Brigham Young University-Hawaii

Owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), this private university is located in Laie, Hawaii, and is based on the idea of integrating both spiritual and secular learning.

Established in 1955, Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-Hawaii) has a population of around 2,500 undergraduate students who study courses in liberal arts, mathematics, and management. The vast majority of students are LDS Church members and while it is not an attendance requirement, LDS students pay less tuition fees than others.

The 100-acre university campus is in Laie, around 55km north of the Hawaiian capital of Honolulu. There is both on-campus and off-campus accommodation, as well as a number of shops and restaurants and a large library.

The campus is located close to the beach too, and has sports facilities including football fields, a swimming pool and a number of tennis courts. However, in order to accommodate more students, the university will end athletic programs after the 2016-17 academic year.

BYU-Hawaii students and staff must adhere to the CES Honor Code, which is a list of rules and regulations that make up part of the university policy on drinking, drugs, dress, and chastity, as well as academic honesty.

The university owners, the LDS Church, also count the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Lai Hawaii Temple among their properties in this area of Hawaii, and BYU-Hawaii students make up almost three-quarters of the Polynesian Cultural Center’s 1,300 staff.

Notable former students include Young Bo Chang, who was awarded the National Medal from the Republic of Korea for his work in the fishing industry, as well as Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin Faleomavaega, Jr., former delegate to Congress from American Samoa.