In addition to sharing his love and testimony of the Savior and the restored Church, President R. Kelly Hawes had a simple message for BYU-Hawaii students in his first address as new acting president.
“Let the Lord move you,” he said.
“If you sense a hint from the Savior, don’t resist. Let the Savior’s heart touch you,” President Hawes encouraged students and faculty who gathered in the Cannon Activity Center on Tuesday, January 13, for the first devotion of the new school year.
President Hawes’ speech came about three weeks after BYU-Hawaii President John SK Kauwe III announced that he would be taking a temporary leave of absence to continue his cancer treatment.
At the same time, it was announced that Hawes, assistant to the Secretary of the Church Educational System and secretary of the BYU-Hawaii Board of Trustees, would serve as BYU-Hawaii’s acting president until President Kauwe’s health improves and he returns to full service.
During Tuesday’s devotional, Church Education Commissioner and General Authority Seventy Elder Clark G. Gilbert introduced the school’s new acting president and explained how President Hawes stands ready to support the university.
“President Hawes has long experience at BYU-Hawaii. He is here for on-site meetings with the executive committee, has attended past induction ceremonies, has spoken at 12 commencement ceremonies, helped review the past five annual strategic plans, and helped create each annual budget. He knows this campus, its mission, its people, and its wonderful culture.” Elder Gilbert said.
Elder Gilbert also explained that President Hawes has a long and trusting relationship with President Kauwe, who will continue to receive updates and reports about the university through regular administrator meetings with President Hawes.
Elder Gilbert said now is a time for everyone to work together as a university community. “Miracles happen when we engage and cooperate with the Lord,” he testified.
“Miracles always happen”
When President and Mrs. Hawes arrived in Honolulu last Monday, they were met at the airport by Alji Martis and Mika Konno, a duo of BYU Hawaii students who were “incredibly happy and welcoming.”
While en route by van to Laie, a seaside community on Oahu’s North Shore where BYU Hawaii is located, President and Mrs. Hawes learned that Martis, from the Caribbean island of Curacao, and Konno, a Japanese native, were a newlywed couple who had met in a class at BYU Hawaii.
Martis told Hawes that he had high expectations of playing college baseball, but felt a prompting from the Lord to change his plans and attend BYU-Hawaii. “Imagine if Alji had not responded to the Lord’s promptings,” President Hawes said. “During the simple car ride down the two-lane highway from the airport to Laie, laughing and sharing stories, we all agreed that when the Lord gently nudges us to move, miracles can happen.”
President Hawes testified that if students respond quickly to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, “they will realize that the day of miracles is not yet over on this campus and in our lives.”
In her short speech, Sister Hawes shared a story about recently hearing someone she trusts and respect pray for her. “As this person prayed, it was like they knew Heavenly Father personally. As I listened to their prayers, I learned a powerful lesson in the importance of speaking directly to Heavenly Father and expressing gratitude as well as the needs of one’s self and those of a loved one,” she said.
Sister Hawes encouraged the audience to pray openly to Heavenly Father every day in the name of Jesus Christ. “God will hear our prayers, and we will see more clearly the blessings He has in our lives,” she promised.
Passionate support for the Kauwe family
Elder Gilbert and President and Mrs. Hawes all expressed their love and support for President Kauwe. his wife, Sister Monica Kauwe; and their families.
In his remarks, Elder Gilbert shared a photo of President Kauwe’s family. “The Board of Education loves this family and the spiritual and service contributions they are making at BYU-Hawaii,” he said.
President Hawes said the university is “incredibly fortunate to have President Kauwe leading the way. He loves this university and everything about it. He loves each and every student. He loves his leaders and faculty. For him, this is a true ‘ohana.”
He also encouraged listeners to join Sister Kauwe in fasting and prayer. “Like her husband, she is full of faith and resilience and is willing to do whatever the Lord asks of her,” he said.
Sister Hawes said, “We loved President and Mrs. Kauwe and their families long before they asked us to be here. We have joined you in praying for them.”
