As the New Year began with resolutions made and a chance to start fresh in the new semester, the BYU-Hawaii community shares their predictions for the twists and turns 2014 has in store.“My prediction for 2014? The gym [weight room] will be packed for a week or two and then no one will be there the rest of the year,” said Abigail Smith, a biology senior from Iowa.“2014 is the year of the Jimmy! Jimmy Fallon is moving to the Tonight Show and Seth Meyers is moving to starting a Late Night Show. I’m so incredibly excited!” said Cara Adams, a junior in psychology from California. “With 2014 here, all I can think is I’ll finally be able to know what happens at the end of the ‘Hobbit’ when it comes out in December,” said Gentry Bailey, a Spanish education major from Kona, Hawaii. “And yes, I’m fully aware I could read the book,” he added.“I heard someone say hashtags were a 2013 thing. Not a chance. Hashtags will never die,” said Stephen Adams, a social work major from Alaska.2014 has been labeled the “year of the Jimmy,” and “the year of Seth Meyers,” as Meyers’ face recently graced the cover of Time magazine. The Chinese zodiac calls 2014 the year of the horse.Ke Alaka’i predicts an exciting and eventful 2014 of our own with the unveiling of our Instagram: @kealakainews, our Twitter account: @KeAlakaiNews, our Facebook page, Youtube channel, and our website: kealakai.byuh.edu where students can access local and world news stories. Sports recaps, student life, faculty interviews, and community news can be found through these social media outlets. #ShamelessPlug

The Chinese Chapter of BYU–Hawaii celebrated the beginning of the year of the monkey, which begins Feb. 8, helping students from other parts of the world understand and appreciate an annual tradition.

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.

Mormon Explorer is a website that connects travelers with people willing to show them around their country. The service is free.

“‘Oku ‘I Ho ‘Aofinima Ho’o Mo’ui Lelei” is a video series headed by former BYU-Hawaii President Eric Shumway meant to change the eating behavior of Tongans and help them understand what they can do to avoid diabetes.

Esther Candari, a graduating senior fine arts major from Kaneohe, showcased contemporary realism in painting and sculpture with the theme “Greater than Rubies” in the lobby of the McKay Auditorium on May 13.

The Reading Writing Lab is a free service on campus offering all students advice on writing resumes or essays, along with developing their reading skills. Erin Baker, a senior from Florida majoring in TESOL and manager of the RWL, said, “One thing we want to emphasize is that this center is for native English speakers as much as it is for our international learners of English.”

Critics of Black Friday shopping speculate pushing stores to open the morning of Thanksgiving will ruin the spirit of the holiday. Shopping centers all across Oahu are pairing up with local news sources to announce even earlier store openings than last year.Jaime Apiatu, a junior from Washington D.C., said, “I’m not an avid shopper, but I know people who are, and when Black Friday hits, they are completely different people.” Apiatu explained his love from Thanksgiving came from large family gatherings every year and “feeling the love” from all around. “Capitalism and our incessant need for the ‘next big thing’ is threatening this feeling,” Apiatu said.According to media analyst, Megan Marsden Christensen, shoppers can already preview “Black Friday” deals and some won’t even have to leave their homes to shop. “On Thanksgiving morning, Walmart customers will be able to purchase select items without leaving their house,” Christensen reported.It’s not just this year that attention is being given to the increasing in material consumption. Last year, UPS reports asking major online retail companies like Amazon, Ebay, etc. to “not make the mistake of offering free overnight shipping as late as Dec. 23rd.” Though this promise increased sales, “carriers just cannot deliver every late and procrastinated purchase,” explained the UPS official report.Time Magazine explains it’s not the corporation’s fault Thanksgiving is being ruined by Christmas shopping, “our shop-anytime-anywhere culture demands it.” Big department stores have no option but to open earlier to combat the competition. Masses of otherwise avid Black Friday Shoppers denounced earlier store openings despite the fact it is what they demanded themselves.Staying open for 24 hours straight also calls into question the ethics of Black Friday. Last holiday season, word leaked that Macy’s issued a poll amongst employees to see if they would be willing to work starting at 7:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, while also implicitly stating they might be called in to work whether they put down yes or no on their poll.This Black Friday brings to light the backdoor happenings of the corporation-stricken population in America today. Rachel Leota, a freshman majoring in English, said, “Whether or not I wait in line the night before or early in the morning on Friday, Thanksgiving still warmed me up better than a hot deal at a department store.”

Dr. Marcus H. Martins, former Department Chair of BYU–Hawaii’s Department of Religion, returned home in August 2014 from serving as a mission president in Brazil São Paulo North Mission. He served from July 2011 to July 2014 with his wife, Mirian Abelin Barbosa.