Kia Ora:

Our August 2003 BYU-Hawaii Alumni Association e-newsletter contains the following:

• The University ohana holds its first "family" meeting for 2003.
• BYU-Hawaii presents annual Teacher of the Year and Excellence in Service awards to faculty and staff.
• News-Bytes:
  • Take advantage of our e-mail for life program.
  • Basketball 'Siders to confront five Division I teams this season.
  • The BYUH women's volleyball team is expected to win another Pac-West championship.
  • More sea trials for the Iosepa, but weather shortens sailing plans.
  • There are still a few seats left for the PCC 40th anniversary alumni show.
  • Several alumni re-visit the campus.
• Chapter News: Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington state report in.
• Personal updates

BYU-Hawaii ohana hears stewardship, progress reports

BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway and members of the President's Council introduced over 60 new faculty members, staff and LDS service missionaries — the largest number ever in a single year — at the University's tenth annual Ohana Meeting on August 20.

President Shumway — photos by Monique Saenz

"Even if I had words, it would be hard to express my feelings of aloha for all of you," President Shumway said. "I have never felt more enthusiastic or optimistic about the prospects of BYU-Hawaii...and it's historical significance to the international Church."

President Shumway then delivered what he prefers to call his "stewardship report" of University accomplishments over the past year and a "preview of the tasks ahead of us."

He started off by noting that several former faculty members had passed away, including science teacher Henry Nichols, BYU transfer professor Michael Perkins and Alice Pack, who helped launch BYU-Hawaii's TESOL program.

He read off the names of those who had received academic promotions and those who had been called as new campus bishops. He also recognized that the Hawaiian Studies sailing canoe, Iosepa, had successfully run several sea trials.

"The Iosepa is a perfect example of teaching and learning," President Shumway continued. "In fact, it is symbolic of both the accomplishments of our Polynesian past and the forward motion into the seas of the future, the education of our young people as they launch their various voyages of faith."

He also explained that the University and the Polynesian Cultural Center are now involved in joint fundraising efforts. "We have developed a formal statement or rationale that will link BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center even more tightly as we seek to secure the future of both institutions," President Shumway said.

"I trust that by now we all recognize the absolutely indispensable value the PCC is to BYU-Hawaii, and the absolutely indispensable value BYU-Hawaii is to the PCC," he continued. "This is a momentous thing."

President Shumway listed several other accomplishments, including:

• In preparation for the University's golden jubilee in 2005, plans to upgrade the front entrance from Naniloa Loop to the David O. McKay Foyer as part of a larger plan that will include major landscaping renovations to Hale Laa Boulevard, Kula Nui Street and Naniloa Loop. "It will be a tremendous thing for the community," he said. He added the plans also call for a new monument near the front entrance.

President Shumway introduced Kimbrelyn Austin, the University's new director of Career Services [formerly known as Placement], who "has begun to lay a solid foundation for our work in this area."

"We hope to become an integral part of the academic process, from the day the students come," Austin responded, noting that initial objectives will focus on targeting specific employers, better utilizing alumni, and developing a more technologically based program.

"Preparation is the answer. Our academic preparation is outstanding; however, students need to learn how they can transfer that knowledge to a job situation," she said.

President Shumway noted the College of Arts & Sciences is doing a tremendous job "in terms of general education [and] our international mission, particularly to the nations of Asia."

He quoted Elder Richard G. Scott, who said he hopes "BYU-Hawaii will become the premier institute for teaching English communications."

"This does not diminish in any way the languages our students speak, but we want all of our students to become more confident and competent in using English in a variety of environments," the president continued.

Drawing from then-Elder Hinckley's charge to former BYU-Hawaii President Eliott Cameron, the prophet said this unique institution has a "triad of purpose": to impart knowledge; to enrich, refine and motivate relationships in society; and to enlarge the faith [of the students].

In his concluding remarks, President Shumway expressed gratitude for the faculty and staff — "men and women of faith."

