Ke Alaka'i Homepage

Chef Tan posing with his kitchen utensils.

After 15 years, Spencer Tan has retired from serving as a chef for BYU–Hawaii

Prao Rongthong, a junior accounting major from Thailand and student Banyan Hall Dining worker, said Chef Spencer Tan would never forget to say hello to her when he sees her. She said seeing him always makes her feel better whenever she is feeling down or having a bad day.

A older couple sits on bench with the ocean and rocky shoreline behind them. The woman is wearing white muumuu and the man a grey suit, and a white shirt and tie.

Joanna Thompson remembered for sharing aloha with everyone, working with 4 BYUH presidents and teaching life lessons through Scrabble

Longtime BYU-Hawaii administrative assistant to four university presidents, Joanna Kaimalino Lua Thompson was remembered for her aloha, service, intellect and talents by her large extended family and friends on Saturday, July 16.

A man wearing a white, short-sleeved, button-down shirt stands in front a fall foliage with mountains in the background.

Graduate Jay Reid's class project social media account highlights the lives of Polynesians all over the globe

Started on Instagram as part of a class project, The Polynesian Effect shares the stories of business owners, artists and illustrators, genealogists, editors-in-chief, educators and more, who all have one thing in common: ties to Polynesia.

A Hawaiian monk seal lies on a beach with the ocean of the right and foliage and palm trees on the left.

Creature Feature: The Hawaiian Monk Seal is an endangered species

The Hawaiian monk seal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is one of the world’s most endangered species of seal. For 60 years, their population has been declining, and their current population level is only one-third the amount it once was. According to the NOAA, the current population count has surpassed 1,500.

Purple mochi and pink and white mochi are laid out on a purple and pink background. Two of the mochi have bite marks on them.

BYUH students share the differences in their experiences with mochi from Japan, China and Hawaii

While mochi is a continuous fan favorite among BYU–Hawaii students, the culture of mochi runs deep for several students, especially those from Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiian cultures. Mari Kojima, a junior majoring in peacebuilding from Hokkaido, Japan, said, “Mochi is a part of our life.”

A small white boat drives across a bay with a mountain in the background and the rocky shoreline in the foreground

Students share their tips for island hopping in Hawaii for around $200 per person

While students would like the opportunity to travel to a neighboring island, or “island hop,” the potentially high costs can be a bit discouraging. Here are some ways students of BYU–Hawaii have afforded island hopping while on a college budget.

Tahitian woman dressed in traditional attire made from leaves, flowers and woven plant matter, holds up a woven basket in her hands while she dances.

Tahitian dancers use 'anything they can find in nature' to create their competition costumes for Tahiti’s Heiva celebration

When describing the Heiva Festival in one word, Johann Faana-Kong and Junior Pedron both said “culture.” Faana-Kong continued, “It truly does represent Tahiti culture in all ways. From the dancing, the Orero [a traditional Polynesian monologue], the food and the focus on family and friend time, it feels very Tahiti.”

A woman English professor wears a black T-shirt and grey and black Polynesian print sits in a chair in her office surrounded by books on bookshelves.

English Professor Caryn Lesuma aspires for Pacific Islander representation in young adult literature

Laie is home to Pacific Islanders who grow up mixed within different cultures, shared Caryn Lesuma, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters and a Laie native. Many are seeking a sense of who they are, just as she did when she was younger, said Lesuma. As a part-Samoan, she added, she grew up trying to figure out who and what she represented.

A group of college students dressed in business attire, stand on the steps of the United Nations in New York City. Flag poles and flags are behind them.

Marshall Islands ambassador reminds students they are important to the people in the homelands during trip to the U.N.

Chaille Faye Kioa, BYU–Hawaii alumna from Tonga who majored in political science, was one of nine students selected to attend the field study at the United Nations Headquarters in the first week of Spring Semester.