Seiya Katanuma, from Chiba, Japan, graduated from BYU–Hawaii in December 2014 with a degree in accounting. Today, he works for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a leader support and event manager in the Asia North Area Office. He also serves as president of the BYU–Hawaii Alumni Chapter in Japan and is a husband and father of five.
Overcoming Challenges Before BYUH
Before coming to BYU–Hawaii, life wasn’t always easy for Katanuma. After returning home from the Japan Nagoya Mission in 2010, he faced uncertainties about his future. “My life was actually a little bit emotionally challenging,” he explained. “Some family matters left me feeling unsettled and unsure about what would happen next.”
Even during those moments, Katanuma felt a strong desire to attend a Church university. His parents encouraged him to consider any of the BYU schools while he was still in high school, and that dream stayed with him. A pivotal influence was a study group in Yokohama led by BYU Provo professor Brother Watabe, who helped Japanese youth improve their English and prepare for Church schools abroad. “I was lucky to be part of that group. It didn’t just teach me English—it also helped me grow my desire to attend one of the Church schools.”
A Spiritual Turning Point
Katanuma began his studies at BYU–Hawaii in 2011. He immersed himself in campus life, studying accounting and working at the Polynesian Cultural Center in various roles, including restaurant back lead, cash office clerk, and tour guide lead. However, he admitted that his spiritual journey at first was difficult. “Even though BYU–Hawaii was the perfect place to grow spiritually, I felt distant from God. I stopped attending church regularly, I didn’t go to the temple, and I just stayed enrolled in school.”
Everything changed when a new Tongan bishop reached out with love and persistence. “He suddenly called my name and invited me to a beach barbecue,” Katanuma recalled. “I didn’t go, but the next Sunday, when I tried to sneak out of church, he shook my hand, hugged me, and invited me again to another ward activity. I was shocked. I felt something special—that this is where I belong.”
That moment rekindled his faith. He began attending activities, fulfilling church callings, and serving in the elders quorum presidency. “That changed my life: my spiritual life, and my school life,” he said. “It was a correction of love from God.”
Building a Career and Family
After graduating in 2014, Katanuma returned to Japan, where he now serves as a leader support, and event manager for the Church in the Asia North Area. His responsibilities include supporting Church leaders, coordinating missionary applications across multiple countries such as Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Guam Micronesia, and helping organize large-scale youth and YSA events.
Family life is central to his journey with his wife, Marii, whom he met at BYU–Hawaii. “Meeting my wife at BYU–Hawaii was one of the greatest blessings,” he shared. Together, they are raising five beautiful children.
Leading the Alumni Chapter in Japan
In April 2024, Katanuma became president of the BYU–Hawaii Alumni Chapter in Japan. Since then, the chapter has hosted events that strengthen connections among alumni and students. That same year, an alumni gathering in Tokyo brought together 45 participants across multiple generations, including one of the first Japanese graduates of BYU–Hawaii.
At the beginning of 2025, the chapter also launched the “Pilina Program,” a career mentoring initiative linking students with alumni for job support and preparation. Additionally, they organized a private screening of the Polynesian Cultural Center’s documentary Sharing Aloha Around the World in June 2025, which drew over 80 attendees, including prospective students.
Looking ahead, Katanuma hopes to create sustainable, smaller gatherings across Japan, not just in Tokyo. “Japan is scattered, and people are busy,” he acknowledged. “But I want to see opportunities for alumni to gather in every area—Fukuoka, Nagoya, Hiroshima—where they can share experiences, support students, and contribute to their communities.”
A Second Chance at BYU–Hawaii
For Katanuma, BYU’s mission is deeply personal. “I ended up not just learning accounting, but also learning about grace, repentance, and the power of being remembered by God,” he said.
He believes service is about more than action; it is about lifting others. “Service is not just doing things. It’s reminding each other of our divine worth and walking together on the journey,” he explained.
“To current students, take the chance you have right now. Even small things like going to a dance, attending FHE, or visiting a professor’s office can become great opportunities.”
Looking back, Katanuma calls BYU–Hawaii his “second chance.” He said, “BYU–Hawaii reminded me of who I am and who I want to become. Even when we feel lost, God remembers us. My experience at the university corrected me with love, and now I want to pass that on through my service.”