"Our task is bigger than any individual. It is infinitely bigger and more precious than any private career path or ego, or publication or pay check. This is the work of the Lord, and despite our weaknesses and the bruises and bumps of our human interaction and misunderstandings, we will all carry forward this wonderful cause, which is part of the restoration that will fill the world."

Academic Vice President Keith Roberts also addressed the University ohana, announcing that U.S. News magazine has once again ranked BYU-Hawaii in its top-tier of western schools — coming in sixth this year.

Roberts

"Sixth is wonderful, and we're always going to be a top-tier school. This is the fifth year in a row we've been a top-tier university," Roberts said. "I expect that we will be the only school in Hawaii that's ranked. It's good news for us, and I want to thank you for everything that makes that happen."

Roberts explained that the BYU-Hawaii profile has changed significantly since 1996 when "we had 543 new freshmen. This fall we'll have fewer than 200. In those days we were a four-year institution for our international students, and a junior college for [some of] our mainland students who would come and go. Now, we really are a four-year school for everyone."

He pointed out there's also a "senior college" concept for those who transfer here to graduate. "Instead of 18-year-olds who are trying to find themselves, there are now 23-year-olds who know themselves well and bring a better academic awareness," Roberts said. "In '97, my goal was to have BYU-Hawaii be a school that you transferred to, not from. We have arrived there, and it's a very good feeling. This is a wonderful place to be."

"I hope you can see an improvement in the quality of students we have here," Roberts continued, citing the example that senior seminars which in the past had four-to-six students enrolled, now have 12-18.

"The future is right now, and the campus we have been predicting, and the university we have been longing for has arrived.

Roberts also listed several University accomplishments and directions, including:

• A unique summer session in the Cook Islands. "I don't know of any other university that could have pulled that off," he said, adding BYU-Hawaii had also started several instructional development initiatives in China.

• The Iosepa is up to Coast Guard standards.

• Following last year's first Asia-Pacific basketball tournament, Roberts said the second tournament will feature teams from Yonsei in Korea, a team from China, and another from New Zealand.

"We have to be thankful for the quality of coaches and student athletes who represent us so well," he said.

• "This year for the third year in a row we graduated over 500 students. That's our new standard," Roberts said, reminding the faculty that about 200 graduated in 1996. He also told the faculty that "career development is a top priority of the university."

• "Please, mentor your students. Talk to them about their careers. Give them time to apply to graduate school before they graduate," he continued, noting that BYU-Hawaii will also "develop linkages with prestigious universities in the countries where these students come from."

The University recognizes faculty, staff for excellence

Evans

The BYU-Hawaii President's Council presented its 2003 Teacher of the Year Award to Professor Norm Evans. The award included a check for $1,000 from the Polynesian Cultural Center.

"Servant-leadership, the quintessential quality characteristic of the Savior's life, is the hallmark as well of Norm's contributions to the campus and its students," President Shumway said in recognizing Evans, a former director of the EIL program who has taught at BYU-Hawaii since 1981.

He added that Evans, who is president of the BYU-Hawaii 2nd Stake, had done his dissertation research "on setting up an empirical foundation for BYU-Hawaii's self understanding. His qualitative analysis of the representations of students who have struggled to find success at the University will be one of the foundational documents of pf BYU-Hawaii's ongoing project of serving the international Church — of becoming the BYU of the international Church."

In presenting the University's 2003 Excellence in Service Awards to staff members, President Shumway noted, "These awards could be given to many on campus, and even repeated from year to year." The awards, which each include a $500 check, then went to:

