Focus Hawaii

Focus Hawaii was a long-running Brigham Young University–Hawaii television program produced by the university's communications and media faculty and students. Beginning in the 1970s and continuing through the early 1990s, the series explored the people, cultures, history, environment, education, and current issues of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific through documentary-style interviews, feature stories, and on-location reporting. Hosted over the years by faculty members and media professionals including Dr. Lance Chase, the program served both as a public affairs television series and as a hands-on educational laboratory for student broadcasters.

The Focus Hawaii collection documents a remarkable cross-section of Hawaiʻi's social and cultural history during the late twentieth century. Episodes feature conversations with educators, community leaders, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, artists, government officials, business leaders, religious leaders, scientists, and visiting scholars, alongside programs highlighting Hawaiian history, environmental conservation, Polynesian cultures, archaeology, education, performing arts, tourism, and significant events at Brigham Young University–Hawaii.

This Digital Commons collection contains 157 digitized episodes preserved by the Brigham Young University–Hawaii University Archives and Special Collections. Together, these recordings provide an important audiovisual record of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, reflecting the university's educational mission and documenting voices, perspectives, and events that shaped the region. The collection serves as a valuable resource for researchers, students, educators, and community members interested in Hawaiian and Pacific history, cultural heritage, and the history of Brigham Young University–Hawaii's media productions.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

Focus Hawaii Aaron Hammer

Lance Chase and Aaron Hammer

Hosted by Lance Chase and filmed on location in Laie, Hawai‘i, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Aaron Hammer, a young drum maker and musician whose work blends craftsmanship, sound, and community connection. Originally from Kansas, Hammer shares how he discovered hand drumming and became drawn to its healing, social, and expressive qualities, eventually teaching himself to build drums using local and imported materials. Viewers are introduced to his drum‑making process, including working with solid woods and staved shells, stretching natural goatskins, knotting African diamond weaves, and branding each drum with his distinctive hammer trademark. Hammer discusses the cultural universality of drumming, its role in personal reflection and group communication, and its therapeutic power across ages and backgrounds. The episode also highlights his involvement with the Art Plantation gallery in Haleʻiwa, drum‑making classes, and facilitated drum circles that invite people of all skill levels to rediscover rhythm as a shared human experience.
Focus Hawaii Agnes Choy

Lance Chase and Agnes Choy

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Agnes Choy, a gifted Hawaiian quilter and lei maker, who shares the story of how she learned quilting later in life and developed it into a deeply meaningful craft. Choy discusses growing up in Punaluʻu, learning quilting from her sister Debbie Kakalia, and creating quilts for her children and grandchildren—each with patterns personally chosen or designed to reflect their lives. She explains traditional Hawaiian quilting techniques, including applique, pattern folding, stitch styles, fabric selection, and the cultural significance of motifs such as orchids, taro leaves, and torch ginger. Choy also contrasts Hawaiian quilting with mainland styles, offers insights on care, washing, and storage, and reflects on the patience, concentration, and artistry required for each piece. Surrounded by her handmade quilts, Choy provides an intimate look into the heritage, discipline, and joy of Hawaiian quilting.
Focus Hawaii Al Harrington

Lance Chase and Al Harrington

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features celebrated entertainer Al Harrington, known for his roles on Hawaii Five‑0 and his long‑running Waikiki show. Harrington shares his journey from his childhood in American Samoa and Hawai‘i, to attending Punahou and Stanford, teaching history, and eventually becoming a knife dancer, emcee, singer, and one of Honolulu’s top headliners. He speaks candidly about the responsibility entertainers have to educate as well as entertain, the importance of countering Hollywood stereotypes of Polynesians, and the need to adapt to changing audiences. Harrington also reflects on family decisions, turning down Hollywood opportunities to raise his children in Hawai‘i, his sons’ athletic careers at BYU, and the life lessons he continues to share with younger performers—including the value of education, preparation, cultural understanding, and reading widely.
Focus Hawaii Aliance for Drama Education

Lance Chase, Debby Kermode, and Ann Sheridan

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii spotlights the Alliance for Drama Education (ADE), a Hawai‘i‑based nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening student confidence, communication skills, and community awareness through drama education. Guests Debby Kermode, president of the ADE board, and Ann Sheridan, longtime Kahuku High School teacher and past board president, discuss the origins and mission of the Alliance, founded by George Kon and Walt Delaney to support teachers and students through performance‑based learning. Central to ADE’s approach is the PFAR model—Performer Fitness and Audience Readiness, which teaches students not only how to present themselves effectively, but also how to be respectful and engaged audiences. Through in‑class artist residencies, teacher support programs, and partnerships with schools from elementary through high school, ADE uses drama as a practical tool for lifelong skills such as public speaking, teamwork, empathy, and self‑confidence, helping students “earn yeses in life” both inside and outside the classroom.
Focus Hawaii Alroy Enos "A Promise Kept"

