In 1921, President David O. McKay of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Church members in an previous chapel in Laie, Hawaii — the place he witnessed many cultures worshipping collectively as one.
There on the north shore of Oahu, President McKay noticed how folks may be united by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a campus devotional at BYU–Hawaii virtually one yr in the past, BYU–Hawaii President John S.Ok. Kauwe III spoke of President McKay’s expertise and of BYU–Hawaii as we speak. The Church’s college in Laie continues to resemble that various group President McKay encountered greater than a century in the past, stated President Kauwe. He joins this episode of the Church Information podcast — taped on the BYU–Hawaii campus — to speak concerning the imaginative and prescient and way forward for BYU–Hawaii and of his service because the college’s president. This episode is the primary of a two-part collection.
Take heed to this episode of the Church Information podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, bookshelf PLUS, YouTube or wherever you get podcasts.
Transcript:
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: You concentrate on the love that we’re requested to have for each other and the idea of Hawaiian aloha are one and the identical. You come to this neighborhood that’s been based mostly on that aloha spirit. And you consider it, and also you speak about it, and also you hear that phrase. And it means one thing, and it modifications the best way you assume, the best way that you just view your self and the folks round you. So it reminds you of the love that you need to have. And so for us, the mission is to convey these college students who’re doing great issues, who’re stalwart, and provides them that capstone expertise the place they grow to be the non secular and mental leaders that may change their communities, their households, and actually, actually make a distinction.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: That is Sarah Jane Weaver, govt editor of the Church Information, welcoming you to the Church Information podcast. We’re taking you on a journey of connection as we talk about information and occasions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In 1921, President David O. McKay of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Latter-day Saints in an previous chapel in Laie, Hawaii. Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese language, Filipinos and others all worshipped collectively as one. “What an instance on this little place of the needs of our Father in Heaven to unite all peoples by the gospel of Jesus Christ,” President McKay stated. In a campus devotional at BYU–Hawaii virtually one yr in the past, President John S.Ok. Kauwe III spoke of President McKay’s expertise and of BYU–Hawaii as we speak. The Church’s college in Laie continues “to resemble that various group President McKay encountered greater than a century in the past,” stated President Kauwe.
President Kauwe joins this episode of the Church Information podcast, taped on the BYU–Hawaii campus, the primary of a two-part collection to speak concerning the imaginative and prescient and way forward for BYU–Hawaii and of his service because the college’s president.
President Kauwe, we’re right here in Laie, in your yard, on the campus of BYU–Hawaii. You’re the primary native Hawaiian to ever take the helm of president of this college. Share a few of your emotions concerning the job you’ve gotten and the trail that led you right here.
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah. So, I’m undecided that I ever actually imagined that I’d be president of BYU–Hawaii. But it surely’s been an unbelievable blessing, particularly contemplating that my ancestors have been a part of the founding of Laie and have been a part of households that helped lead right here for generations. And so it means quite a bit to be again right here, not simply as a local Hawaiian, however as a descendant of the individuals who based this neighborhood and labored arduous to ascertain it and keep it. So, that’s been a beautiful blessing. Enthusiastic about the trail right here, particularly now virtually 4 years into this position, it’s been humbling and a studying expertise to actually begin to comprehend that.
So lots of the experiences that Monica and I’ve had in our lives and the preparation that we had, so lots of these issues have been for us to be able to be president of BYU–Hawaii in July of 2020 and as we speak. It’s a tough factor for me to say about myself, proper? However over the past three and a half years, the experiences we’ve had, we’ve actually grown into the understanding that our Heavenly Father ready us to be right here on this second and to make these robust selections and to guide the easiest we will. So I feel, you understand, it’s thrilling. It’s been an unbelievable blessing. I really feel prefer it’s an opportunity to honor the legacy of my ancestors, and in addition an opportunity to honor preparation that our Heavenly Father put in place for us.
4:18
Sarah Jane Weaver: If you took the helm, whenever you have been requested to return right here and function president, you had been in one other fairly vital position, not very lengthy. What, just a bit greater than a yr?
