The Waiale'e Home for Wayward Boys

On the Kamehameha Highway between Kahuku and Sunset Beach stands a beautiful ruin on the mauka (mountain) side of the highway. An article in Honolulu Weekly, August 2012 written by Donovan Kuhio Colleps, addresses this "most curious piece of architecture" and its history.

http://abandonedplaces.livejournal.com/2603344.html

The Waiale'e Home for Wayward Boys was opened in 1903 and was a new version of Hawaii's first reform school begun in the 1860s. It remained operative for about 50 years and was meant to be a self-sustaining enterprise. "The boys, whose ages ranged from seven to 25, cultivated their own taro, bananas, sweet potato and sugarcane and raised cattle and pigs for milk and meat, and managed the school’s farm, repair shop, engine room, generators, water power, carpenter shop, tailor shop [and] ice house,” according to the Honolulu Advertiser in 1928. 

"An average of 180 boys are reported to have lived at the school at any given time; they even assembled a music band and performed in many parades in Honolulu. The practice hall remains today, covered in graffiti across the street." (Colleps) Offenses included truancy, vagrancy and homeless, disobedience to parents, common nuisance, tresspassing, assault, larceny, housebreaking and burglary.

There is a dark side to the history, however, as corporal punishment was enforced, "Oregon boots, shackles, leg irons, cat-o-nine tails, straps soaked in vinegar and salt, terrific lashings and beatings," (Colleps). Stories were told of "dark cells" or solitary confinement in cells under the ground. Sometime in the 1920s, a new leader of the school largely purged the school of what he called "...vestiges of the Dark Ages."

The school apparently didn't succeed in reforming many young men, according to a September 3, 1953 editorial in the Honolulu Record, which notes: "70 percent of the Oahu Prison inmates come from Waiale'e Training School for Boys, which is supposedly a correction and rehabilitation home."

In the 1940s, the school closed and in 1953,  the Crawford family purchased the property and turned some of its buildings into a 55 room convalescent center for seniors. I believe the old ruins are now owned by the state of Hawaii, but the buildings used for the convalescent center stand empty. Homefacts.com lists the property at this address at $2.3 million and describes it a a multi-bedroom unit with 11 bathrooms and 22,000 square feet of living space 

The following links have some great pictures--both current and historical--of this property:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fightingforward/sets/72157625954640975/

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/hi/waialee.html

The Parable of BYU-Hawaii

One of the great blessings of being part of this campus for a time is the opportunity we have to participate in the devotionals, commencements, convocations and lectures that are provided. But no matter where we may go after this, we still can access this wealth of inspiration through the byuh.edu website.

The internet archives (quick links--Devotionals and Speeches) provide a library of addresses dating back many years. It was there that I found this commencement address by Elder Holland from December, 2011 entitled "The Parable of BYU-Hawaii." The message is for the students, but contains counsel that we can use as we work with them. I have included an excerpt of his address here, but if you want to read the talk in its entirety, click this link:  http://devotional.byuh.edu/media111217holland

It is a truism of scriptural history that every dispensation begins with a vision—the brother of Jared, Moses, Nephi, and Joseph Smith offer us their examples. Name an era, identify a prophet, and I will remind you of the vision. God always needs us to elevate our view. Jesus said to the Twelve just after they were newly called, “Lift up your eyes” (John 4:35). That is what He continues to say to us. I don’t know all of you individually, but I know you collectively, and I have lived the years you are now living. I know only too well how much you may feel that you have disadvantages, but I say shame on you if you do not see the wonderful blessings you have also had—including this educational experience at BYU–Hawaii—and the wonderful world of possibilities lying in front of you. And, I can add, shame on me as one of your leaders (along with your teachers and parents and anybody else) if we have not helped you to lift up your eyes—that is what leaders and teachers and parents are supposed to do. You may rightly apologize for not studying hard enough or for going to the beach too often—as we all have those things to apologize for—but no one should ever apologize for lack of opportunity, for lack of possibility, for lack of divine love to guide us, or for lack of dreams to make us better than we ever thought we could be, because all those gifts are ours for the taking if we want them. We must never subject ourselves to a blurred vision of our potential or accept the atrophy of spirit that says as an excuse, “But you don’t know what my problems are. You don’t know what limitations have been placed in my path.” You must never say that. The prophets have not said it, the Savior did not say it, this school did not say it, and you must not say it. Take your dreams, take your education, take the love of a whole Church full of people, and go make something of yourself. That is what this school has done, and it is lesson number one from the parable of BYU–Hawaii.

