Biography
Born in Kahuku, Hawaii, and raised in Hawaii, Utah, and California. He is a second-generation graduate of BYU–Hawaii. Keni serves as the BYU–Hawaii career services manager and has been working with students from across Asia/Pacific and the mainland for the past four years. He is a graduate of BYU–Hawaii and finished his studies in political science in 2007. After graduation, he worked for BYU–Hawaii purchasing and then pursued opportunities with Hawaiian Electric (HECO) and later Kamehameha Schools to increase his knowledge and experience in procurement. Keni was thrilled to come back to BYU–Hawaii in 2016 to work with students from across the globe, but especially those from the Philippines where he served as a missionary and New Zealand amongst his Maori heritage.
He was instrumental in creating the Asia-Pacific Career Conference (APCC) that has entertained over 200 organizations from Asia/Pacific and the mainland US since its inception in 2018. These annually recurring conferences have provided over 500 job and internship opportunities for our students. Keni also enjoys working one-on-one with students to assist with identifying what they want to do with their internships and careers after graduation.
Keni is married to Rachel Nihipali Kalama has four beautiful daughters and resides in Laie, Hawaii.
Admissions and Recruitment/Career Services Areas of Focus
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Korea
- Hawaii/US Mainland
Back up support in Mongolia, Tonga, and Australia
Education
- Brigham Young University–Hawaii.
- Bachelor of Art Political Science.
- American Public University.
- Master’s in business administration concentration in entrepreneurship.