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Sure. Yeah.
Sarah Jane Weaver: And so this needed to have come as a shock.
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Oh, completely. So, I had been the chair of biology for one yr, after I was requested to be the dean of graduate research at BYU. After which I used to be the dean of graduate research at BYU for — I assume it had been eight months when President Nelson and the remainder of the First Presidency prolonged this invitation to Monica and I to function president of BYU–Hawaii. So, no, we had no expectations in any respect. It was an entire and utter shock. We had turned down another job alternatives, and we knew that being a part of the Church Academic System — and we assumed working as dean of graduate research at BYU — can be a decadelong duty. As a substitute, it was 12 months.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: Now, I need to speak about your tutorial background, since you’re a genetic researcher.
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Sure.
Sarah Jane Weaver: Inform us what that entails and the way that led to administration.
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah. So, tutorial background, proper, I did a grasp’s diploma at BYU in molecular biology; Ph.D. in — it’s referred to as evolution, ecology and inhabitants biology at Washington College in St. Louis; a postdoc in Alzheimer’s illness, genetics and prognosis on the Washington College College of Drugs after that; and at that time, actually devoted my skilled life to attempting to resolve Alzheimer’s illness. And I got here to BYU with a selected plan to leverage the Utah inhabitants database on the Church’s genealogical information to do detailed genetics analysis on Alzheimer’s illness and proceed my work, leveraging distinctive BYU sources. And issues went very well.
And what ended up occurring was I had a profession in Alzheimer’s illness genetics that was pretty profitable however actually constructed on growing interdisciplinary, typically worldwide, groups of scientists that would leverage distinctive sources and abilities to resolve key issues. And the rationale I describe it that means is that always we take into consideration a scientist, and it’s simply what you do within the lab or simply the code you write to research your knowledge. However the best way my profession developed, it was actually about seeing the issue, figuring out all of the out there sources, attending to know folks that I beloved and trusted and needed to work with, and making that crew occur.
And so, you requested the query “How does a scientist flip into an administrator?” and a part of it was that I discovered lots of pleasure in sitting in that spot and seeing the sources and seeing the folks and placing them collectively right into a crew that would actually successfully do one thing vital. So after I was made the chair of biology at BYU, I felt the identical means. It was like, “That is my likelihood to take a look at the sources, have a look at the folks and allow all people for fulfillment.” After which dean of graduate research, it was the identical factor. I didn’t really feel like my job modified from being a scientist to being a dean or a chair. I felt prefer it was the identical form of software of “Who’re the folks, what are the sources and the way can we facilitate success?”
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Sarah Jane Weaver: I need to speak slightly bit extra about your analysis. What did you study Alzheimer’s? And the way is that analysis persevering with now?
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah, so, my preliminary work in Alzheimer’s illness genetics was learning what we name “genomewide affiliation research,” which is an method the place you are taking a bunch of folks that have Alzheimer’s illness, a bunch of folks that don’t, and also you simply evaluate the frequency of genetic variants between these two teams, and you discover genetic modifications which are extra widespread in a single group than the opposite. And people are sometimes indicators that that genetic change impacts the illness in some significant means and will due to this fact let you know one thing new concerning the illness. So, my profession was devoted to discovering new genes that affect both Alzheimer’s illness, or proteins and pathways that we all know are related to Alzheimer’s illness.
And we had nice success. We found dozens of latest genetic variants, printed many tutorial papers which are extremely cited, and had actually thrilling issues occur. Alongside the best way, I began to consider different methods to ask questions concerning the genetics of Alzheimer’s illness. And one of many extra attention-grabbing research that we did was we took individuals who got here from very high-risk Alzheimer’s illness households however didn’t get Alzheimer’s illness. In order that they’re, like, over age 70 however had no proof of Alzheimer’s illness, though that they had genetic threat for it, and their households have illness. And we studied these households, and we really have been capable of finding genetic modifications, uncommon genetic modifications, that have been defending these folks from Alzheimer’s illness. And that was a very thrilling research.
