BYU–Hawaii’s construction and facilities management program focuses on helping students from Asia Pacific find job opportunities, especially in the Church
Distinct from the structure of the engineering and architecture programs, construction and facilities management (CFM) is set to be an official major under the Faculty of Math & Computing in Fall 2025. The program will focus on the Church’s approach towards building management and construction, especially in light of its recent announcement of increased temple construction.
Paula Nonu, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Math & Computing who will be teaching in the CFM major, said the program was inspired by the growing regional and global demand for building construction and facilities management. “There will always be a need for this, especially within the Church in the Asia-Pacific region, following the announcement of new temple constructions,” he said. This curriculum, Nonu noted, is a great opportunity to prepare BYUH students to become leaders in the industry—whether through serving in Church operations or government roles—when they return to their home countries.
Nonu further clarified that although related, the CFM program is fundamentally different from engineering and architecture. “CFM is not only about construction—it also involves learning how to manage and maintain a building when it’s turned over to the owner. Meanwhile, engineering and architecture caters more to the structural design and technical calculations side of building construction,” he explained. CFM majors, he continued, will study building systems—a course that covers the structure of a building and the integration of different systems from engineering and architecture.
Aside from aligning the program with the university’s mission and vision, Nonu said it also has its own core goals: equipping students with enough skills and knowledge to uplift their home countries, increasing employment opportunities, and recruiting more students from BYUH’s target areas in Asia and the Pacific. “We hope the students can have the opportunity to work and continue taking care of Church buildings in places such as Tonga and the Philippines,” he stated.
Nonu said CFM students are unlikely to face difficulty finding employment after graduation. “It is because construction is booming at the moment. It means there will always be buildings to manage and maintain,” he explained. Nonu said the program will emphasize laboratory-based training, allowing students to experience work at the Facilities Management (FM) shop and ceramics studio. “Hopefully, we’ll have our own lab space in the future. But for now, we’ll be sharing spaces with the FM department and other majors,” he shared.
The program, he noted, is also setting up internship opportunities with construction companies like Jacobsen and Oakland, providing students with hands-on, industry-level experiences. “These companies are willing to help with the internship program,” he shared. In addition, Nonu said students can earn a safety certification in the CFM program through a 30-hour course called Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA 30).
Eloisa Lulab, a psychology senior from the Philippines, said she was initially hesitant to add CFM as a second major as she would be graduating soon. “However, my professors in CFM helped me realize that constructing things and working with my hands is what I love doing. That is why I’ll double major with CFM too,” she shared. Lulab said she enjoys hands-on activities, having studied arts for six years before coming to BYUH. “CFM is the closest to my passion for architecture,” she expressed.
The operational side of the program, Lulab said, will open up work opportunities for her, while the skills will help her grow personally. “The skills I will gain from CFM—such as collaborating, facilitating and constructing buildings—will help me become a future wife and mother as I create my own home,” she explained.
When choosing a major, it is important to not let go of [your strengths and skills after] you find them. Because I know the Lord gave us specific skills to help us throughout life.
Lulab said she believes studying CFM is a way to practice the law of consecration as taught by the Church. “By putting all your efforts, strength in facilities management, and the skills you’ll acquire in the major, you can give it all to God and He’ll make it work,” she said.
Taniela Taufa, a business management junior from Tonga, said he will be switching to the new major as he has always wanted to be in the construction business. “Growing up, my family’s business is in the construction industry. My goal is to expand more in the commercial sector instead of just residential like my family,” he explained.
Taufa said he plans to pursue a career as a general contractor. He expressed his gratitude to BYUH for establishing CFM as a major. “I am hoping to learn more about the construction industry and be able to sharpen my skills in ways no other major can,” he said.
When it comes to choosing a major, Nonu said it is essential for students to pursue a field they genuinely love. “And when you come to BYUH, it’s good to pursue a major that will help you find a job in the future, too,” he added.
Lulab also emphasized that beyond choosing a major they can enjoy and be hands-on with, students should also dedicate time to figuring out their strengths and skills. “It is important to not let go of those things when you find them, because I know the Lord gave us specific skills to help us throughout life,” she shared.