned elsewhere.
Zolijargal is no longer haunted by the past but rejoices in the present and the future as she has applied a life-lesson learned at BYU-Hawaii. The aloha spirit reassures her of the true meaning of life. "The spirit of aloha is actually the love of God. As we feel that aloha in our heart, we radiate to people, and that unites us"
Subashini Chandrasekera
('01, International Business Management)An unlikely desire
Getting a university education was the greatest desire in her life, but Subashini Chandrasekera's dream seemed quite unlikely to come true. Of the 300,000 students who apply annually for admission to the two universities in Sri Lanka, only 50,000 are accepted.
Subashini had never heard of the Church until her best friend, then not a member, introduced her to LDS missionaries Douglas Wood from Boise, and Brad Woodbury of Sugar City, Idaho, and invited Subashini to join with her in the missionary discussions.
When Subi, as she is nicknamed, joined the Church on April 9, 1994, she became the only member in her four-generation Catholic family. After being a member for only one year, she was called to serve in the New Zealand Auckland Mission.
Of course, Subi "fell in love with New Zealand." Her mission president, Richard Hunter, told her about BYU-Hawaii and "almost convinced" her that was where she needed to go next. But Subi loved New Zealand and had an opportunity to work at the MTC in that beautiful land. She was not sure where her future should be.
She presented to the Lord a tentative plan to go to BYU-Hawaii, asking, "Is this a good choice for me?"
Everything started going wrong. There were problems with her BYUH application. Everyone tried to discourage her from leaving home again, telling her that it usually takes a year to a visa to the United States. Subi did not receive the spiritual confirmation she desired, and finished her mission wondering whether she should accept the New Zealand offer or continue her pursuit of getting into BYU-Hawaii.
She returned to Sri Lanka and immediately received three callings in her branch as a Relief Society teacher, first counselor in Young Women's, Primary substitute, and also a teacher of Singalese at the Church building as an additional service. Furthermore, she worked full-time at the bank where she had been employed before her mission. She explained to the manager that her future was uncertain, but he wanted her to work at the bank as long as she could. She was still struggling with the decision between New Zealand and BYU-Hawaii, re-working her application and praying.
At the end of March 1998, Subi received her I-20, a work/study scholarship to BYU-Hawaii, beginning April 24. Knowing that getting a visa usually takes a year, she pled with Heavenly Father, "If I should be at BYU-Hawaii, please help me."
On April 18, Subi headed for the United States Embassy but literally became scared sick and had to return home. After fasting and praying, she returned to the Embassy on April 21. She explained to the official that even though she had no money and no assets, she did have her I-20 which established that she would be able to take care of herself. To her astonishment, the agent said, "Okay. Come back at 4:30. Your visa will be ready."
Subi stepped back into the lobby, and tears began streaming down her face. "At that moment it really hit me that I was supposed to go to BYUH!" She felt the strong confirmation that she had desired.
Everyone in the lobby began trying to comfort her, assuring her that they had been rejected many times as well. Through her tears, she explained that she had actually been granted the visa!
Subi arrived at BYU-Hawaii for Spring Term 1998, and "wanted to get my education as fast as I could. I didn't want to waste any time, so I went to school year-round." She graduated in International Business Management with a minor in Economics in December 2001.
Subi worked all three years at the Polynesian Cultural Center reservations office. "I really loved working there so much!" she enthusiastically exclaims.
In her BYU-Hawaii Ward, she was first called to teach the missionary preparation class. She held that calling for two years. Of the 25 members who were in her class, 23 served their own missions. She was also the ward temple coordinator and worked as an ordinance worker in the Laie Hawaii Temple.
Subi expressed her gratitude for the financial assistance she received, for her blessings and opportunities at BYU-Hawaii. "I also thank all of my teachers. They have been the greatest examples in my life. I will be forever grateful for my experiences here."
Interestingly, as a fourth-generation Catholic before her baptism, Subi also gave credit to the nuns who were her teachers from age 6-19. "They showed me how to love, how to be patient, how to really, really serve people." Because of this foundation, she was ready to receive the gospel.
"I learned WHO I AM — what my potential is. I loved the diversity. I learned about and lived with people from many parts of the world I had never heard of before. I learned that I can get along with anyone, and I am no longer afraid to talk to anyone from anywhere."
Where does Subi picture herself in five years? "Wherever the Lord wants or needs me to be," she said.
Jos dos Santos, Ph.D.
('95, English) English professor in BrazilYou don't realize how great it is
On the advice of a missionary companion, Brazilian Jos dos Santos came to study at BYU-Hawaii, ended up living with President Eric Shumway and family, and then spent a decade earning three degrees in English before returning to teach in his home country.
"I enjoyed English in Brazil, and I always wanted to be a teacher," says dos Santos. "I wasn't planning on going all the way with a Ph.D., but I knew that at least I wanted a bachelor's degree."
So when he arrived in Hawaii in the fall of 1992, he wanted to continue studying English. "I lived with President Shumway's family," he recalls. The Shumways had invited his missionary companion, Jason Peery, to live with them and also extended the invitation to him. "With Pres. Shumway being an English professor and my companion being an English major, I was just surrounded by English. So I took up the challenge and I survived."
Talking about what life was like living in the Shumway household, dos Santos says "they made me part of the family," which included doing daily chores and cooking for the family once a week. "Being the only member in my family, I had never been in a Mormon environment. It was really fun, and I learned a lot," he says.
At the Shumway home there was scripture reading in the morning, which dos Santos says, was like being on his mission again. "You won't believe it. We would wake up at a quarter to 6 for devotional. We sang, said a prayer, and then we read; except on Saturday and Sundays when we all slept in. That was every day from Monday through Friday. It was a good exercise and a good time in my life."
Living with the Shumways, he says, "I saw the importance of sticking together as a family, the importance of family values, and lots of love. There was not one day that they weren't smiling and helping people. They would have kids or cousins over that needed help, and they would help them out. They would take people under their wings and help them get over their problems; taking them to counseling. They had the Christian spirit."
Through the help of the Peery Foundation, which is run by his missionary companion's father, dos Santos says he was able to get scholarships to go to college. "All my scholarship money came from the Peery Foundation. It sponsors students from BYU and BYU-Hawaii," he says.
With the financial and other support, dos Santos earned a bachelor's degree in 1995, a master's degree from BYU Provo in 1997 and then received his doctorate degree from Purdue University in Indiana in 2001. "I was exhausted by the end, but I had to do it that way," he says.
Looking back on the time he spent at BYU-Hawaii, dos Santos says his fondest memories are of the campus cultural events, the people he met from many different cultures, and his college professors.
"What I remember most are the cultural experiences like Cultural Night," he says. Hearing people chant in different languages, tasting foods from around the world, and seeing his fellow students wearing their traditional dress of from their various countries made a big impact on dos Santos.
"I never thought I would have the chance to know all these people � like from Kiribati," he continues. "I thought it was wonderful. It taught me tolerance and understanding."