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So, all of my work was devoted to determining: “How do modifications in our DNA impression our threat for Alzheimer’s illness?” After which secondarily was: “How will we leverage that data to develop higher approaches to therapeutic intervention and to curing the illness?” And through the years, as my analysis has advanced, we’ve been capable of take a few of that work the place we’ve recognized new genetic modifications and leverage that into new therapeutic interventions. So, a drug that I helped invent is now in Section 2 of medical trials in people, the place we’re treating quite a lot of ailments in hopes that finally we’ll be capable to develop this drug to deal with Alzheimer’s illness, all based mostly on our preliminary genetic research. There’s additionally different analysis as you have interaction your self in a subject; like, for me, as I engaged myself in Alzheimer’s illness, I discovered how simply devastating it’s to households. I discovered the impression that it has, and I turned, you understand, very centered on all of the ways in which I may help.
So, one other avenue of analysis that we’re engaged in is growing or extending the prevailing assessments for Alzheimer’s illness into different languages and cultures. So, for instance, should you have been to be recognized for Alzheimer’s illness, somebody would possibly ask you to attract a clock face. And that makes lots of sense to a sure technology and sure nations, however there might be languages and cultures the place somebody of their 70s and 80s isn’t notably acquainted with a clock face, and that job won’t be related. And so I’ve been engaged in analysis to translate these assessments not simply by way of language, however culturally, to make it accessible for different populations moreover the form of mainstream Western inhabitants to be recognized. So, most lately, we’ve labored in growing these assessments within the Samoan and Tongan languages and adapting a number of the duties to be extra acceptable culturally. And that’s been actually thrilling as nicely.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: And so, whenever you got here right here and took on this already all-encompassing position, you have been capable of proceed with a few of your analysis as nicely.
11:43
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: I’ve been, and that’s been a direct — when Monica and I sat with the First Presidency and Elder [Jeffrey R.] Holland and Elder [Paul V.] Johnson, President Nelson made it clear that there had been preparations made and that I’d be capable to proceed my analysis, if I may and if I needed to. I felt like possibly he had some empathy for me, being a analysis scientist himself and having handled the, you understand, that zeal that you’ve for making a distinction in your subject and the eagerness you’ve gotten for serving wherever the Lord needs you. And I’m very grateful that he created a mechanism for me to pour my coronary heart and soul into BYU–Hawaii but in addition have the chance to maintain a few of that scientific analysis going.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: Effectively, on a private be aware, my father died of Alzheimer’s. And as a household, we’re so grateful for the analysis that you just’re doing, and impressed analysis. I keep in mind whenever you have been inaugurated, Elder Clark G. Gilbert described you as somebody “who needs to do what the Lord directs him to do.” Are you able to inform us how private revelation has influenced your life?
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Completely. I imply, there’s so many experiences that I may relay. I feel one which only for some purpose jumped to my thoughts is graduate faculty. I didn’t set off to do a Ph.D. in Alzheimer’s illness. I used to be simply pleased to check evolutionary biology and genetics and simply see what occurred, proper? And I solely utilized to 3 colleges. I utilized to Emory College, Yale College and Washington College in St. Louis. If there’s any faculty college students which are listening to this, you need to apply to greater than three colleges. That’s simply what I did. And I used to be very lucky. I didn’t have excellent grades, however I had mentors who had labored carefully with me and actually believed in me. I consider it was their letters that gave me the alternatives.
However I acquired into all three colleges. And, I imply, it’s arduous to say no to Yale College, proper? Emory, I had a beautiful expertise there, and it’s an elite college. However I keep in mind ending my interview at Washington College — Monica and I have been engaged on the time — and I keep in mind ending that interview. And I used to be nonetheless in St. Louis. And I awakened on Sunday morning, my flight was leaving Sunday afternoon. And I went for a stroll down the road. And we’re proper close to the massive Catholic basilica that’s there. And that is how previous I’m: There was a pay telephone. I didn’t have a cellphone on the time. And I keep in mind strolling and simply feeling so clearly that my Heavenly Father needed Monica and I to maneuver to St. Louis and do a Ph.D. at Washington College in St. Louis.
