The October 2003 BYU-Hawaii Alumni Association e-newsletter contains the following:
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PCC
alumni put on a fabulous 40th anniversary night show before a packed
theater. — Monique Saenz |
The Polynesian Cultural Center, which has been Hawaii's most popular paid-admission visitor attraction since 1977, staged a magnificent series of events to celebrate its 40th anniversary during the week of October 20-26, including:
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Hannemann —photo by Monique Saenz |
T. David Hannemann, the Center's first official employee, literally kicked off the PCC's 40th anniversary on October 20 when he booted a coconut out of the Samoan chief's house before beginning his presentation on the "five significant symbols of Laie: 'Ohana [family], the symbol of the gathering place; Laie Plantation, Zions Securities and Hawaii Reserves, Inc. — symbols of business; the Laie Hawaii Temple, symbol of spirituality; CCH/BYU-Hawaii, the symbol of education; and the Polynesian Cultural Center, symbol of culture.
After tracing the heritage and growth of the community, its unique combination of LDS entities and the well-known contributions of Elder Matthew Cowley, Church President David O. McKay and Oahu Stake President Edward L. Clissold to the establishment of the PCC, Hannemann then invited a series of alumni to share their recollections of the early days at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
For example, Vatau Galea'i Neria ('74, Child Development and Family Relations) told how her family came from American Samoa in 1954 to be sealed in the temple. Though a child, she remembers when President McKay came the following year to bless the site of the Church College of Hawaii, and later being among the Primary children who held the long leis when President McKay returned to dedicate the first campus. She also recalled, after the labor missionaries had started building the PCC, that she would help bring their food. Years later, Vatau said, "I remember thinking, everything he [President McKay] said has been fulfilled."
Marie Nin Paongo ('68, English), who came from the rural north of New Zealand soon after the Center opened in 1963 "on one of the first four-year scholarships," recalled she had "never met a Tongan or Samoan before." Like many of the early employees, Paongo also recalled helping out everywhere.
Asked one of her favorite PCC experiences, Paongo told about helping make the movie Paradise Hawaiian Style with the "king," Elvis Presley, in 1965. "I remember being disillusioned because all of the music was prerecorded; but other than that, it was a wonderful experience. We spent a lot of time talking story with him. At the end, we gave him a golden Book of Mormon."
After graduating, Paongo and her husband, Sosaia Paongo ('70, Biology) returned to his homeland of Tonga where they taught and served for 30 years, recently returning to Laie to be closer to their children.
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Karewa
Colin Shelford (left) introduces Vernice Wineera |
On Wednesday, October 22, Dr. Vernice Wineera eloquently outlined how, among other ways, the Cultural Center has repeatedly proved its cultural authenticity over the past four decades by its:
"The youth of Polynesia are the great treasures of their homelands," Wineera said. "Herein lies a metaphor: In the Polynesian way of perceiving the heart of a thing, these students — our taonga, [or] treasures, come to PCC to be nurtured in their cultural heritage — nurture meaning to promote and sustain their growth and development. As with all other treasures in the PCC, so, too, with the students."
"The evidence of PCC's cultural authenticity lies all about us. It is waiting for us to discover its richness and vitality; and in the journey we will discover the power, grace, dignity, and spirituality of our own cultural identities — who we really are — how we are known to ourselves, others and the Lord."
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President
Shumway —photo by Monique Saenz |
In his presentation, BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway outlined that the "educational foundations of Laie are to be seen in the four majestic pillars within the community: the temple, the University, the PCC, and the people themselves."
"Now it is very important for us to understand what is meant by education. I speak of education the way it is defined in scripture, the way President McKay defined it when he dedicated the campus and in the way our experiences together in this little community play out to bring sweetness and light and goodness to the world."
"By education I don't mean just classroom learning, but the whole process of growth that enlightens the mind to truth, the truth about the realities of existence, both temporal and spiritual."
