Campus & Community

Prao Rongthong, a junior accounting major from Thailand and student Banyan Hall Dining worker, said Chef Spencer Tan would never forget to say hello to her when he sees her. She said seeing him always makes her feel better whenever she is feeling down or having a bad day.

Longtime BYU-Hawaii administrative assistant to four university presidents, Joanna Kaimalino Lua Thompson was remembered for her aloha, service, intellect and talents by her large extended family and friends on Saturday, July 16.

Started on Instagram as part of a class project, The Polynesian Effect shares the stories of business owners, artists and illustrators, genealogists, editors-in-chief, educators and more, who all have one thing in common: ties to Polynesia.

The Hawaiian monk seal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is one of the world’s most endangered species of seal. For 60 years, their population has been declining, and their current population level is only one-third the amount it once was. According to the NOAA, the current population count has surpassed 1,500.

While mochi is a continuous fan favorite among BYU–Hawaii students, the culture of mochi runs deep for several students, especially those from Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiian cultures. Mari Kojima, a junior majoring in peacebuilding from Hokkaido, Japan, said, “Mochi is a part of our life.”

While students would like the opportunity to travel to a neighboring island, or “island hop,” the potentially high costs can be a bit discouraging. Here are some ways students of BYU–Hawaii have afforded island hopping while on a college budget.

When describing the Heiva Festival in one word, Johann Faana-Kong and Junior Pedron both said “culture.” Faana-Kong continued, “It truly does represent Tahiti culture in all ways. From the dancing, the Orero [a traditional Polynesian monologue], the food and the focus on family and friend time, it feels very Tahiti.”

Laie is home to Pacific Islanders who grow up mixed within different cultures, shared Caryn Lesuma, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters and a Laie native. Many are seeking a sense of who they are, just as she did when she was younger, said Lesuma. As a part-Samoan, she added, she grew up trying to figure out who and what she represented.

Chaille Faye Kioa, BYU–Hawaii alumna from Tonga who majored in political science, was one of nine students selected to attend the field study at the United Nations Headquarters in the first week of Spring Semester.