And I keep in mind I had that feeling, and I acquired on the pay telephone, and I referred to as Monica, and I stated, “Hey, you understand, I really feel actually good. How do you’re feeling about coming to Wash U?” And he or she felt good too, and we made that call. And I mirror on that as a result of I don’t really feel like my Heavenly Father has informed me what to do at each single level in my life. Typically I really feel like He needs you to make your most suitable option and do your factor. However on this case, it was simply so clear that He wanted us to be there, to have the experiences we have been going to have there, to have the profession that we’d have on account of going there. That simply felt so clear. And so I did it.
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And truly, one of many different universities had supplied me an enhanced bundle, proper? Extra scholarships, more cash. And I informed them no. And so they have been simply completely shocked as a result of “How would you inform us no? Not solely are we an elite college, however we gave you all this more money. How may you say no?” Then for us, it was really easy to know that that is precisely what our Heavenly Father needed us to do. I’ve had that have just a few instances. I’ve been grateful for it. Typically it’s more durable when you’ve gotten lots of good paths, and Heavenly Father’s like, “Yeah, simply preserve going. Whichever one you select is nice.” However at instances, it’s been wonderful.
And there’s typically sacrifices. I do know, shortly earlier than we have been supplied this place right here at BYU–Hawaii, we have been in negotiations for a job at one other college. They needed me to go away BYU. And so they have been providing — this was in October of 2019 — they have been providing a wage and analysis sources that the Church Academic System would by no means even think about. And as a analysis scientist, I talked to my Ph.D. adviser, I talked to Monica about it. I knew this was the very best job supply I’d ever get. It was the dream job as a analysis scientist. And Monica and I prayerfully thought of it. And the reply we acquired was “Keep a part of CES and simply do regardless of the Lord needs you to do within the Church Academic System.” And we had no idea of what that would imply or would imply on the time. We simply felt like, “Effectively, we’re the dean of graduate research. We love the job we’ve got, we love the place we dwell, we love BYU, we’re good.”
And I turned that job down for no different purpose than we felt that that was what the Lord needed us to do. It will have made extra sense on the time if He had stated, “And I’m going to make you president of BYU–Hawaii.” And it was fairly the expertise only a few months later to be requested. I imply, that was in October of 2019; and April of 2020, we have been sitting with the First Presidency, accepting the invitation to work as president of BYU–Hawaii. And had we accepted that job and left BYU, I simply don’t see any means that that very same alternative throughout the Church Academic System would have been supplied, and the Lord would have needed to have discovered another person to do that work, which might have been unhappy as a result of we like it. We completely love the chance to be right here.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: And also you got here right here at such a tenuous time. The pandemic is simply intensifying; we’re months away from a vaccine; you’re within the islands, the place there’s excessive susceptibility and excessive shutdown; and also you in all probability had college students that couldn’t go dwelling and a few who couldn’t come. How did you cope with all these challenges proper out of the gate?
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah, so, it was; it was proper out of the gate, Day 1. President [John S.] Tanner was wonderful, and he stated, “Keoni, I do know you have been simply introduced, however each determination we make from at the present time ahead is yours to dwell with. So we want you to be on all these Zoom conferences and get engaged.”
So, the day that I used to be introduced was the day we began attempting to handle COVID and serve our college students within the context of that. So all of the challenges you introduced up have been there, proper? There isn’t a vaccine, excessive restrictions right here in Hawaii on gatherings and interactions, college students who’re caught right here in Hawaii and couldn’t go dwelling, college students who couldn’t come to highschool and have been wanting to return to highschool. And we tried to do a web-based faculty, which could be very difficult when you’ve gotten college students in each time zone on the planet. Very difficult when you’ve gotten college students who don’t have entry to high-speed web and even web in any respect, in lots of circumstances.