"Education is the process of transformation of the human soul; changing us from narrow, cruel, selfish, close-minded human beings to people of warmth, generosity, faith, hope, and charity which is defined as the pure love of Christ," President Shumway continued. "Education is the process of the distilling on our souls of the principles of intelligence, or light and truth. Education is the process by which we cultivate the skills of life, thinking, communicating, and the skills of employment. But the ultimate focus of education in a context of Laie and its unique combination of entities is eternity and the exaltation and happiness of the eternal family."
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Past
and present PCC presidents at the 40th anniversary reunion include
(l-r) Von and
Sherri Orgill,
Les
and Jeanie Moore, Jim and Metta Christensen, Bill and Karen Cravens,
and Vern and Bernie Hardisty. Former BYU-Hawaii president Alton
Wade and his wife, Diana, also participated in the reunion,
as did the PCC board of directors and their wives, and the
BYU-Hawaii President's Advisory Council members [i.e. donors]. |
"And this brings us to a final point, that all knowledge and understanding and wisdom must be translated into loving and tender action for and in behalf of others. Otherwise knowledge and wit become stagnant, turning inward on one's own egoism. It must be translated into a million little instances of sacrifice and service to others."
"Of course the ultimate learning center for time and eternity is the Holy Temple of God," President Shumway said. "Joseph F. Smith was prompted by the Holy Spirit to dedicate the ground for the building of the temple. That single act and the building that followed made Laie a mountain of salvation, not just to members of the Church but to the whole world."
"I want to testify again what I have testified before, affirming the central role of the temple not only within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but within all human existence."
"This truth must get into our minds and burn into our hearts. The temple is the supreme gift of the restoration to all humankind who have ever lived."
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President
Hinckley
— photo by Monique Saenz |
President Shumway also thanked the many members of the BYU-Hawaii President's Advisory Council who have made significant contributions to both the University and the Cultural Center. In fact, later that afternoon at the alumni reunion luau in the Hale Aloha, PCC President Von Orgill recognized Robert "Bob" Gay, who had recently made a major contribution in the name of his father, F. William Gay, who served on the PCC board of directors for almost 30 years. "There were several other couples who received similar recognition earlier in the week," President Orgill also pointed out.
President Orgill then presented Sister Hinckley with a matching necklace and set of earrings of Tahitian black pearls and gold, and President Hinckley with a very large Samoan nifo oti or fire knife "as a symbol of the gratitude we feel for your courage...and leadership."
"Thank you so much. I never dreamed I would get hooked," responded President Hinckley, who also joked he wasn't going to take the knife on the plane.
"All of us are very proud of the PCC and the tremendous work it has done over the past four decades. It has touched the lives of millions of people," President Hinckley said, indicating that events have been just as President McKay prophesied. "That would not have been possible without the PCC."
A few minutes later, in another luau gathering of alumni and Latter-day Saints in the Hale Ohana, President Hinckley encouraged all of them to come back in 10 years. "I don't know if I'll make it," joked the 93-year-old prophet, "but I'll try."
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93-year-old
President Hinckley urged the contractors to "hurry up" so he can come back for to dedicate the Hale La'a project. — photo by Monique Saenz |
Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told the hundreds of people gathered under and around a large tent erected in the traffic circle on Hale La'a Blvd., October 25, that "President Joseph F. Smith looks down upon this group today with gratitude and appreciation for your tremendous interest in being here, for your concern with the causes and people which meant so very, very much to him. He came here as a boy and served as a missionary."
President Hinckley, who presided at the groundbreaking and blessing of the $5 million-plus Hale La'a Blvd. beautification project, also said, "We have here something that we have nowhere else in all the Church: We have the beautiful temple and all of its environs. We have the Brigham Young University Hawaii and the Church College of Hawaii, and we have the Cultural Center; and they work together.
"This becomes one great and beautiful and magnificent campus, setting forth the beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is nothing quite like it in so small an area, really, than we have anywhere else in the world. This is a favored and beautiful and wonderful area."
"I'm grateful for your presence," the prophet continued. "I pray that with all we do in Laie, we will never, never lose sight of the fact that there is something special, something spiritual, something wonderful that is associated in the kinship with the Almighty in this area which was purchased and set apart as a place of refuge for our people — refuge from the world, refuge from the conditions of the world, set apart in the fulfillment of the work of the Almighty."