• Norma Te'o ('00), Financial Aid. "Norma exhibits such a great balance between upholding University policy and procedures, while at the same time going as far as humanly possible to help students in need," her citation partially read.
• Paul Freebairn ('75, Social Work), Testing Center. "In a recent faculty survey, he was instrumental in helping identify some of the key issues from which four were ultimately selected for our WASC [accreditation] proposal," his citation partially read.
• Jason Green ('00, Computer Science), ITS. "Jason has regularly gone the extra mile, working overnight, weekends and several days almost non-stop to get University Systems up and going after a hardware failure," his citation partially read.
• Phyllis Ah Ching Peters ('75), Alumni Affairs. "Phyllis has been an amazing asset to the Alumni office with her fantastic organizational skills. Her management of the office and careful work helps the University maintain accurate contact with its former students," her citation read in part.
• Keleise Ah You Taulogo ('72, English). "She knows everyone and knows how to get things done," her citation read in part. "You can always count on a willing attitude, a friendly reply and a ready colleague to help with that last-minute rush job."
• Kanani Kaawa, Purchasing. "She sees to it that all tasks are done promptly and in an orderly manner," her citation read in part. "She is very thorough and always willing to go the extra mile, above and beyond the call of duty."
• Seini Malupo, Food Services. "She is a great mentor to the student workers, providing support and encouragement. I will confess the many, many times our management team has expressed, 'If only we had a full staff of Seinis'," her citation read in part.
• John Olszowka ('77, Business Management), PHP. "No matter what the challenge or size of the disaster, John is quick to step in with an encouraging word and helping hand. He seemingly works around the clock," his citation partially read.
• Sam Malupo, PHP. "Sam is an excellent supervisor and motivates his employees to be honest, always making sure that they stay at work and work the hours they are getting paid for," read his citation, in part.
• Yvonne Marasco-Mapu, Health Center. "She continually receives high job performance ratings; and if there is an area that she needs to improve in, she is willing to learn and do what it takes to improve," her citation reads in part.
• Didi Santeco, Purchasing. "Didi always wears a smile: It doesn't matter if she is dealing with sweaty construction workers or white collared managers. She cheers everyone up and is always kind to her staff, customers, vendors and her associates," read her citation in part.

News-Bytes

• An analysis of updating student-to-alumni records: "An update usually takes place every semester to make sure the alumni database is current," he said, noting there had previously been some problems in transferring data to the records office in Provo.

Dolman, whose wife Barbara accompanied him and also worked on this project, said he was able to resolve most of the problems. "For example, we were able to correct an issue with differences between the Laie and Provo campuses in the computer codes that designate a student's major."

• Redesign of BYU-Hawaii alumni web site, which included adding new chapter pages. "Now you can go in and, viewing a map, you can select the area closest to you, and find the closest alumni chapter," Dolman said. "It will also show meetings and events in that area."

• Tied the BYU-Hawaii calendar into and synchronized it with the online BYU Events system.

• Dolman also worked with the Alumni Association staff, training them to do specialized computer reports.

'Siders basketball team to face five Division I teams this season
As the defending Pacific West Conference champions, the BYU-Hawaii Seasider basketball team will face five NCAA Division I teams this season, including the University of Hawaii and Colorado State.

It has been 21 years since the Seasiders, who start their season on November 17 in the UH Stan Sheriff Center, played their only game against the Rainbows. Read more about it...

Coaches predict BYUH women will repeat as Pac-West champions
Following up their 10th national championship last season, a preseason poll of NCAA Division II coaches predicts the BYU-Hawaii women's volleyball team will take their six-team Pacific West Conference title again this year.

Head coach S. Wilfred Navalta ('66), who has accumulated a 437-77 record as he enters his 19th year, pointed out four of last season's six starters are returning, including junior setter Kaala Lo, senior middle blocker and outside hitter Ashley Moeai; sophomore middle blocker Chun Yi Lin and sophomore outside hitter Yu Chuan Weng. Chun and Weng are first-team All-Americans.

The Lady Seasiders play their first game August 29 in San Bernardino, California.

More sea trials for the Iosepa
For the second time this summer, the Hawaiian Studies program launched their 57-foot traditional twin-hulled canoe Iosepa from Hukilau Beach on August 6, with the intention of running more sea trials and sailing to Kualoa and Ka'ena Point. Unexpectedly heavy weather, however, forced the crew to pull the canoe out ahead of schedule. Read more about it in the community newspaper.

Don't forget the PCC 40th anniversary reunion
Alumni President-Elect Les Steward ('72, Accounting) reminds us that there are still some seats left for the Polynesian Cultural Center's 40th anniversary alumni reunion night show on Friday, October 25, starting at 8 p.m.

