Becoming a Lifelong Giver
With donors’ support through IWORK, Francine is learning to be a giver herself.
Your Donations to BYU-Hawaii Make a Difference
A Sign of Hope
Temwake is taking the knowledge he’s gained at BYUH and helping improve his country through regenerative tourism.
Representing Christ Wherever She Goes
While growing up, Crystal learned to be an example of living the gospel. She refined this characteristic during her internship through BYU–Hawaii.
Ongoing Growth of the IWORK Program
In order to bring more international students to campus, BYU–Hawaii has prioritized growing the IWORK program. Thanks to your donations, the university has achieved a threefold increase in the number of IWORK students in recent years and continues to look onward and upward to where the IWORK program can go in the future.
Seeds for the Future
Lothaire and Chyleen Bluth have seen blessings come from their role in starting philanthropic efforts at BYU–Hawaii.
Farmer Turned Director
Nasanbold grew up as a farmer but now serves the people of Mongolia by working as the Church Communication Department director.
A Wounded Healer
Because of her experience as a refugee serving other refugees, Cindy Shee was inspired to pursue a career in social work.
IWORK: Onward and Upward
BYU–Hawaii is making significant progress toward its goals of expanding IWORK and serving more students from Oceania and the Asian Rim.
A New Pathway to BYU–Hawaii
BYU–Hawaii and BYU–Pathway Worldwide are seeing success with their new partnership—and students are reaping the rewards.
Discovering Purpose in Trials
Peniasi’s journey was not easy. Now that he has graduated from BYU–Hawaii, he is determined to help those who face similar challenges.
A Life of Service, A Legacy of Faith
Pioneers in Taiwan, Elder and Sister Chen share their love and faith with future leaders of the Church by donating to BYU–Hawaii.
Serving on the Front Line
During the pandemic, Kalo worked at an on-campus COVID testing facility. Now she is pursuing a career in public health to serve her country.
From Surviving to Thriving
As a freshman at BYU–Hawaii, Flora Enkhbold started a business to sell her mom’s handcrafted ties in new markets.
Using Aloha to Advance the Church in Asia
Annie Wong could be a poster child for the mission and purpose of BYU–Hawaii. She came to Hawaii from Hong Kong as a new convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now she is helping to build the kingdom of God as the communication director for the Asia Area of the Church.
Getting a Start, Giving Back
“What do you think about me applying for a job in Hawaii?” Keith Wilson asked his wife, Ada, out of the blue. It was 1979, and Keith was finishing up his master’s degree in library science at BYU in Provo when the director from BYU–Hawaii’s library visited Utah to do some recruiting.
Art from the Heart
BYU–Hawaii alum Sam Mangakahia is combining artistic talent, cultural values, and entrepreneurship to make a statement and a living.
This Place Is Our Promised Land
Husband and wife graduate together and honor their family for the support, motivation, and sacrifice that helped them succeed.
Retired But Not Done
“It’s not the end of our relationship with BYU-Hawaii or her students. It’s just a different way of supporting them.”
Farmhand to Public Servant
BYU–Hawaii helped Karl Santiago go from working as a farmhand for money to buy school supplies to working as a clerk for the Hawaii State Legislature.
A Samoan Scientist? You Bet.
Stau Segi is working to change cultural norms and help conserve his country’s coral reefs.
Masks Save Lives in More Ways Than One
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ganaa Batgerel sprang back from a personal trial with a greater drive to serve others. Now she is pursuing two projects to help struggling families in her home country of Mongolia.
Preserving Words That Matter
BYU–Hawaii alum Tereua Kainitoka from Kiribati is helping preserve her native language and culture through teaching the world’s first university course on the Kiribati language.
Leaving a Legacy in Mongolia
The first mission president in Mongolia learned that “BYU–Hawaii had something that our members in Mongolia needed,” so he included the university in his estate plan to ensure that Mongolian students could receive those blessings.
For Time and All Eternity
For Balu Pilli of India, coming to BYU–Hawaii not only blessed him with an education but also an eternal family.
Pipe Dreams and Beyond
Ofa came to BYU–Hawaii with a plan to start a plumbing business, but three mentors helped him go from fixing pipes to renovating a temple.