In his blessing on the project, President Hinckley prayed that "those who drive along the Kamehameha Highway may be constrained in their hearts and minds and slow down and look to the House of the Lord, and be constrained in their hearts to come and go about the grounds and visit these beautiful places. We pray that this project may result in greater respect for Thy church and its people and its purposes and its desires."
Earlier in the program, BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway explained that the beautification project also includes new landscaping along Kulanui Street leading to a new front entrance for the campus.
"What a blessing it is to be here under the presiding authority of President Hinckley, to break ground for two significant enhancement projects: the Hale La'a Boulevard, leading to the temple, and the front entrance boulevard leading to the center of the BYU-Hawaii campus: Tied together by purpose and design, twin projects that have to do with much more than just aesthetics or beautification," President Shumway said.
"They will accentuate the spiritual and eternal purposes of the Temple of God and of the University of the Lord in Laie. Indeed, they will please the eye, they will gladden the heart, and they will also lift the soul."
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President
Hinckley and other officials ceremonially break ground for the $5 million-plus
project that will enhance Hale La'a Blvd. and include a new front entrance
to BYU-Hawaii. |
"The BYU-Hawaii front entrance project, brothers and sisters, is funded totally by donations of friends of the University, many of whom are here today — and you can tell who they are by their big smiles. They have given from their hearts, and their treasure to create an entrance to the campus commensurate with its special mission and its jubilee celebration two years from this month," President Shumway continued.
"One of the donors indicated in a letter which accompanied his check that by policy he does not give to capital projects — bricks and mortar. He gives to scholarships and internships. But when he saw the plans for the project and how it would link with the temple and the community, he was excited to help. It was obvious to him that this new front entrance would inspire visitors and students alike."
R. Eric Beaver ('87, Business Management), president and CEO of Hawaii Reserves, Inc., which will oversee the project, thanked all who helped plan and move the project forward to this point. "It's an exciting time for all of us. We're so pleased we can move forward with these enhancements, that underscore the importance the LDS church places on Laie." (For more details on the Hale La'a Blvd. project)
Following the groundbreaking, President Hinckley participated in the Polynesian Cultural Center's 40th anniversary parade through the community; and on Sunday, he addressed a special conference for members of the Laie and Laie North Stakes in the BYU-Hawaii Cannon Activities Center.
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BYU-Hawaii
1st Stake For the past five years the 1st Stake members have been working in Kahana Valley, helping residents restore their ancient taro farming system. This year the students spread throughout every corner of the Cultural Center to weed and trim, paint and polish, and even comb the bottom of the lagoon to insure that PCC would look its best the following week...and it did! |
December
graduation banquet:
The December graduation banquet is
set for Thursday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cannon Activities Center.
There is a $15 charge. Tickets are available from the Alumni office.
BYU-Hawaii,
PCC co-sponsor 2nd annual Asia-Pacific Basketball Classic:
BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center will jointly stage
the second annual Asia-Pacific Basketball Classic in the Cannon Activities
Center on November 14-15. This is the only contest in the United States
between an NCAA Division II team and international university teams from
the Pacific Rim.
In this year's Classic the BYU-Hawaii Seasiders will host Sungkyunkwan University from Seoul, Korea; Huaqiao University from Shanghai, China; and Team Samoa, the national team.
Sungkyunkwan U. will play Team Samoa in game one on Friday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. in the Cannon Activities Center, followed by the Pacific West Conference championship Seasiders vs. Huaqiao U. at 7 p.m. On Saturday night the two losing teams on the night before will play the consolation game at 5 p.m., and the winners will play for the Classic championship at 7 p.m.
"We look forward to having teams of this caliber from around the Pacific Rim to play our Seasiders, and we're even more interested in the important relationships we can continue to develop through athletics," said Keith Roberts, BYU-Hawaii Vice President of Academics who oversees University athletics.
"With nearly 50 percent of our students from outside the U.S., and with most of them coming from Asia and the Pacific islands, this type of tournament makes sense for us," he added.
