With only sugar cane fields as a canvas, labor missionaries turned BYU–Hawaii into the thriving ecosystem that it is today. Labor missionaries needed to plant more than 27,000 plants, according to the first labor missionary yearbook published in 1958, which included importing plant species that were not available in Hawaii.

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Indigo Tetuaapua, a sophomore from Laie studying political science, said she grew up in the Laie community. One thing that is very important about her culture, she said, is the celebration of first birthdays. “When people came to the Hawaiian Islands, there was disease going around. So the babies sometimes wouldn’t make it to their first birthdays. If they lived to 1, it was a huge celebration, and that tradition is still carried on to this day.”

Rahul Mungamuri, a sophomore from India majoring in business, said, “My personal hero is my younger brother because he is so honest, and he follows the commandments better than anyone else in the family. If someone gives him even one dollar more in change than they should have, he would spend five dollars to go and give back that one dollar. He doesn’t lie. He’s very strong in his beliefs.”

BYUH students say living in Laie helps them learn to follow Christ and like the banyan tree, people grow together in unity

Employees of BYUH come together in celebration of their time and service at the university

Hanitua Tiihiva Takotua, a sophomore from Tahiti majoring in elementary education, said she is grateful for President McKay’s belief in the University. “I would say thank you for his care, love and blessing to BYUH and the promise he gave to the people allowing many students from all around the world to gather in one place and receive an affordable education.”

BYUH international student shares her experiences as she battled feelings of loneliness and overcame her fears with her faith