Lance Chase and Alroy Enos

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Alroy Enos, a longtime Kaua‘i educator and community leader, who discusses A Promise Kept, a large‑scale religious and cultural pageant produced annually on the island of Kaua‘i. Enos traces his personal journey from growing up in Papakōlea to serving a church mission, teaching on Kaua‘i, and becoming involved with the pageant following the unifying aftermath of Hurricane Iniki. The conversation explores the origins, purpose, and message of A Promise Kept, which weaves Hawaiian history, faith, song, dance, and prophecy into a dramatic presentation emphasizing Jesus Christ’s role among the peoples of the Pacific. Through featured clips depicting Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Second Coming of Christ, the episode highlights the pageant’s themes of resilience, spiritual identity, cultural heritage, and communal faith as expressed by hundreds of volunteer performers from across Kaua‘i.
Focus Hawaii Alton L. Wade President, BYU-Hawaii

Lance Chase and Alton L. Wade

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features President Alton L. Wade as he reflects on his eight impactful years leading Brigham Young University–Hawaii and the experiences that shaped his service. Wade recounts his background in Church education, his time as president of Dixie College, and his deep love for BYU–Hawaii’s students, faculty, and multicultural mission. He discusses his upcoming transition to a vice‑presidential role at BYU–Provo, emphasizes his philosophy of leadership grounded in humility and service, and reflects on the challenges and joys of making decisions that affect an academic community. He also shares insights from his well‑known devotional address articulating the prophetic destiny of BYU–Hawaii as a global “laboratory” of cultural harmony and gospel preparation. With sincerity and emotion, Wade describes his hopes for the institution’s future, his trust in divine guidance, and the profound personal and spiritual meaning behind his years in Laie.
Focus Hawaii American Cancer Society

Lance Chase, Shirlee Goodgame, and Dr. Jerald Takesono

Hosted by Lance Chase, this Focus Hawaii episode features an in‑depth discussion with American Cancer Society volunteers Shirlee Goodgame and Dr. Jerald Takesono, who share their experiences serving Windward Oahu communities through cancer education, prevention programs, patient support services, and volunteer‑driven initiatives. Together they explain ACS efforts such as smoke‑free youth programs, nutrition and early‑detection education, oncology nursing recognition, cancer‑survivor support groups, transportation assistance, equipment lending, and the vital role of volunteers in sustaining these services. The episode highlights local challenges, community outreach needs, personal stories of cancer survival, and the positive impact ACS programs have on patients and families throughout Hawai‘i.
Focus Hawaii Anne Workman

Anne Chase Workman and Lance Chase

Hosted by Anne Chase Workman, this special episode of Focus Hawaii turns the spotlight onto the show’s longtime host, Lance Chase, as Anne—his daughter—interviews him about his career, his years teaching English, religion, and history at BYU–Hawaii, and his involvement in athletics and community life. Lance reflects on memorable moments from producing Focus Hawaii since 1985, shares stories from his early coaching years, his love of running, his family life, his faith, and his academic journey, while also discussing his recent battle with lymphoma and the overwhelming support he has received. The episode offers a warm, personal look at the man behind the camera, revealing his values, teaching philosophy, and dedication to students, family, and the BYU–Hawaii community.
Focus Hawaii Auriella Hughes, Judi Correa

Lance Chase, Auriella Hughes, and Judi Correa

Hosted by Lance Chase, this powerful episode of Focus Hawaii introduces Judi Correa and Auriella Hughes, two Kahuku Hospital professionals who created the youth‑focused documentary “There’s a Lot to Lose”, aimed at preventing drinking and driving among teens. They discuss how the project emerged from a need for culturally relevant educational materials on the North Shore, and how their collaboration—supported by BYU–Hawaii, local police, ambulance crews, community members, and the Peer Education Program—resulted in a compelling video featuring real stories, including the tragic loss of Jackie Chang’s two children. Through emotional interviews, graphic accident footage, and peer‑to‑peer messaging, the documentary teaches young people about the life‑altering consequences of alcohol use, emphasizing that adolescents are not invincible and that even one bad choice can cost dreams, health, loved ones, or life itself. The guests outline their plans for widespread distribution in schools, libraries, and community settings to reach as many youth as possible.
Focus Hawaii B.J. Lee BYU-H Pacific Island Room

