Roxy and Kamuela Kimokeo
Roxy and Kamuela Kimokeo, BYU–Hawaii alumni who met at school, have been married for almost eight and a half years.
Roxy and Kamuela were both music majors. Roxy studied vocal performance and Kamuela did an emphasis in guitar performance. They were both a part of the University Chorale and the Shaka Steel Band. They met because they had a lot of the same classes. They graduated as a couple in 2008.
When asked about her first impression of Kamuela, Roxy said, “He had a huge personality and was the type of guy everyone knew and got along with. He was always cracking jokes (which I thought were funny some of the time), but mostly he was my competition for top scores in class.”
Kamuela followed by saying, “My first impression of Roxy was that she was beautiful. Then as I got to know her, I realized that she was highly motivated and in tune with her culture.”
Roxy is originally from New Zealand and attended BYUH from 2004-2008 as a result of the IWES program, the former name of the IWORK program. Her great-grandparents were involved with building the Polynesian Cultural Center, and her great-grandmother still lived here at the time.
She said she chose to attend BYUH because it is always warm. Roxy worked at the PCC for the duration of her school attendance and participated in the New Zealand and Latin America clubs.
Kamuela is from Kaneohe. He attended BYUH from 2002-2003 and 2005-2008. He said he chose to attend BYUH because it was close to home, he had family in Laie and it is a Church school. His seminary scholarship also helped with his decision of schools. While attending school, Kamuela was part of the salsa orchestra on campus.
They dated for exactly 11 months before getting married in the Laie Hawaii Temple on Dec. 14, 2006. The couple now lives in Ewa Beach and have two boys, Ka’ihi and Keahu. The boys are home-schooled. Kamuela is a lecturer at the University of Hawaii and plays Hawaiian music several nights a week. Roxy is a stay-at-home mom busy trying to raise her boys to love God and serve others. The Kimokeos said they love their life here in Hawaii.
Kenzie and Marc Winchell
Kenzie and Marc Winchell also found each other at BYUH. The couple met at Kakelas beach at a bonfire.
Kenzie said, “At the bonfire, we were playing different games that needed partners and he ended up being mine. The games were pretty crazy, and everyone ended up pretty sandy!”
Kenzie described her first impression of Marc. “I first thought Marc was super handsome, and then after talking to him I thought he was really mellow and down to earth.”
When describing Marc’s first impression of Kenzie, he said, “I thought she was a spontaneous person and easy to talk to.”
The couple dated for a year and a half before getting married in the Redlands California Temple on June 22, 2013.
Kenzie is from Redlands, Calif. and attended BYUH from September 2010 - April 2014. She chose to come to BYUH because both of her parents graduated here. She also has two brothers who came to BYUH before her.
They all talked about how great their experiences were here and how unique it was to be involved with so many cultures. Her brothers told her all about their different adventures. She said, “Who wouldn’t want to be in paradise while going to college?”
Kenzie majored in elementary education, was a part of BYUHSA and was an executive director for service. Marc is from Ramona, Calif. He attended BYUH from 2008-2011 and graduated in April 2011. Marc said he came to BYUH because a lot of his good friends from home were here at that time. Marc also loves surfing and said, “BYUH is the best surf school.”
He majored in corporate finance with a minor in accounting. Marc also mentioned he was a “mediocre” member of the accounting club.
Kenzie said, “Life is great being married.” She is a part-time teacher at Laie Elementary School and will be starting graduate school at the University of Hawaii for speech pathology. Marc is the experiential marketing manager for Turtle Bay Resort.
Kenzie said, “We have so much fun together living and working in Hawaii. We love to surf, go to the beach, hike and go on adventures together.”