"BYU-HAWAII: Prophetic Destiny — The First 60 Years," by Alf Pratte and Eric B. Shumway, BYU-Hawaii, $39.95, 356 pages
To celebrate Brigham Young University-Hawaii's 60th anniversary, former college president Eric B. Shumway and Alf Pratte, a retired professor of communications at Brigham Young University in Provo, have collaborated on an informative and readable book, "BYU-Hawaii: Prophetic Destiny — The First 60 Years."
It shares an informative and well-told story of the evolution of BYU-Hawaii, from the arrival of the first missionaries in 1850 to the annexation of Hawaii and the growth of one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in the United States that now boasts a student population of about 2,700 students each semester.
That's from a starting point in a cane field with 153 students in temporary facilities in 1955.
Pratte and Shumway painstakingly trace the school's origins from the arrival of the first missionaries and the vision of LDS Church President David O. McKay to the modern-day island campus.
They share how what was originally known as the Church College of Hawaii was awarded full accreditation as a four-year institution of higher learning in 1961. A decade later, in 1974, the college was renamed BYU-Hawaii.
A collection of officials, students, coaches, parents and missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share their perspectives on the future of the college and the factors that make it unique.
The authors have also included an impressive array of photographs and fact charts in this volume that could make it an interesting coffee table book or a nice addition to a personal library.
Pratte and Shumway have included some narrative on the challenges facing BYU-Hawaii, such as the decision to drop NCAA sports in 2017 to make way for 500 more students.
There's also material about the struggles and decisions involved in bringing the Polynesian Cultural Center to fruition.
The pages are rich in stories of donors and students who have strengthened their testimonies of the gospel and the LDS Church through work with BYU-Hawaii.
The stories reflect the generous spirit of those who live on the islands and help readers understand the sacrifices, the unique attitude and the blessings involved in the college's coming to be.
A quote from Elder Marion G. Romney at the dedication of the Aloha Center in 1973 put it thusly: "This college is a living laboratory in which individuals who have the teachings of the Master Teacher have an opportunity to develop appreciation, tolerance and esteem for one another. For what can be done here inter-culturally in a small way is what mankind must do on a large scale if we are ever to have real brotherhood on this earth."
Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.
Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com