Seasider Stories

Daniel DeMartini shares about his life as an assistant professor in the Faculty of Science and much more.

Every year, colleges from around the USA send their best journalism students to be a part of MediaFest, a national conference organized by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), and the College Media Association (CMA). The conference is set up to teach aspiring journalists and to recognize their work, highlighting the best of the best in college media. Last week, BYU–Hawaii sent seven Ke Alaka’i team members, accompanied by Marketing and Communications director, Brooke Peterson, and digital communications manager, Leilani Guerrero. Ke Alaka’i has been attending the conference for the past eight years, but for several students, this was their first time.

Hope you're hungry, Seasiders! The Annual Food Fest is back again.

Hyrum Stephens' journey as a young artist, marked by resilience, creative discovery, and community, has found its stage at BYU–Hawaii, where his struggles intertwine with music's healing power.

Ameleya Kulani Uili (née Angilau), a senior from Utah majoring in business management with an emphasis in supply chain, said that her love for learning led her to BYU–Hawaii, something that was not in her original plan, but has blessed her nonetheless.

Natasha Gillette, assistant professor of EIL/TESOL shares about her life, persuits and interests.

Thrown into the Deep End

In the heart of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, three Brigham Young University–Hawaii alumni are serving together in a remarkable way.

When Buyan-Ochir (Buyka) Khandsuren first walked into the Asia-Pacific Career Conference (APCC) at BYU–Hawaii, he never imagined it would lead to an internship with Coca-Cola in Mongolia.

Spencer Ingley, from the Faculty of Sciences, shares why he chose to teach at BYU–Hawaii, why he loves what he does, his current research projects, and advice for students.

Leonilyn Llona, a senior from the Philippines majoring in social work, found her internship in Taiwan was more than just a graduation requirement.

Aliah Flores, a senior from the Philippines double-majoring in TESOL and psychology, began planning her internship earlier this year. She knew she wanted more than classroom credit. She wanted an experience that would prepare her for life after graduation, immerse her in another culture, and test the skills she had learned at BYU–Hawaii.

Algernon Martis, a senior from Curaçao majoring in business management, said his path to BYU–Hawaii began with a dream to play baseball in the United States, but it ultimately became a story of divine redirection, personal transformation, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Every semester at BYU–Hawaii begins with a sense of excitement, and it doesn’t get any more awesome than New Student Onboarding (NSO). With months of preparation, research, and careful planning, NSO sets the tone for what life will be like on campus. NSO isn’t just about paperwork and documentation; the six-person team behind the event plans to enrich, edify, and inspire new students while creating a fun and memorable experience.

From the sun-soaked shores of Fiji to the lush campus of BYU–Hawaii, Koliaci Bete, a BYU-Hawaii alumni, embraced every opportunity the university offered.

Liza Marie Querimit, a senior from the Philippines majoring in business management with an emphasis in economics and finance, says that it took a pandemic, a mission, and a leap of faith to bring her from the busy streets of her country to the quiet, temple-adjacent campus of BYU–Hawaii, where she now places her goals, values, and testimony first.

From unpaid intern to trusted contributor, BYU–Hawaii senior Taylor Lagaaia’s transformative experience serving Samoa’s Ministry of Commerce shows how stepping out of your comfort zone can open doors to growth, purpose, and a future of meaningful impact.

Isaac Akinaka, a junior from Hawaii majoring in computer science, was led to BYU–Hawaii through prayer, prompting, and a leap of faith, finding himself exactly where the Lord needed him to be.