Preserve the David O McKay Foyer at BYU Hawaii

Recently, alumni and local residents have become aware of BYU-Hawaii’s local administrative plans to demolish the entire McKay Complex.  

Since 1958, the artistic and historic McKay Mosaic displaying the prophetic beginnings of BYU-Hawaii has been the central focus of this beautiful campus in Laie, awaii, USA, 96762.

The McKay Mosaic stands as the symbolic “Sacred Grove” beginning of BYU-Hawaii just as the “Sacred Grove” in Palmyra, NY stands as the beginning of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Through the years, Prophets and Apostles, and past institution presidents have acknowledged this divine manifestation of our Heavenly Father’s love for His children, in the shadow of the Hawaii Temple.

This iconic McKay Foyer stands as a physical anchor and remembrance of our roots, inspiration, and gratitude to its founders, labor missionaries, local saints, worldwide tithe-payers, and countless supporters of yesteryear and today.  

 

 

On March 30, 2023, the university press release elusively stated it is “committed to preserving significant portions of the mosaic . . . in a new building.” Reason begs to ask which "significant portions" of this 528 square feet mosaic would be cancelled out?  Would the flag or the universal values for liberty and justice for all be erased too? What portion would be preserved from this 535 square feet mosaic? Unfortunately, it appears this proposed demolition process is filled with confusion, evolving and contradictory narratives.  

We earnestly ask for all of us to rise above any personal perceived provincialism of the day. During this time of tumultuous societal upheavals, let us remain constant and steadfast as believers of the Restored Gospel and as magnanimous citizens of the world. Let us work together.

Let us preserve this historic but small 2,535 square feet McKay Foyer in its present form and location.

Buildings inevitably age but we’re blessed with structural and imaginative experts who continuously protect and preserve existing historical inheritances, along with new construction.

Please stand with President David O. McKay to honor his prophetic vision  - - for a brighter future through higher learning, grounded through discipleship in Christ. Let us unite with a perpetual hope for international peace, liberty, and justice for all of God’s children, throughout the world.

Mahalo for your kokua,

PreserveMcKayFoyer@gmail.com

 

UPDATE:

On August 28, 2023, the BYU-Hawaii Administration finally released its secretive renderings of the McKay Complex.

As suspected, the "offensive" McKay Mosaic is erased and replaced with a A-frame ski-lodge motif below.

 

 

 

 

 

The "offensive" McKay Mosaic will be dismembered into the four boxed areas below.

 

 

 

This is how the dismembered McKay Mosaic will look like, below.

 

 

 

 

 

The historic 30-minute Tram Tour narrative of the Laie Temple, Polynesian Cultural Center, and BYU-Hawaii will be drastically disrupted and missionary opportunity lost.

 

 

 

Please do not allow the Mosaic spiritual heritage to become a casualty of Hawaiiana extremism on the BYU-Hawaii campus. 

Exploiting affinity values like, that the new "Welcome Center" will become "Christ-centered"  through adding a big picture of Christ inside the new Welcome Center is condescending to the campus, Laie community, alumni, and tithe-payers of the world.

 

 

 

During this process, there were significant Public Relations mischief and double-speak.

BYU-Hawaii Press Release touted holding 50 meetings. Other than the captive audience of regular faculty and staff meetings, their focus "groups" appear to be amongst few selected supporters or those who stand to receive contracts for this project.

The BYU-Hawaii Administration uses phrases like "making jello" when asked for information. They're always in the "programing" and "jello" process. There is nothing concrete to share.

There was only one Laie community association meeting on March 2023   where no substantial information was provided, again by hiding behind the "jello stage" narrative. 

The recent October 3, 2023 community meeting to "collect stories" on campus was attended by 5 Executive Council members. Two faculty members/spouse added to the total of 12-people attendance. An alumni leader requested for opportunity to opine on the physical renderings of the project but was flatly rejected.

 

 

Let's follow the advice of President Nelson. Be Grateful. Show Gratitude. The McKay Mosaic cannot become the casualty of a few Hawaiiana Sovereignty Extremists in power. It's a slippery slope if we don't put Gospel Culture first. Political swings and extremism will never be satisfied.