Buy a Bag, Feed a Family
Coney Pulla of India was born into the lowest level of the Hindu caste system. After attending BYU–Hawaii on an IWORK scholarship, he co-founded a multimillion-dollar social enterprise that donates rice to families in need throughout India.
Blooming in Adversity
Pattica San was abandoned and left for dead as a baby but was saved by sympathetic saints and tender mercies from the Lord. Now he is an IWORK student at BYU–Hawaii, and he is building a social enterprise to help Cambodian women become self-reliant and escape domestic violence.
Now is the Time
After a sad childhood and a delayed dream, Mijin is using the power of prayer to work miracles in her life.
Aloha ‘Oe: A Parting Gift to BYU–Hawaii
After President and Sister Tanner were called to serve at BYU–Hawaii, they found out that Sister Tanner’s parents had included the university in their estate plan.
Young Champion of the Earth
Eritai, a BYU–Hawaii alum from Kiribati, is using hydroponics to alleviate malnutrition and disease in his home country, and the United Nations recognized him for his effort with the Young Champion of the Earth award.
BYU–Hawaii Launches Online Mentoring Platform
The new platform is helping students, alumni, and friends of the university connect and help one another.
BYU–Hawaii Leads The Nation In Social Entrepreneurship
BYU–Hawaii students receive international acclaim for empowering Filipino farmers to rise out of poverty.
You're Hired
The new Asia Pacific Career Conference is helping students launch their life after BYU–Hawaii.
Alumni Update: Eritai Kateibwi
Eritai is “literally saving his island nation” with his hydroponics project in Kiribati.
The Lord is Building Me Up
Ethiopian orphan Ephrem Smith finds love and a sense of belonging at BYU–Hawaii, being surrounded by people with similar hopes, values, passions, and dreams.
Reconnecting with Her Roots
Jessika Lucero is a Hawaiian-Filipino American student from West Virginia who is excited to attend BYU–Hawaii and reconnect with her cultural heritage. Read Jessika’s story and learn about the university’s new domestic work-study scholarship that makes it possible for her, and others like her, to attend BYU–Hawaii.
Heaven-Sent Angels
BYU–Hawaii student Elizabeth Ramsay is from the tiny village of Holonga in the Kingdom of Tonga. However, these humble circumstances have not kept Elizabeth from dreaming big, aiming high, and looking beyond herself to bless others, both temporally and spiritually.
A Second Chance at BYU-Hawaii
The IWORK program gives international students who can’t afford college a chance to attend BYU–Hawaii. For Soumya, a convert from India, IWORK also gave him a second chance at a career and an eternal family.
Breaking a Pattern, Creating a Legacy
Suelaki wants to help make it a little easier for others to follow his path of getting an education. “My parents and my siblings didn’t have the opportunity to go to college,” he says. With the help of others through the university’s work-study financial aid program (IWORK) he is about to graduate and looking forward to increasing awareness in Samoa about the value of education.
From Child Laborer to Child Liberator
Sery, an IWORK student from the Ivory Coast, was abandoned and forced into child labor at a young age. He found his way to BYU-Hawaii, and his experience there inspired and empowered him to return to his country and help children who are suffering the same circumstances that he endured.
Weak Things Become Strong
Kazu, a BYU-Hawaii student from Japan, struggled to learn English as a high school student. His desire to attend BYU–Hawaii motivated him to study hard, and he finished in the top of his class. Now he is enjoying opportunities he didn’t imagine were possible.
Video: I See a School
At his inauguration, President John S. Tanner spoke powerfully on the inspired mission and purpose of BYU-Hawaii.
Setting an Example
Meet Siniteke Fotu, an IWORK student from Tonga. As the oldest of 11 children, Teke has been the example for her younger siblings by finishing high school, serving a full-time mission, and attending college. Her father is a humble farmer, but she is able to attend BYU-Hawaii thanks to support from generous donors. After graduating she plans to return home and work in government.”
Opening Doors of Opportunity
RJ, a BYU-Hawaii IWORK student from the Philippines, went from imitating artwork from Church magazines to studying art in Paris and New York thanks to scholarships and internships.
