Name: Megan Naihe
BYUH Employee since: I worked as adjunct faculty from 2013-2016 and then again in 2021-present.
My job at BYUH is: English instructor, Faculty of Arts & Letters
I grew up in: Shingle Springs, California
Did you graduate from BYUH? Yes! I graduated from BYUH in English back in 2003.
I chose to teach at BYUH because... I LOVE THIS SCHOOL! Honestly, I absolutely love my job and consider myself lucky every day I get to teach here. It is the best job in the entire world because this campus is so special.
My favorite thing about teaching... My favorite thing about teaching is THE STUDENTS! I love the students at BYU–Hawaii. There is nowhere else in the world where you can be in a classroom with students from all around the globe—Fiji, Tonga, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, New Zealand, Alaska, and more—who are also united by a shared belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It makes this campus incredibly special and a joy to be part of every day.
The best-kept secret at BYUH is... I’m not sure it’s really a “secret,” per se, but man-- the BYU–Hawaii and Koʻolauloa communities are amazing. They are the very definition of “community”-- always willing to help, support, and lift one another.
During the recent flooding, this was more evident than ever! Everyone was out supporting and helping each other, even those whose homes had flooded.
In fact, my husband, Keliʻi, and I love this community so much that after we graduated from BYUH, we chose to stay and raise our kids here. This place is so special, and it’s mainly because of the people.
Best advice I've ever received about teaching... I am innately shy and terrified of public speaking. I never wanted to be a teacher because it's so far out of my comfort zone. When I was approached to be a teacher on campus, I initially wanted to say "no" because the idea terrified me so much, but during a discussion with my mom, she told me, "There is no growth in the comfort zone, and there is no comfort in the growth zone. If you want to grow, you'll take this job." Because of this, I faced my fear and decided to teach. Yes, it still scares me every day, but I have grown so much as a person and teacher, and I've also found my dream job, so I'm incredibly grateful I said yes! It's extremely important to do things in life that scare you. You never know where that path might lead you.
My most cherished memory at BYUH... My best memory at BYU–Hawaii is meeting my husband, Keliʻi—that will always be my most cherished experience. A close second is when he and my brothers played basketball for BYUH. I loved the excitement and sense of community at those games—it made the campus feel especially alive.
My advice to incoming first-year students is... Enjoy and make the most of your experience here. You’ve taken time out of your life to come to school, so invest in yourself. Go to class! Really read and mark up those texts. Find your voice and write your papers yourself. Gain different perspectives. Get to know your classmates and your teachers. Explore this beautiful island! Learn about Hawaiian history and culture. Learn about Laie. Serve and get to know the community. Take advantage of having the Temple nearby.
What you put into this experience is what you’ll get out of it-- so go all in!
My favorite lecture/course to teach is... I love teaching English 101 because most students come into the class feeling nervous, annoyed, or even scared of English. My hope is to help them see that their voice and story matter, and that with a little guidance and practice, they can become strong writers. They can do this!
For many students, it’s an opportunity to start fresh, especially if they’ve struggled with the subject in the past. My hope is to help them find their voice and believe in themselves.
On Saturday mornings, you'll find me... on a hike or somewhere outside. I love exploring this island, whether it's at the beach, in the water, or up in the mountains. I try to get outside as much as possible. More than likely, you can also find me at one of my kids' basketball games.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to... Everywhere. No, seriously, I want to visit everywhere. Every country! That's my bucket list.
When I have 30 minutes of free time... I call my mom and dad. Or I go for a walk on the beach behind my house. Sometimes I combine the two.
One item on my bucket list is... to earn my Ph.D. in English Literature while living abroad-- most likely somewhere in the U.K.
My favorite hike on the island is... It's not a super popular choice, but I love Laie Falls. When I was in college, my brothers and I would mountain bike up to Pine Forest every Saturday, so it's just a feel-good, nostalgic hike for me. And it has every sort of terrain imaginable-- jungle, pine trees, a lookout that reminds me of Ireland, a waterfall, and a great view!
During the summer months... My family does our best to travel to other parts of the world. Last year, we took our kids to Japan. The year before that, Tahiti. And the year before that, Mexico. We also try to get to the beach as much as possible while we’re on island, especially before the school year gets too busy.
What's one thing that can instantly make your day better? A Dr. Pepper Zero with some coconut creamer in it. My favorite beverage right now.
What are your hobbies, and how did you get into them?
I love designing and decorating homes. My husband and I have built a couple of homes together, and it’s been such a fun experience for us. We really enjoy working together and do it well as a team.
We got into it because my husband has a background in construction, and when the opportunity came, we were able to design and build our own homes. It’s something we’ve really loved doing, and I hope we get to build a few more in the future.
I also very much enjoy writing. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, and I especially enjoy writing about my life experiences-- it’s a great outlet for me. My kids also love reading about themselves, so my stories often become a fun family journal.
On Friday nights, you'll find me... Hanging out with my family, either at home, at a basketball game, or testing out a new food truck on the North Shore.