Ke Alaka'i

Ke Alaka'i Ke Alaka'i is BYU-Hawaii's student-run news publication.

BYU–Hawaii University President John S.K. Kauwe III and First Lady Monica S. Kauwe spoke to students and faculty gathere...
09/10/2026

BYU–Hawaii University President John S.K. Kauwe III and First Lady Monica S. Kauwe spoke to students and faculty gathered for devotional at the Canon Activities Center on Sept. 8, marking the start of the semester.

President Kauwe urged students to take advantage of opportunities on campus and have the courage to lead: “The experiences you have and the skills you develop will prepare you to lead and lift throughout your lives.” He emphasized that resilience is not about going through difficulties on your own, because true strength comes from recognizing that you need help, accepting support and allowing yourself time to rest and recover.

Sister Kauwe reminded students of President Russell M. Nelson’s teachings about the three important aspects of their divine identities: being a child of God, a child of the covenant and a disciple of Jesus Christ. She encouraged students to view their BYU–Hawaii experience and the degrees they will earn as “capstones resting on five pillars.” These five pillars are faith, intellect, self-reliance, resilience and leadership built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. “Strengthening these five pillars will help you become the person our Heavenly Father wants you to be,” she said.

Kleoh Gonzales, a freshman in business management from the Philippines, said the devotional message reminded him of the importance of focusing on personal growth to help others. He said, “Focus on your growth, not for yourself, but to be able to help other people.”

Dorias Aumua, a senior in information technology from Samoa, emphasized President Kauwe’s counsel to take the time to rest. Despite personal problems or student responsibilities, Aumua said, “Taking the time to rest is a good thing as well.”

✍🏼 Judith Weman
📸 Ruea Kelly Tama, Lennon Onda

What was supposed to be BYU–Hawaii’s annual Hukilau Beach Bash instead brought students and families together at the Can...
09/10/2026

What was supposed to be BYU–Hawaii’s annual Hukilau Beach Bash instead brought students and families together at the Cannon Activities Center on Sept. 4. The Seasider Activities’ Opening Bash was designed to kick off the new semester and featured inflatable games, face painting and sports.

Before the event opened to the rest of the student body, it began with a special keiki night for BYU–Hawaii’s families, giving married students and their children an hour to enjoy inflatable slides and racing games and a bounce house.

Ru Li, a senior from Fiji studying computer science, said, “There are limited events on campus where married couples can bring their children, so we decided to give them specific time to enjoy before the single students can come in,” she said. Having such activities accessible to everyone is their goal for this semester and for future events.

Luisorcia Gonzales, a freshman from the Philippines studying health and human science, said she found the event fun and nostalgic. “It’s almost like I’m a kid again,” she expressed. She also said she enjoyed the whole event because of the friends she came with.

Similarly, Samuel Maiava, a freshman from California studying accounting, said the event reminded him of how it felt like to be a child. “It’s good to get out, meet new people and try out new stuff,” he said, “and that’s what college life is all about.”

✍🏼 Rossy Valdez
📸 Hiroki Konno

09/09/2026

We challenged students to guess each other’s majors on the first day of school. How many would you get right?

💡 JC Navarro
🎥 Ruea Kelly Tama

09/08/2026

Great job powering through the first week of Fall 2026, Seasiders!

Before we dive fully into the new semester, let’s take a moment to celebrate how BYU–Hawaii welcomed over 900 new students this term. Our New Student Onboarding (NSO) team put together an incredible lineup of events—from check-ins to sports games—to make our freshmen’s first days on campus meaningful and memorable.

🎥 John Lennon Onda

09/05/2026

Fresh-faced Seasiders gathered at the Heber J. Grant Building on Aug. 28 for the New Student Onboarding (NSO) workshops to connect with campus departments and resources. We asked them what lesson stood out most and how they’ll use what they learned this semester.

Watch their responses.

💡 JC Navarro
🎥 Ruea Kelly Tama

09/04/2026

Surf through French Polynesian culture with a god and his brothers as they sail on open seas and split an island in two.

The legend of Huahine island is one of many cultural folklores that tell how French Polynesia came to be and how it changed over the years. Through these stories, knowledge and history of the region are passed down from one generation to the next.

💡 Alden Pua
🎨 Guen Ramirez-Platon
🎥 Ruea Kelly Tama and John Lennon Onda

At BYU–Hawaii's New Student Orientation (NSO) Welcome Dinner on Aug. 27 at the Cannon Activities Center (CAC), President...
09/03/2026

At BYU–Hawaii's New Student Orientation (NSO) Welcome Dinner on Aug. 27 at the Cannon Activities Center (CAC), President John S.K. Kauwe III expressed his excitement for the semester ahead as he welcomed the new students and congratulated them on being selected to attend the university.

President Kauwe explained that their new opportunities at BYU–Hawaii come with responsibility, telling students, “You’re in the right place with good people to do good things and you’re on track for a big, incredible success.”

President Kauwe outlined several expectations for the students, including making the most of their education, following the Honor Code and dress and grooming standards. He also urged them to attend classes, develop their faith and intellect, and become resilient and self-reliant leaders. “You have more time, more energy and more capacity to build your individual talents than you will in any other time,” he said.

Nicole Telape, a freshman majoring in business management from Papua New Guinea, said the welcome dinner helped her reflect on the opportunity to study at BYU–Hawaii. While she enjoyed the food, she was especially touched by President Kauwe’s welcome message. “I have not simply come to another place to study; I have come to a place where I can feel a true sense of belonging,” she said. “It already feels like home.”

Byamba Uliziibayar, a freshman majoring in psychology from Mongolia, said the welcome dinner created a strong sense of community, adding, “I can meet other new students and I am grateful for the people who have helped us here.” She also said she is most excited to start classes and looks forward to going to the beach.

✍🏼 Judith Weman
📸 John Lennon Onda, Ruea Tama

08/29/2026

For Mosese, his job is not just about handling packages; it’s where he develops Christlike care and love. With every box that passes through his hands, he cares not only for the item but also for the student patiently waiting for it.

✍🏼 Rossy Valdez
📸 Ruea Tama

It’s easy to overlook the beauty around us when we see the same things every day. But when we view the world through som...
08/28/2026

It’s easy to overlook the beauty around us when we see the same things every day. But when we view the world through someone else’s lens, we discover details we never noticed before.

These photos, captured by different individuals, reveal that it’s not always our environment that needs changing. Sometimes, all it takes is a new perspective.

Take a closer look. What do you see?

📸 John Lennon Onda, Hiroki Konno, Ruea Tama
✍🏼 JC Navarro

08/26/2026

In the final episode of Inside Ke Alaka‘i, we step back and look at the bigger picture: the purpose behind student journalism, the value of student voices and the people who make it all possible.

Thank you for joining us behind the scenes.

💡JC Navarro
🎥 Ruea Tama

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