A look into the founders’ visions for BYUH and how they have evolved
From its humble beginnings as the Church College of Hawaii (CCH) in 1955 to present-day Brigham Young University–Hawaii, the university’s mission has consistently focused on unifying cultures and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, explained Dr. Tevita Ka‘ili, professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts. “[The founders’] hopes were to create an international school with diverse cultures, and that people who came from the school could go out, be leaders and serve in their community, especially within the church context,” he shared, and the current mission continues to build upon that.
Past plans
First brought about by a vision by the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, David O. McKay, BYUH was intended to be a place where people from different cultures and backgrounds could become one, Ka‘ili explained. McKay said in his groundbreaking address, “From this school … will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally.”
As CCH was being built and started operating, McKay saw his vision coming to fruition, Ka‘ili shared. “McKay was very impressed when he came to see that the people in this community and this campus got along with one another,” he said. “That was a time when there was a lot of conflict [between] different ethnic groups and nationalities in the U.S., but also around the world. So this idea of harmony and cooperation of people from different backgrounds was very much emphasized in the very beginning,” he continued.
Being an educational institution, CCH was also intended to be a place where students could learn, explained Reuben D. Law, first president of CCH, during the first annual commencement in 1956. “We … think it is important to keep our hearts right. We believe in education as balanced growing: intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally [and] spiritually,” he said.
In a devotional in 1969, 10 years after his departure from CCH, Law also explained the importance of keeping the gospel as a focus across the university. He said, “There is a special spirit of this college which seems to approach a combination of the loveliness of spirit of the wonderful people of these islands, and the wonderful spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
This spirit, Law continued, is what makes CCH unique. “If ever there is a hint of a wrong spirit and attitude raising its head here, the real spirit of this school must be helped to prevail for your own good, so that the great destiny of this college can continue to be fulfilled abundantly,” he expressed.
Present reality
Although it looks and operates differently today, Ka‘ili shared, the core values of BYUH have stayed the same since its founding 70 years ago. “I think the founders would be very impressed with the way there is a harmony within the university, and part of that has to do with the common religion of being Latter-day Saints,” he said.
According to the BYUH website, the university’s current vision is “To be an example to the world of intercultural peace and unity through living the teachings of Jesus Christ.” Ka‘ili said this is evident on campus through events like Culture Night and Food Fest, where students showcase their own cultures and have opportunities to learn about others. As an alumnus here, Ka‘ili said this aspect of BYUH has helped him personally throughout his life and career. “I was a student here from 1990 to 1993, and many of the students that I interacted with were from Asia and other places, which really helped me see their worldview … The founders set it up that way so it adds to [students’] education,” he shared.
Much of the faculty and student body today descends from alumni or labor missionaries who helped build the school, Ka‘ili explained. “People are connected in a profound way to the university because of the generations of people who worked here before and now today,” he said. Being a descendant of alumni himself, Ka‘ili said this connection is what maintains BYUH’s commitment to the founders’ vision.
Where the past inspires the future
As BYUH continues to evolve, keeping the past in mind will prevent it from straying from the founders’ vision, Ka‘ili explained. “The past is very important because it’s the foundation of the beginning of this university, and it allows you to see how we align with the past and then also map out the future. You can’t know where you’re going unless you know where you came from [and] where you started,” he said.
The story of how BYUH came to be what it is today offers a notable lesson, Ka‘ili explained. “At the beginning, it might be difficult, hard and challenging, but if you endure and persevere, eventually you will get to that particular point, and I think that’s the legacy of BYUH,” he shared.