70 years with
BYU–Hawaii
Students and alumni join in a three-day celebration of BYU–Hawaii legacy and growth
By Myco Marcaida
Whether peeking into the past through a time capsule opening or gathering for dinner, students, alumni and guests marked BYUH 70th anniversary. The events, Alumni and Relationship manager Lei Cummings said, highlighted the care BYUH ohana for each other.
Talent show and dinner
More than 200 people attended a talent show on Feb. 11 at the Aloha Center Ballroom, said Cummings. Hosted by Antonio Mu, an Australian student and club president, and alumna Elisiva Tonga of the Tonga Sisters, the program featured 10 performances, including hula.
The following evening, a dinner and dance event was held at the same venue. Over 60 attendees of students and alumni attended the event. Highlights included dance performances from the Cook Island club and Nina Foster’s modern dance class, Cummings said.
Time capsule
According to an article from Ke Alaka’i News, the events focused on honoring the kupuna or ancestors. The Feb. 12 program included a choir performance, cake cutting and a time capsule opening. “We used to only have cake on Founders’ Day, but look at how big our ohana has grown,” Cummings said.
Cumming’s highlight was listening to Hoʻolōkahi Chamber Choir singing “From This Place”. “It is a song inspired by President David O. McKay’s prophecy for BYU–Hawaii students to become noble men and women who build unity, spread love and preach peace,” she said.
Special guests included labor missionaries who helped build the Polynesian Cultural Center and one of the university’s first alumni. For Kaela Martinez, a senior majoring in elementary education and an alumni relations (AR) student worker from Guam, the event was a reminder of BYUH’s beginnings. “Participating in the event was a way to appreciate what the founders have done for BYU–Hawaii,” she said.
Alumni-students luncheon & discussion
After the time capsule ceremony on Feb. 12, student club leaders, alumni board members and representatives met at a luncheon to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration in helping students secure jobs and internships.
For Godwin Johnmphrey Putong, a sophomore graphic design major and an AR student worker from the Philippines, the luncheon was the highlight of the celebration. Connecting with representatives from different alumni chapters, he said, allowed him to see their passion for supporting graduates in their home countries. Inspired by their example, Putong said he hopes to be as successful as the alumni he interacted with. “Knowing most of them began building their careers at BYUH inspires me to treasure my experiences here as I also develop my own career,” he said.