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BYUH alumni around the world

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These three people are amongst the many impressive Seasider Alumni. Where they are now can be attributed, even in a small sense, to their attendance at BYU-Hawaii. Their backgrounds extend across oceans, fulfilling the sacred prophecy of the university’s mission.1. Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin Faleomavaega, Jr.Faleomavaega was born in America Samoa, but grew up in Laie. He graduated from Kahuku High and attended BYUH. He earned his associate’s degree here and went on to receive his bachelor’s at BYU in Provo. From there, Faleomavaega, went to the University of Houston Law Center and UC Berkeley, earning his juris doctor and master’s of Law degrees. He served in the United States Army from 1966-99, and served in the reserves as an officer from 1982-89. In Faleomavaega’s early political career, he served as the administrative assistant to American Samoa Delegate, A.U. Fuimaono from 1973-1975. He went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from 1985-1989. Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin Faleomavaega, Jr. is a member of the House of Representatives (elected in 1989) and has worked tirelessly since being sworn in to provide funding and health care to his home territory.2. Paul Asi TaulavaPaul Asi Taulava, also known as Asi Taulava, is an American-born Filipino-Tongan professional basketball player in the Philippines who is currently playing for Air21 Express in the Philippine Basketball Association. Asi stands at a staggering 6-foot, 9-inches and weighs 275 lbs. Many believe him to be one of the most dynamic and dominant Filipinos to ever play in the PBA. Throughout his 15-year career, Taulava has used his size and strength to overpower opponents for points and rebounds. He is also a many-time member of the Philippines’ national basketball team in national competitions and tournaments. Taulava played for the BYUH Seasiders and is among the athlete alumni who have gone on to professional careers.3. Yue-Sai KanKan is a Chinese-American Emmy winning television host and producer, successful entrepreneur, fashion icon, bestselling author and humanitarian. People magazine named her “the most famous woman in China” and Time magazine proclaimed her “the Queen of the Middle Kingdom.” She moved to Hawaii from Hong Kong and studied as a piano major. Whilst being a student at BYUH, Kan entered the Narcissus Flower Beauty Pageant sponsored by the Oahu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and was the second runner up. As part of her duties, she traveled the world. After her tour, she joined her sister in New York in 1972, becoming involved in public relations and television production work. Kan’s TV credits include the ABC documentary “China Walls and Bridges,” which received a coveted Emmy Award in 1989, and “Journey through a Changing China.” “Journey” was syndicated across the country and was so powerful that it was publicly lauded in the United States Congressional Record, and called Kan a “citizen ambassador.” Since 2006, Kan has been serving as chairwoman of the Invitation Committee of the Shanghai International Film Festival. She single-handedly secured the attendance of many A-list stars, including Halle Berry, Catherine Deneuve, Liam Neeson, and Andie MacDowell to name a few. Her involvement has uplifted the status of the festival to an international level.
Writer: Morgynne Tora ~ Multimedia Journalist