Living Aloha: 10 Interesting local practices in Hawaii

Oftentimes, students live in Hawaii for a number of years and go home without knowing the unique legends behind some daily local practices.

To encourage BYU-Hawaii students to actively engage in life in Hawaii, Aaron Zakimi, president of the Hawaiian Chapter and sophomore in ICS from Honolulu, encourages students to “just try it. It is a great opportunity to do it here and now so you can share your experience when you go back home.”

1. Talk-story

It is actually a verb. It means “chitchat” or “hang out” in English. People in Hawaii enjoy taking time to talk with someone not only for the information exchanged but also for the interaction with another person.

“When the mood is right, we can talk-story for five minutes or five hours,” said U’ilani Falevai, a senior in art from Kahuku . She said talk-story is an important and daily activity local people do to check up with each other. “I consider it as an expression of love because we are comfortable to talk.”

2. Plate Lunch

People often see it in local restaurants. It is called “lunch,” but people can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a local-style main entrée with two scoops of rice, salad, and a chosen meat on a paper plate. It is supposed to be a big amount of food.Falevai said plate lunch is “a small luau” – “luau” means banquet in Hawaiian. She said in ancient Hawaii, big people would be considered wealthy people. Now with the plate lunch, everyone can gain weight and be “wealthy people” together. “Plate lunch is a modern thing. Since Hawaiian is such a multicultural place, we just pick things from different cultures. That is why when you say plate lunch, you’d think of Korean barbeque or Japanese chicken katsu.”

3. Chili pepper water

A Hawaiian homemade “tabasco sauce” of water mixed with hot local red chili pepper, sometimes with other ingredients like salt, vinegar, and ginger. Falevai laughed when she was asked why eating chili pepper water: “Because I don’t want to eat the raw fish in blood.” She said that in her family, they eat the water with poi or with poke – Hawaii style of raw fish. “The water just gives it some flavor like spice.”

4. Breadfruit (‘ulu)

Breadfruit carries an old Hawaiian myth about the God Ku. He buried himself alive in the ground and transformed into a breadfruit tree with fruits for the purpose of saving his family from hunger during a time of famine. Breadfruit can be used to make a Hawaiian pudding named piele ‘ulu. First, mash ripe breadfruit and mix it with coconut cream to make a stiff paste. Then, put the paste in an imu, an underground oven. After it turns cooled, dry it in the sun.

5. Mana

It refers to the spirit or the spiritual power. Ancient Hawaiians believed mana is in everything. The ancient Hawaiians believed sickness was a result the loss of mana, which might be the result of: an evil spirit entered the body, displeasure of one’s personal ancestral God, a curse from another person because of hatred or jealousy, or that one had committed a sin.

6. Poi

It is a thick paste of staple food made from cooked taro, or rarely sweet potato, banana, or breadfruit. It can be used as an offering as taro is associated with life. Hawaiians believed there is mana in poi, so when poi is being served on a dinner table, there should be peace and respect in the family.

Eating poi with one-finger, two-fingers, or three-fingers can associate with different positions. In ancient Hawaii, women ate poi with two fingers while men ate with one or two fingers. If someone were eating poi with three fingers, it would have been considered as a pig.

7. Wooden bowl (s‘umeke la ‘au)

Hawaiian used wood to make bowls, dishes, and platters. There are two general shapes of bowls with different sizes: broad and low bowls, and deep bowls. The former is used to eat poi and the latter is used to store poi. Wooden bowls are usually not too deep because Hawaiians used their fingers to eat most of their food like meat and fish, sometimes include soft food like poi.

8. Shaka

You surely know what it is. It means “great” in Hawaiian and this hand gesture is used as a friendly greeting to show the “aloha spirit.” It might be the most common hand gesture people do in Hawaii and in surfing culture. If someone gives you a shaka, you can give one back.There was a poem about the history of the shaka written by Marilyn Fonoimoana. “His right hand he held up high. He’d wave at all who passes him by. The ‘sign’ he could not help but make. Became familiar no mistake! It started then with this great man. For truth, it’s how ‘hang loose’ began. Next time the shaka sign you see, remember Hamana Kalili.”

Hamana Kalili of Laie (1880-1957), a Hawaiian Chief, was recognized by local residents to be the originator of the popular shaka sign. He lost his 3 middle fingers in an accident, so he waved to people by extending his thumb and little finger. People imitated his gesture and this unique practice lasts until today.

9. Long Hair (Lauoho loloa)

Polynesians have long hair in general. Like Hawaiians, they believe there is mana in their hair. Human hair was used to make Niho Palaoa – a necklace that was made by whale teeth, which is also a symbol of royalty. Hair gives the object power, strength, and mana.Kiana Ishibashi, a senior majoring in communications from Hilo, Hawaii, has long, dark hair. She said, “My long hair holds ‘mana’ and represents my identity.”

10. Kaona

It means hidden meaning, concealed reference, or words with double meanings that might bring good or bad fortune. There is a lot of Kaona in Hawaiian language and culture. It can only be understood through practice and feeling. Here are examples of kaona from Hawaiian proverbs: “Nana ka maka; ho 'olohe ka pepeiao; pa 'a ka waha” – observe with the eyes; listen with the ears; shut the mouth. “Aia a pa 'i 'ia ka maka, ha 'i 'ia kupuna nana 'oe” – only when your face is slapped should you tell who your ancestors are.

Similar to the Chinese philosophies of Confucius and Taoism, Hawaiian language is “like a song, beautiful and poetic” in the words of Ishibashi. “‘Kaona’ is the hidden meaning within the words,” she explained.