Additionally, he had a job at the Reading and Writing Center at BYUH where he had a chance to work closely with people from different countries to improve their language skills. "I saw how smart they were and that they had the same goal that I had to learn the language and to grow spiritually and professionally. But their main goal was to become better people," he says.
He also appreciated the associations he had with his BYUH professors. "Brothers [Michael] Marler and [Randall] Allred befriended me and helped me become a better person and a better student."
Dos Santos once wrote a literature paper for one of Professor Allred's classes, he says, and got a reprimand from the English professor. "He scolded me a little bit," dos Santos recalls, "and I thought, 'There goes my grade.' But he said take it over the weekend and work on it. Then I turned it in, he gave me all these nice comments, and then he gave me an A."
He also credits Allred for helping him feel confident enough to go to graduate school. "When I was insecure about graduate school, he would encourage me and tell me that I could do it," he says.
Plus when he went on to BYU Provo to work on his master's degree, dos Santos says he kept in touch through e-mail with Allred and another member of the BYU-Hawaii English faculty, Margaret Baker, who continued mentoring him.
At Purdue University where he earned a doctorate, dos Santos says he found a similar supportive environment like he felt at BYUH, in the small LDS Church branch there.
"The program was excellent," he says, about Purdue's English doctoral program. But he says "it took me a while to get use to a non-LDS environment." However, he was able to teach first and second year Portuguese at Purdue, which paid for his tuition and fees, gave him a $1,000 monthly stipend, and even provided him with medical insurance.
After completing his doctorate, dos Santos says he wanted to return to Brazil to be closer to his family and to teach at one of the universities. "I always knew that I wanted to go back to Brazil," he says. "And I haven't regretted it. It has been wonderful."
He returned to Brazil and received an offer for a fulltime teaching position at a university near his family. Later he moved to a bigger college where he now teaches English and literature, he says. "I am working where I wanted to teach my entire life," dos Santos adds.
"My students always ask me, 'Where did you learn English?' I always tell them about my experiences at BYU-Hawaii," he says. "I tell them that I had to study really hard in the library...and writing papers � I took it very seriously."
He also credits BYUH for teaching him the importance of being open and tolerant of other peoples and cultures, which has helped him to become a better university professor. For example, in the classes he teaches, he says he has people from all over Brazil and people who come from rich, poor, and middle class families. "So I have tolerance with what I do and for my profession. I think I can handle situations better. If a student is having difficulties, I know when to be tough but also when to be more lenient and loving. I learned that from BYUH. It is a place where you learn how to deal with all sorts of backgrounds. I never felt discriminated there. But I was respected, loved, and accepted for who I was. . . . I want to be demanding, but I also want to show love."
Living in Laie and studying at BYUH, dos Santos says he gained academic strength, the ability and determination to work seriously in his field, and the importance of being honest. "From the Shumways, I learned how to share," he adds. "Whenever I feel that I am being selfish, I think about them and their love. I learned to give something back and share."
In Brazil, dos Santos says "there are so many that can't afford a good education. So I take my job seriously and give them the best I can give. At this point, I love sharing with people, and doing what I do." He says he wants to be "the cheerleader that people were for me" while he was earning his degrees.
Dos Santos says all the work it takes to study and do well in college is worth it even though students "might not see it now. But if they could only see the blessings that lie ahead of them," he says, it is worth it.
"When you are there, you don't realize how great it is. You don't realize how much you are going to reap from that experience."
Keawe and Millie Enos
1957 CCH graduatesMake wherever you go like Laie
Arthur Keawe Enos and Mildred "Millie" Ah Hee Enos enrolled at Church College of Hawaii in 1955. After earning their associate degrees, going on to BYU in Provo for bachelor's degrees and teaching in California for a number of years, they returned to Laie. They both retired after teaching at Laie Elementary School for a combined total of almost 70 years, and continue to be generous in serving the community and Church.
Millie recalled when she first arrived on the temporary CCH campus, "the excitement was very high, so we didn't even bother to focus on the number of people that were here."
Keawe, a transfer student from Provo, explained all of the buildings were war surplus, and "we had the best dormitory at Kakela — all air condition, no windows. Just a big giant screen that kept the mosquitoes out."
"There was a girls dormitory located at Clissold Beach that was called Laniloa, and then we had the big white house on the top of Lanihuli, which was a former mission home. That was called the Lanihuli Girls Dorm," she added.
"We had two Army trucks. I drove one and John Jensen drove the other," Keawe continued. "I would take the boys from Kakela, and he would pick up the girls from Laniloa and bring them to campus. And at lunch we'd all get up, back on the truck and drive back to Kakela for our lunch. When we finished lunch, those that had afternoon classes, I'd drive them back to the campus and remain here until it was time to go, after the last class. It was quite an experience."
Keawe's mother, "Mom" Enos "did all of the cooking. It was like a big family in each dorm. We, the students, were the children of the dorm parents, so we did the washing of dishes, but not necessarily the cooking. That rested upon the dorm parents, who received the menu from the main cook. We all had the same meal in all the dorms, except the boys always had a little extra."
"After a class we'd all be down in the ocean, swimming and diving. Whatever fish we caught, Mom would cook it. That would be the extra food we'd get other than what the girls would be eating — if we didn't cook it ourselves on the outside barbecue," he added.
Asked about their majors, Keawe said, "I was previously in industrial arts at Brigham Young University Provo, but when I met my wife, she was in education, so I switched to education. Most of the credits that I brought from Provo wouldn't go towards graduating with the first class."
"We only needed on book, because we shared it," Millie said. "We even went as far as sharing homework, so that was real convenient."
She added her favorite teacher was Woody Deem. "He was the oen who taught us Mandarin, not that I remember much. Nephi Georgi was another: He was challenging. So was jerry Loveland: He was my boss. I worked for him for nearly the two years that I spent at Church College."
She also fondly remembers Dr. Billie Hollingshead. "She was my advisor. She was also a person you did not want to do anything contrary to the campus rules or her rules because shewould set you in your place. But I learned tremendously to organize my time and my schedule and my life from her. You didn't dare be five or even one minute late to her class.'
"She would teach you to be punctual. And that's why I'm that way today. I get very upset when my husband is late, so I set the clocks — oh, I better not say it in from of him; too late — about fifteen minutes fast so we'd be where we have to be on time."
Millie recalled the first CCH students "had to set up the constitution for the school. We had to have a legislative body. That in itself was very interesting. We had the Associated Men and the Associated Women Club."
"We also had Botany Club and science clubs that went along with the classes. We had May Day programs," she continued. "Our favorite was the treasure hunt, and the Halloween Dance in the spooky house that was down in Kakela. It was a building that was no longer in use, and looked very spooky. It got decorated to look like a haunted house, and we had our dances in there.
"We also played a lot of sports," Keawe said. "We had a basketball team, but we didn't have a gym. It was done in Laie Park. It's still there today, where the Laie community uses it. That was our basketball court.
"We played Schofield and the University of Hawaii JVs. There were other teams made up of different business affiliated groups, and Brother Young was our coach. Brother Condie was our coach the second year."
