AND POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER...Scholarship (IWES) program. Work-Study Program Blesses Students Continued on page 4 Continued on page 5 Continued on page 8 7 3 2 6 8 Presidents’

New Dean of AdmissionsArapata Meha comes to his posi-tion as Dean of Admissions andRecords at BYU–Hawai‘i.

BYU–Hawai‘i Sports: NewPAC West Conference SchoolsThe PAC West Conference hasadded three new schools;BYU–Hawai‘i adds three newsports teams to program.

Student Association Leaders,2006-2007: A diverse group ofspiritually mature young leadersare working to promote themeof “one fold, one shepherd”on campus.

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Exactly five years later, 3November 2006, at thePolynesian Cultural Center (PCC),representatives of BYU–Hawai‘i,the PCC, and the HawaiianStudies program gathered to cele-brate the fifth anniversary of thislaunching—as well as the ongo-ing development of the coopera-tive venture connecting theHawaiian Studies sailing programwith PCC’s Hawaiian Village.

In an unforgettable ceremony, 3 November 2001 theIosepa was dedicated and launched at Hukilau Beach inLa‘ie, Hawai‘i. Over 3,000 local community membersand special guests joined in the unique celebration.

Iosepa’s Fifth Anniversary:Navigating New Waters

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Since its birthing, the 57-foot wa‘a kaulua, or traditionaltwin-hulled Hawaiian sailingcanoe, has taken on the roleof unifying icon for the BYU–Hawai‘i Jonathan Napela Centerfor Hawaiian Language andCultural Studies, the PCC, andthe greater community.

In order to showcase andhouse the Iosepa appropriately,plans are moving forward to build

A recent review by the WesternAssociation of Schools andColleges (WASC), and the latestuniversity rankings published inU.S. News and World Report mag-azine, both gave BYU–Hawai‘ihigh marks.

In March 2006, after complet-ing the second phase of its regu-lar re-accreditation process, theWASC review team wrote:

BYU–Hawai‘iReceives TopReviews

Internships offered at thePolynesian Cultural Center (PCC)are at the heart of the symbioticrelationship between PCC andBYU–Hawai‘i. Students fromcountries in BYU–Hawai‘i’s targetregion apply for school and PCCemployment through theInternational Work ExperienceScholarship (IWES) program.

Work-StudyProgram BlessesStudents

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Asian ExecutiveManagementInternships: 25Years of BuildingFriendship

ITEP:ExpandingTeacherTraining Efforts

Al GardnerNew PLCHawai‘iChairman

YamagataScholarshipsFacilitateReturnability

Top Reviews

OONN TTHHEE IINNSSIIDDEE

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TOP REVIEWS“BYU–Hawai‘i is committed

to ‘building faith, intellect, leader-ship, and intercultural sensitivity,’and seeks to provide ‘an environ-ment and a curriculum that willboth engage the intellect andbuild character.’

The campus is distinguishedas well by its success in enrollingand retaining a large internationalstudent population: in Spring2006, over 50% of its studentshave come from countries out-side the United Sates.

Also unusual is the closerelationship between theUniversity and the adjacentPolynesian Cultural Center, whichprovides employment for almosta third of BYU–Hawai‘i students.”

The final phase of theprocess, an educational effective-ness evaluation, along withanother WASC review team visit,will be completed in 2008.

The theme-based reviewfocuses on four areas: 1) programoutcomes, 2) general educationoutcomes, 3) graduation employ-ment and return-ability, and 4)effective communication in Englishfor second-language students.

In addition, the August 2006U.S. News and World Reportranked BYU–Hawai‘i in the toptier of best comprehensive col-leges in the western region for theeighth consecutive year. Theyalso ranked the university as thenumber one best value, number

three in students graduating withthe least debt, and number fouroverall in the region.

Each school receives an aca-demic score with evaluationscompleted by presidents, aca-demic vice presidents, and admis-sions office heads of each institu-tion. BYU–Hawai‘i had the secondhighest ranks of all colleges anduniversities in its classification.

More information about theWASC review process maybe found online at:www.wascwweb.org

Read more on the BYU-Hawai‘iWebsite magazine.byuh.edu

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p The Iosepa rides the waves off the coast of the big island of Hawai‘i, after mak-ing her maiden voyage in 2001. The sailing canoe links past with present, andopens new paths to a future of cooperative learning for PCC and BYU–Hawai‘i.

Connect with friends, join an alumni chapter in your area, or talk story on ourBYU-Hawai‘i Alumni website: http://w2.byuh.edu/alumni/

Read the latest alumni E-Newsletter online at: http://w2.byuh.edu/alumni/newsletter.

