The BYU–Hawaii Women’s Organization met between semesters to discuss the wide variety of things to do on Oahu, as well as how to better serve college students and community members.
Lee Anne Kinghorn, former president of the women’s organization and the event’s keynote speaker, listed off her favorite places she has discovered that are within driving distance of Laie.
Kinghorn expressed her desire to impart her knowledge of what Oahu has to offer as she and her husband plan to move off island. Among the many things that she listed were public libraries, bookstores, food trucks, thrift stores, grocery markets, and restaurants. Kinghorn specifically mentioned the Thai Food Express Truck in Punalu’u, as well as the Don Quijote Japanese market in downtown Honolulu.
According to www.byuh.edu, the BYUHWO “is a service-oriented institution seeking to provide intellectual, cultural and social opportunities for its members and to promote a spirit of harmony and unity among the members of the university and the community.”
Molly Curtis, a member of the Women’s Organization who served as president four years ago, further described the purpose and mission of BYUHWO.
“The main purpose of this organization is to serve the students. We really enjoy putting together baskets for families in TVA along with the book scholarships. We do community things, as well. We just want to support the students because a lot of them are away from family and it’s hard when you’re here on your own. If you know that there is an organization out there that’s rooting for you it helps them know that they aren’t alone out here.”
The Women’s Organization also provides aid to student’s in need. Rosa Maria Hearst, an organization member who is originally from Peru, explained, “We provide ten $300 scholarships every year at the end of our term, which is in May. We also help during Christmas for all the TVA students who have children, subbing for Santa. We feed the students during finals and provide them with relaxation massages by people who are professional.”
Hearst said that the purpose of events and luncheons is to raise money to fund the student scholarships. The Women’s Organization is a place “to talk, to visit, to help others.”
Although BYUHWO prioritizes serving students, community service is also a central focus. BYUHWO members extend their helping hands beyond the borders of the BYUH campus and the city limits of Laie.
Linda Black, current president of the BYUHWO, explained, “The Women’s Organization… is the whole community. It’s a good way to connect to the BYUH students, and it’s super fun to get to know people who are outside our own little neighborhood or ward or whatever. It’s clear across the community. It’s super fun. We have fun getting to know people, and we do service opportunities.”
BYUHWO is essentially a bridge between the university and Windward/North Shore communities. Molly Curtis reiterated this part of the organization’s mission: “This organization is not just for BYUH… Anybody is welcome to join. We started out as just professor’s wives that didn’t know what to do with our time and ate lunch together. Really, it’s growing into something so much more. We want to involve community members because we want the community and the BYUH students to be more interactive.”