PCC alumni reunion activities start on Monday, October 20, with a 7:00 a.m. Check out the schedule for the full slate of activities...and then make plans to come. Stop by and see us while you're in Laie.

Several alumni revisit campus
Several BYU-Hawaii alumni have recently spent time on campus again, including:

• Missouri Taumoli Smyth ('87, English), who helped conduct the Pacific Rim Choir festival. Originally from New Zealand, Smyth has been director of the Alaska Youth Choir since 1998. She is also working on a master's degree. Her husband, L. Chris Smyth is a 1988 graduate in English.
• Steven L. Kent ('85), a journalist and author who has written eight books. Kent, who said he got his interest in writing from Professor Ned William's class and went on to earn two degrees at Provo, also shared his insights into the writing process.
• Tahiti chapter chair Eriki Marchand ('92, Art) recently revisited campus and the PCC where he revolutionized the Marquesan village. Read why he brought his 11-year-old daughter.

Idaho alumni and families at their luau.

Chapter Updates

• Can now sign up to join the chapter's e-mail group.
• Held a "Potluck in the Park" event on Saturday, August 23 at Cool Park in Tigard.
• And will hold its first annual fundraiser on Friday, September 19 from 7-10:30 p.m. at University Park Community Center (9009 N. Foss, Portland). The event is open to everyone, ages 16-and-up, at a cost of $10 in advance, or $15 at the door. Fresh single-strand orchid and orchid-ti leaf leis will also be available at $10 per lei if pre-ordered by September 5. For more information, e-mail Kathleen or call 503-762-8334.

Personal Updates

1960s: Maui Whaanga (standing, left) helps coach the CCH rugby team in the late 1960s. — Photo courtesy of the BYUH Archives

1970s

Ngatai Smith ('74, Physical Education), who attended CCH on a basketball scholarship, returned home after graduation and taught for 24 years at Church College of New Zealand. Since 1999 he has been the Hillcrest Institute of Religion director in Hamilton, where he and his wife, Tweetie Calles Smith ('71) live with their five children. He is also the current president of the CCNZ Alumni Association.

"For me, BYUH was simply a magical place," writes Lonnie Iverson ('78, Computer Science), who is now a senior software engineer for Novell in Orem, Utah.

1980s

Debbie ('86) and Troy Perry ('85) now live in Charlottesville, Virginia. She shares the following love story: "Would I do it again? I wish I could do it now! I loved being at BYUH: Some of my best memories are from my years spent in Hawaii, the most special one being that I met my husband there. He'd just joined the church as a senior in high school and came to BYUH for one semester while he put his papers in and waited for his mission call. I'd already been on my mission, so I wasn't interested in anything but friendship. We met the first day in one of Brother Gerry Bohnet's travel classes and my (now) husband said when I walked in everything faded but me. We built a friendship that became more and more. At Thanksgiving I couldn't convince him to come to Maui with the travel club: He insisted on going to Kauai. When I realized how much I missed him, I knew I was in trouble. I waited for him while he served his mission in the Virginia Roanoke Mission, and we were married in April 1988. We both came from very different backgrounds, and I know Heavenly Father brought us together during a very brief window of time when we could meet. It has been the greatest blessing in my life. We now have two beautiful children, two ill-tempered cats, and one adorable pomeranian. I owe many dear friendships to my time spent at BYU-Hawaii, and I am so grateful for that."

Anna Soenarto ('86, Art) recently wrote from Jakarta, Indonesia, that BYU-Hawaii gave her "the reconfirmation to stay ethical as a human-being, a Church-member, and also a friend to everybody. Once you enter BYUH, you're partaking the blessing of friendship with other people who are very much different from you. This blessing will help you stay intact as an impressive intelligent, tolerable, compassionate, and friendly person to everybody. BYU-Hawaii is a good starting place for people who believe in good things in the future. My own future after BYUH? I love it!"