"We got married in the Hawaii Temple the summer of the year we received our associate degree, figuring again it would be much more economical, much cheaper, to travel as a married couple to BYU-Provo and get housing. And again, we only needed to buy one set of books," Millie said.
"I think it was Reuben D. Law who wrote in his memoirs that we were the first graduating students to marry in the temple," Keawe added.
Asked what other values they learned at CCH, Millie answered, "For me it was being appreciative of what you have. Most of us came from poor families the first year we attended. Our parents could hardly make tuition, but most of us received a $250 scholarship and that paid for our tuition. Coming from the country, you don't have much, so every little thing means a whole lot to you. And especially knowing when your parents sacrificed so much to be able to have the first child from the family attend a university: It taught me to be appreciative of people as well."
"When we first attended, our mission president was Arthur Haycock," Millie added. "Because he felt responsible for the students who came from the mission, he was always down here in Laie checking up on us; and when he would go to the different islands, you could be sure he reported to each parent who had someone here at Church College. So you see, I felt at that time that I couldn't mess up. I only had one chance, and I had to do good by that one chance. My parents couldn't afford to have me to repeat any years because I had more fun playing. And so all my years in college were spent study, study, studying.
"We came from family that had to struggle a little bit, too," Keawe said. "I had five sisters that attended BYU, three attending BYU-Provo at the same time I was here. Mom and Dad had to make some sacrifices to keep all of us. I was a little more fortunate, because I was a veteran of the Korean War: My G.I. Bill was most helpful towards my education."
Asked what advice they would give to contemporary BYU-Hawaii graduates, Millie responded, "go out and be the best of what you can be. You've received both spiritual training from the university as well as how to survive in our modern day society. Modern technologies can be to your advantage as well as to your disadvantage, so you need to be able to discern using your spiritual knowledge of what the right thing to do, and then you'll be successful."
Keawe's advice: "They always said, 'put your best foot forward.' But there's more to graduating. We always talk about the Aloha Spirit. With all the mixture of nationalities and cultures we have here, it really broadens their understanding of people in general throughout the world. Someone says, 'I could live on the mainland. I could live anywhere.' Yeah, but how can you do that when you don't have the ocean? It's not the ocean. It's the people. The secret is knowing the people you live around. And since they've been to Hawaii and mix with all these different cultures, they pick up a little bit of everything, put it all together, and it comes out the aloha spirit. That's the key."
"Most of the students go back and they can't forget living in Laie," Keawe continued. "It had such an impact on their minds, they just can't forget it. People go away and they still think of Laie. Laie, that place is so choice. To us, there's no place like Laie. But wherever I go, I want to make it like Laie."
Rex Frandsen
('68, Business Management), Associate Chief Information Officerand Golden Jubilee Steering Committee Co-Chair
[Rex, who was raised in Sandy, Utah, first came to CCH in 1964. He served as the 1965-66 student body president and started working fulltime at the university when he graduated in '68 — the same year he married Linda Poliahu (they have five children, plus adopted one of their 13 foster children). He has since earned a master's degree in Library Science from the University of Hawaii and an Ed.S. degree in media from BYU. He says coming to Laie was...]
The best decision I ever made
It was one of those things where the spirit guided me. When I was little, maybe in the fourth grade, I started having this urge that I wanted to come to Hawaii. For a time, I dismissed that, figuring that was just kind of a dream that would never happen.
The last few weeks of my mission [in northern California], the opportunity came. My companion's sister worked on the Lurline. We just kind of started talking. I'd already been accepted at Provo, but I opted to come over here.
I didn't realize at that time that I would be here for the rest of my life. When I got here I fell in love with the place and the people, and decided this is where the Lord wanted me.
Some of my favorite memories come from my involvement in student government. I got involved right from the beginning, and pretty much stayed involved all the way through. It was the students who inspired me. They treated everyone like brothers or sisters, so you ran almost on a family ticket. It was a wonderful experience to go out and work with the clubs and the different organizations.
I also thoroughly enjoyed religion classes and being able to expand my horizons. Devotionals were important. Another thing that was inspirational to me were some of the dorm and club activities, competitions and assemblies; and certainly, it was inspiration to meet almost on a personal basis many of the General Authorities that came through.
I feel I had as good an education here as anywhere else, as far as secular knowledge goes; but I would say the greatest thing I experienced was the intercultural living with the students. To learn about their countries, and interact with them was worth all the other education I received.
When I graduated in 1968, I didn't have to go look for a job; they came and asked me to work fulltime in the Library. Helen Moffat was the director and my first assignment was in the serials section with periodicals, microfilm and things that came in on a serial basis. From there various opportunities opened up. For example, I worked in technical services and reference services. Then the opportunity came to work with Curt Fawson in media, as we tried to generate a learning resource center concept.
At that time we really emphasized media in the classroom. For example, we put overhead projectors in every classroom and we set up equipment delivery. Of course, at that time it was 16mm and slide projectors. We also changed the projectors in the auditorium to more professional equipment.
It was also in the early 70s that we started our computer automation project, first with the reserve section, using punch cards. The next step up from that, as computers got a little more sophisticated was to input our circulation system so it was computer accessible. From there we started branching out to make it more available to the students across campus.
The biggest push with came in the 90s when we decided we would put a computer lab in the Library. That was a fairly radical idea at the time. It's become the 'new interactive learning center,' whether it's by computer or just visiting with your neighbor and exchanging ideas.
Today, computer technology is moving faster. It won't be long now before we have touch screens in the classrooms, and voice over. We are also beginning the basic design to have video on demand in the classroom.
I would say BYU-Hawaii computer capabilities are right up there on the top compared to other universities, and in some cases we're on the cutting edge. For example, video on demand for classroom instruction: The instructor will be able to bring up any video he wants, when he wants, without having equipment delivered. He will be able to have full control of that media.
Included in that, we can't forget there's always the printed side of information. From all the professional meetings I've been to, it does not look like books will ever go out of style.
I can't say what will happen 10 years from now. The field is changing so fast it's hard to predict, but I think we'll see a lot more cooperative learning among the students, more group work and sharing of ideas.
I also see a time where every student is going to either have a computer, or ready access to one. Currently, we have one of the better ratio of computers on campus with four students to every computer in the lab. Most universities are anywhere from 8-20 students per computer.
Beyond media, I would like to see our students as well as our faculty actually travel to our target areas and experience the culture and lifestyle of the places where our students come from. It was a real eye opener for me to travel through the Pacific and begin to understand where our students come from, why they said and do certain things. I think if all of our faculty could experience that, I think we would have even better rapport with our students.
I've often thought how would we do that: Maybe we ought to organize a couple of fact-finding trips for our faculty. I also think it would be well if the students from the Orient could experience the Pacific cultures, and the Pacific cultures could experience the Orient, and the mainland students could experience them both, and all of the others experience the mainland — even if it was just a quick study tour.
