Hawaii
Sarah Jane Weaver: The lessons BYU–Hawaii teaches about diversity — and unity
LAIE, HAWAII â As the day broke recently on a beach near the BYUâHawaii campus, I watched students representing numerous country-based clubs on campus practice the traditional cultural dances of their nations. They all wore clothing that represented their heritage.
They were there to create a video promoting the upcoming BYUâHawaii Culture Night.
Focusing on the cultural diversity in front of me, I began to count the countries I saw represented â Samoa, Fiji, India, Korea, Philippines, Tonga and Thailand. Even a young man boasting a cowboy hat was there to represent the mainland United States.
And the list did not end there. I listened as students spoke about Japan, Mongolia, Kiribati and the countries of Latin America.
I turned to a student, Wilford Wu, sitting on the beach nearby and began sharing the details of my awe.
Wu agreed that the representation and diversity were both impressive, but then articulated his favorite part of the unique gathering.
âWe all believe the same thing,â he said.
He spoke of coming to Hawaii for an education and meeting friends from all over the world. âI can see in Laie the gospel joy of everyone together,â he said.
Wu quoted President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency speaking of oneness.
My mind immediately rushed to a time just one year ago when I also heard President Oaks speak of the power of oneness while offering historic remarks in Chicago, Ill.
âWhat a different world it would be if brotherly and sisterly love and unselfish assistance would transcend all boundaries of nation, creed and color,â said President Oaks on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. âSuch love would not erase all differences of opinion and action, but it would encourage each of us to focus our opposition on actions rather than actors.â
Addressing members of 14 stakes in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin as part of a weekend ministry assignment, President Oaks asked Latter-day Saints to press forward, having âa love of God and of all menâ (2 Nephi 31:20).
âThis teaching â to follow our Saviorâs command to love one another as He loves us â is one of our greatest challenges,â said President Oaks. âIt requires us to live together with mutual respect for one anotherâs differences in todayâs world. However, this living with differences is what the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us we must do.â
President Russell M. Nelson has also asked all of us to foster fundamental respect for the human dignity of every human soul.
âWe need to work tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than creating walls of segregation. I plead with us to work together for peace, for mutual respect and for an outpouring of love for all of Godâs children.â
No where does the gospel net feel more expansive than on the campus of BYUâHawaii.
Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and commissioner of Church education, has called BYUâHawaii the Church Educational Systemâs Asia/Pacific capstone. Roughly 100 countries are represented in the universityâs student body.
The university is fulfilling the potential and promises shared by President David O. McKay some 70 years ago.
Standing in a Sugarcane field in Laie, Hawaii, on Feb. 12, 1955, President McKay founded the Church College of Hawaii.
On that day he spoke of a vision he saw 34 years earlier when he witnessed a group of international school children participating in a flag ceremony at the Church school in Laie. President McKay recounted that he had seen in those children the ability of the gospel of Jesus Christ to unite all people.
Then he spoke of the influence of the new school â which would later become Brigham Young UniversityâHawaii. âFrom this school, Iâll tell you, will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good toward the establishment of peace internationally,â he said.
As my mind returned to the beach in front of me, I watched as students helped one another navigate sharp, steep rocks to the location they would be filming. Another student stood above them performing the Samoan fire knife dance for the cameras. A few minutes later they all stood together.
Just before Wu and his friend jumped up and ran to be part of the photographs, he spoke of his education and his plans to return to his own country to share what he has learned.
In a world defined by political polarization, racial tensions and cultural divides, Wu understands that the gospel of Jesus Christ â as well as the educational institutions its sponsors â can foster unity.
âBecause of the gospel,â he said, âall these countries come together as one.â
â Sarah Jane Weaver is executive editor of the Church News.
Hawaii
Healthier Hawaii: How to protect your hearing; head and neck warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – You may have received new earbuds or headphones during the holidays. But there are a few things you keep in mind when it comes to protecting your hearing.
Dr. Ross Shockley, an otolaryngologist with Wilcox Medical Center and Kaua‘i Medical Clinic, offers the following tips for hearing, as well as head and neck health.
Head and neck cancers
Many people are not familiar with head or neck cancers. What causes it and when should someone see a doctor?
- Traditionally, head and neck cancers were mostly associated with longtime smokers and drinkers. Now, more cases are tied to human papillomavirus (HPV), even in nonsmokers and drinkers. HPV is the same virus that can lead to cervical cancer in women. It is common and can have no symptoms.
- If you have throat pain, pain when swallowing that doesn’t go away, or a mass in your neck that feels firm and isn’t moving, don’t wait. See your doctor.
- Head and neck cancers can be treated, no matter the cause, if caught early.
How to prevent hearing loss
More young adults, in their early 20s, are experiencing hearing loss. Can hearing loss be reversed?
- Hearing loss can’t be reversed. Once ringing in ears starts, that can be permanent.
- Wear appropriate hearing protection when using power tools or firing weapons.
- You can find ear protection that blocks out sound for about $15. Protection that covers the whole ear are better than earplugs.
How do you know if music or movies are too loud?
- Don’t turn anything up to the maximum.
- You want the volume to be at the lowest level where you can still hear and understand.
- If there is background noise, don’t crank up the volume all the way to fight it. Use noise-cancelling headphones or go somewhere quieter.
Dangers of cleaning your ears
You may feel the urge to clean your ears. Shockley says do less, or even nothing at all.
- Our ears clean themselves. As new skin grows, it takes wax with it out of your ear.
- When you clean your ears, you’re interrupting that natural cleaning process.
- You can also put yourself at risk for external ear infections – or make your ears itch more.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Hawaii Grown: Few isle players in College Football Playoff final four | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.
Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.
Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.
She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.
She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.
Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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