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.”
Laie the gathering place
Housman, a BYUH alumna and associate professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, said BYUH and Laie are both special places for her and her family. From New Jersey, Housman said she came to BYUH in 1978 and graduated in 1982.
Housman said she was 12 years old when she first visited the PCC with her family. This experience, she said, was life changing. “When we went to the PCC, my twin brother and I were really touched. At age 12, we decided [BYUH] was where we wanted to go to school.”
Although she grew up Methodist, in 1977, Housman said she and her family joined the Church, the year before she came to BYUH. Both BYUH and the PCC, she said, played an important role in spreading the gospel to people from all over the world. “I am a product of that. Going to the PCC really opened the doors for me and others to know more about the Church,” Housman said.
“The land in Laie purchased by the Church is an important event. It was a significant piece of the history of Laie back in 1865. There were 10 missionaries in Laie and only five stayed. But out of the five missionaries who stayed, by the time they left, there were close to 4,000 saints who joined the Church. The Church wanted a gathering place due to the large number of saints,” she explained.
Housman said, “Many people have asked why Laie was chosen to be the place to build the school and temple. The answer is that Elder William W. Cluff served as a missionary in Hawaii. In 1865 he had a vision where Brigham Young appeared to him and said Laie was the place to build the temple. “For Laie to be chosen as the place to build the temple, it is really sacred and a special place,” she shared.
Housman said after Laie was purchased by the Church, they started growing sugar cane on its plantations. She added, in the 1800s there was a mission school and the school was built near where the temple president resides today.
“As the school grew, David O. McKay was doing a world tour. Hawaii was his last stop and he went to the mission school to observe elementary children raise the flag. When he saw the many different nationalities and ethnic groups of the children he was so touched,” Housman said.
She explained David O. McKay was overwhelmed by what he saw because it was the first place he witnessed different people from different countries congregate in one place. “It was really a memorable experience for him. So much so that when he became prophet, he felt the school should be built. In 1955, the Church College of Hawaii was established.”
A place of dreams, visions and prophecies
Mason Kamana Allred, a BYUH alumnus and assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters, said, “I am amazed at how much the memory of Laie and the stories we tell ourselves about Laie today are rooted in dreams, visions and prophecies.
“This makes each little swerve in the story feel directed and inspired. It means Francis Hammond was inspired to push for the acquisition. President Smith was inspired to get a temple built here,” he shared.
“This place is an amalgamation of prophecies and revelations, one after one and on top of another. It’s a small place, but everywhere you go you are stepping on and into layers of inspiration that has been acted on.”
Housman said she felt as though she was a part of David O. McKay’s prophecy of missionary work in Laie. She said, “I am just a small part of millions of people who have come here and have felt the same feeling. Seeds were planted into our hearts after coming to Laie.
“The feeling of aloha and peace is what the campus of BYUH and Laie are all about. Students not only learn and go forth to serve but also have wonderful experiences here,” Housman said.
Of McKay’s prophecy, Housman said, “It has affected us as faculty and staff of BYUH because there is a defined mission and defined purpose here. … It is part of BYUH’s mission to help students to understand what their mission is in life and how they can serve our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”
Whether a one-day tourist or a lifelong resident, Allred said so many individuals have been touched by their time here. He said when people leave Laie, the peace, unity and aloha accompany them wherever they go. “Once you’ve been here, it’s hard to shake its splendor.”
Housman’s advice to all who come and live in Laie is to listen to the little whisperings of the Spirit. She said the Lord will let you know what you need to do.
“My constant prayer to Heavenly Father is to help me know how to do my work and to know His will,” she said. “If each one of us can do that, then we will be doing our Heavenly Father’s work.”
Jay Akoi, a former BYUH women’s volleyball coach and alumnus from the Big Island, said sports are also an important part of the history of Laie and BYUH. He said, “Sports at the Church College of Hawaii provided athletes the opportunity to share their skills and talents with one another.”
Akoi said there were non-members on his teams who obtained testimonies and joined the Church. “To see many of our athletes become mothers and raise a righteous generation is priceless and beyond measure. The history of Laie must be remembered so the legacy of sports can continue to live on.”
His hope, Allred said, is for students to realize and take advantage of the unique history that has “made for an abundant present with all kinds of potential.”
He continued, “I only hear of men having dreams, visions, and prophecies. I am afraid we don’t hear enough about the women who made this place what it is. The fact this place has the PCC, temple and the University on the shores of Oahu makes this one of the most amazing places to be.”