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ly, a learning center in theHawaiian Village at the PCC. We are grateful for the willingnessof the faculty and staff of theHawaiian Studies Program andthe PCC Hawaiian Village toexplore new ways of workingtogether. We foresee great bene-fits and blessings, both academicand spiritual, as a result of theunited efforts of the faculty andstaff in this project.

Plans for a Concert Choir tourto China in May 2007 are movingforward with the help of manyformer participants in the PCC/BYU–Hawai‘i Asian ExecutiveManagement Internship program.The tour will celebrate 25 years offriendship and cooperation withChina and 15 years of friendshipwith Mongolia.

We see and acknowledge thehand of the Lord at the helm of our“voyaging canoe.” We continue tobe filled with gratitude for the gen-erous support we receive from ourfriends, and invite you to continuethis remarkable voyage with us.

Mahalo nui loa,

AAs we move forward in our “voyageof faith,” the partnership ofBYU–Hawai‘i and the PolynesianCultural Center might be likened toa double-hulled voyaging canoesuch as the Iosepa. Both institu-tions “equally yoked” have beenbuilt with the faith, sacrifice, andconsecration of people who lovethe Lord and the people of the islesof the sea. We are joined at theheart spiritually, riding the waves ofthe future together in faith.

Based on our mutual heritage,we now stand poised to move tonew levels of cooperation in provid-ing a unique, first-class educationalexperience for the students whocome to us from Asia and the islesof the sea.

The PCC International Work-Study Internship program is cur-rently assisting hundreds ofBYU–Hawai‘i students who mightnot otherwise have the means toobtain a university education.

Students in this program areable to study at BYU–Hawai‘i andthen in the “living laboratory” ofthe PCC, apply in a meaningful waywhat they are learning in the class-room. These students become theheart and soul of the center,vibrant and radiant. We seek toexpand this one of a kind work-study opportunity to even morestudents who are prepared andworthy to come.

We also envision expandingour ability to deepen and enrichthe experiences of both the stu-dents and PCC guests as we moveforward with the construction of ahome for the Iosepa, and eventual-

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Presidents’Message

ITEP: ExpandingTeacher TrainingEffortsSince 1991, the ChurchEducational System (CES) andBYU–Hawai‘i have worked togeth-er to provide well-trained, quali-fied teachers for Church schoolsin the Pacific Islands. Their jointeffort now includes 15 schools,400 teachers and 6,000 studentsin the islands of Fiji, Tonga,Samoa, Kiribati, and NewZealand. In those countriesBYU–Hawai‘i’s InternationalTeacher Education Program (ITEP)provides education courses, in-service training and workshops,other degree courses, and now,computer labs in Tonga through agenerous gift from Ira and MaryLou Fulton.

To encourage more studentsto receive teacher training andthen return to their home coun-tries to work, the concept of ITEP

has been expanded to includeother educational opportunitiesfor students and teachers.

One recently implementedaspect of the ITEP program, allowsstudents in their final year of studyto return to their home country todo their teaching practicum. “Eachcountry has different licensingrequirements,” said John Bailey,Dean of the BYU-Hawai‘i School ofEducation. “It seemed to us if wewanted to increase our internation-al student participation and pre-pare them to teach in their homecountries, that having the studentteaching done in their home coun-tries would be the way to go.”

With the support of a generousgift provided by Gene and AllysonYamagata, six students in 2006 areable to return to their native landsto do their teaching practicum, andreceive the appropriate licensure togain employment. The School ofEducation assists by providingplacement, supervision, andlicensing support.

Another major componentof ITEP is the InternationalLeadership DevelopmentEducation (ILDS) scholarships.Each year these funds enable upto 7 in-service teachers, who haveearned 90 university credits intheir home country, to attendBYU–Hawai‘i to complete theirbachelor’s degree and receivetheir teacher certification.

The International WorkEducation Scholarships (IWES)are given to teacher educationmajors. These scholarships pro-vide tuition, housing, and booksfor up to 48 perspective teachersannually.

Donated funds to ITEP arealso are used to assist faculty inhoning their skills, sharing, pre-senting, and networking withother professionals by participat-ing in events such as the CESPrincipals’ Conference, the annu-al China Teachers Conference andinternational education confer-ences in the target area.

p Al and Kathleen Gardner leadPLC Hawai‘i, a group who help raisefunds for BYU–Hawai‘i and PCC.

President Von D. OrgillThe Polynesian Cultural Center

President Eric B. ShumwayBrigham Young University Hawai‘i

p BYU–Hawai‘i education majors, like these, now have the opportunity to return to their home countries to completetheir teaching practicum—fostering return–ability.