Reference:

Web, Hawaiian Dictionary,

Book, Practice aloha: secrets to living life Hawaiian style : stories, recipes and lyrics from Hawai'i's favorite folks, Ellman, Mark.

Book, Plants in Hawaiian Culture, Krauss, Beatrice H.

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Workmans share service and love at Laie Hawaii Temple

Ross and Katherine Workman, the former president and matron for Laie Hawaii Temple, were released from their calling on Nov. 1, 2012.

President Workman recalled how he received this calling. He was serving as a General Authority in 2007. One day President Gordon B. Hinckley called him and asked, “Elder Workman, are you tired?” He answered, “No, I am not.” President Hinckley then continued, “Great! I want to call you to [be] president in the temple in Laie.”


President and Sister Workman are from Cottonwood Heights, Utah. President Workman was called to serve as a mission president in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission from 1998-2001 and returned as a Temple President in the Laie Hawaii Temple from 2007-2012. They got to participate in the Laie Temple rededication by President Thomas S. Monson in November 2010. The Workmans said they were happy to be able to return to Laie. “We lived here before for three years as a mission president. We were happy to serve the Lord whenever he called us to go. We have many friends here, so we are happy to be back,” said President Workman.


President Workman said he witnessed the remarkable sacrifices from BYU-Hawaii students to serve in temple. He shared story about a Chinese student who served as an ordinance worker for two semesters. Later on, he returned to China and saw the members in his home ward that made sacrifices in order to attend temple in Hong Kong, the closest temple to China. It reminded him of how blessed he was to live in Laie with a temple closed by.

“None of us ask for hardships. They just come,” said Sister Workman. She believes that the temple is a blessing to BYUH students to find strength in overcoming worldly challenges. “We hope when people come to the temple, they leave the world outside and feel the love, peace, and the spirit of the Lord that exists in His holy house…There is no room for contention in the temple. [The] temple is full of grace and love,” said Sister Workman.

Even making sure there are enough ordinance workers can be a big challenge to the temple president. President Workman said, “At the end of each semester, we have a whole bunch of people leave or change their shifts [schedule to work in temple]….In fact, in the last April graduation, we had 63 ordinance workers [that] walked. We love them.” He continued, saying, “We almost always need ordinance workers. We ask stake presidents to invite students to become ordinance workers.”

“Getting married is as important as your education,” counseled President Workman. “Secular education is important, but not as important as spiritual education. Your spiritual education will lead you to a mission, then your temple covenant, and your temple marriage. We really need more marriages here.”

President Workman left his promise and blessing to BYUH students: “[If] BYUH students take the temple to be a part of their education, [they] will be better prepared to face the challenges of this world.”

The Workmans are looking forward to visiting their grandchildren in Arizona and Utah when they leave Laie. “After, we might go to see [the] bishop and ask for assignments in the church, maybe as a nursery leader,” said Sister Workman.

BYUH students thanked the Workmans for their example and trust. Makoto Asai, a senior majoring in finance from Japan and New York, served as a temple worker since 2010 after the rededication. He said, “[President Workman] makes sure that everyone leaves the temple feeling sanctified and uplifted with a spiritual experience…Whenever I see the Workman’s on campus, they greet me with the biggest smile and hug. They tell my friends that I’m their son.”

“In China, we do not have a temple yet. The nearest Temple is far away from my home. It is not easy to go on a temple trip,” said Yile Zou, a senior in exercise science from China. She found joy serving in temple and felt that it was an honor to work with the Workmans. “We never had a long conversation, but I know they care and love each single ordinance worker who works with them.”

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Women of the Norht shore share their talents through Christmas Crafts

Every year, a group of crafters from the North Shore community, the “Country Sisters,” host a craft fair event to not only help the community to prepare for Christmas, but also to share their friendship and passion for crafting. This year is Country Sister’s 19th annual craft fair. 
The “Country Sister” was first organized in 1993 for a women’s conference at BYU-Hawaii. Under the direction of Edna Owan, the key person in the group, they hosted a craft fair. 

Cyd Kamauoha, one of the original 13 members of the “Country Sisters” and a Laie resident, said oftentimes she saw her friends in different craft fairs, so they decided to form their own craft fair in 1993. Since then, the “Country Sisters” host a Christmas craft fair every year. They sell handmade craft items, snacks, and a variety of goodies. Kamauoha said, “We always sell something different each year.”

This year, Kamauoha prepared a variety of Christmas decorations and childrens’ items for the fair. “It is not limited to one item. I prepared Christmas ornaments, jewelry, sewing, paintings, soaps, Christmas pins, wall declarations, and home décors. It is overwhelming…I also sell cookies, banana bread, and mochi.” 

Kamauoha said she hoped both the crafters and the customers would find joy in the fair. “We have customers who come back every year…We also buy items from each other [members of Country Sister]. It is always fun to see what other women are selling. We love what each other make. I learned from other sisters and I will make new things next year. It is a lot of work, but it is so much fun.” 

Wishing students and community members to “find fun in buying handmade items that are made in Hawaii,” she said, “they are supporting women in the community too.” 

Besides being enjoyable, the craft fair also brought Kamauoha extra income to take care her family’s Christmas. “I usually earn enough to support our trip to the mainland. I have seven kids, and I earned enough to buy them gifts.” 

“Women in the North Shore community who are interested in sharing their talents are welcome to join the group. It is always fun to have new crafters join us,” said Kamauoha. “It is a big production [of team work] and wonderful friendship that we created.”

Alohi Clah is a new crafter in the “Country Sisters.” She said she is excited to try out the craft fair outside Utah where she previously lived. She shared the ups and down in preparing a craft fair. “Sometimes we sell a lot of stuff, but sometimes we sell nothing. I told my sisters to never take it personal. People buy what they want to buy, and if they don’t, someone else will. If you enjoy something, never give up. I like what I am doing.” 