Belenda Espiritu ('89, Human Resources Development), who now lives in Lindon, Utah, writes: "I loved my experience at BYU-Hawaii. Not only did I progress academically, socially and spiritually, but my exposure to the plethora of cultural experiences has molded me into the person that I am now. Working at PCC while pursuing an education also taught me lessons that I used later professionally. I was away from home for the first time in my life in a foreign country and yet I found refuge in the warm aloha spirit of friends, teachers and Church leaders. It was definitely home away from home. Mahalo!"

1990s

J. Alan Walker ('91, International Business Management), who is the Polynesian Cultural Center's Director of Eastbound Sales, was recently called as Waipahu Stake President: "I contribute much of who I am today spiritually to my experiences at BYU-Hawaii. It was through participation in religion classes and the encouragement of good religion professors that I became inspired to find out for myself if the teachings of the Book of Mormon were true or not. I received an answer to that studious inquiry while a student. That experience changed me, and has since been the guiding star of all my choices up until this point in my life. I must also state that it was while at BYU-Hawaii that I met, courted, and eventually married my wife [Harumi Nakagawa Walker, '89, Accounting]. I am truly grateful and very indebted to my experience at BYU Hawaii."

Jody Africa Pua ('91, Home, Personal and Family Development), a substitute teacher living in Wailuku, Maui, wrote that she often reflects "on the wonderful experiences I had while being a student. I joined the Church while attending BYU-Hawaii in 1982, and went on a mission in 1984. I always remember the fun and unity we had as Church members, even though we grew up in many different countries. I worked at the campus Post Office for many years and had the opportunity to meet many wonderful friends. I am grateful for the blessing of having BYU-Hawaii as a part of my life."

In memoriam: Marguerite DeLong ('94, TESOL), the daughter of retired BYU-Hawaii professor Chase DeLong and his wife, Angie, passed away July 9 in Las Vegas. She served as a special instructor in English and TESOL on campus.

We should have reported this several months ago: Honolulu Magazine recently named Elissa Minor Rust ('95) the grand prize winner in its 20th annual fiction writing contest for her story, The Heart of the Island (which ran in the April 2003 issue). After leaving BYU-Hawaii, Elissa finished her bachelor's degree at Oregon State and earned an MFA at Arizona State.

Wesley Carl Hilton ('95, Accounting) and his wife, Julie Marie Dent Hilton ('94) now live in Lafayette, California. Hilton, who is a senior vice president for an insurance company in nearby Moraga, wrote: "BYUH offered me one of the most special and unique sets of educational, extracurricular and spiritual experiences I could have ever hoped for. I am confident that Laie holds a particular and unduplicated station within the grand scheme of what the Lord has in mind for all of His children worldwide, both in and out of the Church, in these latter days. It was not only a pleasure but a singular honor for me to attend BYUH — a blessing I will always be grateful for. I am and will always consider myself a Seasider. Go BYUH!"

"I had the opportunity to visit the campus in May and see many old friends," writes Nicholas Parks ('96, International Business Management). "I was especially excited to visit my mentor Bill Neal and tour the campus with him. He is a great leader and BYU-Hawaii is lucky to have him! My experience at BYU-Hawaii was a fun and valuable experience for me that I will always remember fondly. My wife [Lori Ann Bishop Parks, '96, Accounting] and I have one daughter with one more on the way. Aloha to all." The Parks live in Castle Rock, Colorado, near Denver.

Line Memea ('99, Political Science), who recently moved from the St. George, Utah, area to Las Vegas to pursue a master's degree at UNLV, said some of her fellow students have asked her why she spent four years at such a small college as BYU-Hawaii. "My immediate response is they've never had a political science class from Dr. Robertson, a math class from Bro. Y [Yamagata] who worked 500% after classes to help us understand or even visualize why we need to know the value/exponential/pi-squared in the real world [I see now], or a natural science class from Brother Bruner, or had the wonderful experience of working part-time for the Academic Vice President [Dr. Durrant] who also happened to be the husband of my sorority advisor while I was president. Yes, the BYU-Hawaii campus is small and the student body just as small. However, the quality of education is not based on how many students are enrolled but the success of employing caring/challenging/knowledgeable teachers, and sustaining students to graduation, and graduates like myself who wouldn't trade my experience at BYUH. Everyone was interconnected either by department/degree, club, work, sport or volunteerism. We all were known by name. No one was lost in a sea of faces or classified by student ID. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to live in Laie and graduate from BYU-Hawaii."