Lance Chase and B.J. Lee

Hosted by Lance Chase and filmed on location in the Pacific Islands Room of the Joseph F. Smith Library at BYU–Hawai‘i, this episode of Focus Hawaii features B. J. Lee, longtime university employee and supervisor of the Pacific Islands Room. Lee shares her personal history growing up on Moloka‘i with Hawaiian and Korean heritage, her decades of service at BYU–Hawai‘i, and her deep connection to Hawaiian quilting traditions passed down through her mother and kupuna. Surrounded by historic and contemporary quilts, Lee explains the cultural significance of Hawaiian quilting as both an artistic and social practice, recounting family stories behind specific heirloom quilts, original patterns, and naming traditions. She also highlights preservation efforts, the role of Relief Society women in quilting history, and the Pacific Islands Room’s unique collection of quilt patterns available to the public, underscoring the importance of the library as a living repository of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture.
Focus Hawaii Blane Van Pletzen

Lance Chase and Blane Van Pletzen

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Blane Van Pletzen, Director of the Reading and Writing Center at BYU–Hawaii, who shares his remarkable life story—from growing up in Rhodesia and South Africa to serving in the South African Defense Force, pursuing education in the U.S., and ultimately building a career in teaching—while also highlighting his unique musical talent as a self‑taught pianist who performs on a Yamaha Clavinova during the show.
Focus Hawaii Breakthroughs for Youth at Risk

Lance Chase, Lisa Zastrow, and Sharon Lester

Hosted by Lance Chase, this 1996 episode of Focus Hawaii highlights the transformative work of Breakthroughs for Youth at Risk, a volunteer‑driven program supporting teens ages 15–20 who face serious personal and social challenges. Program leaders Lisa Zastrow and Sharon Lester explain how at‑risk youth are referred by schools, psychologists, probation officers, and outreach agencies, then voluntarily enroll in a demanding five‑ to six‑day residential course led by trained professionals. Through intensive, day‑long sessions—often up to 18 hours—the participants confront the roots of their struggles and experience emotional “breakthroughs” that help them regain confidence, purpose, and connection. Volunteers continue mentoring each youth for a full year, meeting weekly and offering consistent encouragement as teens work toward self‑selected goals such as improving family relationships, finishing school, or finding employment. The episode features moving interviews with two graduates, Novaʻa Banks and Kelly Takayama, who describe their difficult pasts, the goals that motivated them, the role models who believed in them, and the life changes that followed their participation. Their stories reveal a program that empowers young people to discover self‑worth, build trust, take responsibility for their choices, and envision a future filled with possibility.
Focus Hawaii Brett Borup & Don Sa'aga

Lance Chase, Brett Borup, and Don Sa'aga

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Brett Borup, Vice President for Public Works at Hawaii Reserves Inc., and Don Saʻaga, Director of Public Relations and Property, as they discuss the history, challenges, and future of Laʻie’s wastewater treatment system. They explain how aging infrastructure, Clean Water Act violations, and legal action led to federal and state consent decrees requiring major upgrades, a new treatment plant, and long‑term community planning. Borup describes engineering difficulties, community task‑force input, financing obstacles, and the goal of eventually transitioning management away from HRI, while Saʻaga reflects on community concerns, public outreach, local input, and the responsibility of balancing cultural sensitivity with corporate roles. Together, they outline the environmental, technical, political, and community dimensions of wastewater redevelopment in Laʻie—highlighting transparency, collaboration, and the need for sustainable infrastructure that can serve present and future generations.
Focus Hawaii BYU-Hawaii Christmas Tree Lighting

Brigham Young University Hawaii

This video features Benny Kai, a PCC performer, along with the children of Laie Elementary as they perform Christmas songs.
Focus Hawaii BYU-H Business Experience

Bill Neal, Jim Bradshaw, Allan Oleole, and Denise Woodbury

Hosted by Bill Neal of the School of Business at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i, this episode of Focus Hawaii examines an innovative, integrated business education model designed to give students real‑world entrepreneurial experience while still in the classroom. Faculty members Jim Bradshaw, Allan Oleole, and Denise Woodbury introduce a team‑taught core program that combines finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and communication into a single, immersive learning experience in which students create, fund, operate, and close actual businesses during the semester. Through student‑run ventures—including coupon sales, shaved ice operations, and digital product businesses—the program emphasizes applied learning, teamwork, cultural diversity, financial accountability, and community service, with all profits donated to charitable organizations. The discussion highlights how this hands‑on approach prepares BYU–Hawai‘i’s internationally diverse students—many of whom will return to small or developing economies—to create jobs, lead ethically, and apply business principles in real entrepreneurial settings.
Focus Hawaii BYUH Chorus at the Senate Opening

