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  5. FOCUSHAWAII

Focus Hawaii

 
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  • Focus Hawaii Alroy Enos "A Promise Kept" by Lance Chase and Alroy Enos

    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 Peter Johnson by Lance Chase and Peter Johnson

    Focus Hawaii Peter Johnson

    Lance Chase and Peter Johnson

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Peter Johnson, a BYU–Hawaii assistant professor of accounting and the university’s first African American full‑time faculty member. Johnson shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Jamaica, Queens, to moving to Hawai‘i as a teenager, excelling in high school sports, and playing college basketball at BYU–Hawaii, Dixie College, and Southern Utah University. He discusses joining the Church at age 19, serving a mission in Alabama, and navigating issues of race, culture, and community both in the South and in Church life. Johnson reflects on his brief professional basketball opportunity in Belgium, his shift to public accounting with Grant Thornton, and his eventual love for teaching that brought him back to BYU–Hawaii—where he was named Professor of the Year. He also speaks candidly about family influences, educational challenges, interracial marriage, future PhD plans, and his desire to help students succeed academically and personally.

  • Focus Hawaii Jennifer & Nicole Kajiyama by Lance Chase, Jennifer Kajiyama, and Nicole Kajiyama

    Focus Hawaii Jennifer & Nicole Kajiyama

    Lance Chase, Jennifer Kajiyama, and Nicole Kajiyama

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Jennifer and Nicole Kajiyama, high‑achieving twin juniors at Kahuku High School, who share their experiences as student leaders, scholars, and multiple‑time participants in National History Day competitions. The twins discuss their award‑winning research projects focused on Hawai‘i history, including their in‑depth dramatic presentation on Walter Murray Gibson, a complex nineteenth‑century political figure whose ambitions, controversies, and influence on the Hawaiian monarchy embodied both tragedy and triumph. Beyond their history scholarship, Jennifer and Nicole describe their active roles in state and district student government, leadership conferences, church youth organizations, and extracurricular clubs, highlighting the opportunities available in Hawai‘i’s public schools. Through thoughtful reflection, the episode underscores the value of civic engagement, rigorous academic inquiry, and supportive family and community in shaping motivated young leaders.

  • Focus Hawaii Kajiyama Twins by Lance Chase, Jennifer Kajiyama, and Nicole Kajiyama

    Focus Hawaii Kajiyama Twins

    Lance Chase, Jennifer Kajiyama, and Nicole Kajiyama

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii welcomes back Jennifer and Nicole Kajiyama, accomplished twin seniors from Kahuku High School, for an update on their remarkable academic and leadership achievements since their previous appearance. The twins discuss their success at the National History Day competition, where their dramatic performance on Walter Murray Gibson placed ninth in the nation, marking a historic achievement for Hawai‘i in the performance category. Jennifer reflects on her participation in the Summer Honors Institute at Ricks College, earning college credit while still in high school, while Nicole shares her experiences serving as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives, working firsthand in the legislative process and meeting national leaders. Throughout the conversation, the sisters reflect on public education in Hawai‘i, leadership opportunities, cultural identity, civic engagement, and future aspirations, offering a compelling portrait of motivated young leaders shaped by scholarship, service, and community support.

  • Focus Hawaii Elizabeth Kammerer, 1997 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year by Lance Chase and Beth Kammerer

    Focus Hawaii Elizabeth Kammerer, 1997 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year

    Lance Chase and Beth Kammerer

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Beth Kammerer, the 1996–1997 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year and choral director at Kahuku High School, who shares her journey as an educator and her passion for music education. Originally from New Jersey, Kammerer discusses her influential early music teachers, her training as a music and education major, and her move to Hawai‘i, where she built an award‑winning choir program serving both intermediate and high school students. Through performances by Kahuku’s choirs—including Vocal Motion and selections ranging from contemporary music to My Fair Lady—the episode highlights the exceptional musicality of Hawai‘i’s students and the cultural richness of the North Shore community. Kammerer reflects on her philosophy of teaching, the honor of being named Teacher of the Year, and broader issues in education such as teacher preparation, professional accountability, and valuing children as Hawai‘i’s most important resource.

