BYU–Hawaii: Rooted in Tradition, Focused on a Sustainable Future

On the North Shore of Oahu, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is making significant strides in environmental sustainability, driven by the Hawaiian concept of “kuleana,” or stewardship.

“In ancient Hawaii, there was no ownership of land,” said Brigham Young University–Hawaii President John S. K. Kauwe III, who grew up skin diving off Hawaii’s beaches. “You were given ‘kuleana,’ [which] came with both a stewardship and a responsibility to use the land to bless the lives of others.”

It’s a philosophy that guides the leader of the Church-owned school today.

“It’s so well aligned with the gospel directive that we have to be righteous stewards of the natural world that comes from our Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. “It’s very well aligned with the needs of this university and the culture of ancient Hawaii.”

Because its isolated location on the North Shore limits all aspects of its environmental resources, BYU–Hawaii is embracing the kuleana spirit by implementing sustainable practices across its campus — as well as at the Laie Temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC).

Watch the video and read more on Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org