General admission to the games is $3 for adults. All the games will be broadcast live on local radio stations. The games will also be uplinked to satellites and broadcast throughout Asia and the Pacific islands for television and the Internet. BYUTV will also record and rebroadcast the tournament nationally.
In other BYU-Hawaii sports news:
Cross Country:
BYU-Hawaii harrier Jonathan Osterlund set a new University record October
25 in the 8K Hilo Invitational tournament with a fifth-place time
of 26:57. Osterlund beat the old record of 27:01 that was set by
Kyle Combe in the 2000 Pac West Championships. His score led the
team to second place behind HPU.
For the Lady ‘Siders, Chelsea Smith broke both her record and the school record in the 5K Hilo event for BYU-Hawaii with a time of 17:33, beating the old time of 17:51 that was set earlier this season at the Chaminade Invitational. Smith toasted the nearest competitor by over a minute as she placed first, helping the Seasiders to a 3rd place finish. Again, HPU came in first, followed by UH-Hilo, and closely trailed by BYU-Hawaii.
The X-country runners next compete in the NCAA II West Regionals on November 8 in Chino, California.
Men’s
water polo:
The BYU-Hawaii men's water polo team recently moved up in
the Men's National Collegiate Top 20 Poll, rising four spots to tie for
the 14th position with the University
of
the Pacific — the highest position
held by the Seasiders in the team's short, three-year history.
In their most recent victory on October 25, the BYU-Hawaii men
defeated the Hawaiian Masters, 10-9, buoyed by Vanja Kalabic’s
six goals.
Women’s
volleyball:
Despite continuing to make impressive wins, the Lady Seasiders,
who opened the season NCAA II Pacific Regional polls in the
number-one slot as the returning national champions, had numerically
fallen
as low as thirteenth in the American Volleyball
Coaches poll, but recently climbed back up to the sixth position.
"The unexplained drop is enough to raise serious doubts about the credibility of the poll. Fortunately for the Seasiders, the AVCA poll is not used in determining the NCAA II regional rankings, which ultimately determine the teams invited to postseason play," said BYUH Sports Information Director Scott Lowe, who predicts the team has a legitimate shot at repeating in both the Pac West and national titles.
In the NCAA II Pacific Regional poll, BYU-Hawaii held firm in the number four slot behind UC-San Diego, Western Washington, and Cal State-San Bernardino, respectively. Lowe explained the NCAA poll, as opposed to the national AVCA poll, is used to determine invitations to and seedings for the NCAA II postseason tournament.
In their most recent victories, BYU-Hawaii dispatched Chaminade, led by the incredible .789 hitting percentage of sophomore All-American middle blocker Chun Yi Lin, followed up by a clean sweep of UH-Hilo on Oct. 27. As of our publishing deadline, the Lady Siders' record stands at a perfect 8-0 in conference play, and 16-2 for the season.
For more news of BYU-Hawaii athletics...
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Alumni
in Christchurch, New Zealand,
with BYU-Hawaii Dean of Admissions Jeff Bunker (right). |
New
Zealand:
A joint BYU-Hawaii/PCC recruiting
team recently visited New Zealand and took the time while there to meet
with alumni and reorganize several chapters.
Christchurch:
In
Christchurch, for example, Alumni Association President-Elect Les
Steward ('72,
Accounting) installed David ('74,
Elementary Education) and Winnie
Ling Bell ('74), who
are also PCC alumni, as the new chapter chairs. Les reported that David
is the Church Educational System director for the South
island, "so they get to see a lot of LDS students. We had a great get
together with the Bells, who organized an alumni dinner with about 20 people."
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Hamilton
alumni, with the Strothers in the front, left |
"We particularly enjoyed meeting with Lina Li, who was one of our PCC Chinese executive interns. In her testimony, she said she wants to be a missionary factor as she travels back and forth to China," Steward added.
Wellington:
When he
was in Wellington, Steward installed Lynn Scanlan ('84,
Vocational
Management)
and his wife, Elisapeta
Matuauto ('84, Secretarial Science)
—
another
PCC alumni couple — as the new chapter chairs.