Going along with Clah, Faye Munson said, “Most people come to the craft fair knowing that it takes a long time for us to make the products. I think they appreciate and enjoy our work.” Munson has been a crafter for 25 years and she was also one of the original members of the “Country Sisters.” Having lived in Laie for the past 37 years, she has participated in a lot of different craft fairs as well. She said she enjoys making beautiful things like stuffed animals, children’s furniture, tea sets, baby quilts, and wooden decorations. 

The Country Sister’s 19th Annual Craft Fair is scheduled for Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Dec. 1 at from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kahuku Community KUA Building (across from the old Kahuku Sugar Mill)

There is no charge to enter. Cash and credit card are accepted. Refreshments will be provided.

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Festival of Halloween Held in Countries Outside of the United States

Like Halloween in the United States, countries like China, Japan, the Philippines and Mexico have their festival to express fear and honor to the dead. According to the books “Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life” by Jack Santino and “The Ghost Festival in Medieval China” by Stephen F. Teiser, these countries observe the festival as a day for family gathering rather than a day for partying.

In China, “The Festival of Ghost” is on the July 15 in the solar calendar. It is believed the door of Hell would be opened for one day and all the ghosts of the dead would come back to the earth for a short time. Traditionally, Chinese people would burn mock-money and make an altar with food as offerings to the ghost. The ghosts who have a home to return to would go home and accept offerings from their families. For the ghosts without a home to return to, they might harm living human or animals, so people would employ Taoist masters to practice rituals to calm these ghosts.

Daniels Hou, a computer science sophomore from China, said, “It is a serious festival, but the communist government doesn’t encourage people to practice it because it is considered as superstition.”’

Japan also has a similar festival named “Setsubun,” or the bean throwing festival on February 3. It is a day to depart from the evil spirit and to wish for good fortune to the family. The normal practice would be for the father in the family to dress up like a ghost while children throws soybeans to the ghost and say, “Oni wa soto. Fuku wa uchi,” or “Ghost departs and happiness in.”

Japanese people would eat a special sushi roll named “Eho maki,” or lucky direction roll, while facing east. Fujika Kinjo, a communication sophomore from Japan, explained the norm in eating this sushi is that “we cannot talk until we eat the whole thing,” as it is the way to exchange blessing. She said Japanese people also eat the same number of beans as their age to receive blessings for the year.

“Araw ng mga Patay,” or Day of the Dead, is celebrated in the Philippines on November 1. As a Catholic dominated country, customarily the Filipinos would visit the cemetery with flowers and clean the tombs. At night, they party and drink at the cemetery.
Kit Alfonso Nadado, an English dducation sophomore from the Philippines, said that it is a religious and cultural festival. “This celebration has been practiced for a long time that it has been embedded in the culture as well.” He said his family observe the day by visiting the cemetery and clean the tombs, but they “skip the party and drinking part.”

Mexico separates the festival “El dia de los muertos,” or All Saints Day, into two parts: the “Day of the Innocents” on November 1 and the “Day of the Dead” on November 2. It is an annual ceremony gathering family and friends to remember and honor the deceased, and also a time for the spirits to be with their families to act out a remembrance of their humanness. It is believed the spirits of the dead would return to their families and communities, and they should be greeted with foods, beverages, or any other worldly pleasures.

“I remember I’d wear costume and go out with other children. [It is] like trick-or-treating in the U.S., but instead of getting candy, we get money,” said Maciel Dioselin Romero, a peace-building senior from Mexico. “It is such a beautiful tradition that brings my family together.” She shared what she liked to eat for the festival. ‘“Pan de muerto’ is a sweet bread in which the dough on top is shaped to look like bones and adorned with red sugar to symbolize blood. We eat this with Mexican hot chocolate or other Mexican beverages like ‘Atole’.”

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Students Celebrate Mid-Autumn Chinese Festival: Zhong Qiu Jie Kuai Le

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival took place on Sept. 30 as an important cultural heritage to Han Chinese, comparable to American Thanksgiving. The festival takes place on the 15th day of the eighth Chinese lunar month, when the moon supposed to look the brightest. Besides China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Mid-Autumn Festival is also a special practice in Japan and Korea.

Han Chinese has a special attachment to the moon. They associate the full moon and its completeness as a symbol for family reunion, and it has a tendency of making Chinese travelers homesick. Moon cake is the main traditional Chinese treat for Mid-Autumn Festival. Its shape is round like a full moon and is special to the festival.

According to K.C. Chang in “Food in Chinese Culture,” traditionally, moon cakes are made with sweetened lotus seed paste and preserved egg yolk. In southern China, some moon cakes are salty and filled with ham, walnuts, and pork.

To celebrate the festival, Chinese families will customarily get together and eat moon cakes. As they enjoy the beauty of the full moon, parents tell their children the story of Chang’e, the well-known Chinese folklore about the origin of Mid-Autumn Festival.

In a previous time, Chang’e was the wife of Houyi, a heroic king in ancient China. To protect the pill of immorality that was given to her husband by Jade, the Emperor of Heaven, from wicked people, Chang’e accidently swallowed the pill, as a result, she became immortal. She chose to live on the moon, the closest place to the earth, where she could see her husband. To remember his faithful wife, Houyi laid a table outside the house with fruits and treats that Chang’e had favored and to tell her he loved her deeply. Houyi’s people ever since then have followed the practice every year and called it the Mid- Autumn Festival, according to Haiwang Yuan in “The Magic Lotus Lantern and Other Tales from the Han Chinese.”