  • Focus Hawaii Aliance for Drama Education by Lance Chase, Debby Kermode, and Ann Sheridan

    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 Jerry Kermode Woodworker by Lance Chase and Jerry Kermode

    Focus Hawaii Jerry Kermode Woodworker

    Lance Chase and Jerry Kermode

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii visits woodturner and craftsman Jerry Kermode at his North Shore workshop. Kermode, originally from California and living in Hawai‘i since 1978, shares how he shifted from Victorian home restoration and sailboat building to becoming one of Hawai‘i’s best‑known woodturners. He discusses his conservation‑focused philosophy of using only reclaimed or necessary‑to‑remove trees, his love of local woods such as koa, milo, kamani, and even rare species like Hawaiian kō, and his membership in the Hawaii Forest Industry Association. Surrounded by his bowls, drums, natural‑edge pieces, and hand‑built lathes, he explains his approach to “non‑violent woodturning,” teaching others to work with relaxation and flow rather than force. Kermode also describes his work for churches, his involvement in local schools, and his dream of helping revive woodturning education statewide.

  • Focus Hawaii Wilfred Navalta and Becky Laubach by Lance Chase, Dr. Wilfred Navalta, and Becky Laubach

    Focus Hawaii Wilfred Navalta and Becky Laubach

    Lance Chase, Dr. Wilfred Navalta, and Becky Laubach

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Wilfred Navalta, head coach of BYU–Hawaii’s women’s volleyball team, and Becky Laubach, a three‑time All‑American middle blocker and key member of three consecutive national championship teams. Coach Navalta discusses his background, coaching career, and the principles that shaped seven national titles, emphasizing team chemistry, trust, and athlete development. Becky shares her experiences on the championship teams and reveals her life‑changing decision to leave volleyball temporarily to serve an 18‑month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints in Tempe, Arizona. Together, they reflect on leadership, faith, personal priorities, and the balance between athletic achievement and spiritual goals, highlighting a unique moment where a star athlete steps away from a successful program with her coach’s full support.

  • Focus Hawaii Kehan Santiago Healthy Start Koolauloa by Lance Chase and Kehau Santiago

    Focus Hawaii Kehan Santiago Healthy Start Koolauloa

    Lance Chase and Kehau Santiago

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Kehau Santiago, assistant manager of the Koʻolauloa Healthy Start Program, who explains how this nationally recognized, Hawaiʻi‑born model works to prevent child abuse by offering intensive home‑visitation support to high‑risk families. A graduate of Kahuku High School and the University of Hawaiʻi with a master’s degree in social work, Kehau shares how Healthy Start identifies families through hospital screenings and self‑referrals, then provides weekly home visits, individualized care plans, developmental screenings, parenting education, and culturally based practices such as talk story, Hoʻoponopono, Lomi Lomi, and Native Hawaiian diet guidance. She describes the program’s local staffing, toy‑ and book‑lending library, group socialization activities, and the unique funding partnership between the Queen Emma Foundation and the Queen Liliʻuokalani Children’s Center. Kehau also discusses challenges faced by Koʻolauloa families—including unemployment, limited rural resources, literacy needs, and transportation barriers—and shares touching success stories that illustrate how early‑intervention support strengthens families and helps children thrive.

  • Focus Hawaii Elder Searle Church Service Missionary by Lance Chase and Paul R. Searle

    Focus Hawaii Elder Searle Church Service Missionary

    Lance Chase and Paul R. Searle

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Elder Paul R. Searle, a Church Service Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints serving at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i. Elder Searle reflects on a lifelong career in the Church Educational System, including decades of service as a seminary and institute instructor across Utah, California, Oregon, and St. George, Utah. He discusses the purpose and philosophy of the LDS seminary and institute programs, emphasizing their role in providing a spiritual counterpart to secular education and fostering strong social and value‑based communities for students. The conversation traces his educational background in history, music, and counseling, his long tenure teaching and leading choirs, and his current work teaching religion courses as a missionary alongside his wife. Through thoughtful reflection, the episode highlights themes of service, education, faith, and lifelong commitment to teaching and mentoring young adults.