Hamilton:
About
100 alumni and friends got together
in Hamilton, where the Church College of New Zealand is located. Steward
reported he installed Warren
Strother ('74, Physical Education)
and his wife, Puanani ('77, Elementary Education), as the
new chapter chairs. He added that the group "had a lot of fun" trying
to remember the answers to BYUH/PCC trivia questions.
Washington
D.C.:
A team of 23 BYU-Hawaii administrators,
students and staff along with the Polynesian Cultural Center promo team recently
participated in the twelfth annual Western Family Picnic at the Marriott
ranch in Hume, Virginia, and also appeared at several
events in the Washington, D.C. area for alumni, friends and family, and Church
members.
Church member Richard Marriott, who is a director on the Polynesian Cultural Center board, hosted over 200 guests — including diplomats, ambassadors and U.S. Congressional delegates — at his ranch during the annual event that is sponsored by the Church's International and Government Affairs Office.
The night before the Marriott event, the PCC promo team put on two performances at the Washington, D.C. Temple Visitors Center for over 1,600 members and their guests. They also appeared at the alumni luau on September 27 in the nearby Potomac, Maryland, stake center. Almost 400 people filled the cultural hall to enjoy the program as well as palusami and taro prepared in a real Samoan umu, plus chop suey, Hawaiian kulolo and roast pig. A big mahalo and malo lava to chapter chairs Koko ('99, Political Science) and Noelle Aiolupotea ('99), along with special advisors Joe Fa'amuli ('77, Electronics) and his wife, Salei'a Afele-Fa'amuli ('77).
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BYU-Hawaii
alumni and family in the Seattle area enjoyed a successful luau on October 18. |
Washington (state):
President-Elect Les Steward also attended
the Washington state alumni luau on October 18. He reports that Ben
('89, Information Systems) and Cathy Hosack Lim ('88) and their
executive committee are doing a terrific job. "I am very impressed
with the chapter leadership. They are very well organized," Steward
said. He added there were at least 200 people at the chapter luau, which
helped
the group surpass
their $9,000 scholarship fund goal. "They had a wonderful fundraising
activity," Steward said. "It went very well."
1950-60s
We received a fascinating e-mail from Janeel Slack Smith of New York, whose father, Kenneth Slack, "was the first person hired to work at the Church College as the director of libraries even before its beginnings. Dad also served as a counselor in the Hawaii Temple Presidency while he was working at CCH under President Clissold. Dad is now 83, full of good health, and residing next to my sister, Leona Kay Kananiolaiekapuamuaokakulanui Slack Tenney, in Taylor, AZ. Kanani was the first child born to a faculty member at CCH and was given this name, "The beauty of Laie, the first flower of the big school" by the Hawaiians. We lived in Hawaii for 10 years. Dad was there for CCH's dedication. Three of their children, including me, were born in Kahuku, and we feel great ties to this college and the community of Laie."
Then Kanani
wrote: "CCH/BYU-Hawaii has had a positive influence in my life, especially
when I think about the name that was given to me. Although I didn't attend BYU-Hawaii,
I have always felt the school to be a part of me and have enjoyed reading about
the events that are taking place there, of its accomplishments, and the goals
it has. It certainly has played a significant role in the lives of those who
have lived in the Pacific these past 48 years, and especially those who have
attended, 'entering to learn, going forth to serve.' I feel that it is playing
a significant role in opening the doors to China. I am excited to see that day
arrive and look forward to witnessing
the accomplishments of this University during the next fifty-year period. I
am hoping that my husband and I, along with my father, brothers and sisters
and their spouses, will be in attendance for the Golden Jubilee in 2005."
Beth McKinnon Hunt ('64) and her husband, Tupuola George Hunt ('70, TESL) were among the many alumni who came for the Polynesian Cultural Center's 40th anniversary celebration. Beth, who has lived in Samoa for the past three decades, recalled how she and BYU-Hawaii anthropology professor Max Stanton ('64) were the first haoles to dance at PCC. "I never felt it was like going to work," she said of her years working at the then-new Polynesian Cultural Center. "Today, the PCC is a physically beautiful place, but it's still the feeling of being a family [of employees] that's so special. For so many of us, it wasn't like going to work at all: We danced because we loved it."
