Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii) is another LDS church affiliated school and it shares the typical features of the others. After that, all comparisons end.

Most people go to Hawaii for vacation, not school. So, thinking of it as an educational destination may be a little unusual. The school targets the Pacific Rim areas for its potential students and the resulting student body is a rich mix of worldwide cultures.

Mormons Have an Extensive History in Hawaii

Missionaries were initially sent to this area in about the 1850's and the Hawaii LDS Temple was dedicated in 1919. Before the school was named BYU-Hawaii, it was the Church College of Hawaii or CCH.

Former church president, David O. McKay envisioned the school as early as 1921, seeing it as a spiritual and educational center for Pacific peoples and cultures. The school has existed in some form since the 1950's, surrounded by a thriving LDS community.

Typical Academic, and Some Unique Offerings

With only about 2,500 students, the university is on the small side in numbers, but rich in offerings. Besides the typical departments and majors one would expect to find, there are some unique options including The International Cultural Studies (ICS) major. The Jonathan Napela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Studies offers languages, as well as cultural studies.

Hospitality and tourism is offered at many institutions, but few have as favorable a locale as BYU-Hawaii to study these subjects.

The school also offers a professional certificate in Intercultural Peacebuilding.

Significant Amenities Available

In 1865, the Church purchased a 6,000 acre plantation on which the university now resides.  Besides the university, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), the Hawaii LDS Temple and the community of Laie now inhabit this land.

LDS temples can usually be found anywhere there is a significant LDS community and Hawaii is no exception. However, the Hawaii temple is within easy walking distance of the campus, PCC and Laie, which is unusual and incredibly convenient.

The PCC is primarily a commercial operation. It is simultaneously a top tourist attraction, theme park, living museum, on-campus employment operation and scholarship generator.

Authentic Polynesian villages have been replicated and BYU-Hawaii students teach traditional customs, languages, crafts, food, dances and so forth. Restaurants serve traditional food and visitors experience authentic entertainment in daily shows. More than 70 percent of PCC employees are BYU-Hawaii students and most are able to fund their education by working at this venue.

This unique partnership prompted former BYU-Hawaii president Eric B. Shumway to remark:

We are not joined at the hip; we are joined at the heart.

I-WORK and Other Financial Advantages

In addition to the typical financial aid available on most campuses, BYU-Hawaii has some unique options. The I-WORK Program is part grant, part loan deferment/forgiveness.

I-WORK is an acronym for International Work Opportunity Returnability Kuleana. The program assumes students will return to their home regions and use their education to build their homes, families, civic societies and their church communities, while serving as leaders.

I-WORK is intended for students coming from the Pacific Rim, the school's target area, as well as other international locations. Students accepted into this program commit to returning to their home regions. If they do so, they can graduate debt free. If they choose to go elsewhere, they must repay the loan portion of their financial aid.

The I-WORK program can cover all costs including, tuition, fees, housings, books, etc., according to need. Students work 20 hours a week anywhere they are assigned, whether on campus or at the PCC. Working in the United States is nearly impossible as an international student. BYU-Hawaii makes it easy.

Returned missionaries who do not qualify for the I-WORK program, but served their missions honorably in the Pacific Rim, may qualify for the Returned Missionary Voucher Program which pays up to half tuition.

Location, Location, Location!

Who does not dream of visiting Hawaii? Attending school there allows students to learn in a unique, spiritual environment, as well as experience one of the most desirable locations anywhere in the world.

Oahu's weather is determined by windward and leeward location. Laie, where BYU-Hawaii is located,  is windward, which means it gets a lot of rain. It also means it is more lush and picturesque than the leeward side.

Laie itself, is not incorporated. Because of its LDS ownership and history, the land is under the jurisdiction of the Church. Managed under Hawaii Reserve, Inc, it provides access to typical public services. Stakeholders contribute through organizations like the La'ie Community Association and Envision Laie.

Transportation in and Around the Islands

BYU-Hawaii is located on Oahu's north shore which makes it as far from Honolulu, and the airport, as one can get. However, there is a shuttle available to and from the airport. Public transportation is available on Oahu and the other islands.

With the extensive cultural, historical and tourist resources available to students at BYU-Hawaii, there are many other opportunities for education aside from those offered on the campus!