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Leiani Brown
Started on Instagram as part of a class project, The Polynesian Effect shares the stories of business owners, artists and illustrators, genealogists, editors-in-chief, educators and more, who all have one thing in common: ties to Polynesia.
Lily Simpson said she always wanted to follow Heavenly Father’s commandment to procreate and receive the eternal blessing of a family.
Hand painted onto the circular ceiling of longtime Hauula community member Kenneth Kenzo Furukawa’s three-story house are these words in Hawaiian: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” The words encircle an angelic scene Furukawa said he decided to paint after seeing many majestic ceilings on his trips to Europe.
There is nothing quite like this little corner of the world. From the early morning crowing of neighborhood roosters to the community members who bleed Red Raider red; from the world-famous surf and “ono” eats to the aunties and uncles whose quiet, little acts of service have shaped our whole world—we love it here. We count it a delight, a blessing and a privilege to study in such a place, especially among people whose North Shore upbringing guides their everyday life and teaches us how to be better.
A red poinsettia and a small string of Christmas lights adorned the kitchen of our small, shared housing in Hauula. It was a simple act, one of many I witnessed over the last couple days I spent interviewing Anna Kaanga for the article announcing her retirement from BYU–Hawaii.
Creating artwork mimics God’s creative power, said Jeff Merrill, associate professor of visual arts in the Faculty of Arts & Letters.
A year originally devoted to studying death became a celebration of life explained Joe Plicka, assistant professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters, at a faculty forum on Sept. 9.
As a sign of “tautoko,” Maori for respect or support, a handful of students of various Polynesian backgrounds performed an impromptu haka in response to this year’s convocation address, explained Te Manu Matenga, a junior social work major from New Zealand.
Personal ties to the history and people involved, including her late mother, have made preparation for her upcoming address, “Manaakitanga Here and There: The Case of Eparaima Makapi,” difficult and meaningful, shared Dr. AnnaMarie Christiansen, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts & Letters.
When John S.K. Kauwe III realized he was being offered the position of president at BYU–Hawaii, he and his wife, Monica Kauwe, said their first thought was, “What? Us?”
Nicknamed "the happy people," Samoans at BYU–Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center shared how their culture, religion and family played into their joyful lifestyle.
One of the six original TESOL graduates at what was then called the Church College of Hawaii, alumnus Lesā Lefa’asisina Ropeti Fa’afetai, otherwise known as Ropeti Lesā, passed away on March 4. In what his colleagues and friends said was his quiet, humble way, Lesā left behind a legacy that epitomizes the vision on which BYU–Hawaii was built.
For Josh Wallace, there are three things he considers central to his identity: Being adopted, a musician and a BYU–Hawaii alumnus. Wallace shared how being a “Seasider through and through” has influenced his experiences following graduation, including performing around the world and reconnecting with his birth parents.
For former BYU–Hawaii President John Tanner, and his wife, Susan Tanner, the end of the Spring 2020 Semester closes five years of steering the university towards Zion. The Tanners shared their love and gratitude for meaningful interactions with faculty and students, trips to Laie Point and connections to their ancestors and the Pacific.
Five years after he was first announced president of BYU–Hawaii, John S. Tanner gave his words of farewell and welcomed his successor, John “Keoni” Kauwe, in a special devotional broadcast from Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 12.