  • Focus Hawaii Ponds at Punaluu by Lance Chase, The Ponds, John Tapner, and Cliff Cassity

    Focus Hawaii Ponds at Punaluu

    Lance Chase, The Ponds, John Tapner, and Cliff Cassity

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii visits The Ponds, an assisted‑living community in Punaluʻu operated under The Fountains network. Executive Director John Tapner and Marketing Director Cliff Cassity introduce viewers to the philosophy, services, and environment that define the community. They explain the national reach of The Fountains organization, the purpose of assisted living, and the amenities offered—restaurant‑style dining, housekeeping, activity programs, transportation services, family‑connection shuttles, and outings around Oʻahu. The episode highlights the facility’s 127 units, its unique 26‑bed Alzheimer’s/dementia care unit (the first in the state at the time), and its commitment to safety with CPR‑trained staff, emergency systems, and nearby medical support. Tapner and Cassity also discuss resident demographics, community outreach programs, future expansion plans, staffing needs, and the mission of “creating extraordinary communities where people choose to be.”

  • Focus Hawaii Sculpture by Viliami Tolutau by Lance Chase and Viliami Tolutau

    Focus Hawaii Sculpture by Viliami Tolutau

    Lance Chase and Viliami Tolutau

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Viliami Tolutau, associate professor of art at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i and an accomplished Tongan‑born sculptor, who offers an in‑depth look at the creative, technical, and spiritual dimensions of large‑scale bronze sculpture. Tolutau recounts his journey from growing up in Tonga to studying art at BYU–Hawai‘i and completing graduate work at BYU–Provo before returning to teach and create in the Pacific. The episode centers on his commission to design and produce a monumental sculpture depicting George Q. Cannon and Ionatana Napela, honoring early LDS missionaries in the Pacific and unveiled during the 1997 Pioneers in the Pacific conference. Through detailed discussion of the lost‑wax bronze casting process, viewers gain rare insight into the labor‑intensive stages of sculpting, mold making, and foundry casting, as well as Tolutau’s philosophy of celebration, proclamation, and cultural legacy embodied in public art.

  • Focus Hawaii Susannah Wesley Community Center by Dominic Inocelda and David Gibson

    Focus Hawaii Susannah Wesley Community Center

    Dominic Inocelda and David Gibson

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dominic Inocelda, Program Executive, and David Gibson, Development Director of the Susannah Wesley Community Center, one of Hawaiʻi’s oldest and most impactful social‑service organizations. They trace the Center’s origins back to 1899, when Methodist missionaries began teaching English and sewing to immigrant women before transforming the program into a children’s home in the early 1900s. Now a multi‑service community center in Kalihi, the organization provides youth outreach, gang‑prevention programs, leadership development, senior meal service, mental‑health partnerships, family support, emergency food distribution, and practicum opportunities for university social‑work students. The episode highlights the Center’s major $2.6 million facility expansion, supported through partnerships with foundations, government agencies, and community donors, doubling its service capacity and adding a gym, computer lab, recreation spaces, and improved community facilities. In discussing their mission, the guests emphasize collaboration with other agencies, adapting to emerging needs—including rising homelessness—and continuing the Center’s historic commitment to immigrants, families, youth, and vulnerable residents across Oʻahu.

  • Focus Hawaii Special Olympics 1996 by Lance Chase, Nina Bogetto, and Mamie Lamley

    Focus Hawaii Special Olympics 1996

    Lance Chase, Nina Bogetto, and Mamie Lamley

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this 1996 episode of Focus Hawaii highlights the extraordinary work of the Special Olympics Hawaiʻi program through an in‑depth conversation with Nina Bogetto, Area Director for the Windward region, and Mamie Lamley, Director of Outreach with over 23 years of service. Together they explain the mission of Special Olympics, which provides year‑round athletic training and competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the Hawaiian islands. The discussion explores the wide range of sports offered—from bowling, aquatics, soccer, track and field, bocce, and powerlifting to unified sports that pair Special Olympians with peer partners. The guests emphasize the program’s focus on building social skills, confidence, health, community inclusion, and opportunities for international competition. They share inspiring stories of athletes ranging from age eight to eighty, including participants who moved from wheelchairs to running events, high‑school athletes competing alongside their peers, and Hawai‘i teams that represented the state at the World Games in Connecticut. The episode also gives viewers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the Winter Classic basketball tournament held at Hickam Air Force Base and highlights the dedication of families, volunteers, and local communities who make the program possible.