Joel Kongaika and Brigham Young University Hawaii

Hosted by Joel Kongaika, this episode features the BYU–Hawaii Men’s and Women’s Chorus alongside the Polynesian Cultural Center Promo Team. The video showcases footage of their live performances at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol during the Opening Session of the Legislature, highlighting music, culture, and community representation through a special public event.
Focus Hawaii BYUH Jazz Ensemble

Lance Chase

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii showcases three BYU–Hawaii performing groups: the Jazz Band led by Michael Sigert, Pacific Horns and Rhythms, and the Frontline Singers. The program consists almost entirely of live musical performances, highlighting the talent and energy of student musicians as they prepare for an upcoming tour of the Pacific and Australia. Lance briefly introduces the ensembles, notes their role as ambassadors of BYU–Hawaii and the state of Hawai‘i, and invites viewers to enjoy a concert‑style presentation featuring jazz, horn arrangements, rhythms, and vocal numbers performed by the university’s premier touring groups.
Focus Hawaii BYUH Presidents Past, Present

Lance Chase, Dr. Alton Wade, and Dr. Owen Cook

Hosted by Lance Chase, this Focus Hawaii episode brings together Dr. Alton Wade, the then‑current president of BYU–Hawaii, and Dr. Owen Cook, a former president of the institution, for a reflective discussion on the university’s past, present, and future. The two leaders share personal histories that intersect through Church education in the Pacific, tracing the evolution of BYU–Hawaii from the early days of the Church College of Hawaii to its role as an internationally diverse liberal arts university. They discuss the development of Church‑supported schools throughout Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia, the transition from mainland to locally trained educators, and the challenges of serving a multicultural student body. The conversation also highlights campus growth, community relationships, academic and spiritual priorities, and the school’s “prophetic destiny” to educate students whose influence will be felt internationally through leadership, service, and moral preparation.
Focus Hawaii BYUH Songfest

Summer Robbins and Chad Schumer

Hosted by Summer Robbins and Chad Schumer, Song Fest 2003 is a lively, performance‑packed celebration showcasing the diverse cultural clubs of BYU–Hawaii. The program is filled almost entirely with live stage performances, showcasing traditional songs, dances, and musical presentations from various international student groups. The Korean Club opens with the well‑known folk song Doraji performed with powerful group vocals and traditional rhythmic phrasing. The Papua New Guinea Club follows with high‑energy chants, cultural movement, and an original rap‑style piece highlighting life in Port Moresby, blending modern storytelling with Melanesian identity. Additional footage features the Tahitian Club’s dynamic drumming and dance sequences as well as the Filipino Club’s moving rendition of Ako ay Pilipino presented in traditional national, ethnic, and religious attire, emphasizing pride in heritage and unity. The program concludes with selections from the Hong Kong Club, including gospel‑influenced choral pieces such as Glory, Glory, Hallelujah and All My Trials, performed with rich vocal harmonies. The episode showcases the multicultural vibrancy of the campus and provides continuous, energetic footage of students expressing cultural pride through music and dance.
Focus Hawaii Christmas At BYU-Hawaii

Brigham Young University Hawaii

This festive episode of Focus Hawaii showcases Christmas at BYU–Hawaii 2004, a lively holiday program produced by Moana and Junior Feinga and Liz and Mark Atuaia—former members of the Wolfgram family connected to the internationally known singing group The Jets. The concert features a wide range of live musical and dance performances, including traditional carols such as O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, and Noel, alongside Hawaiian‑style Christmas numbers, hula by the Gilman dancers, and guest appearances from Rolando Sanchez delivering high‑energy Latin Christmas music. The Wolfgram sisters—Moana, Etivise, Natalia, and Elizabeth—perform multiple pieces, sharing stories of their Tongan heritage, their upbringing in snowy Minnesota and Utah, and the joyful transition to celebrating Christmas “island style” in Hawaiʻi. Highlights include children’s performers singing “Christmas Island,” sing‑along moments with the audience, nostalgic selections from the Jets’ holiday album, and a heartfelt finale featuring Nonosina dancers performing Paradise With You, Lord. The program blends Polynesian culture, family tradition, and Christmas spirit into an uplifting community celebration.
Focus Hawaii Christ Zivalich, Frank S. Conkey Hawaii Career & College Fair