Over the past two years I've felt very honored to be on the [Golden Jubilee Steering] committee and work with Vernice [Wineera, committee co-chair], who is a very detailed organizer. I've enjoyed working with her, and I think we have a great steering committee. We were able to handpick each one of them because we knew they would perform. It's been interesting to see how the entire committee has been able to bring together the vision that President Shumway had for the celebration.
This is an opportunity to reflect on our past, to build on it as we look to the future. We've come a long ways. It's been interesting over the last 41 years to see the 'wheel invented several times,' but in doing so there have been improvements to make it fit the needs of the time at the university.
The Jubilee celebration is going to be a glorious opportunity, not only to celebrate but to learn and grow from the experiences planned. We hope it will be a highlight in the lives of every current student. I think it will also be great for the alumni to come back and see the changes on campus and see the progress we're making.
I would encourage every student, faculty member and staff person to become involved in the Jubilee and understand that we're not only celebrating the past, but we're celebrating the future as well.
John Hester
('86, Business Information Management)Olysis corporate trainer
"I arrived at the age of 25 with a small family already started. At that time personal computers were fairly new. Bill Neal was brought in to create the [business information] major. I had a lot of experience because before attending BYUH I had been a bookkeeper. Someone directed me to Bill Neal and I told him of my job experiences."
"I was first his student assistant. My second semester I taught several courses. As a sophomore in my third semester I was an instructor teaching nine credits. Together with Bill Neal we created a training company for places like Turtle Bay. We also wrote a textbook together called Microcomputers that assisted students on campus. While I was here I also managed the first student computer lab."
"The great thing was that I graduated but I had lots of teaching experience. I was able to work from home because I forwarded my training materials to companies. During the recession my business suffered so I went to work for Olysis."
"The number-one reason I was hired was the experience I had working with Bill Neal. The second thing was the multicultural aspect of BYU-Hawaii. For example, I always dreaded the first days of class as I had to go down the list of pretty unique names; but soon I will be going to Europe, then to Hong Kong, and then all of Asia."
"Because I was a very gifted test taker I managed my studies, even though it was difficult. I didn�t have much free time. I came with not quite a year of transfer credit but graduated in less than two-and-a-half years. I wanted to finish quickly because of the strain on my family. I was also assistant stake clerk and had other Church callings."
"A time management program for faculty that I attended, instructed by Hyrum Smith (who is a direct descendent of Joseph Smith), is another BYU-Hawaii event that led me to what I am doing today. That was the foundation root of my desire to train. I also knew I wanted to use my computer skills with this type of training."
"I enjoy guiding people to think about core things. I get to teach in a corporate environment and helping leaders look at their legacy. I always get comments like, 'I wish I would have had this 10 years ago.' A woman called me this morning and told that I couldn't imagine the difference it made for her both at work and at home."
"At my job I fulfill a strategic role. Before getting hired, I asked what are the things we need to do, and I told them I wasn't interested if I couldn't be in the classroom; so I teach a couple of workshops throughout the week."
"I speak to all the executives and ask what their needs are. All revolve around the soft skills, a term that relates to leadership, interpersonal communication skills, conflict resolution."
"The legacy I want to leave is a leader who continued to grow and develop, and who helped other individuals grow and develop as people and community citizens."
The opportunities at BYU-Hawaii were tremendous. I had traveled a lot as a young child, but being around and living with people from all over the world in Laie was different.
"BYU-Hawaii is a good teaching college that involves the students. I encourage the students today to really focus on people who are different from themselves. On a core level, I think it makes them better people. It goes well with what Stephen L. Covey says, 'We don't see the world as it is, but as we are.' Diverse perspectives give us a greater understanding of the world."
[John's son, Matt Hester, is currently a BYU-Hawaii freshman.]
Hon. Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin
(1963-65)Congressional Delegate (D), U.S. House of Representatives, American Samoa
My father was in the Navy. Soon after President Truman transferred control of American Samoa in 1950 from the Navy to the Secretary of the Interior, around 2,000 Samoan Navy men and their dependents came to Hawaii and the mainland. At age 7 I started my schooling at Pearl Harbor Elementary. After a while we moved to Laie, where my mother's uncle had 50 acres of cattle right next to the temple. We learned how to make kulolo [sweet taro] and fish. All of the Samoan and Hawaiian makua [elders] were my teachers. I went to Laie Elementary, then graduated from Kahuku High, spent two years at CCH, and then I went to Provo to see what all the talk about BYU was.
At CCH I was on the honor council and president of our freshman class. When PCC opened in 1963, I was one of the original workers. I did Tongan dancing, Fijian, all of it. I would say that my experience gave me a greater appreciation of the other island cultures. I remember when Elvis came [to film Paradise Hawaiian Style in 1965], he made himself available to the students. It was really funny when he first showed up: We all were, like, how are you doing, Elvis. The night he left we had a luau for him and he cried. He said it was the first time he was treated like a human being. You know, in the islands we don't idolize anyone.
This is part of the future of BYUH that I would love to see. There is so much tremendous potential to reach out, which shows the universality of the Church's principles.
I joined the army to bring my brother [Taulauniu "Tau" Hunkin, who recently passed away] back from the front in Vietnam. I was there for one year, then came back and went to law school in Texas, which at that time had the lowest tuition in the country. After, I felt it was time to go back to America Samoa to contribute in some way.
Our first elected Representative to Washington was Fuimaono, who asked me to work as his administrative assistant. I worked for him for two years. Then the late Congressman from California asked me to join him as a staff council on a Congressional committee that oversaw the U.S. territories. I did that for about six years and returned to Samoa in 1981, where I served as Deputy Attorney General for three years.
Next, one of the high chiefs asked me to join him in the governor's race. We won and I served as Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa for four years. Eventually the traditional leaders and chiefs advised me to run for Congress. I was elected in '89 and have been in Washington D.C. ever since, recently winning my 9th term in office. I am the ranking Democrat on the international Asia sub-committee which oversees all foreign policy and develop legislation. I also serve on the House Resource Committee dealing with the native Hawaiians recognition bill, which we are hopeful will come out this session.
I always ask for the Lord's guidance, but I don't go out and tell the whole world I am LDS. I have teaching moments: For example, I was with other members of Congress, one who is Jewish, and we talked about the Book of Mormon. He was surprised with all of the theology. I have had a lot of opportunities with people of different faiths, where we discuss and find it not only educational for me but a good way to expand understanding and knowledge; and more than anything, to also have a sense of tolerance and understanding why these people think differently than the way we do. There is always an opportunity to share what you believe. I sincerely hope, if the Lord is willing, that I can continue this work.
At a recent Congressional hearing, there was some anti-Mormon sentiment from people who did not want to give over land to the Church. I came right out and said I was a member of the Church and very proud of it, but at the same time I wanted to know from the community how they felt, and wanted to be fair in every way concerning the issue.
I am Samoan and my wife [Hinanui Cave] is Tahitian. Our kids carry two cultures and take it with a tremendous amount of pride. DNA has proven there is very little difference between the races — the only difference is a slight pigmentation, but in the genetic makeup there is no difference. I have become committed to be tolerant of other races
I feel the prayers of my ancestors. When I read about Enos and Nephi, how they would cry in seeing our day, I know they made those prayers on our behalf. Our people pray a lot and I always feel the worth of their prayers, and not only those of our own faith but others as well.