AGardner ChairsPLC Hawai‘iAl Gardner has taken the helm ofPresidents’ Leadership CouncilHawai‘i (PLC Hawai‘i), the mar-velous support organization thatrecognizes and encourages thosewho donate to Brigham YoungUniversity Hawai‘i or PolynesianCultural Center.

“Al Gardner is extremely per-sonable and deeply committed toBYU–Hawai‘i,” said the universi-ty’s president, Eric B. Shumway.“He stops just short of stoppingtraffic to share our message andinvite people to contribute to theschool and PCC. He is an advo-cate and a dear friend, and weare grateful for his service.”

Al and his wife, Kathleen,have been members of PLCHawai‘i since 2004 and havechaired the organization sinceApril. The couple lives in Arizonaand, for part of the year, on Maui.Al is a retired United Airlines pilot.

“PLC Hawai‘i members likeAl and Kathleen are key to ourprogress, giving time, talents,testimonies, and resources insupport of our efforts,” saidPresident Shumway.

PLC Hawai‘i currently hasapproximately 120 memberfamilies living in 14 statesand six countries.

“At the Center—and theUniversity, for that matter—wecouldn’t do what we do withoutthose who appreciate our prophet-ic missions,” said President Orgill.“Donations enable us to acceler-ate what we have been asked todo in terms of supporting andpreparing students.”

In 2003 the BYU–Hawai‘iBoard of Trustees, which is head-ed by President Gordon B.Hinckley, approved a $47.5 mil-lion fund-raising initiative atBYU–Hawai‘i and PCC. Titled AVoyage of Faith: Fulfilling theProphetic Promise, this initiativeis the focus of PLC Hawai‘i’s fund-raising efforts. Scholarships,internships, and work-studyopportunities are some of theboard-approved funding priori-ties; for a complete list, visitbyuh.edu/giving. V

InternExperiencesChingching “Jean” Yau “I amgrateful for the chance to do mystudent teaching in Hong Kong. Ithink it helped me to understandmore how the school systemworks there and what the expecta-tions of a teacher in Hong Kongare. They are very different fromthe States. I am now working forthe government to develop sportsprograms in schools.”

Marena Lawrence “I wasplaced in Hamilton in theKoromatua School workingwith year 1 and 2 children. I feelthe experience was invaluablebecause during my solo time I wasable to run my own program andgain so much experience. I nowam competent in teaching literacyin a New Zealand school. This pro-gram helped me prepare for thejob I have now, as a teacher aide,at Koromatua School.”

Ailen Marie Davis “I traveled5,000 miles to acquire educationat Brigham Young UniversityHawai‘i and now I am back at myhome in the Philippines, applyingthe skills, knowledge, and valuesI have learned.

I am student teaching inthe first grade at the NationalTeachers College in Manila.I am grateful for the wonderful

opportunity to share with theFilipino students and teachersthe teaching ideas, skills, knowl-edge and values that I havelearned. I believe that this is asmall way of fulfilling PresidentMcKay’s vision of establishingpeace internationally.”

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WORK-STUDYGuided by experienced profes-sionals at the PCC, student work-ers are immersed in a practicallearning experience that deepensand enhances their classroomstudies. Cultural understanding,successful management, informa-tion systems, sales, marketing,hosting, and customer service,are among the areas in whichstudents receive mentoring.

The PCC Work-Study intern-ships provide tuition, most classfees, medical insurance andhousing for qualified applicants.Student families are expected tocontribute what they can. As partof their agreement, IWES stu-dents commit to return to theirhome countries or regions aftergraduation. The hope is that theywill bless their families, commu-nities, and local wards and stakeswith the leadership skills andspiritual strength they havegained at BYU–Hawai‘i.

Thanks to the PCC work-studyinternships, each year hundredsof Pacific and Asian students whocould otherwise not afford aBYU–Hawai‘i education benefitfrom the generosity of donors.

Five Years: AGrowing LegacyOne of the Iosepa’s mastercarvers, Kawika Eskaran (’84,Art), a Hawaiian Studies staffmember shared his thoughtsabout the Iosepa, “Being on thecanoe provides a spiritual oppor-tunity for growth unlike any otheropportunity. When you go on thewater, you’re so dependent onone another [and] the skills andtalents the others have. We’re notlooking behind our backs; weknow someone is there. I’ve seena great change occurring inmyself and the rest of the crew.”

“One thing I like about theIosepa is that we always pray,”said Leila Diego (’05), aHawaiian student on the maidenvoyage. “When we get intoour circle and we hold hands,you can definitely feel there’ssomething there because theconnection is so great. You feeleverybody is together as one.”

