Keonalani Hansen, a junior from Texas majoring in English, shares how her love of language, heritage, and the Savior Jesus Christ paved her way to including BYU–Hawaii in her path to success.
A Return to Heritage
Hansen’s journey to BYU–Hawaii is rooted in family tradition and personal faith. Her family has strong ties to the university, both parents being alums. Her upbringing and heritage led her to this unique campus.
Speaking of her parents, Hansen shares, “They met here, got married here, and we lived in Hau’ula for a long time before moving to Texas.” Growing up around BYU–Hawaii, Hansen already felt a strong connection to the island of Oahu and her Polynesian culture, a connection she sought to restore by returning to the school.
While she considered other universities in Texas, her decision became clear after receiving a patriarchal blessing. “I got the prompting that I needed to go to BYU–Hawaii,” Hansen explained. “It was the only school I applied to. I didn’t even apply to BYU, BYU–Idaho, or anywhere else.”
Hope and Inspiration Through the Gospel
Hansen’s faith and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ have always played a significant role in her life. Raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her family instilled in her the importance of daily scripture study and prayer. “One fond memory I have is waking up early in the mornings to read the Book of Mormon with my dad and sister before school,” she recalled. That routine, she believes, laid the foundation for her strong testimony and commitment to Christ’s gospel.
Her time at BYU–Hawaii has been transformative, especially through her interactions with returned missionaries. It was this group of peers who inspired her to serve her own mission after initially hesitating due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I met missionaries who were stuck on their missions for almost 22 months, but they loved their missions. It made me realize that the pandemic hadn’t ruined everything,” she shared. Inspired, Hansen put in her papers and served in the Japan Tokyo North Mission from 2022 to 2024 before returning to the university as a “changed person.” She added, “Serving a mission for the Lord changed everything for me. It made my school experience so much more fulfilling when I returned.”
The Beauty of Language
Hansen is pursuing a major in English with an emphasis in professional writing, along with minors in information technology (IT), human resources (HR), and Japanese. She chose professional writing because of her love for language. “I enjoy writing, but specifically, I love language itself—grammar, how we put words together,” she said. Hansen’s interest in IT complements her studies as she believes technical skills are essential in today’s world, while her minor in HR allows her to develop practical skills for professional settings. Her minor in Japanese reflects her mission experience and love for the language. “I think Japanese is a beautiful language, and it has deepened my understanding of English and how languages work in general,” she said.
With a clear vision for her future, Hansen is grateful for the opportunities and unique international environment that BYU–Hawaii offers. “I’m thankful for the networking opportunities here,” she said. “Whether it’s professors or students, both in the U.S. and abroad, there are so many connections that will help me in my career.”
Keeping the Spirit
Reflecting on how BYU–Hawaii has shaped her spiritual journey, Hansen shared, “This university has taught me, like others, to integrate spiritual learning with secular learning. Growing up, my church life and school life were always separate, but here, they’re combined. Starting classes with prayer and attending devotionals has shown me the importance of keeping the Spirit with you in everything you do.” She added that these habits have strengthened her values as a disciple of Jesus Christ. “As the school motto says, ‘Enter to learn, go forth to serve,’ and I’ve learned not just about my career but about serving others as well.”
Keonalani Hansen’s journey at BYU–Hawaii emphasizes the power of learning, faith, and a desire to serve God. As she continues her studies, she’s committed to following the path that began with her parents and is now shaping her future.