So, what is this islander doing in D.C.? I feel I was somehow being prepared. When I finally was elected after living in Samoa for seven years, I knew exactly what I needed to do and was prepared. I say that education is the salvation of our people, and that to me is the mission of BYU-Hawaii. Probably more than anything else, the spiritual education at BYU-Hawaii is like a little bit of heaven.George Hunt
('70, TESL)Teacher, manager, businessman and Member of Parliament
Success in all aspects of life
George Hunt moved from Samoa to Laie in 1962 and graduated from Kahuku High before starting at Church College of Hawaii in 1964 where, he says, he gained the experience, knowledge and skills that have helped him succeed in all aspects of his life.
"I was trained to be a teacher, and I did teach in Hawaii, Australia, and Samoa," says Hunt, who was born and raised in Samoa. "But CCH was so good as a foundation that after teaching I went into airline management."
"I was in the second highest position in the airline. I was the only Samoan; the rest were all palagi from New Zealand and Australia. And even though I was trained as a teacher, that education at CCH enabled me to be able to pick up skills and knowledge in other areas," he says.
Besides being an educator and airline executive, Hunt says he also worked with the Rugby Union in Samoa, operated his own business in the South Pacific, and even participated in politics. He credits the variety of opportunities he had in Laie from studying at the college and working at the Polynesian Cultural Center to playing for the school's rugby team and doing church service for preparing him for a lifetime of successful endeavors.
"I remember the devotional assemblies when the General Authorities would come speak to us," recalls Hunt. "Prior to them it was rare for me, coming from Samoa, to meet General Authorities personally. But at CCH, we had the blessing to hear a good number of them. It strengthened my testimony and made me a better person."
Additionally, Hunt says he played rugby for the college, and the teams he played on won the championship for three-to-four years in a row.
"We beat BYU, UCLA, Stanford, and Loyola universities," he says. "I really looked forward to practicing every day. We had excellent coaches. I think that is probably the best memories: representing the college not only in Hawaii but also on the mainland."
On one trip to the mainland, Hunt says the CCH rugby team beat UCLA. "They became so upset: The party they told us they would have for us afterward disappeared when we beat them," he says. "So the LDS Institute of Religion got together and put on a party for us."
Hunt also worked as a plumber on campus, he says, with his friend, Abe Singh, from Fiji. Hunt says they "went around campus and fixed all the plumbing problems. We kept the grounds really nice and clean, and we learned a trade."
Furthermore, he worked at the PCC and calls himself "a PCC original."
"As a priesthood quorum, we would gather river and beach rocks for the Samoan fale — for the floor," he says. "I actually helped build the PCC. Those are some of the fond memories, too. I was one of the first groups that worked at the Samoan Village, as one of three girls and three boys, as cultural demonstrators in 1963. It opened when I was still at Kahuku High School. We use to have tours, and I remember climbing the coconut tree for every tour; that would be like 10 times a day. We use to climb up with leis and then we would throw them out to the tourists."
After graduating from CCH in 1970, Hunt says he signed a contract with the Board of Education to teach in Kaneohe for six months. "I also taught an English class at CCH. I taught students who needed help with English."
Then, with his family, he returned to his home country to teach at the Church College of Western Samoa. "I was a teacher, then an administrator," he says.
At that time, there were very few Samoan CCH graduates who worked outside of the Church Education System, he says. But eventually he went to work for the government airline, gaining experience as a national airline manager and traffic supervisor. Then Hunt went to the University of the South Pacific, he says, and "was at both places for eight years until 1987 of October when I resigned and went into politics." He was elected to parliament.
"As a member of Parliament, I was on the Public Accounts Committee, looking out on how government funds were spent. I looked at the annual accounts," he says. "We would summon anyone we wanted to question." He also traveled to a conference in Berlin, Germany, with two other parliament members, and says he's "been to Canada and all over the Pacific rim."
"Initially I was nervous," says Hunt about being in politics. "But just like in Church, you have to get up in your wards, and I had held leadership positions in the Church, so you get use to it."
His love of rugby, which grew while playing the sport at CCH, continued after leaving Laie and returning to Samoa. "I was elected the head of the administration of the Rugby Union," he says. "I was in charge of running the Union's activities in Samoa; fundraising and everything else. I was a judge in the South Pacific Games, and I was a member of the management committee for that."
At one point in his career, Hunt was also a TESOL instructor in Australia. "My family and I lived in Australia and I applied for a teaching job," he says. "I must have been the first CCH graduate to apply because it took a while for the department to communicate with CCH. In the end, they found out I had more requirements then they needed. I was then appointed a full-time teacher. I also worked part-time teaching English to migrant workers at Newcastle Technical College." There, he says, he worked with people from all over Europe.
Hunt was also on the Board of Directors and a share holder for 14 years in the first hotel property on the beach in Samoa, the Coconut Beach Club and Resort, he says. Plus he profitably managed for five years a travel company in the Pacific with offices in New Zealand and Samoa.
Speaking about how his experiences as a young man living, working and studying in Laie affected his life, Hunt says: "It was everything for me.... I was able to do not only what I was trained to do, like teaching, but other things that I had not been trained to do. My CCH experience taught me where to go to get or find information so I could become knowledgeable in things I wasn't trained for. As a result, I was able to do a lot of the things: I was in business for myself and I was a director on boards. I wasn't trained for that, but my foundation at CCH taught me to read and study."
Hunt is currently the BYU-Hawaii career services amabassador for Samoa.
Donnette Machado Ah Puck Kekauoha
('63, Elementary Education)
I really enjoyed my teaching career
Donnette Machado Ah Puck Kekauoha — one of the original students at the Church College of Hawaii in 1955 who several generations of school children at Laie Elementary will remember as their teacher — moved to Laie at the start of World War II to live with her grandparents, the late Moke and Susan Hiram.
"We felt the community was the safest place to live. Our doors were all unlocked, and people were very loving and giving. Whenever you went into their homes, they always invited you to eat. That was the first thing they did," she recalled. "My grandfather was a farmer, so we worked in our watermelon field, but the biggest thing for us was to go swimming in Beauty Hole. Everybody learned to swim there. Also where Larry Au lives [Loala Street] was the old social hall and theater. We used to have concerts and dances there.
"What I really liked when I was little, once a year when they had elections they had a political rally here and we met everyone who was running for office. There was big entertainment and lots of food to eat. We looked forward to those things," she continued.
Asked about going to Kahuku High, where
she graduated in 1955, Kekauoha
said the school was "really small. In my senior class we had only 55
students. Some of the ones still around here are Cecelia Adolpho Fong, Gordon
Tashiro, my aunt Thelma Hiram Kamae, Elizabeth Hubbel Haiola and Ramona Dela
Cruz whose father was one of the butchers for Kahuku Plantation.
