Koolauloa in Laie in Honolulu County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
Breaking Ground with a Vision: An Inspired Beginning
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 5, 2017
1. Breaking Ground with a Vision Marker
close up
While travelling around the world on an assignment to visit the foreign missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, Elder David O. McKay, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Hugh J. Cannon visited Hawaii in February, 1921.
On the morning of February 7, the two men attended the Laie Elementary Schools morning flag-raising ceremony. Elder McKay was deeply impressed by the group of children united in the Pledge of Allegiance, and he strongly felt the need for and a divine purpose of a school of higher education located in this community. This impression never left him, and in the early 1950s, as President of the Church, he helped establish the Church College of Hawaii, later named BYU-Hawaii, in Laie.
On February 12, 1955, President McKay returned to Laie to join local leaders for the groundbreaking ceremony. The day dawned windy and rainy, but when President McKay stood up to speak at the clearing of the cain fields, the sun broke through and seemed to smile upon the occasion. From his speech and dedicatory prayer come the prophetic words which have since guided the course
this page online
The world needs men who cannot be bought or sold, men who will scorn to violate truth, genuine gold From this school will go forth men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally.
We dedicate our actions that this college, and the temple, and the town of Laie may become a missionary factor, influencing not thousands, not ten thousands, but millions of people who will come seeking to know what this town and its significance are.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is February 7, 1921.
Location. 21° 38.598′ N, 157° 55.628′ W. Marker is in Laie, Hawaii, in Honolulu County. It is in Koolauloa. It can be reached from Kulanui St. Marker is on the campus of Brigham Young University Hawaii. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Kulanui St, Laie HI 96762, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Windward Oahu and in Greater Honolulu. Globally, it is in North America, Polynesia, the Pacific
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 5, 2017
2. Breaking Ground with a Vision Marker
full view of marker
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mission School (approx. half a mile away); Opana Radar Site (approx. 6.2 miles away); a different marker also named Opana Radar Site (approx. 6.2 miles away); U.S. Medium Tank (approx. 13.2 miles away); Major General John M. Schofield (approx. 13.2 miles away).
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 5, 2017
3. Breaking Ground with a Vision Marker
detail picture on marker; the groundbreaking
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, December 5, 2017
4. Breaking Ground with a Vision Marker
detail picture on marker; the flag raising. This same picture is on a nearby similar marker, titled "Mission School"
Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 475 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 15, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