So, we did our greatest, proper? We managed what we may with our college students that have been right here, we discovered work for them to do on campus to enhance campus in that meantime. However finally, what occurred is we began to see that BYU–Hawaii’s scholar inhabitants — these college students which are unfold out everywhere in the Asia, Asia North, Pacific and Philippines areas of the Church — with out the chance to be right here bodily collectively on campus, even throughout COVID, with all these restrictions, they have been actually hurting. They have been struggling briefly, they have been struggling spiritually, they have been combating their psychological well being.
And we realized that for our college students, even within the midst of the pandemic, BYU–Hawaii was the most secure place for them. It was a refuge of security that they wanted to be at. So, over time, our COVID administration modified, and we realized that what we would have liked to do — and this was in session with the Board of Trustees; they realized that what we would have liked to do — was get our college students again to campus as shortly as attainable, as a result of any expertise that we may supply them whereas they have been bodily right here can be a blessing to their lives.
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And so we did the whole lot we may working with the state of Hawaii, working with the federal authorities, due to worldwide visa journey points, to get our college students right here safely and function safely. And there have been so many concerns on our campus. It was so advanced. There’s no ICU beds inside an hour of campus, our campus neighborhood is small, lots of the highest threat elements for COVID demise are exemplified in our neighborhood. So we knew that we needed to not simply convey college students again, however we needed to do it in a means that was very cautious, very accountable, and confirmed love and consideration for each member of our neighborhood.
So, it was an journey. It was all-consuming. I used to be so grateful throughout that point for the counsel of Elder Paul Johnson, who was the commissioner on the time. He spent lots of time with me in any respect hours of the day and night time as we tried to handle the state of affairs. However once more, I form of, referring again to one thing I discussed earlier, is I felt ready and nicely geared up. I perceive the science, and my background is inhabitants genetics and statistical genetics and epidemiology. So, I may have these conversations, I understood what a COVID take a look at meant, what it didn’t imply, I understood the biology behind all of the totally different vaccines.
So, I felt very blessed to have that, to be accustomed to all these points at a really excessive stage. And it was a blessing to our campus. I used to be engaged — due to that scientific background — I used to be engaged with the state Division of Well being and the governor’s workplace in ways in which wouldn’t have occurred in any other case. And people relationships have made a distinction as we’ve managed different points and as we have a look at different progress on campus.
So, it was very, very difficult, however it gave me — to start with, it allowed me to start out operating, proper? On Day 1, it’s such as you’ve started working arduous, you’ve acquired to make arduous selections that matter. But additionally it helped me see the preparation that Heavenly Father had put in place and that the timing was His timing. So I felt blessed by that. And it was difficult, and, you understand, I’m undecided that we did the whole lot excellent. However I’m positive that we did the whole lot each with the counsel of the Board of Trustees and with our Heavenly Father.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: I really like the timing of your coming right here and your background. As I’ve talked to folks about you, they’ve described you not solely as good, but in addition fairly cool.
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: I don’t know who you’ve been speaking to about that.
22:56
Sarah Jane Weaver: You surf, you may journey a skateboard, you’re out with the scholars.
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah.
Sarah Jane Weaver: What has being a part of this neighborhood meant to you and your spouse?
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Oh, it’s been completely wonderful. You realize, we’re sitting right here in my yard, and we dwell proper in the course of campus. Throughout the road is a pair thousand single-student beds, proper? The place our single college students dwell. I feel, you understand, for us to have the ability to come right here, a spot that’s dwelling for me, to have household in the neighborhood, cousins that I get to reconnect with or join with for the primary time, that’s all been great. However for us, actually, like — President Nelson talked to Monica and I when he requested us to do that job. And he informed us, you understand, “Your college students have to see you. It’s essential to be a part of campus. They should see your loved ones for instance.” And I keep in mind pondering in my head, like, “We may be an instance of a household that tries actually arduous.”