"We had a football team, but they didn't do very well during our
year. After I graduated they did very, very well. We also had a good baseball
team. All of our dances were held in Kahuku gym. We never went anywhere special,
like the kids do today. Everybody was poor, and hardly anybody had cars.
My grandfather drove us five girls to school and picked us up every day."
"Before I graduated from high school, I heard them talking about them having a college here," said Kekauoha, who remembers going to the February 12, 1955, ceremony when LDS Church President David O. McKay broke ground for the Church College of Hawai'i. "We all went to the groundbreaking together. My girlfriend, Erna Alapa, said, 'I can't see the prophet,' so I put her on my shoulder. You can see her and my friend, Edna 'Anae, in the pictures, but you can't see me."
"One day my grandmother said, 'I want you girls to go to college.' At that time it was $99 for the year. We thought, wow, that's so much money, but my grandfather paid for Thelma [Kamae] and I to go. Lots of the other families didn't have the $99, so a lot of the boys joined the military and went away instead.
"Where they put they put the temporary campus [on the corner of Naniloa Loop and Lanihuli Street, where the Laie North Stake Center stands] was my grandfather's corn field. Two weeks before harvest, President [Edward L.] Clissold came to my grandfather's house and told him the buildings [they had moved in] were there. We had to go tell everybody to raid our field so the buildings could come in."
Kekau'oha remembered when CCH classes started, "I was scared. I thought I was not smart enough to go to college, and my grandma was going to be so sad. My grandma always wanted to be a schoolteacher, and she kept encouraging us. When we came home, she would ask us what kind of homework we had, and she would help us with our lessons. She was the one who really encouraged Thelma and I to continue with our education.
"When we first began, because we were all new, the teachers were really helpful and encouraged us. They would take us on the side, if we needed help, and talk to us or call us into their offices and counsel us. The college was so small, and we all wanted it to be successful, so that was one of the things they would do to encourage us.
"Most of our dances were held at Kakela [now called Kokololio Beach Park], and everybody went to Goo's store. That was one of the hangouts. When we had our devotionals, the whole community came. My grandma came to every devotional we had. That was one of the neatest things to me; and when we graduated, we had our dance in the old social hall. There were no walls, so you could look out and see the stars."
"I graduated in '57 with an associate's degree in education. At that time CCH was only a two-year college. Then my grandma sent me back to school again and told me to take business courses," Kekau'oha continued, noting that after one semester the late Joseph "Sonny" Ah Puck — who was from Honokaa, but moved to Laie to live with his sister, the late Lanihau Broad, and attend Kahuku High — "proposed to me, and we got married in March 1958. We moved to Michigan, because he was in the military. While I was there, my grandma told me they were going to have a four-year college, 'so when you come back, you go back to school.'
"One day I received a letter from my grandma telling me that one of my friends who had started at Church College with me, Miriam Hanohano — Joseph Whitford's mother, had dropped out of school when her husband, a policeman, was killed. Right then and there I decided I needed to have an education so I would be able to take care of my own children in case anything happened to my husband."
Kekau'oha said she returned to Laie in '61 and enrolled again at CCH. "I did my student teaching with Viola Kawahigashi. She taught me everything I should know about reading, even more so than college. She was really an inspiring teacher and gave me a love for teaching. She instilled in me how important it was to have an understanding of the children and to know that every child has the right to learn," Kekau'oha said, recalling Kawahigashi also told her to make sure the children had fun. For example, I enjoyed putting on our May Day programs. We're so blessed with talented children. They liked to perform, and I always set my goals high for them."
Kekau'oha graduated in '63 with a degree in elementary education and started teaching that year at Laie under principal Clinton Kanahele. Over the next 32 years she taught from grades K-4, and retired in 1996. "I really enjoyed my teaching career, so much so that after I retired and moved to San Antonio for three years with my second husband, Randolph Kekau'oha, who is also from Laie. I volunteered for three years."
"When Randolph and I got married and moved to San Antonio, I thought that was where I was going to live out the rest of our lives. Three years later he told me he wanted to go home and be with his family. I told him we could go and visit, but he said no: I want to go home and be a Hawaiian. I'm tired of being a Mexican."
Kekau'oha, in the meantime, had transferred the family home on Iosepa Street to her daughter, Josephine Ah Puck, so the couple built a new house behind the old one, and Donnette said, "We're glad to be back."
Her other three children — Barbara Jean Kahawai'i, Sonny Ah Puck and Robert Ah Puck, as well as 24 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren — all live in Ko'olauloa. Randolph also has three children and five grandchildren.
Kekau'oha now spends her time working on a special service project, helps take care of her grandchildren, and "I just put in to become a substitute teacher," she said.
Dale Keli'iliki
(Retired math professor, 1972-97)
Student, labor missionary, professor...
Dale Keli'iliki of Laie had already been in the military, gone to Church College of Hawai'i for two years, had just started his own auto detailing business and was making excellent money when Oahu Stake President Edward L. Clissold asked him to voluntarily serve as a labor missionary to help build the second phase of the campus and also the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Keli'iliki said President Clissold "also told me I had to go back to school. Somehow, he got hold of the registrar and found out I hadn't finished school. At that time, I'd work for half a day, and came home with over $100. My dad told me, listen to your Church leaders. My parents were very definite about the Church."
Keli'iliki said the labor mission was "tapering down" when he started. "I was fortunate that I got switched to a lot of different crews. I went to the carpenters. I went to the electricians, and I learned a lot of stuff. The labor mission was fun, and a really nice experience."
Keli'iliki was born on Moloka'i but grew up in Laie, graduated from Kahuku High in 1958, and said he loves the community. "The only things to do before were beach activities and going into the mountains to pick fruits. We didn't have TV or electronic games, so I treasure all those activities we used to do. My first love was the beach. I loved skin diving."
"When the college came in...it gave me a sense that I better go get educated. When I was in high school we didn't get much counseling along those lines. But when I started taking math from [the late] Richard Coburn, he was on my back to take math as a major. He said, 'You're going to be a math major, too.' I said, oh, we'll see; but as it turned out, that's exactly the way I went."
"Before CCH started, there were some buildings used by the military for training in the area where the college first was. CCH used all of those buildings for classrooms and added one to make the cafeteria. The old Laie Social Hall, right where Larry Au lives right now, was used as a classroom and a wood shop. They were also trying to get an auto shop going, too. We used Laie Park for physical education and basketball. Where Charley Goo is living now used to be the Old Plantation Store. His father had created a soda fountain with a juke box in there. The college kids and the local kids would go over there, having ice cream, soda pop, and even some dancing."
"One year I went up to Provo for one semester to see if there was a difference. My good friend, Vi'i Pita, said he'd come with me. I'm glad I went," Keli'iliki continued. "In my major alone there was a distinct difference in the way mathematics was approached here versus the way it was being presented at the Y. I felt I never had this kind of math before in my life."
