Grace Taliu (née Tueli), a senior from Fiji double majoring in computer science and business management with an emphasis in marketing, shares how coming to BYU–Hawaii was not just about pursuing a degree—it was about surrendering to a divine redirection. Her decision to start over in a new country took courage, faith, and a deep trust in the Lord’s plan.
From Runways to Roadmaps
“Before BYU–Hawaii, I was working my way toward what I thought was going to be a lifelong career,” Taliu shared. Spending nearly five years as an Air Traffic Control (ATC) Assistant, she helped manage the massive 6-million-square-kilometer airspace over Fiji. “That’s where I met my husband, Iosefa,” she said. “Before him, all I ever dreamt of was to follow my father’s footsteps in the aviation field.”
Life had other plans. After graduating with their ATC diplomas, Taliu and her husband got married, then welcomed their first child, Kenneth—all within 2018. “Some people say I worry too much, but planning and having a road map keeps me sane,” Taliu said. Determined to continue progressing, Taliu resigned from her job and re-enrolled for college at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, while pregnant with her second child, Esther. It was a leap of faith, and soon after, another opportunity emerged.
“In 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic took its course, our bishop in our home ward, who’s a BYU–Hawaii alumnus, asked if we wanted to try applying to the university,” Grace said. “He knew the opportunity cost was high, but he told us, ‘Choosing BYU–Hawaii will be the better choice.’”
That choice came with emotional weight. “My first week in Laie, I remember crying almost every night. I kept wondering if we had made the right decision to leave everything in Fiji behind and start from scratch with our two kids.” But over time, the sacrifice began to make sense. “It took me the first semester to start finding my purpose here and fulfilling it. Finally, I started to see what my bishop meant.”
Lessons from Home
Taliu was raised in a traditional Fijian home where respect, discipline, and purpose were core values. “My dad was very big on academics,” she said. “And my mom, even though she only completed up to tenth grade, was always business-minded. She would tell us, ‘If you have two hands and two legs working fine, you can do whatever you put your heart to.’”
That foundation also shaped her spiritual journey. “I remember calling my mom back in 2015 on Oct. 8 to ask if I could be baptized in the Church,” Taliu recalled. “She asked me just one thing—‘Is it going to make you a better person?’ When I said yes, she told me to go for it. That moment showed me the same respect she had taught me growing up—she gave me the space to choose my own path, which led to my baptism weeks later on October 31.”
A Life-Changing Balancing Act
When asked about her most impactful experience at BYU–Hawaii, Taliu shared, “I am still living the experience as we speak,” she said. As a full-time student, part-time worker, and full-time mother, she’s learned how to juggle responsibilities in ways she never imagined. “Back home, it’s uncommon to see someone doing all three without family support. This is the busiest time of my life, but also the one that’s shaping me the most.”
From budgeting wisely to managing time with precision, Taliu said, “I’ve learned that pure joy comes from the simplest things. I’ve learned to be brave, to live far from home, and most importantly, I’ve drawn closer to my Heavenly Father. That has made me a better person.”
Building Zion with Family
Taliu’s Holokai journey includes double majors in computer science and business management with an emphasis on marketing and a minor in communications. “The program has allowed me to discover more about myself,” she said. “I love the possibilities my majors bring, and they keep me excited about the future.”
She looks forward to living and leading in Fiji and contributing to its continued growth. “Fiji has made great progress in the past decade—but there’s still room for more. I hope to fill some of those gaps with what I’ve learned here.”
More than just career preparation, Taliu sees her time at BYU–Hawaii as part of a higher mission. “I’m a firm believer in the school’s mission. I want to help build Zion at home or wherever God will place me and my family. All this—knowledge, habits, and light—I hope to take home, to uplift others and live a meaningful life.”
Sacred Space and Transformation
Grace Taliu has seen BYU–Hawaii as a sacred space that made transformation possible. “I have become a better version of myself since getting here,” she said. “I’ve closed doors that didn’t add value to my life and opened ones that helped me be more intentional and purposeful.”
Most importantly, she said, “This journey brought me closer to my Heavenly Father. It has made me more confident in the covenants I’ve made with Him and deepened my desire to be Christlike in everything I do. BYU–Hawaii is where God knew I needed to be for that transformation to happen.”