And that’s what we’ve been, proper? And we’ve tried to be a part of our college students’ lives to the extent that we will. And I feel that in some methods we do it very well, and a few methods we’re restricted as a result of we’ve got 5 younger kids, and we’ve got these duties which are vital and vital; paramount, even. But it surely has been enjoyable to be a part of our college students’ lives in such a significant means. And for me, it’s been — it’s a dream for this to be my skilled duty, as a result of I really like our college students. I really like training. I really like the Church Academic System. I really like being right here in Hawaii. I really like the ocean. For me, it’s been an unbelievable blessing, and simply sporting myself out for this stewardship is a dream come true.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: And we’ve talked about this as we speak, however there’s a particular spirit right here, a particular feeling right here; tenderness and a sweetness and a unity. What’s it that makes this place, this land, so particular?
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Effectively, it’s not a brand new feeling. This space of the island has all the time been generally known as a “puʻuhonua,” or a “place of refuge.” It’s all the time been a spot the place all have been welcome and all have been secure and all have been protected. And President McKay got here right here in 1921, when he was first made an Apostle, and he was touring the world. And he had experiences right here, each at a flag-raising ceremony after which within the Church, the place he stated was even essentially the most spectacular factor he felt was being within the chapel with folks from all these totally different nations, one in Christ. So, you consider that, that was greater than 100 years in the past, an Apostle got here right here, and he felt one thing particular. And what he felt was unity in Christ from a various group of individuals.
And that hasn’t modified since then. I imply, that impressed him to push for the institution of the Church Faculty of Hawaii, which is now BYU–Hawaii. And the temple was right here, and the Polynesian Cultural Heart, created after the Church Faculty of Hawaii, all of these amplify the unity in Christ that’s felt on this place. So the rationale we really feel that now as we speak is that we’re taking that spirit that President McKay felt and that he requested us to amplify, and we’re fulfilling that duty. And each considered one of our residing prophets since President McKay has bolstered the significance of this place.
And President McKay’s phrases are actually highly effective. He stated — and I’m going to paraphrase; I ought to have ready to actual quote it, however we’ve tailored his phrases into the imaginative and prescient of BYU–Hawaii, which is: “To be an instance to the world of intercultural peace … via residing the [gospel] of Jesus Christ.” And I feel whenever you say, like, you’re feeling one thing particular on this campus, that’s what you’re feeling. You’re feeling a spot that’s an instance to the world of how we may be one in Christ.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: I used to be telling you earlier, I had this highly effective expertise sitting on the seashore yesterday with many, lots of the scholar leaders out of your golf equipment. They have been all dressed representing totally different cultures on the seashore because the solar got here up, and considered one of them sat down. And we have been kind of speaking concerning the nice variety that was in entrance of us. And he stated, “All of us consider the identical factor.”
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yep.
Sarah Jane Weaver: And I assumed, “Wow, that is wonderful, that we’re bringing collectively all these cultures proper right here.”
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah, that’s precisely proper. I imply, we come collectively in Christ. What that permits us to do is perceive, study and rejoice our variations with out feeling divided. And it’s a gorgeous, lovely factor.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: And as Elder Clark Gilbert has talked concerning the totally different roles of the totally different universities, he’s talked concerning the vital position BYU–Hawaii has to play within the Pacific and in Asia. What’s the mission right here? What are a number of the targets? What are you attempting to perform?
27:53
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah, so, our mission is to arrange college students to be disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders of their households, their communities, and their chosen fields and within the Church. And should you have been to ask Elder Gilbert form of what’s the position that BYU–Hawaii performs within the Church Academic System, he would say the Asia/Pacific capstone — these three phrases, proper? And a capstone expertise designates, like, some form of particular, culminating expertise that basically elevates and finishes off, you understand, what you’ve been doing.
And so, what we view right here is at BYU–Hawaii, our position is to take the work that’s been accomplished by Church leaders everywhere in the world, the work that’s been accomplished by BYU–Pathway Worldwide in educating and making ready college students with English proficiency and faculty preparation, the work that’s been accomplished in seminaries and institutes, in addition to within the Church faculties of the Pacific, and take the coaching and work that’s been accomplished by these components of the Church and convey the fruits of that right here and provides them that capstone expertise the place they grow to be the non secular and mental leaders that may change their communities, their households, and actually, actually make a distinction.
