A sea of red vests assembled in the Aloha Ballroom for Hawaiiana Day, a day directed towards giving new students an opportunity to serve, on September 15.
Close to 50 students gathered around Rebekah Walker, a BYUH anthropology instructor, as she discussed the important work the students would be doing at the Kahana Fish Farms, which is part of the Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park.
According to Walker, “Native Hawaiians have been fish farming for centuries, but due to the introduction of a currency, land tax, and population decreases, growing fish doesn’t necessarily equate to cash. That meant the younger generation had to go out to get jobs, which made the fish ponds go into disarray.”
When the group arrived in Kahana Valley, they came together to sing a chant. The chant said the inhabitants, past and present of Kahana Valley, came to do something with their lives and how they would benefit from their education.
After the chant, the students and faculty split into three groups. One group was designated to help reinforce a rock wall where fish would feed. Another group’s task was to cut and shear a field of tall grass. The remaining students and faculty gathered leaves and prepared them to be weaved.
Volunteers said they had different motivations as to why he or she came to the project. Spencer Maloy, a freshman studying biomedical science from Nevada said, “While I was out serving today, I thought about how I was going to be living here for a while. That means I am taking away from the island right now, so I may as well try to give service back to the island.” After he finished his work, he said he felt lighter after participating in the day of service.
Biomedical major Ligia Valencia, a freshman from Missouri, said she also felt different after serving. “I feel happy, even though I personally didn’t do a lot. I know what we did today will help the community. Now I want to find more service opportunities like the ones we did today.”
Beyond Hawaiiana day, students can serve on and off-campus through the Service Center. Alyssa Allen, an assistant at the Service Center majoring in math, explained what the Service Center does.
“We organize events like Hawaiiana Day and we have partners all across the island, especially around the North Shore. We try to get students out in the community to build bonds stronger than the school.”
The Service Center chooses service projects by a committee of 10. To be on the committee, students need to be the best of the best according to Allen. Also, she said it's important to build a relationship with the committee.
“Just come in and get to know us at the Service Center, which is located in the Aloha Center. We aren’t looking for any candidates right now, but that could change for the winter semester,” said Allen.