Finding a Way and Forging a Path for Others to Follow
Battsey, a BYU-Hawaii student from Mongolia who is studying accounting, took English courses online before coming to campus. She is now an online mentor for students back home and an IWORK student.”
A Father's Example, A Son's Dream
While growing up in a hard-working family on a small island in Tonga, Fehi saw his father working constantly as a fisherman to support his family. Fehi wanted an education, but getting one seemed to be out of reach. Learn how donations from friends like you helped this grateful young man come to BYU-Hawaii.
Discover Your Potential and Become an Instrument in the Lord’s Hands
Raife Cambell's mission launched him into new patterns of life and learning, and launched a desire for additional education. This led him to BYU Hawaii, where he built upon the tools he had gained serving the Lord. He also met his wife. He credits donors with blessing his life. Discover how you can become a blessing in the lives of students like Raife.
With Your Help, He Found His Way
Sebastian Alewa joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Papua New Guinea 14 years ago. He started a new journey that day - one that led him to BYU-Hawaii and will take him back home, educated and ready to bless his country. Read more about Sebastian and how BYU-Hawaii’s IWORK program helped him prepare for his future.
At BYU-Hawaii, Raife Honed the Traits He Needs to Reach His Potential
Raife, a BYU–Hawaii student from Australia, strives to stretch himself and achieve his potential through opportunities to develop communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
One of Nine: Faith and Examples Lead Fijian to Laie
Jone, a BYU–Hawaii student from Fiji, speaks of how the Lord took care of his family after his father passed away. He has learned peace building and made friends from around the world at BYU–Hawaii.
Video: Ji Lost Everything Before He Found What He Really Wanted
After making his way from the Korean orphanage where he spent most of his childhood, Ji found new faith, and then a fresh start at BYU-Hawaii.
Tennis and faith: Andy's Story (Video)
Andy was a well-known tennis player in China with a lot going for him. Deep inside he always had questions about faith.
IWORK Gives Carrie a Second Chance
Carrie, from New Zealand, is an IWORK student at BYU-Hawaii who works at the Polynesian Cultural Center. She is grateful and wants to share what she has learned with her family at home.
The Road To Leadership: Uli From Tonga
Uli, a BYU-Hawaii art student and sculptor from Tonga, says his school experience and Church callings in Laie helped him develop leadership skills that will bless him and his family.
Finding the Loves of His Life in Laie
Nelson, a BYU–Hawaii IWORK student from Tahiti who works at the Polynesian Cultural Center, says he found the two loves of his life in Laie: his passion for art and graphic design and his wife, Rahei.
Discovering “Genuine Gold” in Mongolia and the Miraculous Refining Process that Followed
Hundreds of miles away from her home in Ulaanbaatar, Buyanerdene Chimedregzen shouted aloud with joy when she received news of her acceptance to Brigham Young University-Hawaii. Her three long, grueling years of studying English through the university’s online program were paying off: her dream of studying at BYU-Hawaii had finally come true.
"Angels We Have Heard On High" BYU-Hawaii Choir (Video)
Celebrate Christmas this year with BYU-Hawaii and their choir singing "Angels We Have Heard On High."
Video: Taking these blessings back to Tonga
Ruby hopes to use her BYU-Hawaii education to make a small difference in the lives of people back home in Tonga.
Video: Polly Finds Happiness in a Gospel-Centered Education
Polly Mak had a dream about education and religion. Her odyssey took her from Hong Kong to Laie, Hawaii where donors helped her take her dream to reality.
Nanako
Nanako, a student from Japan student prays to know about Heavenly Father's plan for her future. She finds her answer at BYU-Hawaii.
Kalavati: From Fiji to BYU-Hawaii (Video)
Going to BYU-Hawaii from Fiji was one of the most unique blessings that Kalavati had ever experienced.
Yoko Follows Dream Of Attending University
Yoko, a BYU-Hawaii student from Hong Kong, says her faith left her homeless but not hopeless. It took her 10 years to become a student. She says she learns and grows so she can better give and serve.
Video: Denzil Kumar of Fiji studies music through IWORK at BYU-Hawaii
After he obtains his degree in music at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Denzil Kumar hopes to return to Fiji to teach music to others like him, who want to work in the field of music.