Keni Reid joined BYU–Hawaii in October 2020 and serves as the chief of staff in the Office of the President.
Keni received a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from BYU in Provo, Utah. During his time there, he has spent three years working as a research lab assistant for President John Kauwe assisting in various projects including research on the genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Rheumatic Heart Disease.
Keni grew up in Laie seeing the McKay Building and Flag Circle each time he stepped into his front yard on Kulanui Street. He attended Laie Elementary School as a young boy and graduated from Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama High School in 2013. In high school, he worked as a dancer at the Polynesian Cultural Center for three years.
As the fifth generation of his family to live in Laie, Keni’s genealogy is inextricably tied to the community and university. From his parents to his many uncles, aunts, and cousins, Keni has many family members who studied and graduated from BYUH. He is also the grandson of Napua Baker who served as the vice president of University Advancement for 17 years. Keni now adds to this legacy with his wonderful wife, Vanessa, and daughter, TeMaire.