Temwake Kuraotio is a BYU–Hawaii alumnus from Abemama, Kiribati, now back home with big plans for his nation. He graduated cum laude in Spring 2026 with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management. Today, he's working with the Ministry of Line and Phoenix Islands Development on a bold mission to turn Kiritimati Island into Kiribati's next development hub.
What's Your Favorite Memory From Your Time at BYUH?
It is difficult to choose just one memory because BYUH gave me so many meaningful experiences. One of my favorite parts was serving and working alongside students from different cultures and backgrounds.
I especially enjoyed my time working with the cultural clubs and helping students organize events. Being involved in events like Food Fest and Culture Night allowed me to see how BYUH brings people together through culture, food, music, and service.
I will always remember the feeling of being surrounded by people from all over the world while also having the opportunity to share my own Kiribati culture.
How Did BYUH Shape Who You Are Today?
BYUH taught me that education is not only about earning a degree. It is also about becoming someone who can serve others.
Living and studying in such a diverse environment helped me become more confident, open-minded, and willing to learn from people who are different from me. My experiences at BYUH also strengthened my desire to return home and use what I learned to contribute to Kiribati.
What Are You Doing Now Professionally?
I currently work with the Ministry of Line and Phoenix Islands Development, focusing on supporting the development of Kiritimati Island as a center and development hub for Kiribati. I am involved in development planning and tourism initiatives that support the growth of Kiritimati as a destination.
I am especially interested in sustainable and regenerative tourism, community development, and creating opportunities for local communities to benefit from tourism and development.
I am also the President of Aibwea, a local organization focused on empowering our communities, supporting development initiatives, and protecting the natural and cultural resources of Kiritimati.
How Did Your BYUH Education Help Prepare You for Your Career?
My Hospitality & Tourism Management education gave me a strong foundation in tourism, hospitality operations, leadership, event management, and destination development.
More importantly, BYUH gave me opportunities to apply what I was learning outside the classroom. Through internships, student leadership, cultural events, and working with different organizations, I learned how to communicate, manage projects, work with different people, and turn ideas into action.
Those experiences have been very valuable now that I am working on tourism and development projects in Kiribati.
What's a Highlight or Achievement You're Especially Proud Of?
One achievement I am especially proud of is being recognized as an Outstanding Graduate and receiving the Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Management recognition at BYU–Hawaii.
I was also honored to be recognized as an Outstanding Intern and to receive the IFMA Food Away from Home Education Foundation Scholarship.
What Advice Would You Give to Current BYUH Students?
My advice is to take advantage of every opportunity BYUH gives you. Do not only focus on your classes and grades. Get involved. Serve. Meet people from different cultures. Join clubs. Take internships. Build relationships with your professors and other students.
Sometimes you may not realize how important those experiences are until after you graduate.
Most importantly, remember why you are there. Education is a blessing, but what you do with that education to help others is what makes it meaningful.
What Does Being a Seasider Mean to You?
Being a Seasider means being part of a global family.
BYUH brings together people from many nations, cultures, and backgrounds, and we learn that we can still work together and care for one another.
For me, being a Seasider also means carrying the spirit of BYUH wherever I go. Even though I am now thousands of miles away from Laie, I still feel connected to the BYUH ʻohana.
I hope that wherever my journey takes me, I can continue to represent the values of service, faith, culture, and love that I learned at BYUH.
What's Something People Would Be Surprised to Know About You?
Something people may be surprised to know is that I came to BYU–Hawaii from a small island nation in the Pacific and eventually became the first ever student from Kiribati to serve in a student leadership at BYUH and become the first Kiribati student to be an MC for culture Night (winter 2026).
I also served as a full-time missionary in the Philippines before attending BYUH, which gave me the opportunity to learn another culture and language and to serve people far from home.
Today, one of my biggest goals is to take everything I have learned from those experiences and use it to help create more opportunities for the people of Kiribati, especially the communities on Kiritimati Island.