2000s

Scott Bradshaw ('00, Interdisciplinary Studies), who works in the PCC Retail Sales division, was recently called as bishop of the Ewa Beach Ward. He selected Aaron Shumway ('95, English), an attorney in Honolulu, as his first counselor. Alumna Melissa Meyers Wilson ('94, Physical Education) also serves as Relief Society president in their ward.

Justin Edwards ('00, Information Systems) and his wife, Rachel Ann Andersen ('99) now live in El Cajon, California, where he's an IT director. He writes: "I couldn't possibly think of a better experience than the time I spent at BYUH. One highlight for me was the relationships I developed while there. Robert Hayden, Don Colton, and Bret Ellis were all very instrumental in helping me form my personal and professional goals. Being so close to such great men was a real privilege. I consider myself very fortunate to have been a part of such a great institution."

Hector Badillo ('01, Information Technology) and his wife, Jessica Holt Badillo ('97, English) now live in Lehi, Utah. He works for Linguatronics in nearby Alpine.

Eddy Tsing ('01, Political Science), who's working on a master's degree in Monterey, California, wrote to say their family now includes little Emily, who was born in July.

Patricia Valles ('01, Information Systems), a technologist at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, writes: "My education at BYUH has been invaluable to me. When I returned to my previous place of employment, I was rehired and given a substantial raise. Something else that is and was so invaluable to me as a student at BYUH is all my friendships with fellow students from around the world. Learning to appreciate their cultures was an experience more valuable than anything I could have learned from academic studies. Their friendships are worth more than gold to me and are something to be treasured forever."

Elena Phelps Melin ('01, Elementary Education) and her husband, Mark, who live at Laughlin AFB in Texas, have named their first child Liana. She was born in June.

"As I train here in Pensacola, flying high in the sky and fulfilling my dreams, I feel so blessed that I had such a wonderful opportunity to attend and graduate from BYUH, 'The Lord's School'," writes Shane Clarke ('02, Accounting), a U.S. Air Force flight student. "Not one day passes where my thoughts and prayers are not with the students and faculty/staff in Laie. What a blessing it was to have the prophet come and speak to you all at commencement. We are truly a blessed people and all who have the opportunity to pass through the halls of BYUH are more blessed than any I can imagine. I love BYUH and I feel so proud whenever I look on my wall and read my diploma. Aloha and Mahalo!"

Editor's Note:
After sitting in on the annual University ohana or "family" meeting for all the faculty and staff on August 20, I can tell you BYU-Hawaii is ready and anxious to start the new school year. It was especially inspiring to hear the contributions made by those faculty and staff who received the University's Excellence in Service Awards; but not surprising: Your e-mails including several above, for example, frequently hold praise for faculty and staff members who went the extra mile and stick out in your memory years later. We have all been greatly blessed by attending BYU-Hawaii. We all need to do something more about it. Imua!

— Mike Foley ('70, TESL)
Editor and Alumni Association President

The BYU-Hawaii Alumni Newsletter is published by the University Advancement office, under the direction of Napua Baker ['59-61 and '70-72], Vice President; Rob Wakefield ['75, Asia/Pacific LTM], Director of Communications and Media Relations; and Rowena Reid ['76, Social Work], Alumni Association Director.

Brigham Young University Hawaii Campus is a four-year comprehensive undergraduate institution sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About 2,350 students from 70 nations are currently enrolled.

You have received this e-newsletter because you are an affiliate of BYU-Hawaii.

If necessary, please update your alumni profile. If you have received this e-mail inadvertently, or wish to unsubscribe, please send a message with NEWSLETTER UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject line and your e-mail address in the body to alumni@byuh.edu. If you are aware of other BYU-Hawaii alumni who have not received this newsletter, please forward a copy and encourage them to update their profiles. Mahalo.

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