Rebecca Yuan, a sophomore in marketing from Shandong, China, wished BYUH students “zhong qiu jie kuai le” – “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival” in Mandarin. She said her family likes to celebrate the festival with lanterns and moon cakes. In northern China where she is from, people also eat grapefruit, chestnuts, and taro for the festival.

“We eat barbecue in Taiwan to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival,” said Michelle Chen, a sophomore in exercise science from Taiwan. “When we eat barbecue, everyone in the family can gather together and watch the moon. We also eat grapefruit, Chinese mochi, and hotpot.” She recalled her favorite activities were playing firework and burning grapefruit peels to keep mosquitos away because of the smoke it made.

“We have a similar activity called ‘otsukimi’ in Japan. It means [to have] fun in watching the moon,” said Fujika Kinjo, who is the Japanese chapter vice president and a sophomore in communication from Japan. Japan holds the festival from Sept. 13 to 14 when the moon is full. She said people from Japan eat mochi and otsukimi dango because they are round and it represents the shape of full moon. “There is also an event called otsukimi dorobo. It’s like ‘Halloween’ in Japan I guess. Children are allowed to steal otsukimi dango from their neighbors and eat it secretly.”

Justin Sunwoong Choi, Korean chapter president and also a senior in marketing from South Korea, said Choo-seok – Korea Mid-Autumn Festival – is celebrated like Thanksgiving in United States.

“We give thanks to our ancestors by visiting their tombs or get together as a big family in one house, and set food there and eat them all together.” Like Taiwan and Japan, Korea has its unique food customs for the festival. “We have all different kind of jeons, something like meat jeon here in Hawaii, kimchi, rice cake, fishes, vegetables, tofu, and so on.”

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Yamagata Luncheon: Beneficiaries Thank Yamagatas and Share Internship Stories

More than 100 interns and students attended a banquet to honor Gene and Allyson Yamagata, of the Yamagata Foundation Asian Internship, at the Stake Center on Sept. 27.

The Yamagata Foundation provides students with scholarships to fund international internships. “The main reason we are here is to give thanks to the Yamagatas,” said Max Checkett, VP of Academics at BYU-Hawaii, as he opened the luncheon. He said, “When these young people [BYUH students] go back to their countries, these job experiences would help them to build the kingdom of God and to provide for their families.”

Student speakers were invited to share their internship experiences. Adhika Kusuma, a senior in marketing from Indonesia, said, “I was working in a marketing department. My co-workers treated me like a real employee and my boss gave a guarantee that I can work for him after I graduate from BYUH. I want to say thank you to the Yamagatas for giving me this opportunity.” Another student speaker, Nilo Manalo, a business management and supply chain senior from the Philippines, said, “It’s good to see the real world. I know the Lord is using his people to build His kingdom.” He participated in the Philippines Career Connect program. He said he appreciated the Yamagatas “because of their kindness, many of our students can do their internships.”

Gene Yamagata greeted the audience saying, “I’ve been told it’s supposed to end at 1 o’clock, so I am grateful I have zero minutes to talk.” The crowd was laughing as he continued, “I am grateful to be here. We have been doing this since 2003, almost 10 years. We started with a small number of students and we now have access to 300 students.” Yamagata credited his parents’ sacrifice for his success.

“As I look over the crowd, many of you seem to have come from countries that required sacrifices to be here and receive an education,” said Yamagata. He wished the students success and said, “I know the Lord is blessing us. He made this program a success and I know many of you will be successful as you go on to the world in the near future as graduates from BYUH. I hope to see you some place in the world again.”

After the luncheon, the Yamagatas took time to take pictures with students standing in line to offer their gratitude. They greeted each student with hugs and smiles. Allyson Yamagata commented after the event, “It was a wonderful luncheon. We were so excited that they [BYUH] asked us if we could donate our time and funds to create this foundation.” Gene Yamagata said, “we are going to continue to help students.”

Hironui Johnston, a political science senior from French Polynesia, said, “I am grateful for the Yamagata’s and their initiatives. If they ever need any of my help, I will be more than happy to return them the favor.” Johnston did his internship with the Presidential Cabinet of French Polynesia. It was the first time the Cabinet took an intern. As an intern, Johnston represented the Cabinet at events. “The Cabinet provided me a chauffeur with a car. I was considered as an employee. This distinction was earned as they saw professionalism in my actions and behaviors,” said Johnston.

Another attendee, Tiffany Henderson, a political science and communication senior from Japan, interned for an advertising company in Japan. She advised future interns, “don’t be too picky about where and what kind of internship it is. Take whatever experience you are able to get and be grateful for it. From my experience and hearing about others intern experiences, I think wherever you end up, we all have learned the same lessons necessary for real life.”

Wally Thiim, who is the LDS Philanthropies associate director and principle gifts officer for BYUH and Polynesian Cultural Center, reminded students who are planning for an internship to apply through BYUH Career Services. “Every student who does an internship in international countries, qualifies for the Yamagata Foundation.”

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Contributing to the community: Kupuans' service to Laie

Oftentimes students see their community as being BYU-Hawaii and not the entire Laie community. But people in the community are part of the legacy of the university and the town Here are some community members that have contributed to the Laie and its rich history.  

From a pioneer to a professional pareu maker 

Ura Behling, known as Auntie Ura to community members, has lived in Laie for more than 45 years. Her son, Tom Mariteragi, is a BYU-Hawaii electrician and her daughter-in-law, Katai, works in the cafeteria.

According to Behling, she moved from Tahiti in 1969, following a call from the LDS Church to serve as a labor missionary in the Polynesian Cultural Center. She worked as a dancer in the Tahitian village with two of her daughters. Se has worked as a nurse, a groundskeeper at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and now she is a professional pareu maker.