Elder Daniel Bowman ('67, Business Management) and his wife are currently serving a mission in Helsinki, Finland.
Sue Johnson Sanft ('68) wrote that she really wanted to attend the PCC's 40th anniversary celebration, but she couldn't get away from her special education teaching responsibilities in Provo, Utah.
Mary McArthur Kukahiko ('69) e-mailed to report she and her husband, Glenn Kukahiko ('58), who was assistant general manager at the Polynesian Cultural Center in the late 60s/early 70s, have been living in Orem. "Our memories of Laie are still so sweet," she said, adding that Glenn recently retired as a respiratory therapist.
1970s
Ofisi Pututau ('70, Sociology) and his wife, Suliana Sisi Kofe ('64), also came for the PCC's anniversary. After graduating from CCH, Ofisi earned a master's in counseling from BYU and then returned to Honolulu where he worked for LDS Social Services for five years. Their family has been living in Salt Lake City since 1980. Pututau's parents served as labor missionaries in Laie.
Mollie Casil Wolthuis ('71) from Utah; Frank and Alexa Merrill (both '72, Speech and Theater), who live in Indianapolis, Indiana; and Albert Peters ('75, Industrial Arts) from American Samoa were some of 1970s alumni who also came to the PCC anniversary.
Don Sibbett ('72) is another alum who came for the PCC's 40th. Don, who is part-Hawaiian, still lives on the family ranch in Wayan, Idaho, where he grew up. "I loved the atmosphere of aloha," he recalled. "I had roommates from China, Viet Nam, Samoa and Fiji, and basically we all got along really well. Now, it's so overwhelming to see my daughter working at the PCC." Don added updates on his younger brother, Jim Sibbett ('78, Social Work) and his wife, Meleana Piimanu ('76), who now live in Lacey, Washington; and Gene Sibbett, who lives close to him.
David Seymon ('73), who joined the Church while attending CCH, is writing a story on how he overcame a devastating auto accident followed by four craniotomies, a four-month coma and many months of rehab in a "new body." He was influenced in his decision to join the Church by fellow alum Maxwell A.E. Mohr, a returned missionary from Tahiti, and would appreciate if anyone can help him contact Max.
Orin Jackson ('78, Business Management) recently stopped by. He's been living in Riverside, Utah, and is very interested in Hawaiian sovereignty. At one time, Orin owned the Tanaka's Store compound north of Kahuku, which used to be the half-way goal for Coach John Lowell's "pain barrier" run.
Gary Smith ('76, Communications), who is a partner in a Honolulu video production business, not only came back for the PCC anniversary celebration, but also volunteered to help two video crews here from Utah to document the week's events. "It's my experience here in Laie that prepared me in every way to get out in the real world. I was prepared technically and professionally, but it really comes down to the intercultural experience we have out here. When we go into the wider world, we put those things into practice...and the world is amazed," said Gary, who is originally from Melbourne, Australia. Four years ago he started the Sina Foundation, named after his hanai son, in Sierra Leone, west Africa. The foundation works with displaced and kidnapped children.
Ken Mailo ('79, Business Management) lives in Kihei, Maui, and works for the Maui Center for Independent Living in Wailuku.
1980s
Wendell Jung ('87, Human Resources), who works for the Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel, and his wife, Sandra Clugston ('88, Elementary Education) live in Mililani. He writes: "As I look back on my experiences at BYU-Hawaii, I can see that they did prepare me for my life now. From my classes to Church callings, being a student at BYU-Hawaii provided excellent examples for me to pattern my life around. I can still feel its influence even 16 years later. As it was once explained, this campus gives students the opportunity to be instructed so they can return to their homes, be leaders of high integrity and influence others for good, thus fulfilling the vision and mission for this campus."
Alumni Mosese Tupou, his wife Kawai Kekuaokalani ('87) and their family came from Seattle for the PCC celebration.