Here is the second lesson, and, for today, the last. This university is a special place. It is as lovely and rarefied as the sea breezes that blow in on this North Shore. But I warn you that you will not always live in nor work in nor raise your children in such an idealized, protected, and Zion-like environment as this. I say Zion-like because that is quite literally what Laie is or is at least trying to become. The Prophet Joseph Smith’s vision of Zion, or the City of God on earth, always featured at its center a temple and a university—a temple being “the university of the Spirit” and a university being “a temple of learning.” You have had those two wonderful institutions at the center of your lives here, with PCC and a lot else thrown in for good measure. Furthermore, you have been blessed with some of the best and most loving teachers, neighbors, friends, faculty, and staff that you could ever have. But as graduates you will be pushed out of this nest—you are about to be so—ushered out of this little academic Garden of Eden, and you will be spending time—a lot of time—in the cold and dreary secular world. Don’t resent that. Don’t resist it. Don’t resist it any more than Adam and Eve did. It is part of the plan, and that world out there desperately needs you and has been blessed by you and your predecessors already. So don’t see your work-a-day world as a loss or a limitation or something less wonderful than BYU–Hawaii. See your life away from here as the next step, as an opportunity, as a chance to have an impact, as part of your “mission” in life.

Someone once wrote, “A ship is very safe in the harbor, but that is not what ships are made for.” So, Seasiders that you are, set sail! Take the best you have been given, and go be strong. Go out into a world that for the most part does not yet have the gospel of Jesus Christ, does not yet know what you know, and certainly does not have the skills, insights, and moral values you have been given. The Lord said to the first generation of elders in this Church, “Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit” (D&C 43:15). That is what He is saying to you graduates again today. Don’t you dare just go blend into the amoral, telestial, hardscrabble world of today. Don’t go to your first job or your first neighborhood or your first staff meeting and just begin to act like everybody else. Be strong. Be true. Teach quietly, by example if by no other way—and that’s the best way—rather than being taught. You can’t control everyone else’s morals—you’re about to learn that—but you can control your own. You can’t control everyone’s language, but you can control your own. You can’t control everyone’s personal standards, but you can control yours. And thus the light of the gospel—the figurative lighthouse of Laie—can shine in all the world to which you go. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Be strong if you are the only Latter-day Saint for a hundred miles in any direction. Stand straight. Stand true and firm. In the parable of BYU–Hawaii, that is what this little school does in the world of higher education, and it is what we expect you to do.

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites

The number one attraction on Oahu, attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually, is Pearl Harbor. If you haven't gone already, you might be slightly confused as to the best way to visit Pearl Harbor, how to get tickets and what you can see there. 

I'm no expert, but following some serious searching plus trial-by-error, I have assembled a short-cut guide to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

No bags are allowed. You can take a camera (phone) and a water bottle. There is a place to check your bags for $3 which is a better alternative to leaving them in the car. But if you can go almost empty handed, it will save you time standing in line at the bag check.

Plan your time. Visiting all four sites in one day would take approximately 8 hours, which is a long day. Each site, individually, takes at least two to three hours but will give you time for a thorough and leisurely visit.

Parking is free. If you haven't been there before, be sure to program "Pearl Harbor Historic Sites" into your GPS. "Pearl Harbor" will take you to the military entrance on the other side of the harbor.

All four sites are accessed from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Shuttle buses take you from there to Ford Island to visit the USS Missouri and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

FOUR MAJOR SITES

WWII VALOR IN THE PACIFIC NATIONAL MONUMENT

This is by far the number one priority of the four sites. It is the only one most of us even really know about. This includes the USS Arizona Memorial and the film which reminds visitors of the events of December 7, 1944. The recently renovated Visitor's Center and Museums are beautifully well-done. If you are a WWII history buff, you could spend a lot of time visiting the exhibits.

Ticketing Information: As a national monument, there is no entry fee. However, tickets are given away on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 7 am and are often gone by mid-morning. Reservations can be made through www.recreation.gov. You can make a 60-day reservation (planning to visit within the next 60 days), or you can try the 24-hour window (every day, recreation.gov releases a certain number of  next-day tickets beginning at 7 am HST). Although the tickets are free, you will pay a $1.50 per ticket convenience fee when you reserve your tickets online and there is a reservation limit of 12-tickets per person per day.

BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL

The USS Missouri participated in the final months of WWII and was the site of the formal signing of the "Instrument of Surrender" on September 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay officially ending WWII. 

Ticketing Information: Tickets are available at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center or online at ussmissouri.org. The Mighty Mo Pass ($27 for adults and $13 for children) includes one of three tours and the website describes the three tour choices as follows: 

• MIGHTY MO GUIDED TOUR (35 minutes) - Take a guided tour with one of our knowledgeable Battleship Tour Guides. As you are escorted throughout the ship, you will walk the footsteps of General Douglas MacArthur and see where World War II ended.
• ACOUSTIGUIDE (45 - 120 minutes) -  Use one of the informational audio phones to tour the ship.
• WALKING TOUR (varies) - Enjoy the ship at your own pace following one or all of three separate tour routes,  

A $52 ticket will get you on the 90-minute Heart of the Missouri Tour, which is probably the most comprehensive tour of the Missouri. This one, however, has physical capability restraints and children under 10 are not allowed. 

USS BOWFIN SUBMARINE MUSEUM AND PARK

The Bowfin was launched one year to the day following the attack on Pearl Harbor and participated in nine successful patrols, sinking 44 enemy ships, before coming to Pearl Harbor to stay. The Bowfin is a walk away from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and detailed information can be found at ussbowfin.org.