Pareu means to “wrap you around” in Tahitian. Her pareus are made of 35 percent cotton and 65 percent polyester cloth similar to a lava lava, which Tahitians use when they go to beach. She started her business back in 1989. Her main customers, besides BYUH students and Laie community members, included tourists from Waikiki and the PCC. She said “sometimes I just hang the product in my yard and people are attracted by the color. They are happy with the product, so they come back and order more. I love my job.” Charles Goo was born and raised in Laie. His father, who passed away in 2008, was the owner of the Old Plantation Store, nicknamed the “Goo’s Store”.

 

Goo’s Old Plantation Store

The Goo’s Store opened in 1913 and closed in 1946 for a short period of time. It was reopened in 1955 and remained the business until 1986. One half of the store was a snack bar and the half was a general store. It was located right across the street from the old Church College of Hawaii.

Goo recalled “I was helping in the store since I was 9. Our main customers were students and community members. High school students liked to buy pake cake – a Chinese pie cake - for breakfast. There was no Foodland but only us and the Sam’s Store. I watched the store and sometimes people stole candy, but back then Laie was pretty small and I knew the kids who stole. Usually I told them to put the candy back. If not, I called the parents.”

Goo’s father was praised by the community members as the “one man Relief society” for he provided and took care of the whole community. Goo said “my dad used to extend credit to community family, which means they could buy things in credit. He had a card to record the names, dates and the amount of money people owned. Some never paid, but I would say most people were honest.” Charles Goo also worked for years at BYUH before retiring.

 

Johnny Lingo’s Father-in-Law

Joe Ah Quin is best known as the actor in the 1969 LDS Church movie “The Legend of Johnny Lingo.” He played the role of Mahana’s father. Ah Quin was born in 1935 in Hawaii and has lived in Laie for years. He was a singer for 30 years at the Moana Surfrider Hotel in Waikiki and used to teach music in Kahuku High School.

“The actor of Johnny Lingo was actually older then me,” said Ah Quin. He recalled parts of the movie were filmed in Laie. “Johnny Lingo’s honeymoon hut was located in Hukilau Beach.” When the film director saw him, he asked Ah Quin to read the script. “While I was reading he said ‘You will be Mahana’s father!’ I was surprised I was chosen over the Waikiki professional actors.”

Ah Quin went to BYU Provo with the actor of Johnny Lingo in 1954. “I went to college for one year, but then I ran out of money. So I served in the Navy in Japan for four years and came back to Laie for school. It was the Church College of Hawaii. I returned home on Dec. 17, 1958, the same date President McKay dedicated the campus. So there was no one who came and picked me up at the airport,” he said.

Talking about his childhood life in Laie, he said, “When I was a child, men in the community would go down to the water and fish for four to five hours at Hukilau Beach. It was fun and exciting to see the fishes jump in the net. When the fishermen landed, they called everyone for help. They sent the rest of the fish to Honolulu, but first they would yell and get everybody lined up and share fish. We have nine kids in my family, and we could have 65 fishes per time. Sometimes we dried the fish on beach. I worked six to eight hours to dry the fish and prevented flies to lay eggs in the fish. We could eat the fish like candy. This was life.”

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Learning for Eternity: University's Computer Lab Brings BYU-Hawaii to the Philippines

Chad Compton, associate academic vice president in BYU-Hawaii, said he visited the city of Manila in the Philippines to establish a computer lab within the Manila Philippines Institute of Religion (MPIR) to help the young single adults (YSA) obtain a higher education and become more marketable.

 “The lab is a gathering place. We have some YSA in the Philippines who we think they would go to college if they have the right opportunity and support; but they can’t because of economic issues. Online education would help them. Part of the priorities of the church is to help YSA to get as much as education as possible. We are trying a pathway that we have never tried before,” said Compton.

From Aug. 31 to Sept. 5, Compton spent time with the YSA Institute teachers and local stake presidents to explain the concept behind the computer lab. “Internet and digital devices provide a dramatic change in communication. It drops the cost, but increases the need of new tools for instructional technologies and media,” he said.

Since not all YSA can afford the cost to own a computer, the lab provides free new tools to students that allow them to gain an education. “They are now available to study with technologies, but still decrease the cost,” Compton said.

For students who cannot afford college education, they can now earn an overseas college certificate or associate’s degree without leaving their country. A student can get a certificate from BYUH by earning 15 credits or qualify for an associate’s degree by earning 60 or more credits.

Compton explained how the lab benefits both people within the Philippines as well as students planning to attend BYUH. Students can take advantage of the lab by taking credits online that work toward their nine-semester plan. Students can also improve their English skills and be exposed to the United States education system before setting foot on campus. Students will more confident as they prepare to transition into life in America.

This Fall Semester 2012, there are 35 students taking online classes from the lab and the majority of them are taking at least two online classes, which include EIL, religion, student development, biology, music, and ASL.

In October 2012, senior couple missionaries will serve in the lab as mentors to assist the students. “Right now there are only institute teachers helping in the lab, but the church is planning to employ Filipino alumni from BYUH to help in the lab to provide technical and teaching supports to the students,” said Compton. “If we see success, we might build more labs. Our next plan might be to do something in China and New Zealand.”

“If you are in the Philippines, you’ll probably notice how eager we are to continue our education by all means,” said Sid Francis Balubal, a Filipino sophomore who is majoring in psychology. “Filipino customs treasure education as a key to success. An online class is a great alternative if they [YSA in the Philippines] cannot afford to come here. Filipinos will always be grateful of any help rendered to them, especially if it is for their own benefit.”

