BYUH Alumna Lupe Funaki shares how she found God through struggling to succeed
Despite finding success in her educational and professional endeavors, Lupe Funaki explained it did not come without trials. She said, "Even in the most difficult times, like when I was trying to adjust to the reality of being a single mother, with all the children I have, we'll get through crossing the Red Sea on dry ground.... Once we come through it, the light, the blessing, the truth, the strength will all be made clear."
Funaki works as an advisor for BYU-Hawaii's International Student Services and recently ran for Honolulu City Council.
Funaki said she came from a solid cultural upbringing where she said her parents wanted to inspire and shape young minds to someday be useful to society influenced her to take a different route in college.
Despite the challenges, she fought, Funaki said, "I don't know if I would understand or appreciate life as much if I didn't have those refining experiences through my academic experience." Now as a single mother raising 10 children, Funaki said she believed the best way to triumph over obstacles is to rely on and trust God.
Trusting God
Funaki emphasized the importance of developing a testimony that ensures trusting in God no matter the circumstances.
During what she said was the hardest two years of her life, after her marriage ended, Funaki said she had to work in places outside of the field she spent several years studying. She said she picked up a job at Denny's with graveyard hours, a landscaping job and a job at a grocery store.
“Life was hard, but [this life was meant to be hard] because part of God's plan is for us to walk by faith," she added. Lupe expressed, "When you feel like you're not going to make it to the next day, my advice is that you hang on to God … It might be two years, it might be five years, but when the light comes, the value of that struggle will all be made clear."
Born of goodly parents
Funaki said she was raised by incredible Tongan parents who are also BYUH alumni. Having been encouraged and supported by her mother, Funaki's said her father pursued higher education at BYU in Provo, completed a master's and doctoral degree, and then accepted a position teaching psychology at BYUH, where she said he was one first Pacific Islander professors hired.
When it was hard for her to pick up books, read and study, she said her father believed that if she could train her mind, it would serve her well. Funaki said the advice her father gave her when she was young helped her better cope with challenges of life. When it was time for her to apply for law school at BYU in Provo, she said it was her father's advice that stayed with her. She added, "My father tried to give some perspective by telling me, 'You went on a mission. You had a chance to focus on spiritual development. Now is your time to focus on developing mentally.'"
Funaki also highlighted the critical role her mother played in her success. As an immigrant from Tonga, she described her mother as resilient, courageous, and humble. Funaki continued, "She had a lot of courage to not only support us but even to go so far as to inspire us to want to be involved [and contribute] in [the] community. My mother never failed to push my siblings and me to give our best in anything we did."
Thriving in humility
Aaron Shumway, director of Religious Education at BYU-Hawaii, said he has known Funaki practically his whole life. Recognizing Funaki's role at the university and in the community, he said, "[Funaki] is sensitive to the needs of others and will go to great lengths to help anyone in need. She loves God and is a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ."
Anyone in town knows Punahou is an exclusive private high school in Honolulu, he said, and is known for their students getting accepted to big-name colleges on the mainland. Shumway said, "When people in the community found out that [Funaki] got into that school, nobody was surprised. It's like everyone knows that if anybody in Laie would go to Punahou, that's her. Everybody was in awe of her."
With the same feeling, Keith Peterson, an associate professor of English at BYUH, said, "With all the chances to go study on the mainland, it was such a surprise that [Funaki] decided to choose a local college like BYU-Hawaii." Funaki said she appreciated the small environment BYUH provides that allowed her opportunities to embrace cultures, get to know people from different places, and have competitive academics. "I'm happy I came."
Peterson recalled, "Lupe Funaki is one of the best English majors I've ever had, and I've taught hundreds of students. She was truly the best." However, Funaki said she constantly felt she was not the ideal English major and wanted to quit countless times, but she persevered through the difficulties.
Peterson added Funaki excelled in her studies because she was prepared to learn, committed to the Honor Code, got involved with the clubs, and was always kind and willing to help her classmates. With a positive university experience, Funaki said she earned the title of Miss BYU-Hawaii. He said, "How can I forget such an exceptional student?" Peterson said.
Despite all the praise, Funaki said she gave all credit to God and her parents. Shumway said, "She was smart, outgoing, and very musical but never once snotty or showed an, 'I'm better than you,' kind of attitude."
Funaki said she is a strong advocate for education. "Sometimes we think that [we're] not smart enough, but learning and developing intellectually is very much a part of God's plan for us." She said she believes the process and struggle matter more than the result because they gave her confidence not to be afraid of learning new things and strength not to quit easily.
"The struggle as an English major trying to read and interpret Shakespeare, sonnets and literature that wasn't even English to me, and then [I got] into law school [and tried] to apply those things, I feel the value has come as I tried to raise my children. The same applies to work situations." Funaki said she learned "with a strong mind, [anyone] can navigate through hard things and turn challenges into blessings."
Showcase Hawaii
Shumway said he and Funaki were part of Showcase Hawaii, a group of BYUH student performers introducing "a delightful, fun, and faith-filled program" to audiences throughout the Hawaiian islands and internationally. "We went to Guam, the Philippines, China, and Korea. It was about a three-week-long trip. And of course, there are many performances before that throughout the year." The group was discontinued several years later.
When Funaki agreed to major in English, she made a deal with her father. She said, "I'm going to do what you say as long as you let me do what I want." She then joined the infamous Showcase Hawaii and anything related to music.
Shumway said he had the opportunity to know Funaki more while in the Showcase Hawaii. "I always admire her optimism," he said, "There were times in the Philippines when we were really hot … There were many new things for everybody, especially our students who'd never been exposed to Asian cultures. Even though [Funaki] was one of the younger people in the group, she provided a stabilizing influence which helped all of us in the group to have a good attitude."
A serving heart
Funaki said she has always been a people person. "I've always been fascinated with the diversity of people and countries. I think going to [BYUH]... opened my eyes and my understanding. Combined [this] has really deepened my appreciation for how much God truly loves His children."
While contemplating where she could contribute her talent, Funaki said she naturally chose to continue to at BYUH. She worked as an advisor in International Student Services for several years and taught English. Funaki said since struggling in law school, she took a chance to look into another program that fits her: public administration. After some academic exploration, she graduated with a joint program degree with a master's in public administration and a juris doctor, or law degree.
Fuanki said of pursuing both degrees, "I have always felt my heart I wanted in some way to contribute to my community. I grew up here in Laie... So I've always felt the desire to contribute.. and do some good, especially for the next generation." She continued, "I felt very strongly that I could make a difference by trying to run for public office that would allow me to educate and bring them on board to learn how to engage more."