Walking through the BYU–Hawaii campus, students can hear a chorus of drilling, hammering and giant trucks driving by. Despite the inconvenience, construction workers said their work is a fulfillment of prophecy.
Among the projects underway are the Seasider Turf Field behind the McKay Gymnasium and the REC Solar Project that will provide both covered parking and one-third of the electricity on campus.
John Tippetts, a BYUH project manager, said the university is at an unprecedented point of development in its history. BYUH has built more and faster than ever before, Tippetts said, and the university expects to continue building for the foreseeable future.
He added ironically he hopes each project never truly finishes, since the mission of the Church is to continuously grow. “It’s a great testimony builder to me to see how committed the brethren are to building character in students,” he said. The project isn’t about profit, but rather producing quality leadership, Tippetts remarked.
Peni Kioa, a senior from Tonga studying applied mathematics and an intern in the Planning, Design & Construction department, said the goal of these new construction projects is to guide students to BYUH. “This is where leaders are built to help them build the kingdom of God. We want future students to see we have something nowhere else has and have them experience it themselves.”
Kioa said the leadership of the construction department makes these projects meaningful, particularly Kirk Tyler, the major projects manager of the Planning, Design & Construction Department. Tyler said he is excited about the projects because he gets to see students use them. “They will benefit mostly because the designs deliver a better opportunity for student life and academic learning,” he said.
The turf field
The Seasider Turf Field, located outside of the McKay Gymnasium and south of the Cannon Activities Center, will be given high-tech turf that contains a special material that will regulate the temperature of the turf even in high temperatures, Kioa said. “Students are going to be very happy to have this field, and I’m excited for it, too.”
In addition to the high-tech turf, Kioa said there will be a raised rock wall and adjacent pavilion to accommodate spectators for intramural events. To address the previous issue of soccer or rugby balls entering the Polynesian Cultural Center’s backlot, Kioa said the fences are being raised and protective netting is being installed to keep them in the complex.
The solar project
Originally approved under President John Tanner, the solar project is taking shape, Tippetts said. He always wanted to do a solar project, he shared, but still has a lot to learn. One of the project’s pieces of equipment is a Tesla megapack battery, the only one of its kind on Oahu, which will power the solar grid, Tippetts explained.
He said he is pleased BYUH is becoming green by using solar-produced electricity on campus. “Fossil fuel production represents 70 percent of the greenhouse gases, so we’re doing our part to reduce greenhouse gases,” he said. Tippetts explained when the grid is activated, it will produce one-third of the electricity on campus.
At the end of January, the project was more than 60 percent completed, Tippetts said. The project will be nearly completed in April, he said, but workers will continue to do electrical work.
Dedication and commitment
Tippetts said he hopes students understand the level of commitment needed for these projects. “We are a small group, yet the First Presidency are so interested in what goes on,” he said. “They want to be certain students here have an opportunity to grow and develop.”
Kioa said the leadership in the construction department are dedicated to their jobs, and he is fortunate to work with them, especially Tyler and Tippetts. “They are always receiving revelation and their vision is the same as President McKay, which is to bring millions to this campus,” he said.
From Tyler, Kioa said he has learned to be open to learning and serving. “He has all the skills from his many years in construction, and I am just fortunate to see and learn from him every day.”
The most exciting thing about the construction on campus is the progress that has been made, Kioa said. Even though it takes a lot of work, he explained it makes him happy to see the joy in the faces of students and faculty. “Our goal as a construction company is ensuring the customer is happy. If that happens, we’ve accomplished our goal.”
Before a construction project begins, Kioa said there are phases, like planning, zoning and design, that need to be completed first. “It can take many years before a project even starts.” He said planning is the hardest part. “If you make a mistake in that phase, everything else will fall apart.”
“We’re all in this together,” Kioa continued. “We’ve talked about the importance of teamwork a lot.”
Tippets said, “It is another family here. Because we’re dealing with different contractors from different places and backgrounds and experiences, we get kind of a combined knowledge that not any one of us gets.”
To see construction updates on Orange Cone, see here.