Agreeing with Balubal, Kit Alfonso Nadado, a sophomore majoring in English education who is also from the Philippines, said, “there are a lot of them [YSA] who dream of going to BYUH, but money is meager. Their parents cannot support them, so the dream remains just a dream.” He said it is a fulfillment of a dream to YSA in the Philippines to have this computer lab.

Holding a different opinion, Eugene Aloc, another Filipino sophomore majoring in supply chain management, said, “I know the online class would save them [YSA] some money; but in the long run, it is still too expensive because they won’t get I-WORK scholarships.” He said without the I-WORK scholarship, it is too expensive for YSA in the Philippines to seek college education physically at BYUH or through online classes. “My point is that because of poverty, they [YSA] wouldn’t have the opportunity to have it [education],” said Aloc.
 
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New Semester in a New Country: Students weigh in on how to combat culture shock

Fall Semester has started and new students on the BYU-Hawaii campus might experience some kind of culture shock regardless if they are from the United States or international.

Masa Narita, an undeclared major from Japan, shared his experiences with culture shock. He said, “Men here wear skirts and couples kiss in public areas. If I get a job in PCC, I might need to wear skirt too. It feels so strange but also very funny. About kissing, I would pretend I see nothing.”

“I found people speak English very fast!” said Saiya Ogaki, an accounting major also from Japan. “It is challenging, but I am motivated to learn from them. I will study hard and make many friends from different countries. We can help each other.”

Sho Sasaki, a psychology major from Japan, said even the weather can leave students with some shock. “Hawaii rains a lot and very suddenly. I would bring umbrella and jacket with me wherever I go. Culture shock is a good thing. I learned to accept the way it is. From all these different experience, I can grow and to be a stronger person.”

Food size is something that varies quite a bit from country to country and can catch new international students off guard. “Food in America is double sized compared with Japan.” said Megumi Suita, an IDD major also from Japan. She said when she ordered a single scope of ice cream, she was given a “giant” scope. “From now on, I will share the ice cream and split the cost with my friends, so we can save money and eat it all. I don’t like to waste anything!”

Other students who have experienced culture shock and learned to adjust to it can provide insight to newer students who are still shaken up. “When I first got here, I literally could not make friends for about the first three months,” said Barbara Shelton, a senior majoring in political science from Saudi Arabia. She said culture shock is inevitable and it would happen to anyone. She encouraged students to take culture shock as a good experience. She said, “If you have culture shock, then just go for it. I have moved around 13 times and every time I experience a little bit of culture shock. It’s hard, but you can sit and feel uncomfortable, or you can get out and party. For me, I like to party!”

Even students who originate from the United States get initial culture shock. “When I first came to BYUH, Polynesian men were greeting me with hug and kiss on the cheek.” said Jennifer Herrera, a senior in communications from Texas. Although she is an American, Herrera said she experienced culture shock like international students. She agreed culture shock is a good thing because she got to explore and learn from other cultures. She advised new students to keep an open mind and to accept new things.

Paul Buckingham, director and counselor from BYUH Counseling Service, defined culture shock as “an exposure to cultural value in communication, relationship, and problem solving that are so different and opposite to your own framework reference that makes it different to cope with. It doesn’t mean right or wrong. It just means different.”

Buckingham extended a special invitation to students who are struggling to visit the counseling service. “Don’t feel shame. It is not a shame to have problem.”

See this article on Ke Alaka'i

Modernity Examined in New Cinema Class

A new class that begin this Summer semester, Special Studies in World Cinema, allows for in-depth exposure and understanding of the culture in one of BYU–Hawaii’s target areas. Yifen Beus, associate professor in the International Cultural Studies department, developed the course and defines it as an opportunity to explore and examine issues that rise from the impact of modernity reflected in sino phone cinemas. Sino phone cinemas are productions by filmmakers specifically from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

In the class, students define and characterize modernity, cultural and national identity, historiography and cinema, as well as the inequality between the urban and rural, gender and sexuality, and the negotiation between traditional and modern living through film study. Modernity is the change from traditional values and ways of thinking to more contemporary perspectives, which matters to students since it analyzes the world in which we live today. By doing so, all students regardless of their cultural background, will have greater understanding of modernity and the impact it has on the people and cultures portrayed in the films.

Inspiration to build the curriculum for this class came from many sources. “China has risen to become very competitive in international politics and economy after several waves of vigorous modernization, and its government is ambitious to promote its cinemas to rival Hollywood,” explained Beus. “Many of these films have won international acclaim, but are not taught on this campus. To offer such a class in the context of Chinese cultural studies and the study of film medium within the humanities will provide a small window into the screen culture of a nation that has encountered the challenges of modernization,” said Beus. “Another key issue is the study of cultural identities of the ‘Chinese’ people--namely China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese diaspora.”

Beus said the selection of films “largely depends on their treatment of certain themes and topics. I tried to choose works that depict effects of modernization, such as issues on migration, individual and collective cultural identity shift, ethnicity, environmental and social impact, and human rights.” She continued saying that some of the best selections are “films by directors whose work can typically represent the Zeitgeist of a particular era or historical juncture or that belong to a specific movement or generation.” The final factor in a film being considered for the course was that it has “been distributed with English subtitles in a playable format.”

The study of modernity is pertinent to any major or discipline because it is affecting people and cultures around the world.

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

In addiction, I wrote another version the same topic for the college student magazine.  

Beus teaching new film class that explores modernity through movies

 

Under a lot of finger pointings.......but once again, Iosepa was launching in faith. 

Riding the Waves of History: Iosepa Canoe Carries on Hawaiian Voyaging Tradition

My article was quoted by Deseret News in Utah on June 18, 2012.