Feki Po'uha, current BYU–Hawai‘i student body presidentsaid the Iosepa has had a pro-found impact on his life. “Notonly did I learn about navigationor sailing, and make goodfriends, but I was able to find myeternal companion. In manyways Elder Ballard’s blessing ofIosepa being a missionary tooland increasing Zion is true. I’mliving proof of that.”

Douglas Mihuraa “Workingwith First Aid at the PCC, I havereally had a lot of experiencesthat can help me with my major,International CommunicationStudies. After my graduationI would like to work in tourismand help my country in this field.I am really grateful for this bless-ing that Heavenly Father gave methrough you. I am so thankful foryour help and assistance.”

Juyoung Park “I really appreci-ate your great help. Withoutyour financial assistance, Icouldn’t be here at BYU–Hawai‘istudying Biology. After I gradu-ate, I want to go to medicalschool in my country. I’m gladnow I can think about my brightfuture because of the opportuni-ty to come to BYU–Hawai‘i”

Lavenia Racule “I am a juniormajoring in Hospitality andTourism. I love PCC. It has broughtme closer to my Fijian culture. Mywork experience at PCC I wouldnot trade for the world. I havebecome a more responsible andbetter person because of thesetwo organizations [BYU–Hawai‘iand PCC].”

Barita Siregar “32 is an old agefor an undergraduate, but not tooold for me to study. I am majoringin International BusinessManagement, and pray that oneday I will be a blessing to peoplewhere I live.”

While the costs of education andliving expenses for a student atBYU–Hawai‘i are approximately$12,500 per year (not includingthe substantial percentage of thetotal costs which are provided bythe Church), per capita incomein the underdeveloped countriesof Asia and the Pacific is lessthan $9,000 per year—in somecases much less.

For students who receivework-study assistance, the differ-ences between the total costand the students’ contributions,together with their PCC earnings,are made up by the PCC. In manycases the PCC’s total commit-ment to the university amountsto more than $10,000 per yearper student.

To provide financial stabilityfor PCC and support for students,the BYU–Hawai‘i Board ofTrustees has approved fund-rais-ing for a PCC Work–Study endow-ment, as well as for the program’simmediate needs.

Students Express Gratitude

Continued from cover p BYU–Hawai‘i student workers inthe PCC’s Tahitian village.

Hawaiian Studies faculty andstaff are engaging with theirPCC counterparts to work outthe appropriate arrangements.”

“To the members of thePresidents’ Leadership Councilwho have graciously donatedthe funds for the design andconstruction of the halau, weoffer our big MAHALO,” saidPCC President Von Orgill.“However, as the project movesforward, we see a critical needto raise additional funds for theannual maintenance of theIosepa and halau wa‘a.”

t Inde Sells (’05) left, and KawikaEskaran, one of the Iosepa’s mastercarvers, prepare to reef the sail. Thecanoe, carved from seven Fijian dakualogs, is a floating laboratory wherestudents learn how closely the oceanis tied to the Hawaiian culture.

IOSEPAa halau wa‘a (canoe house) in thePCC Hawaiian village. This wouldallow guests to learn about thesignificance of sailing in theHawaiian culture, appreciate thefine workmanship of the Iosepa,and at the same time protect andhonor the integrity of the canoe.

Continued from cover The Board of Trustees hasencouraged the university “tomaintain the spirituality of theIosepa and to preserve its pow-erful aura,” said PresidentShumway. “In some ways, thismeshing of our university pro-gram with the PCC mission isnew territory for us. I deeplyappreciate the way our

q As planning goes forward for the new Iosepa halau wa‘a (canoe house), careful consideration is being given tothe structure’s appearance, as well as to the materials and techniques used in the construction. Below is anartist’s concept of how the halau wa‘a might appear in the PCC Hawaiian Village.

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Yamagata ScholarshipsFacilitate ReturnabilityThanks to a generous endowment established byGene and Allyson Yamagata of Las Vegas, Nevada,established in 2003, BYU–Hawai‘i has been able toincrease the number of student internships from 1in 2002 to 102 in 2004. That number is expected toexceed 250 by the end of 2006.

The university’s unique internship programenables international students at BYU–Hawai‘ito return to their home countries during theirjunior or senior year to gain valuable practicalexperience and help prepare them for meaning-ful employment opportunities back homeafter they graduate.

Students with internship experience are highlysought after; they are better prepared, disciplinedand productive. And, in the case of BYU–Hawai‘i

international students, these internships reconnectthem with their home countries, family and culture,anticipating that they will return and contribute tothe workforce, communities, and Church.

