On the vast, barren vistas of Antarctica, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Sciences Spencer Ingley was one of five volunteers selected by AirBnB and The Ocean Conservancy to travel to the Great White Continent of Antarctica, in order to understand the impact human activity could have on the environment.

BYU-Hawaii’s Enactus team took second place, losing out on first place by tenths of a point, at the national Enactus exposition held in Kansas City, Mo., against the top 200 universities across the country. “Our students, consistently over the years, are the favorites of the corporations and audiences that watch the event,” said BYUH Enactus’ team Advisor Kevin Castle. “Our students have a special spirit about them that radiates and sets them apart. Not only do they represent world-class capabilities and the quality of BYUH students to the sponsoring corporations as potential employees, they also represent the wholesome values and integrity of our church and school.” Twelve project managers and six student presenters traveled to Kansas City for the exposition. Nickolas Bramwell, current BYUH Enactus president, attended the competition as a member of the presentation team. The team came up a mere point behind Flagler College, a university in Florida. “When BYU-Hawaii received 2nd place, I was at first heartbroken,” said Bramwell. “So many people have given thousands of hours towards these projects, and we had prepared all year to win the exposition. However, my opinion changed the very next day as we presented our projects to our extended BYUH ‘ohana in Salt Lake City. The combined efforts of our student teams have impacted 99,000 people, improving their quality of life,” Bramwell said. According to Castle, the main goal of the team is to “align our activities to fulfill the core mission of the university.” He added, “We believe by using professional processes and proven principles in how we serve, we not only serve more effectively, but also we become more effective leaders ourselves.” Last year the team, previously operating under the name of SIFE, came in third nationally. In response, they revamped their strategy coming up with a 17-minute presentation that contributed to their win. Bramwell said, “This year’s efforts expanded upon the momentum and groundwork laid by previous year’s students and advisers. I am so grateful for the many years of training and leadership provided by previous students, advisers, and business advisory board members. This year was definitely different, but at the core, the BYU-Hawaii Enactus chapter has always been passionate about serving others through creative business.” The presentation itself wasn’t the only thing that was rethought, but the actual projects themselves. Gauging the needs of local as well as international communities, BYUH’s Enactus team was able to focus on the greatest needs, said participants. “We asked probing and challenging business-related questions to our team to understand our team’s true capabilities and understanding of effective business principles in relation to our projects,” Castle said. The presentation team was able to showcase the progress and “creative business” BYUH Enactus has made in the past year by presenting some of their best projects. SWATT, Cambodia Orphanage, Congo Entraide, Akin, Tuvalu Preschool, Dream Navigator, Fiji Vibes, Hawaii Oceans, Hukilau Aquaponics, and IIPP were among the projects shown in the competition. Besides the accolades given in respects to their projects, a couple of ‘ohana members who supported the BYUH Enactus team also received high honors. Bramwell said, “Our projects represent wise stewardship of what has been given to us. Additionally, I felt truly humbled and grateful to be among such mentors and students who represent a global Zion, who partner with each and give of their time and resources for the benefit of others. So in retrospect, the national exposition is a unique competition, in which ‘we all win,’ regardless of how we are ranked.” Dr. Bill Neal, a BYUH Enactus faculty advisor, was given the most prestigious and rare award Enactus can bestow to faculty advisors as he was inaugurated into the Sam Walton Fellows Hall of Fame. “More importantly than winning first place was the influence on the various lives of children,” Neal said. “The projects have been a huge impact on individuals involved, as well as the growth of our own team.” BYUH President Steven C. Wheelwright was also awarded with being the most supportive university president among all universities in the U.S. for his support for BYUH Enactus. According to Castle, President Wheelwright and the administration’s support in elevating Enactus from a club to a fully funded academic program have made positive strides. The team also received $5,000 for receiving the OB Ocean Pollution award. Neal commented on BYUH Enactus’ rise to fame on the national spotlight, saying, “It’s so gratifying to see the reputation gained over the last few years and see how that room filled and people saying, ‘That’s the team to beat.’” Neal continued, “Over 90 percent of our project managers are hired at graduation. There are 200 jobs available just this [past] week from the corporate sponsors here at the national event. Most of our 18 students who traveled here to Kansas City already have job interviews and meetings with real employers at a career fair.” “Although there are several personal benefits students get from Enactus, the motivating factor for most students is seeing the measurable and sustainable impact they make in the lives of those they serve,” Neal said. For those interested in joining the BYUH Enactus team, they can contact head faculty advisor, Brother Richard Tanner, at the Willis Center.

Navigating his way through life’s challenges and uncertainties, senior Vaughn Curioso said he didn’t do it alone. The graphic design major from Santa Maria in the Philippines said he got help spiritually from Heavenly Father, support from his family, and even a life-changing conversation with a refugee from the Congo he met on his mission in Utah.

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in Sulawesi, a major island in central Indonesia, on Sept. 28, triggering a tsunami with waves of 20 feet to hit eastern Sulawesi at 497 mph. BYU-Hawaii Indonesian students shared how although natural disasters are frequent, th Indonesian government doesn’t alert their citizens in an efficient way.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not represent to those of the Ke Alaka'i or BYU-Hawaii. The article below highlights the opinions of BYUH students from Australia on the subject of legalizing same-sex marriage in their home country.

For those who donated blood at the Blood Bank of Hawaii Blood Drive hosted by BYU-Hawaii on Sept. 27 and 28, they said their motivation included examples set by family members and knowing they are helping save lives.

Huki, the new canoe show at the Polynesian Cultural Center, bridges traditional and contemporary elements into the dances, songs, and costumes of six island nations: Hawai‘i, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and Samoa. It also tells the story of the PCC that holds importance to the Laie community. With about seven years of preparation, performers shared their hope to introduce the epic tale of the Pacific to guests, locals, and BYU-Hawaii students through Huki.

After the stresses of the global pandemic, an opportunity was presented to share unique cultures with one another and to cheer on brothers and sisters of the BYU–Hawaii ohana from all over the world. The nine chapters that presented their dances at Culture Night 2021 were met with enthusiasm from cheers and smiles from the crowd. The gratitude from the students and faculty participating in the event was unmistakable.

Ryan Lager, who works for the Honolulu Fire Department, came into the Ke Alaka‘i office for the routine fire safety checks that happen periodically on the BYU–Hawaii campus. Upon inspecting the office, he suggested moving the microwave because it was plugged into an extension cord. He said it was a necessity to have the microwave plugged into a direct outlet to reduce the fire hazard.