Once more, going again to President David O. McKay’s phrases, he prophesied that BYU–Hawaii would produce leaders that the world would starvation for. He referred to as them “real gold.” And so for us, like, the mission is to convey these college students who’re doing great issues, who’re stalwart, who the Church is invested in by different components of the Church Academic System, and provides them a capstone expertise to the place they will ship to the world these guarantees that President McKay laid out.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: And simply the proximity of the campus itself, you’ve acquired the temple on one aspect, the Polynesian Cultural Heart on the opposite. How do all of these work into this distinctive academic setting?
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah, it’s wonderful as a result of these three pillars of this neighborhood, they actually do work collectively to create that capstone expertise for our college students. So, a scholar, so as to come right here from the components of the world that lots of our college students come from, they want vital monetary assist. And the Polynesian Cultural Heart creates 800 extra jobs the place our college students can go to work and, via our work-study packages, assist to fund their training.
Whereas our college students are right here, having the temple only a few hundred steps away is important. It’s completely important to this type of Zion academic neighborhood that we’ve got. So our college students — lots of them work within the temple, they attend the temple often — they’re studying how you can worship within the temple and assist others worship within the temple. And that’s an unbelievable a part of that coaching, to be leaders and to make a distinction after they return to their dwelling nations, to their dwelling communities.
Collectively, BYU–Hawaii and the temple, the Polynesian Cultural Heart, create precisely the non secular and mental form of proving grounds and rising and secure rising space that our college students want to meet the prophecies which are related to this place.
31:11
Sarah Jane Weaver: I feel individuals who go to right here would say they felt a welcome, they felt an acceptance, they felt one thing that could be referred to as the “aloha spirit.”
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Yeah.
Sarah Jane Weaver: How does that play into campus?
31:24
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: It’s very, crucial. So, you consider — and it’s been commented on by visiting Apostles on many events — the love that we’re requested to have for each other and the idea of Hawaiian aloha are one and the identical. I feel the distinction right here, it’s form of like when you consider Christmastime; when it’s Christmas, and we’re desirous about the Savior, and we’re speaking about His start, the entire world feels elevated, proper? We modify the best way we deal with one another, the issues we take into consideration.
And that’s a part of what occurs right here. You come to Hawaii, you come to this neighborhood that’s been based mostly on that aloha spirit, and you consider it, and also you speak about it, and also you hear that phrase. And it means one thing, and it modifications the best way you assume, the best way that you just view your self and the folks round you. So it’s foundational. It’s a part of what you’re feeling, is this concept that folks greet you with that phrase, and it means extra than simply hiya, proper? Which means extra than simply goodbye. It reminds you of the love that you need to have for the folks round you. And I feel it makes an enormous distinction.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: Now, you’re a descendant of an early, early convert of the Church in Hawaii. What does that heritage imply to you? And what does the Church imply to you?
32:43
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: So, they’re form of one and the identical, proper? So, Kaleohano is the ancestor that you just’re referring to. He was one of many first converts of the Church for George Q. Cannon and helped train George Q. Cannon how you can converse Hawaiian. And he’s featured within the Saints, Quantity 2, I consider, and simply an incredible man, wonderful instance. When he got here right here to Laie, he was one of many first households to return right here. And he was the liaison between the Church and the Hawaiian monarchy due to his royal standing. He helped protect hula and Hawaiian tune. He devoted one of many cornerstones of the primary chapel in Laie. His kids and grandchildren performed vital roles in growing the Hukilau and different features of Laie tradition which are so vital.
So, extra so than all of that, what’s attention-grabbing is that he didn’t simply do these issues, however he left a legacy for his descendants. And so, he really composed music, songs within the Hawaiian language that have been about his religion, about his baptism, about his conversion, concerning the pleasure of the gospel. I grew up singing these songs. My children grew up singing these songs. And so, his legacy of religion, it’s deep and actual. So, you understand, for me after I say, like, “Oh, I’m a descendant of Kaleohano,” or another person says it, like, it isn’t simply family tree for me. I’ve sung the phrases that he composed and felt the Spirit testify to me of his testimony via these phrases, and I really feel a deep duty to honor that heritage.