“Before 2003,” said Meli Lesuma, Directorof Academic Internships, “we had a 20 to 30percent return rate. We are now averaging over70 percent returnability.”

Students express thanks for the impactof the internships in their lives, but theblessings of the internship program extendbeyond the recipient to their spouses, childrenand extended family.

The Yamagata legacy is what I call high-impact generosity,” said Eric Shumway, BYU–Hawai‘i president. “It’s generosity focused ona program that works, focused on individual

students, and this is why we are so grateful,so deeply grateful for the Yamagatas.”

Aloha SpiritFostersUnderstandingFen Fang “Laura” Li “All ofthe experiences at PCC andBYU–Hawai‘i changed our lives.They definitely changed theways we think when we’re work-ing. The people in La‘ie werevery friendly and open-hearted.This was the most impressivething to me. Every day the PCCshares the aloha spirit. Thattouched me deeply.”

Wang “Jack” Zhen “This hasbeen a great opportunity for me.My main purpose here was topolish my English. I also tookbusiness management classeswhich I believe will help me inthe future to enlarge internationaltrade in Shaanxi. It was hard forme to say good-bye to all myfriends at BYU–Hawai‘i and PCC.Perhaps one day I can welcomethem to China.”

Akbar, a Moslem ethnic Uyghurfrom Urumqi in the far northwestprovince of Xin Jiang, China,works for the Foreign FriendshipAffairs office. Before he finishedhis training , he said, “I was luckyto be selected to study here. It’s good for us to understandeach other’s cultures. I’m goingto miss the friendships and thealoha spirit.”

p Students express thanks to Gene Yamagata for the impact of the internships in their lives

InternshipsPave RoadHomeChing-Yu Lee is a TESOL majorfrom Taiwan. “Going home formy internship is a great oppor-tunity for me because I will havea chance to practice the thingsI’ve learned in school. I thinkthat will be a wonderful experi-ence and also it’s good for myfuture career.”

Sela Kioa, from Tonga, is major-ing in Bio Chemistry. “Brotherand Sister Yamagata, thank youfor the opportunity for me to beable to go home. I wasn’t thinkingthat I would have a chance to gohome on my internship. The planwas to go home after I graduate.But the program and theYamagata Foundation has madeit possible for me to go home anduse the skills that I have learnedto help my people.”

Masanori Kyotani is anInternational BusinessManagement Major from Japan.“I worked for Tokyo Star Bank.Because of my student internshipI was able to learn a little bit ofwhat’s going on in the bank andwhat I need to understand, whatskills I need in order to fit into thefield. So this internship experi-ence is definitely the highlightof my school.”

For the past twenty-five years the PolynesianCultural Center (PCC) and BYU-Hawai‘i havebeen training talented men and women from thePeople’s Republic of China through a jointly admin-istered endeavor: the Asian Executive ManagementInternship program (AEMI).

Based on the relationships developed throughthis program, hundreds of influential Chinese offi-cials have visited the PCC and the BYU-Hawai‘i cam-pus. In turn, LDS Church President Gordon B.Hinckley, and other General Authorities, as well asBYU-Hawai‘i and PCC leaders, have gone to Chinaand been welcomed with the highest respect.

Past AEMI program students are currently help-ing to facilitate the planning and logistics of BYU-Hawai‘i’s 2007 Concert Choir tour to China.According to John Muaina, Vice President of PCCHuman Resources, without these friendships “thecomfort level wouldn’t have been there [to arrangethe tour]; but everyone of them [our former programparticipants] stepped forward and offered to help.”

From the program’s beginnings in 1985 approxi-mately 160 interns have completed this learning

experience in Laie. That number is small, but asBYU-Hawai‘i’s president, Eric Shumway, explains, “It was never designed to reach large numbers. Thefeeling has always been that somehow the rightpeople would be selected, would come, and havethis extraordinary experience of spirituality, culture,business opportunities, learning and all of the otherthings that BYU-Hawai‘i and PCC are famous for.”

“In addition to the work experience theyreceive at the PCC,” said Von Orgill, President of thePCC, “they have marvelous opportunities toimprove their English skills while taking classes atBYU-Hawai‘i and interacting with others in and outof the classroom. This is one of the most valuableaspects of their experience.”

The AEMI program has had “a wonderful impacton many people,” said President Shumway.“They’ve been able to see how the Church and BYU-Hawai‘i really are. The focus has not been on theol-ogy but on the examples of people who demon-strate love, honor, integrity, and family fidelity.These values, precious in the Chinese culture, arewhat have most impressed the participants.”

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q Executive management program graduation, 2006

Asian Executive Management Internships:25 Years of Building Friendship