  • Focus Hawaii Club Culture Night by Lance Chase and Brigham Young University Hawaii

    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 Graham Family by Lance Chase, Craig Graham, Marline Graham, Courtney Graham, and Collier Graham

    Focus Hawaii Graham Family

    Lance Chase, Craig Graham, Marline Graham, Courtney Graham, and Collier Graham

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features the Graham Family—Craig, Marline, Courtney, and young Collier—who are undertaking a remarkable year‑long journey to visit all 50 U.S. states as a family. Formerly based in Wichita, Kansas, the Grahams share the inspiration behind leaving careers, school, and routine life to travel together across the country in a customized van, combining homeschooling, geography, American history, and real‑world experience. The conversation explores their planning, financial risks, use of early internet technology and a public website to document the journey, and the deep personal growth that has come from meeting people, visiting capitals and landmarks, and living communally on the road. Highlighting themes of family bonding, experiential education, curiosity, and American diversity, the episode presents an uplifting portrait of learning beyond classrooms and the enduring value of shared adventure.

  • Focus Hawaii Kahana Valley Fair 1996 by Lance Chase, Auriella Hughes, Al Rogers, and Kekela Miller

    Focus Hawaii Kahana Valley Fair 1996

    Lance Chase, Auriella Hughes, Al Rogers, and Kekela Miller

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this 1996 episode of Focus Hawaii spotlights the third annual Kahana Valley Health Fair, a community‑driven event dedicated to improving health awareness and strengthening cultural ties within the Kahana Valley community. Guests Auriella Hughes (RN, Kahuku Hospital), Al Rogers (Park Manager, Ahupuaʻa O Kahana State Park), and Kekela Miller (State Parks program coordinator and longtime Kahana resident) share insights into the planning, purpose, and impact of the fair. They discuss the valley’s unique cooperative lease program, deep cultural history, and longstanding health challenges—including diabetes, hypertension, teen pregnancy, and limited access to health services. The fair brings together more than 35 health agencies, Kahuku Hospital staff, local artisans, kupuna, youth groups, and residents to provide screenings, education, Hawaiian healing demonstrations, cultural activities, healthy foods, hikes, and performances. Through community involvement, cultural preservation, and a holistic approach combining Western and traditional Hawaiian healing practices, the fair fosters trust, unity, and empowerment in a historically isolated community. The episode includes lively footage of food booths, crafts, entertainment, PCC performers, keiki activities, and Hawaiian healing demonstrations, culminating in a reaffirmation of laulima—the community working together for collective health and well‑being.

  • Focus Hawaii Composting Show Number 2 by Lance Chase, Suzanne Jones, James Hollyer, and Lorra Naholowa'a

    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 Composting Show by Lance Chase, Suzanne Jones, Mark Takemoto, and Michael Kristiansen

    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 National History Day by Lance Chase, Jesse Palmer, Christian Palmer, and Jared Lau

    Focus Hawaii National History Day

    Lance Chase, Jesse Palmer, Christian Palmer, and Jared Lau

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features three university freshmen—Jesse Palmer, Christian Palmer, and Jared Lau—who gained national recognition for their award‑winning National History Day performance examining the life of Helmuth Hübener, a German teenager who resisted the Nazi regime during World War II. The students discuss their journey from Kahuku High School to state and national History Day competitions, where they dramatized Hübener’s courageous efforts to distribute anti‑Nazi leaflets based on BBC broadcasts, actions that ultimately led to his execution at age seventeen. Through excerpts from their ten‑minute performance and reflective discussion, the episode explores themes of moral courage, youthful idealism, freedom of conscience, and historical responsibility. The students also recount their extensive research process, including interviews with primary witnesses, and reflect on the relevance of Hübener’s legacy for contemporary students facing ethical choices.