Keli'iliki said after graduating from BYU in math, he worked for Lockheed Aircraft in California as a flight test engineer, but soon returned to Laie to help care for his father. His first job back in Ko'olauloa was as the playground director at Hau'ula. "They called me Mister Dale," he said. Soon after he got married. His wife, Sue Stover Keli'iliki ('68), who is a former Kahuku High and LDS Seminary teacher. The couple returned to Provo, Utah, where Keli'iliki earned a master's degree in 1971, and "before the year was over, Dick Coburn was asking for me to come back."
"I started teaching in the fall of 1972 and retired in 1997 because my father was going through a battle with cancer. I was going to work a little bit longer, but I thought I would be missing out if I didn't take time to be with him. He lived six years beyond that point, but I don't regret those years with him. I took him on trips. I was in the hospital with him many times, too. The doctors used to say, I don't know how he's living longer. He was 93 when he passed away in 2003. Since then, I've been fixing up my house and taking care of my sister who stays with us, now."
"Knowing what I know now, I would do it again," Keli'iliki said. "At heart, I'm a country kid. I loved Laie from when I first moved here. There was never any question where I was going to live."
Cindy Keung
('79)An education in motherhood
"At BYU-Hawaii, I received my education in motherhood," recalls Cindy Keung, who along with her husband, Stephen, attended the university here in Laie when they were new, young parents.
Calling the community of multicultural married students with children "close knit," Cindy says serving in the Relief Society and helping out her neighbors was an important part of her development as a mother.
"I had one sister that didn't speak English," Cindy says. "We communicated with sign language. She was from Mexico, and she ended up serving with me."
"It helped, I suppose, because we were all young mothers and we were away from our own mothers. We were all left to ourselves to sort things out," she says. "We all came from different cultures and backgrounds. But I really appreciated the support of other sisters and mothers who knew what I was going through."
"I remember coming home with my new baby," she continues, "and thought to myself, 'I'm never going to make it!' I never slept that night. No one told me that babies breathe fast anyways." Cindy remembers lying there that first night by her newborn daughter's crib, and when the baby paused longer in her breathing than Cindy thought she should. "This child is not going to make it through her first birthday," she thought; but when she spoke to the other young mothers about her concerns, she found out "I wasn't the only one that felt that way."
"I figured if I didn't know, my husband wouldn't know," she says talking about being a new mother. "I just didn't want to burden him with that.They were tough years, but we all grew together."
"Most of us had a feel for why we were there and what we had to do," says Cindy about her neighbors and fellow sisters in Relief Society. "We knew we had to get our husbands through this [schooling]. We knew that it was tough but there was light at the end of the tunnel."
Talking about the people she knew who were so willing to serve others, Cindy tells of a young mother and her husband who were exhausted because they were taking care of a sick, colicky baby. "We gathered around them and took the baby," she says of herself and her neighbors.
Seeing the selfless service people did for each other and being able to help others, too, made her time here memorable. "As young as we were, they were so unselfish," she says of the young mothers she knew. They helped each other learn how to nurse their children and acted as wet nurses for other mothers who were sick or in need. For example, one sister came to Cindy's home in tears because she couldn't breast feed her child. Her friend had had two babies in one year and had gotten sick. "The baby was hungry," says Cindy. "So between two of us," she continues, "we breastfed that baby for a couple of weeks. It was no big deal. We could help her. We had plenty of milk." She and another mother nursed the child until her own mother was well enough to take her again. Plus "when we would want to go to the temple, we would feed each other's children. It wasn't a big deal for us, and that happened a lot — particularly among the Polynesian sisters."
Cindy also recalls taking on the task of talking to new mothers about what could happen after their babies arrive. "A lot suffered with post-natal depression. What was important for them to know was that it is normal." She experienced this type of depression herself. "I would think, 'Why am I so unhappy when I should be so happy.' I tried desperately not to cry. I really hid that from my husband. I felt inadequate, and I wanted my husband to think everything was fine so he could continue on with his studies."
"I look back on those years, and they were wonderful growing years. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it all over again," Cindy says.
Speaking of her husband, Stephen, she says he is a "wonderful father" who "pines" for his children and is becoming more of a "softie" year after year. "As far as our son is concerned, he couldn't want for a better dad and example of the priesthood." Stephen has always given their children blessings, which has prepared their son, Jacob, to also magnify his priesthood. "Our son grew up seeing our daughters get blessings. Jacob takes his responsibility just as seriously as his father," she says. "Our children we just love and enjoy."
"Hawaii for us was a struggle," Cindy says. "But it was a time when we really grew close together. We wanted to make things work. I think the reason why we are who we are today is because of the experiences we had at BYUH. We had no one at the end of the day to rely on but each other."
"We have now been married for 27 years. We grew up as a couple at BYU-Hawaii through the things that we experienced there and the opportunity to study at BYUH. We learned to serve there as a couple."
"I wouldn't be the type of person I am without him," Cindy says about Stephen. "He draws the very best out of me."
The Keungs continue to serve and work together. Cindy currently is doing LDS Church Public Affairs work in Australia, and Stephen was the chair for the Auckland region. "My first assignment was media. That was 10 years ago. I write for the newspaper and the Ensign."
"While I was in New Zealand, I was called by the Area Presidency to oversee New Zealand. We have in insert for Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea so I was responsible for articles, editing and sending them off for publication. I have no formal training or background. I am just the Lord's vessel. He does all the writing. Thoughts come into my mind," she says. "I am not afraid to do it anymore. Although it is still scary meeting with media people and organizing dignitaries and things like that. I do a lot of that in Australia now. I am director of Public Affairs and Auxiliary President. It is very different set up from Hawaii. Because we have distances, they combine all the auxiliaries together."
Yu-Ning Lai
('75, Elementary Education)Retired Hong Kong corrections officer
Still very grateful for this school
Before I came to BYU-Hawaii, I was a teacher, but I had never received any proper training. In 1971 I was accepted by this university and majored in elementary education because I loved teaching.
My parents couldn't pay for my studies in the United States. They couldn't even pay for my transportation, but fortunately a very good friend gave me some money and I was able to get here. I remember in 1972, the first summer I was here, I went to Waikiki with some of my Chinese friends, to work in the hotels and restaurants. At that time we were allowed to work off-campus during holidays, and I was able to earn sufficient money to pay back my friend. I felt good about that; but after that experience, I didn’t want to stay away from the campus.
I liked the spiritual environment in Laie. We have a temple and so many good leaders. I always enjoyed attending Sunday services and stake conferences.” I went back home the same year I graduated and thought I could get a job, but at that time there was a surplus of teachers. Even my elder brother, who'd been a teacher for about 20 years, had been laid off and had to find another job. After a year of doing part-time work, because I couldn't get a fulltime teaching post, I finally joined the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department as an officer equivalent to a lieutenant because I had a college degree. My salary at that time was just like a University of Hong Kong graduate who, in those days, got the highest pay.
I did managerial supervisory work in maintaining law enforcement in the prison system. Before I left there were over 10,000 prisoners, and the number is increasing, especially among women who don't have the proper papers [to be in Hong Kong]. I felt this was another way to help people. I tried to set a good example among my colleagues and the prisoners. We used fair but firm tactics with them.
