Hawaii Says NO MORE, a local adaptation of the national public awareness campaign of the same name, focuses on ending domestic violence and sexual assault, as stated in its website hawaiisaysnomore.org. It invites the public to play a part so its influence can spread to other parts of the world.

The challenges she faced as an international student in the United States are what fuel her each day, says Gloria Mensah, co-founder and executive director of the GK Folks Foundation, on the foundation’s website.

Past participants of the annual Undergraduate Research Conference at BYU-Hawaii said it helped them prepare for presenting at national conferences, defend their research and improve their resumes.BYUH alumnus and 2013 conference participant Wyeth Thomas remarked, “Presenting at the conference will not only be a great asset on grad school application and your CV, but also it will give you a feel for an important aspect of a career in academia and is a great step towards presenting at a national conference.”After long hours of work on projects and research, BYUH students will have the opportunity to present their projects on March 20 at various places around campus. It is an event provided for students to practice presenting their research and have it reviewed and questioned by peers and superiors. “Many on this campus do not realize just how much exceptional work is being done by the students in research and creative endeavors,” said, Phillip McArthur, the dean of the College of Language, Culture and Arts. “Our students are not simply passive recipients of knowledge but are actively seeking it out and producing it themselves in very capable ways that achieve a high standard.” The conference will provide a place where this work will be able to be displayed and for others to acknowledge all of the research that has taken place by students. 2013 Research Conference participant, Crystal Bates, said, “I thought the conference was great and that it was a good opportunity to talk about my project in front of a critical audience and prepare for other presentations I have to give on this project.”The conference opens its doors and welcomes students, faculty and staff to attend. Questions and comments follow the presentations so the students can have experience with responding to their peers, teachers and mentors. All of this helps with preparing to enter the workforce, said past participants, or to go on to graduate school.Students need to submit a proposal to present at the conference by March 15. An electronic copy of a student’s research abstract must be sent to the administrative assistants of the College of Math and Sciences (charlene.keliiliki@byuh.edu) or Language, Culture, and Arts (michelle.campbell@byuh.edu). “Each proposal will be reviewed by the members of their respective college. The committee will either accept the proposal, accept with minor revisions, or ask the student for a more substantial revisions and resubmission. The colleges may also reject proposals it deems inappropriate for the conference or those of insufficient quality or rigor,” says conference information. “We invite proposals for papers, posters, performances, creative writing readings, art displays, and exhibitions. Students from all disciplines will have the opportunity to share their scholarly and creative accomplishments with the entire university community.”

As New York City grapples with the legality of the ban on the sale of large cups of soda and other sugary drinks, soda has increasingly come under fire for fueling the nation's rising obesity rates. But water has quietly risen to knock it off the top spot. The average amount of water people drink has increased 38 percent to about 58 gallons a year. Bottled water has led that growth with consumption nearly doubling to 21 gallons a year. BYU-Hawaii students said they are drinking more water and less soda.“I really enjoy drinking water, yet I find myself not drinking enough throughout the day,” said Uraia Levaci, a senior in social work from Laie. “I’m not sure if it’s the hassle of carrying a bottle of water everywhere I go or having to refill it all the time, but I am definitely trying to drink at least the recommended amount.” In fact, the amount of bottled water Americans drink has risen every year for more than two decades. But because of concerns that plastic bottles create too much waste, experts say bottled water could be hit by a public backlash similar to the one that has whipsawed the soda industry with pushes for bans and taxes.Bottled water that is less than a liter is already is starting to face similar opposition [legally banned]. "Good old marketing has convinced people that they should spend a lot of money on bottled water," said Salome Freud, chief of New York City's distribution water quality operations. With bottled water, people tend to buy whatever is cheapest, Freud said. That's a habit that forces companies to keep prices relatively low, which eats into profits. This is why companies are investing so heavily in developing nations such as China and India, where the appetite for soda continues to grow.“I find it wrong that companies are trying to target developing countries to sell a drink that has high fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid, and artificial sweeteners that destroys your health,” said Tina Tinam, a junior in social work from Micronesia. “It’s not a healthy drink. I completely stopped drinking soda...I always order water, and it’s free at most restaurants.”

The British Library in London and the National Library of Israel announced a joint project that will digitize and publish one of the oldest surviving Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible online, according to the Associated Press. This manuscript dates back over 1,000 years. The manuscripts will be available online in a few years, according to AP.

Elder Kearon speaks about providing support for refugees

the New York Times recently reported various studies and researches done by medical centers in the United States showing the benefits of practicing Tai Chi Quan.Tai chi is a gentle form of traditional Chinese martial arts that combines elements of kong fu, traditional Chinese medicine, and art. Its practicing pose looks like slow dancing. The most significant feature of tai chi is to require participants to use diaphragmatic breathing.Will Kongaika, a sophomore majoring in finance from California, said, “I have done tai chi before. I think it is relaxing like yoga.”Zachary Kenneth, a senior from England, shared his experiences with tai chi: “I was involved with tai chi before coming to BYU-Hawaii. My family also participated in martial arts including kong fu and tai chi. I had a good experience with practicing tai chi and kong fu. It made me more stronger and flexible. I would love to do more.”Tsz Ki Ng, a freshman from Hong Kong, shared what she knows about tai chi: “My father is a tai chi participant. Several times, he joined the national tai chi competitions and achieved the ranks. He kept practicing it everyday for more than three years. At the beginning, he decided to learn because he read from a book that practicing tai chi can improve your brain and breathing. Later he took a few classes and then started to learn following a DVD all by himself.”A study from last year published in National Center for Biotechnology Information showed tai chi participants’ brains had greater development in connectivity, decision-making, and attention than the people who had never done tai chi.The study also found practicing tai chi can improve practitioners’ “balance, leg strength, cardiovascular endurance, pulse rate, muscular flexibility, sleep habits, immune system response, happiness, sense of self-worth, and ability to concentrate and multitask during cognitive tests,” reports the New York Times. It’s an effective workout for people of any age.Ng said her father always encouraged her and her brother to learn tai chi as it is good for health. “My father said he earns more energy through practicing tai chi, and his brain became more clear and nimble. He also said Tai Chi Quan is part of Chinese traditional culture. Practicing it is also to help continue the culture.”The director of the Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine at Tufts Medical Center in Boston said tai chi “can improve both physical and psycho-social health.”However, as scientists haven’t done the research that compares the effectiveness of practicing tai chi with other activities, they can’t say yet whether tai chi has better benefits for people than other types of light-to-moderate exercise, like walking, yoga or weight training, said the New York Times. Many low-cost classes for people who are interested in learning tai chi are offered by community centers and YMCAs nationwide in the United States. People can find the a program close to their location by visiting the American Tai Chi and Qigong Association’s website at americantaichi.net.Uploaded April 2, 2015

Current and former staff members at BYU–Hawaii share their thoughts and express appreciation for Laie and its history. Moved by her experience at the Polynesian Cultural Center as a child, Professor Alohalani Housman said she is just a small part of the millions who have come to Laie and had a seed planted in their hearts. Although a small place, Professor Mason Allred said everywhere you go in Laie “you are stepping on and into layers of inspiration that has been acted on.”

From writing a kind person's name on the sidewalk with chalk to sharing a genuine smile or an appreciation message to their friends, BYU–Hawaii students said they participated in the Random Acts of Kindness Week by looking outward and serving others by small and simple means. Students shared thoughts and feelings of happiness by being both the giver and the receiver of these acts.