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And that’s why it’s such a blessing to be right here. It’s a chance to look again 5 generations and say to him, like, you understand, “Your sacrifice, your religion, the fruits of your religion, have modified my life and helped me with my testimony.” So sure, like, the second query, “What does the gospel imply to me?” I’ve been blessed by each my mother and father’ and my grandparents’ and my great-grandparents’ need to make and honor covenants. I do know that. I’ve felt that.
I’ve been blessed by my very own need to make and honor covenants and by Monica’s need to make and honor covenants. I’ve been blessed by my kids’s need to try this as nicely. For me, I’m grateful to really feel that I’ve gone from religion to information in that sense, as I’ve hung out on this campus and I’ve seen folks dwell the gospel of Jesus Christ the easiest they will, and search to make and honor their covenants with God. I’ve gotten to the purpose the place I simply know that what King Benjamin taught us, proper, you understand, “Contemplate on the blessed and pleased state of people who preserve the commandments of God” (Mosiah 2:41). I’ve thought of on that state. It’s true. I do know these blessings are actual. I’m so grateful for them.
So, you understand, what does the gospel of Jesus Christ imply to me? It means the whole lot, as a result of I do know that the blessings of this life and everlasting happiness come via making and honoring covenants. I feel you may even prolong that with the blessing of the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the best way that we’re capable of make these covenants, proper? And it’s the car that brings us that capability. So, I’m so grateful for the Church as nicely.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: It’s significant to me; simply this morning at breakfast, I used to be telling my husband about my relative. My maiden title is Cannon.
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Oh, yeah, superior.
Sarah Jane Weaver: And so, George Q. Cannon is a part of my heritage.
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: That’s so wonderful.
Sarah Jane Weaver: That could be a enjoyable connection there.
President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: Sure.
Sarah Jane Weaver: As we wrap up, we do have a convention the place we, on the Church’s podcast, wish to ask everybody the identical query. It’s “What are you aware now?” And so, as we shut, I’d like to have you ever bear your testimony and inform us what you understand now after being and serving for the final three-plus years as president of BYU–Hawaii.
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President John S.Ok. Kauwe III: I do know that there live prophets on this earth, that President Russell M. Nelson is a Prophet of God, that President [Henry B.] Eyring and President [Dallin H.] Oaks are prophets of God, that the entire Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are prophets of God. I’ve had distinctive experiences due to this position which have testified of that to me. Elder [Patrick] Kearon got here and visited us the day he was introduced as an Apostle. And we have been capable of see and really feel that mantle of management and revelation come across him. And that day, it was crystal clear. It was vivid. I’m so grateful for that chance. So, that’s one thing I do know now.
One thing else that I do know now that I didn’t earlier than is I had no idea of the worldwide scope of the work of our God and of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Monica and I typically say we want all people may do that job so they might see what our collective religion, our collective sacrifice as members of the Church is doing to bless the entire world. What a blessing it’s to be right here, to see what that collective work does, to see the nice it does in so many individuals’s lives and the impression that it has internationally. So I do know now simply how international, simply how far, our efforts attain by residing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And I feel finally, I do know of what I’ve stated earlier, that once we make and honor our covenants, our Heavenly Father blesses us, and He blesses the folks round us via us. And I’m so grateful for that. So, I do know Jesus Christ lives, and I do know that He has prophets on this earth that information a church that’s designed to like and bless all of His kids in each area, each nook.
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Sarah Jane Weaver: You could have been listening to the Church Information podcast. I’m your host, Church Information govt editor Sarah Jane Weaver. I hope you’ve gotten discovered one thing as we speak about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by peering with me via the Church Information window. Please keep in mind to subscribe, price and evaluation this podcast so it may be accessible to extra folks. And should you loved the messages we shared as we speak, please ensure you share the podcast with others. Because of our friends; my producer, KellieAnn Halvorsen; and others who make this podcast attainable. Be a part of us each week for a brand new episode. Discover us in your favourite podcasting channels or with different information and updates on the Church on TheChurchNews.com.