Ticketing Information: Tickets are available at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center or on site. The submarine and museum are both self-guided tours that include free audio tours. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for children and $8 for seniors and military.

PACIFIC AVIATION MUSEUM

The museum is located in two WWII hangars and houses a large collection of vintage aircraft. There is an interactive flight simulator ($10), which allows you to take part in a thrilling, virtual dogfight in the skies over Guadalcanal. The Pacific Aviation Museum is ranked "One of the Top 10 Aviation Attractions in the Nation" by Trip Advisor and is considered a "must-see" for WWII and aviation buffs.  

Ticketing Information: Tickets are available at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center or online at www.pacificaviationmuseum.org. General Admission (self-guided tours) are $25 for adult and $12 for children. The Aviator's Tour (docent-guided) is $35 for adult and $12 for children. All tickets for the museum are 20% off right now if you buy them online. You will also find a free coupon for the flight simulator.

Tourists often buy a Passport to Pearl Harbor which includes admission to all four sites and costs $65 for adults and $35 for children. It includes: USS Arizona (free), Mighty Mo Pass (USS Missouri - $27), USS Bowfin ($8 for seniors), and general admission to the Pacific Aviation Museum ($25 - $20 at 20% off). Buying the tickets separately not only saves you money, but definitely minimizes the wear-and-tear on body and soul.

I hope this will help you as you plan your visits to Pearl Harbor. If any of you have additional information that I have overlooked, personal experiences with the sites or questions that haven't been answered, please add it to the Comments at the end of this post.

For more details, visit pearlharborhistoricsites.org or each individual website as mentioned above.

The Office of Honor and the Campbells

The Honor Code, unique to BYU-affiliated universities, is an important part of the student experience at BYUH. According to the BYUH website, the Honor Code Statement says:

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. . . . If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things (Thirteenth Article of Faith).

As a matter of personal commitment, faculty, administration, staff, and students of Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University—Hawaii, Brigham Young University—Idaho, and LDS Business College seek to demonstrate in daily living on and off campus those moral virtues encompassed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and will 

·         Be honest

·         Live a chaste and virtuous life

·         Obey the law and all campus policies

·         Use clean language

·         Respect others

·         Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse

·         Participate regularly in church services

·         Observe the Dress and Grooming Standards

·         Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code

As missionaries whose call is to serve and administer in the Office of Honor, Elder Joel and Sister Linda Campbell have spent the last seventeen months encouraging students to remember their commitment to the honor code. Sister Campbell says they are “Here to keep you out of trouble, not get you into trouble.”

How did they get here and what are they doing to keep our students “honor code worthy” to attend BYUH?

Elder Campbell spent twenty years in law enforcement and another twenty investigating insurance fraud. He also spent time as the West Bountiful justice court judge. Sister Campbell said that, although she had never worked full-time or in an office and the computer is not her friend, she is willing to learn new things. And whether their qualifications fit the job description perfectly or not, they both say that, “Nothing prepared us for this.”

They have learned many new things, have introduced a new software program and new policies and procedures. Though her computer skills have dramatically increased, Sister Campbell reports that the computer is still not her friend.

In the office, they oversee conduct and advise and investigate honor code violations. Sister Campbell works with dress and grooming violations and Elder Campbell with the offenses that are more serious. Students usually come to the Office of Honor with a little fear and leave with hugs of appreciation. With a hint of emotion in her voice, Sister Campbell said, “I always approach the students as if they are my grandchildren.” She teaches them that Heavenly Father’s love and desires for them include proper dress and grooming.  They are encouraged to make better choices and most students appreciate the respect and kindness shown them.

Elder Campbell manages the bishop endorsements. When, after many opportunities for improvement, a bishop withdraws his endorsement, the student must leave the university. The ensuing meeting is filled with love, tears and humility. These are the times that are the most difficult.

One day Elder Campbell was working with an FBI agent who was here looking at the student records of a young man who was applying for a federal job. As he talked, he kept glancing at the black badge on Elder Campbell’s shirt. The ensuing discussion finally led to the church and the official remarked that he once belonged to a bagpipe band with a member of our church. Every time they played, whether practice or performance, the church member warmed up with the same tune, and the man proceeded to hum the tune to Elder Campbell. The familiar notes of “Praise to the Man” led to a discussion of the hymn, the church, the Prophet Joseph Smith and eventually to a gift of the Book of Mormon and a missionary referral.

Though work experiences may not have prepared the Campbells for this assignment in the Office of Honor, certainly Heavenly Father prepared them. They have had a wonderful impact on students and co-workers in one of the most important and sensitive areas on campus. 

By accepting appointment on the faculty, continuing in employment, or continuing class enrollment, individuals evidence their commitment to observe the Honor Code standards approved by the Board of Trustees "at all times and...in all places." (Mosiah 18:9)

Mahalo, Elder and Sister Campbell!

September Birthdays

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAYS

Elder Harper  -  September 3

Elder Moses - September 8