Members of the Laie community and the BYU–Hawaii ohana joined with communities across Hawaii to beautify the island on Saturday, May 8, as part of the Mormon Helping Hands Program.
Ashley Shaum, a recent graduate of BYU–Idaho and currently a resident of Laie, attended the service project and enjoyed this opportunity to give back to the community. "It felt really good to get out and do some service. It was encouraging to see so many people come out to support," said Shaum.
Initiated nearly a decade ago, the Mormon Helping Hands program is an extension of the LDS Welfare Services. From disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, all the way to the earthquake in Haiti, this program has provided an opportunity for members of the Church across the globe to show their love for and extend service to those in need.
BYU–Hawaii student wards as well as several on-campus clubs were organized and assigned service areas. Kallee McBride, a junior studying elementary education, enjoyed going with the BYU–Hawaii 10th Ward to Kakela Beach Park. There they raked and picked up trash, as well as helped rebuild the stone wall surrounding the park.
"I feel like the best way for a community to come together is through service, and it doesn't feel like work when an entire group of friends is working with you," said McBride.
The school's Canadian Club went with the BYU–Hawaii 13th Ward to Kahuku Hospital to do some landscaping work. Club member Kristine Magnusson, a junior from California studying biology, said, "Now every time I drive past Kahuku it looks so much more beautiful and clean."
For others, Saturday consisted of painting over graffiti, raking, and removing driftwood, old tires, garbage, and leaves from beaches and parks. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, more than 4,000 people on Oahu alone participated in this Helping Hands service project, using 5,640 garbage bags to fill the five city garbage trucks.
–Photo by Aissa Mitton