Lance Chase, Christ Zivalich, and Frank Conkey

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii highlights the upcoming Hawaii Career and College Fair at the Neal Blaisdell Center, featuring guests Christ Zivalich and Frank Conkey, longtime organizers of the event. They explain the fair’s mission to connect Hawaiʻi students, parents, career changers, and military personnel with over 90 mainland colleges and universities, including top institutions like MIT, Caltech, USC, Reed, and Brandeis. The episode emphasizes early college planning, financial‑aid seminars, and the unique value of accessing campus representatives without leaving the islands. Zivalich and Conley also discuss the fair’s robust career section, featuring organizations such as the National Weather Service, FBI, Keck Observatory, beauty and technical programs, and branches of the U.S. military. They describe the fair as a free, high‑impact resource that routinely draws thousands of attendees and offers unmatched access to admissions deans, alumni, and career professionals—all working together to help Hawaiʻi residents plan for academic and professional success.
Focus Hawaii Club Culture Night

Lance Chase and Brigham Young University Hawaii

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii showcases highlights from Club Culture Night 1996 at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i, an annual celebration of the campus’s remarkable international diversity. Featuring students representing more than sixty nations, the program presents a vibrant series of cultural performances including traditional dances, music, drumming, and skits that reflect the heritage of participating countries. Through weeks of preparation, students come together not only to share their own traditions but also to learn from one another, demonstrating the spirit of cultural exchange and unity that defines BYU–Hawai‘i. The episode emphasizes the educational and social value of multicultural engagement, illustrating how performance and participation foster understanding across cultures, with special note of new groups—such as Mongolia—taking part in the event for the first time.
Focus Hawaii Composting Show

Lance Chase, Suzanne Jones, Mark Takemoto, and Michael Kristiansen

Hosted by Lance Chase, this 1996 episode of Focus Hawaii introduces viewers to home composting as a practical, environmentally responsible way to reduce waste on Oʻahu. Guests Suzanne Jones (Recycling Coordinator, City & County of Honolulu), Mark Takemoto (Education Specialist, University of Hawaiʻi), and Michael Kristiansen (Director, Honolulu Botanical Gardens) share their expertise on recycling, horticulture, and large‑scale mulch use across island parks. The episode explains that more than 200,000 tons of Oʻahu’s annual waste consists of green waste—yard trimmings, leaves, and grass clippings—and shows how backyard composting can keep this material out of landfills while creating nutrient‑rich soil amendments for home gardens. Through demonstrations, video clips, and practical instruction, the guests outline how to start a compost pile, choose or build composting bins, maintain proper moisture and aeration, and avoid pests. They also highlight how decomposition is faster in Hawaiʻi’s warm, humid climate, how city‑wide mulch programs support botanical gardens, and how composting helps reduce erosion, fertilizer use, and environmental runoff. The episode encourages residents to participate in workshops across the island and “close the loop” by turning their own yard waste into valuable compost.
Focus Hawaii Composting Show Number 2

Lance Chase, Suzanne Jones, James Hollyer, and Lorra Naholowa'a

Hosted by Lance Chase, this 1996 episode of Focus Hawaii explores large‑scale composting across Oʻahu, featuring Suzanne Jones, Recycling Coordinator for the City and County of Honolulu, James Hollyer from the University of Hawaiʻi’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and Lorra Naholowaʻa of Hawaiian Earth Products, the state’s largest commercial composting operation. The discussion introduces viewers to the growing need for waste reduction, the role of municipal Refuse Convenience Centers, and how green waste is diverted from landfills to be processed into compost and mulch. Through video tours and expert commentary, the episode demonstrates how commercial composting works—from grinding and windrow decomposition to screening and soil blending—and emphasizes its applications in gardening, landscaping, erosion control, farming, and even zoo waste recycling. The guests also discuss community education efforts, backyard composting workshops, grocery‑store food waste diversion, and the statewide movement toward local, high‑quality organic soil products. The program highlights how composting strengthens environmental sustainability, supports local agriculture, reduces landfill burden, and empowers Hawaiʻi residents to participate in practical, everyday recycling efforts.
Focus Hawaii Dallin H. Oaks

Dallin H. Oaks and Lance Chase

Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Elder Dallin H. Oaks, former president of Brigham Young University, former Utah Supreme Court justice, and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, in a wide‑ranging discussion of law, public policy, and moral issues. Reflecting on his career in legal scholarship, university administration, and judicial service, Oaks offers insights into the role of judges, the function of the U.S. Supreme Court, and debates surrounding issues such as pornography, abortion, and so‑called “victimless crimes.” He emphasizes the societal impact of individual behavior, arguing that legal and moral questions often extend beyond the individual to affect families and communities. The conversation also touches on international concerns, including the establishment of a BYU study center in Jerusalem and questions of religious freedom and cultural sensitivity. Note: this recording is audio only and appears to be incomplete, with portions of the program missing.