Reflecting on what they learned about love and service as students, BYUH alumni say it has helped them become better parents, workers and leaders

BYU–Hawaii graduating seniors share how their student jobs, with their unique roles and responsibilities, have shaped their futures amidst challenges

Sabrina Wolfgramme, a sophomore from Tonga majoring in political science and tourism management, said she is grateful for the different cultures on campus. “ I am grateful for the many diversities here at BYUH because it allows me to meet all different types of people and build connections with them.”

With only sugar cane fields as a canvas, labor missionaries turned BYU–Hawaii into the thriving ecosystem that it is today. Labor missionaries needed to plant more than 27,000 plants, according to the first labor missionary yearbook published in 1958, which included importing plant species that were not available in Hawaii.

BYUH ohana say the sights, sounds, scents and slow pace of nature improve people’s emotional and mental health

Pristine V. Domingo, a junior from the Philippines studying clinical psychology, said, “First, I want to prepare myself to be qualified so I can serve the best I can. ... After I graduate, I am going to take the GRE ... and do an internship so I have the experience to back up my service.” She said she also plans to apply at BYU in Provo for a doctorate in psychology. “That way I could help people with their psychotherapy and career counseling. So those are my ways of leading, helping people and building the kingdom of God after I graduate.”

Indigo Tetuaapua, a sophomore from Laie studying political science, said she grew up in the Laie community. One thing that is very important about her culture, she said, is the celebration of first birthdays. “When people came to the Hawaiian Islands, there was disease going around. So the babies sometimes wouldn’t make it to their first birthdays. If they lived to 1, it was a huge celebration, and that tradition is still carried on to this day.”

Rahul Mungamuri, a sophomore from India majoring in business, said, “My personal hero is my younger brother because he is so honest, and he follows the commandments better than anyone else in the family. If someone gives him even one dollar more in change than they should have, he would spend five dollars to go and give back that one dollar. He doesn’t lie. He’s very strong in his beliefs.”

Senior from Kiribati says his inspiration to study IT came from his dad, who is a BYUH alumnus and helps his community with his IT degree