  • Focus Hawaii PCC Mahalo Week by Lance Chase and Polynesian Cultural Center

    Focus Hawaii PCC Mahalo Week

    Lance Chase and Polynesian Cultural Center

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii highlights the Polynesian Cultural Center’s first-ever Community Mahalo Week, celebrating the Center’s 33rd anniversary. The program features comments from PCC President Les Moore, Vice President of Marketing David Preece, and Vice President of Human Resources John Muaina, who explain the purpose of the event—to thank the surrounding Ko‘olauloa communities for decades of support. During Mahalo Week, residents from Kahaluʻu to Haleʻiwa were invited to enjoy free admission to the villages, the IMAX films, and the evening show, along with special discounts on dining. More than 2,500 community members attended, showing strong local interest. The segment also includes footage of PCC performances and cultural demonstrations, along with reflections on the close relationship between BYU–Hawaii students, the community, and the Center.

  • Focus Hawaii Breakthroughs for Youth at Risk by Lance Chase, Lisa Zastrow, and Sharon Lester

    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 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship BYU-Hawaii by Eric B. Shumway and Brigham Young University Hawaii

    Focus Hawaii NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship BYU-Hawaii

    Eric B. Shumway and Brigham Young University Hawaii

    Hosted by President Eric B. Shumway, this episode of Focus Hawaii celebrates the BYU–Hawaii Seasiders’ victory at the 1995 NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship in San Diego—marking the program’s sixth national title in ten years. President Shumway presents a heartfelt review of the tournament, highlighting the athletes’ devotion, spiritual unity, and commitment to excellence both on and off the court. Through interviews and personal reflections, the episode showcases the diverse international team members, their academic dedication, their shared devotional practices, and the unique sisterhood that shaped their championship run. Players describe their pre‑game rituals, their “Thoughtful Spot” team tradition, and the deep sense of purpose that guided their performance. The episode also honors longtime head coach Will Navalta, his assistants, and the faith‑centered philosophy that defined the team’s culture. The emotional highlight recounts the dramatic championship match against the University of Puget Sound, the comeback victory, and the post‑tournament testimony meeting that affirmed the team’s unity, gratitude, and spiritual strength.

  • Focus Hawaii Jack Hoag. V. Napua Baker, and Les Steward by Lance Chase, Napua Baker, Jack Hoag, and Les Steward

    Focus Hawaii Jack Hoag. V. Napua Baker, and Les Steward

    Lance Chase, Napua Baker, Jack Hoag, and Les Steward

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features an in‑depth conversation with Napua Baker (BYU–Hawaii Vice President for Advancement), Jack Hoag (President & CEO of Hawaii Reserves, Inc.), and Les Steward (Senior Vice President of Operations at the Polynesian Cultural Center). Together they discuss how BYU–Hawaii, PCC, and HRI form a unique, interconnected economic and cultural hub in Laie—providing over 3,000 jobs, sustaining vital infrastructure, supporting education through scholarships and internships, and preserving local culture. Hoag outlines HRI’s efforts to modernize utilities and increase community involvement, while Steward shares major PCC updates including new shows, expanded cultural retail spaces, and facility improvements. Baker highlights new academic initiatives such as the Hawaiian Studies program, along with scholarships and workforce pathways that enable international and local students to gain high‑quality educations debt‑free. The discussion emphasizes long‑term planning, rural preservation, and a shared mission to strengthen Laie’s future.

  • Focus Hawaii Theresa Bigbie & Dale Hamond by Lance Chase, Theresa Bigbie, and Dale Hamond

    Focus Hawaii Theresa Bigbie & Dale Hamond

    Lance Chase, Theresa Bigbie, and Dale Hamond

    Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Theresa Bigbie, president of the Laie Community Association, and Dr. Dale Hamond, its first vice president, as they discuss their personal histories, long community involvement, and the evolving challenges facing Laie. Bigbie reflects on her Molokaʻi upbringing, her career in education, and her return home to serve the community, while Hamond recounts his decades in Laie as an early BYU–Hawaii chemistry instructor with deep historical ties to the area. Together they address issues such as population density, multigenerational households, the shift from plantation‑era oversight to more localized decision‑making, and the role of major institutional stakeholders like BYU–Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Hawaii Reserves Inc. They describe the community’s unique Citizens Advisory Groups (CAGs), which allow residents to meaningfully influence matters such as wastewater infrastructure, lease‑to‑fee conversions, housing development, and negotiations with city and county officials. The discussion also highlights concerns about roads, taxes, public services, economic opportunities, and preserving Laie’s rural character while planning for sustainable growth.

 
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