BYU-Hawaii sisters encourage others to start careers while going to school

Original article that I wrote for my college magazine Ke Alaka'i, please see

Career While in College, Student Start Early to Pursuit Their Dream

Women’s Week brings Awareness and Appreciation of Womanhood

Beginning Monday, August 6, through Sunday, August 12, the David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding is hosting a project comprised of activities and events supporting and celebrating womanhood. The purpose of the project is to drive understanding, peace, and the general well being of women to students and members of the broader community. It will also give the opportunity for wholesome social interaction between women from diverse backgrounds.

Kaylee Huchendorf, project leader for the women’s week, is a junior in Intercultural Communications Studies from Idaho. As one of the students who put the activity together, she said she has “a deep belief in the power of women in creating peace at home, in their community, and in the world.” She hopes that through the project, women on campus and in the community might be empowered and strengthened.

“I hope when people hear about the activities, they won’t feel there is discrimination toward men,” said Huchendorf. Women and men are welcome to participate in all of the activities; and she specifically recommends the activities on Thursday and Sunday for men to attend since issues addressed will focus on understanding women and challenges they face. “We would appreciate the men’s support,” said Huchendorf.

Women’s Week details:
Monday: booth display with schedule of events in the Aloha Center (all day)
Tuesday: “Mix-n-Mingle” women’s social (7-8 PM, Ballroom)
Wednesday: free yoga lessons (7:30-8:30 PM, Dance Studio, Old Gym)
Thursday: academic forum on special topic in women’s studies (11 AM-12 PM, Little Theatre)
Friday: free movie night (7-11:30 PM, Little Theatre)
Saturday: community service project (location and time TBA)
Sunday: fireside entitled “Lessons Learned from Women in the Scriptures” (7:30-8:30 PM, campus Stake Center Chapel)

For students who are interested in learning more, there will be a series of lectures about women’s studies in Fall semester that have been organized by Andrea Henson, a junior majoring in International Cultural Studies. Activities and lectures will address contemporary issues concerning women as individuals, in families and in career situations.

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

Biology Students Research in Saipan

Dr. Roger Goodwill, professor in the Biology department, led 10 students to Saipan for field study from June 9 to July 2, 2012. The trip was made with the purpose of exposing students to practical experience, to gain an understanding of what field biologists do, and to gain research experience for their resumes.

The field study included scuba diving, snorkeling and reef walking to collect sea animals to be preserved as laboratory specimens. Students set up a makeshift workshop using microscopes and preservation solutions. After the specimens were made, they were shipped back to Hawaii to be identified by students in a campus lab. Noting that the work does not end in Saipan, Goodwill said, "We were there for three weeks, but the work continues long after."


Besides working in the field, students also participated in three NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) meetings where the topics of discussion included preservation of endangered coral, whale diversity, and sharks. "While we were there, we took advantage of our surroundings," said Goodwill. "We want students to experience more than biology field work - we want them to meet professional people. We want to help students to build their network."

They also visited a WWII battlefield in Saipan, learning some of the history and the culture of the island. Goodwill advised biology and biochemistry students who are interested in participating in future field studies that "the easiest way is to become involved in the mentored research program – teachers can get to know you." For this field study, students were picked from the marine biology group and student workers in the Museum of Natural History. He reminded students to participate with a cooperative attitude. "We prefer good team players," he said.

Stephanie Chan, a junior majoring in biology from Hong Kong, was one of the students who went on the field study trip. "This Saipan experience helped me understand more about what a professional researcher does," she said. "I strongly recommend other students prepare to participate in future field trips by working and studying hard so they can have the opportunity as well."

The next biology field study trip will be in November 2012 to the Big Island and Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, and will focus on the study of birds.

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

Summer Semester Serves More Students

According to BYU–Hawaii Institutional Research, there are more than 2,000 students enrolled in this year’s Summer semester, 400 more than the summer term last year.

Experiencing the change in academic calendar, Max Checketts, Vice President for Academics said “We are very pleased with the number of students who have enrolled for classes this summer," he continued, "we are also grateful for faculty members who have helped open up more sections of courses needed for students in the summer semester.”
Believing in the advantages of going to school in the summer semester, Checketts said current students are benefitted by having have more classes to choose from than before. Students now have similar class options afforded them in summer semester as in fall or winter semesters. Therefore, they can work towards their graduation as planned. Current students are able to move on with their careers or graduate studies sooner, and future students can have the opportunity to come to school at BYU–Hawaii. 

Mentioned in a forum about 2012 academic calendar on August 18, 2011, Checketts said that BYU–Hawaii “We turned away 1,600 students for Fall semester 2011,” he said, citing housing on campus and in the community as the main limiting factor. “There are so many people out there who want to come to BYU–Hawaii and the other CES institutions, and we want to do everything we can to provide a BYU–Hawaii education and experience for as many of them as possible.” (For more information see Summer Semester Benefits)

He encouraged students to work hard as well as to enjoy life in the summer break. “I think we should be active in our lives, but we all need a change to renew our spirits and refocus our energy. I hope students will use this time to do just that –, refocus and renew themselves.  For students that stay for the five weeks, they should work as many hours as they are allowed, plan some fun activities with family or friends, fulfill their Cchurch callings, go to the temple, and recognize the blessings we all receive from our Father in Heaven.”

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

It is a feature story about college students who start working on thier personal dream / business while they are attending college.

