Despite following government orders and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), community members said they are staying productive with activities such as exercising, running by beachside areas and the path between Laie and Kahuku, and even picking up reading as a new hobby.
Zach Teter, a sophomore majoring in business management from California, said his experience as a student during the COVD-19 outbreak had been far from the usual, as he had to adapt to online course in the middle of the Winter Semester.
"We've had to transition into complete online school and online lecturing, which I was not used to." Teter said despite the challenge he faced, he saw an opportunity in the situation by setting appropriate goals for himself to stay accountable for his time.
"I wasn't just wasting my time, but keeping to a schedule helped me to finish the Winter Semester successfully." In the meantime, Teter has been working at the Cafeteria.
Addie Allred, a sophomore social work major from Virginia, attended a year at BYUH before returning home to prepare for a full-time mission. She said it took her a year to submit her application, and the pandemic became an obstacle.
Allred said she struggled to decide if a mission was for her. "I used to wonder why it had taken me so long, but I realize now that the Lord's timing and plan for us as individuals is perfect. I'm starting my mission now, even during this pandemic, because I'm trusting in God and his plan for me."
Upon receiving her mission call to Russia, she described a strong spiritual feeling that reassured her the decision to serve a mission was right, and she now is excited about serving.
"I'm looking forward to experiencing a new culture and language, but I'm also excited to step outside my comfort zone and grow in many ways, spiritually and personally."
I'm looking forward to experiencing a new culture and language, but I'm also excited to step outside my comfort zone and grow in many ways, spiritually and personally.
Sydney Stewart, a BYUH student from California, left on her mission in January 2019 to serve in the Philippines. She expressed her gratitude for her time in the mission, despite having to leave four months early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stewart said her mission was memorable because she felt God’s love for her, and she was grateful for the time she served the Filipino people. "It was amazing for everyone to come together in the Manila Missionary Training Center."
When pandemic was first spreading around the world, Stewart said all foreign missionaries received text messages notifying them of their return to their home countries. "We packed our bags immediately, and it took about a week for us to get home due to multiple checkpoints and waiting for flights. It was devastating. There were no goodbyes.
"I tried my best to keep a positive attitude and make the best out of our situation. It was such a blessing to be able to see God's hand so visibly in our lives with us at each step in the process.
“I miss them so much, but I know that Heavenly Father's plan is perfect, and this is the way it should be. I know the Lord wanted me to serve a 14-month mission."
Dennis Mataia, a bishop of the Laie YSA 12th Ward in the Laie Hawaii YSA 1st Stake, talked about how the pandemic affected him.
"I have been placed with no work, no income, stuck at home with no leisure activities, but then there is a whole flipside. For our family specifically, it's a good thing. We have money saved.
“People around me, I haven't seen much of a great need as far as food or money, at least not that I know. But I think if this will prolong, I will start to see the signs of it."
Avoiding Facebook for a year, Mataia said he appreciates it now because it has allowed him to stay connected with family friends.
Mataia has also said his family practices the rule of reducing the use of electronics at home. He said people do not know the good they can do unless the things that occupy them are taken away.
"We've taken down our television and only bring it out on Friday movie nights. Our children have picked up more books, which is an outcome we would have never envisioned. I have picked up a book, which if you know me, must be something wrong with me. I hate reading."
Mataia shared the latest book he has read is “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People" by Stephen Covey. He said the COVID-19 dilemma helped him relate to his reading of the "circle of concern" and "circle of influence."
He said determining which of the two to focus on can help people discover a more profound significance about the degrees of being proactive.