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They
were terrific: lots of hula, Maori fire poi, the Joseph Smith lakalaka,
some pretty decent Tahitian...considering, and even some excellent
fire dancing among lots of talent up on stage. What a night! ALOHA...and
see you in another 10 years. — photo by Monique
Saenz |
Among other alumni attending the PCC reunion: Peter Wendt ('84, Business Management) and his wife, Donna Weber ('70, Elementary Education), who live in Salinas, California; Joe Fa'amuli ('77) and his wife, Salei'a Afele-Fa'amuli ('77), who now live in Rockport, Maryland; and Lamar Benavides ('87, Human Resources), who lives in Hamilton, New Zealand. Peter works as an elections administrator for Monterrey County; Joe works in the U.S. Congressional office of American Samoa Rep. Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin ('66), who got up on stage to siva Samoa during the alumni night show; Salei'a, who went on to earn a master's of public health and Ph.D. degrees, works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in D.C.; and Lamar is a motivational facilitator for the unemployed.
1990s
"I always enjoy reading the Newsletter. It reminds me monthly of the responsibility of being a BYUH graduate, and also the standards that I need to keep even though I am no longer there in person," writes Janie Hsiu-Chen Chou ('93, Information Systems).
Checking in from Cairns, Australia: James "Red" Gardner ('96, TESOL) is teaching English to international students while his wife, Yvonne Davies ('98, TESOL), watches their three children. He writes: "We are so grateful for our experience in Hawaii — for everything we learned from everyone: teachers, bishops, workmates and roommates. We can't help but want to share our experiences with anyone that will listen. Working as guides at the PCC was an incredible experience, and we still sometimes recite bits of our tours to each other for old times sake. We'd do it all again, 10 times over! Mahalo."
Aleni Fuatimau ('99, Information Systems), who is the director of human resources for the Church Education System in Samoa, recently wrote: "I look forward to receiving a copy of the newsletter at the end of every month. It's really an excellent tool that makes me feel connected to all the BYUH alumni, especially those I knew during the years I attended. I will never forget the experiences and the fun we had while attending school there and will always cherish those days. It was BYUH that prepared me academically and spiritually to become the person I am today. I learned to love and respect other cultures because of the great time we spent laughing and sharing with students from other countries. I am forever grateful for President David O. McKay's vision in which he saw me coming to BYUH and returning to my homeland to serve my people." Aleni and his wife, Asofa Maiava ('86, Business Management) now have four children.
2000s
Daniel Skaf ('01, International Cultural Studies: Communications) recently took a break from graduate school in California to go to Utah where his film, The Birthing of Iosepa, won the "best documentary" in the International Gloria Film Festival in West Valley City. Skaf's film documented not only the creation but the spirit that went into completing the BYU-Hawaii traditional sailing canoe, Iosepa. Incidentally, the Iosepa was displayed in the Little Circle during President Gordon B. Hinckley's visit to campus.
Daniel
Fale ('02,
History) is working in Tonga's Ministry of Finance as an assistant to
the Secretary of
Finance in the Corporate Services Department, which is also responsible
for some parts of the kingdom's information technology. "It has been a good
experience here so far, and I am looking forward
to what the future holds."
Editor's
Note:
This
past week has been one of those extra special times, among many in Laie, when
old friends and alumni from afar came home to share in the spirit of the Polynesian
Cultural Center during its 40th anniversary celebration.
The PCC has dramatically touched the lives of all BYU-Hawaii alumni, even those
who
didn't
work there.
For those
who
did,
however,
this past
week I've heard alumni say how much they cherish and loved not only dancing
or working with the guests, but also washing dishes and preparing pineapple
deelites. Some spoke of meeting their spouses while working at PCC, and all
expressed
gratitude for the opportunity of participating in the PCC experience, my dear
wife (Sally
Ann 'Mac' McShane, '68, Business Education, and a PCC dancer) and
I among them. Aloha nui nui loa, PCC, for all you've done for all of us. May
the next
40
years
be even
better.
— Mike
Foley ('70, TESL)
Editor
and Alumni Association President
(PCC student stage manager)
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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.
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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.
Read previous 2002 or 2003 issues of the BYU-Hawaii Alumni Newsletter