I like this one a lot. I admire people who able to figure their dream early, so they can plan and persuit it while they are young, strong, and have the courage to try. Even though they might fall, they have time to stand up again. We can only live once. I really wish we can use our time wisely while we are on the Earth. "You never try, you never know. "

Careers while in college; Students start early to pursue their dreams

      For more information about the Gardiner Sisters, visit http://www/youtube.com/GardinerSisters

      To follow up with the Gardiner Sisters on Twitter, go to @gardinerSisters

      For more information about JAME Store, please visit http://jamelife.com/

      To order product from James Astle, email to onetimeontime5@gmail.com

For more information about Kickstarter, please visit http://www.kickstarter.com/

This is a video I was reporting International Stars War Day on BYUH campus.

Broadcast Journalism is certainly something I am thinking too. I see the power in visual news. More people might be touched in comparing with published news.

Video: Star Wars Day      

Career Connect: Students Network with Visit to Hong Kong

Fifteen BYU–Hawaii students recently visited Hong Kong for a jumpstart to their professional networks, meeting with 12 different companies through the university’s Career Connect program. Career Connect, organized by BYU–Hawaii Career Services, is a program that invites students to experience a snapshot of employment by visiting companies and organizations in various parts of the world, meeting with their officials, and observing their day-to-day operations.

During the trip to Hong Kong, students met with company officials including the Vice President of Hong Kong Disney, Senior Vice President at HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.), Senior Manager of Human Resources at Deloitte Hong Kong, and Legal Counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“A certificate will get you to the door, but your skills will get you to go higher,” said Jodi Chowen, Career Services director at BYU–Hawaii. “Any corporation has a technology, business, human resources, education and an anthropology side. It is not so much about your major, but what skills and knowledge you have, and the value you can bring to a company. Students are so focused on their major, but one’s major won’t guarantee a job.” She expects students to take the trip seriously, be well prepared, and make the most of the opportunity to prepare for life after graduation.

Yifen Beus, a BYU–Hawaii professor who helped on the Career Connect trip to Hong Kong, gave the following suggestions to students who are getting ready for their future career: “Polish your resume, practice interview skills, and have a vision for your career path. You need to know what you want to do and have a general idea of what you want to look for.” She invited students to be prepared for an internship and employment by keeping a portfolio and collecting presentable written works. Her advice for students about interviewing was to be active in asking and answering questions because “when your potential employer asks questions, your answer can show that you did your homework and what you might bring to the company.”

Elizabeth Wood, a senior in psychology from Texas, got two employment invitations during the Hong Kong Career Connect. “Be prepared to ask questions,” Wood advised students who want to participate in future Career Connect trips. “Asking questions makes you look like a desirable employee. Many Hong Kong companies want to hire someone who went to a university in the United States. They expect you to work hard, smart, and independently if needed. If you are from a passive culture, you need to be able to overcome your cultural preferences.”

Agreeing with Wood, Nike Chan, a junior studying Supply Chain Management from Hong Kong, also left Hong Kong with an employment invitation. “Asking questions with a happy and passionate attitude can attract an employer’s attention and opportunities will follow” said Chan. “Don’t be shy to ask for personal advice or a business card.”

All students, regardless of their major, are welcome to apply for Career Connect. Each trip visits one particular city. Besides Hong Kong, Career Connect also visits cities and countries such as Shanghai, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Samoa, and other areas across the United States. Upcoming Career Connects will be to Taiwan and Samoa in September and New York in December. Students are required to have at least a 2.0 GPA, be in their junior year or later, have a connection with the local area (citizen or served a mission there), and intend to live or to work in that area after graduation.

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

I interviewed 2 professors that I admire a lot. I attended their lectures and was inspired about the relationship between curiosity, learning and questioning.

I always wish to write something motivative and educational. I like this feature story a lot. Wish readers can be inspired and to develop the confidence and courage to question. It is the attitude to drive us to achieve and improve. "What would you lose by asking? A little bit of pride and time? Think of the things you might gain if they say 'Yes'. It is worthy to try."

Study like Curious George 

I did a research on BYUH campus about choice of excitments that coolege students can do in Ohau, Hawaii.

People pay so much to have holiday in Hawaii and I am going to school in this paradise. Once again, I believe we don't need to smoke, drink, or deal with drugs in order to live an exciting life. Life itself is exciting enough if we are willing to try and to ask.

Top 10 exciting things you might regret not doing while attending BYU-Hawaii

Five-Time National Food Service Award Dinner

BYU-Hawaii Food Services won the 2012 Loyal E. Horton Dining Gold Award for the third time, outshining more than 550 other schools that participated in the competition. In the past, Food Services has won a bronze and silver award. The National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) recognizes top university programs in a variety of categories each year. In college and university culinary arts, one of the most noteworthy professional accomplishments is being a recipient of a NACUFS Loyal E. Horton Dining Award. BYU–Hawaii notched the win in the category of Residential Dining–Special Event.

Food Services entered their February 2, 2012, “Dragon Year” themed dinner, inspired by the Chinese New Year, in the competition. “We are so ecstatic about the award! It is an honor to be chosen and is great name recognition for our school,” says Marilou Lee, BYU–Hawaii’s Club dining and vending manager. “A lot of research and hard work went into this event and it is a privilege to be noticed among the crowded competition.” Lee was the lead in organizing and promoting the event.

Ivona Mills, BYU–Hawaii Seasider snack bar and concessions manager, will be attending the NACUFS National Conference in July, on behalf of Food Services, where the award will be presented. “BYU–Hawaii is also a finalist for the Overall Grand Champion in the small schools group. The winner will be recognized at the national conference,” says Mills.



According to the NACUFS official website, “NACUFS has focused on its mission to promote the highest quality of food service on school, college, and university campuses by providing members with educational and training opportunities, technical assistance, scholarships, industry information, and research.”

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

Another version for the college student magazine
The Caf wins national award for themed Chinese New Year event

My article was quoted by LDS Church News
A Win for BYU-Hawaii Food Services