I married a girl from my same ward in the Provo Temple in 1978. At that time we didn't have a temple in Hong Kong, so my stake president arranged for us to go to Provo with four other couples and two other families. [The Lais have two children: a son who graduated from the University of Utah, and a daughter — Rachel Lai — who's a current BYU-Hawaii student.]
Later, I served in the Hong Kong Island Stake presidency. I was first called as the second counselor by Elder John Groberg when he was in our Area Presidency.
I turned 55 in 2002, and retired the next year. The government policy is that all law enforcement officers and similar personnel are to retire from service at age 55. For the past year I've been enjoying my retirement. Coincidentally, last year I got permanent residency in the U.S., so I came over here to seek job opportunities.
The campus has a lot of new buildings. The newest building when I left was the Aloha Center. We didn't have the new library, the administration building, or the Cannon Activities Center. The physical facilities have changed a lot, but I really like it. I hope the school will keep expanding so enrollment can increase.
Over all these years, I'm still very grateful for this school. Without my education, I would not have had the opportunities I have had. Through the work-study program at that time I could pay for my schooling by myself. My family couldn’t afford to support me. I was a custodian, and after a year I was promoted to student supervisor, where I was able to learn leadership. We had about 50 students from different nations, and that was a great learning opportunity for me.
That's why we sent our daughter here. I would do it again. As a member of the stake presidency I used to tell future students that to have a part-time job and study at the same time is not easy, but their aim should not be on earning money, but achieving high grades and developing good spirituality.
In addition to BYU-Hawaii, I really want to thank the two sister missionaries who were able to teach a young boy in Hong Kong: Sisters Linda Carlson from Idaho Falls and Noa Au from Laie. I’m so grateful that they found me and brought me the gospel. I've lost contact with Sister Carlson, but I talk with Sister Au [who works in the Copy Center] every time I come to Laie. I also want to thank Charles Goo, who was my branch president when I was a young man.
So many people have set good examples.
Christopher Lowe
('01, International Culture Studies)Teacher, Vaiola, Savaii, Samoa
BYU-Hawaii changed my life
I am originally from Massachusetts but came to Hawaii when I was seven years old. I was adopted by a Hawaiian mother and an African-American father. My biological parents were not members of the church, but my adoptive parents are. My adoptive mother still lives in Kaneohe, but my adoptive father passed away in '94, right before I came to BYU-Hawaii.
My mother was more like a best friend, and well, just special. My father was converted to the Church when he met my mother, even before the blacks were allowed to hold the Priesthood. He had a strong testimony 'til the day he died. He was ordained by Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve. He always knew that the blacks would receive the priesthood. He never doubted. You think about what blacks in the Church were doing at that time -- they were donating money, time, and services in helping to build temples, and for all they knew they maybe would never be able to enter those temples. Donating to ward mission funds and the like...that's faith. That's what I consider to be the history that I come from. It kind of gives me a sense of responsibility to do greater things. Everyone has something that they owe to their parents and what their parents went through, and they want to do greater things. I especially feel that way. I have moments where I need to remind myself, and remember. That sense of commitment seems to guide me in what I do.
Ever since I was 12 years old I wanted to be in the Concert Choir. I saw them perform once in a concert called Celebrations with the Honolulu Symphony, and I just told myself I want to be in that choir -- and I had nothing to do with music, but I eventually got interested. One day Dr. [James A.] Smith came to Kahuku High to help with auditions for the select vocal ensemble there. He sang You'll Never Walk Alone. After, I told him one day I would be in his choir. I went to all their Christmas concerts, and my mother didn’t mind, she figured it was a good place for me to be. I would always remind him, and he came to watch me in a musical that I was in during my senior year. Later he caught me while I was working at McDonald's and mentioned he hadn't seen my application come through. I told him we were low on funds and that I didn't think I would be coming to BYU-Hawaii. He mentioned if I could do my part with the tests, the school could help me out. My brother and I got Seminary scholarships that were good for a year.
When I went to audition for Concert choir the first day of class, he simply told me I was in. He told me I'd been auditioning for the past five years of my life. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. The night I put on that concert choir tuxedo was one of my best.
Since then I've also been involved in the University Chorale, the Jazz Band, and the Pep Band. I play trombone, which was my main instrument. Now, vocal is my main thing. I've been in Concert Choir for six years. Dr. Smith was like my dad: He always had me helping him by giving me his keys and having me retrieve things for him, open things for him. From this they created a job, choir manager, which I loved doing. It was one of the best jobs I ever had.
I went on three neighbor island tours and one international tour. I never served a mission, so the international tour was a missionary opportunity for me. We took a few boxes of Books of Mormon with us for anybody who was interested. In Singapore, there was this outside amphitheatre where they held concerts on Sundays. The grass was slanted down, like a bowl, and thousands of people were there. After singing, we would go out and talk to people who were sitting and picnicking on the grass. A gentleman approached and expressed that he felt a different and nice spirit while we were singing. I offered him a Book of Mormon, which he graciously accepted. I don't know whatever happened to him and his family, but I'll never forget that moment. It helped confirm my faith that when you're on the Lord's errand, He will open up a way for His purposes to happen.
I was at BYU-Hawaii for four years before I got married in '98 to Saofa'i Siaunu'ua, or just Fa'i. That's also about when I became an ICS major. Dr. Compton had to teach me how to comprehend the things I had to read. The major also taught me to be less ethnocentric and look at the world in a different way. It helped to build my thinking. The switch to ICS took a great leap of faith for me, but I now have so many good friends who are professors here. I never want to get out of contact with them. They were all extremely supportive of me going to Samoa where we now reside. It's a whole new world. I teach English, history and music. We actually have a drumline here. I have also helped put together a choir who is doing performances all around.
My hopes for the future are to go to graduate school and study public administration or public policy and apply things I've learned about international cultural studies. I want to go all the way and get a doctorate, a Ph.D. and do whatever I can to help the Lord, wherever He calls me and to do whatever He needs me to do; also, to make sure I have a happy family, of course and that my children do the best that they can and that they are successful.
I really believe BYU-Hawaii has changed my life. I will be eternally grateful for this place.
Khumbulani 'Desmond' Mdletshe
('91, History: Government)CES Director, Africa
All Chidren of our Heavenly Father
He was an average teenager playing on the streets of Durban, South Africa, in 1980 when LDS Church missionaries first met BYU-Hawaii alum Khumbulani (Desmond) Mdletshe. But after joining the Church at 15, serving a mission in England, being offered the chance to go to BYUH with financial assistance, and eventually earning his doctoral degree, Mdletshe now works in his home country for the Church Educational System and is on a South African board of directors for colleges.
"Since coming home, I have been a teacher, a researcher at a university, and a senior government official," says Mdletshe, who lives in Johannesburg. "When the new government came into power in 1994, I was among the first to help form the Department of Education. I traveled much around the schools helping to train principals and those responsible for quality at the school level."
"Then I was invited by the Church to come and work for the Church Educational System," he c