Former two-time Kahuku High state football champion quarterback Inoke Funaki [pictured at right] told a modest sized crowd of seniors and parents gathered in the school cafeteria on May 24 for the annual baccalaureate service that they should set goals, plan and prepare for the future. "There are so many people who have left this high school and are doing amazing things," he said. "Those are shoulders you can step on, who can help you in your careers."

Funaki, a 2002 graduate from Laie who was recently moved from quarterback to running back on the University of Hawaii football team, was a popular choice for the traditional speech: Baccalaureate addresses differ somewhat from other graduation speeches in that they're usually given on a Sunday and they often contain a religious message. In addition to his athletic skills, Funaki served a Spanish-speaking mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Dominican Republic after graduating from Kahuku.

"These past couple of years have been a different experience for me, but I'm definitely grateful for the roots I have here," said Funaki, who used the metaphor of a pearl forming when a living oyster tries to protect itself from foreign irritant. "Who would have thought that something so annoying could be the cause of something beautiful? Who would have thought something as annoying as having to wake up early and go to school and having to do homework assignments —and the stress of taking a test, and the anxiety of waiting for the results — would produce such useful results?"

For example, Funaki recalled he dreaded giving oral presentations, "yet such irritating things have shaped and molded each one of you into being the precious pearls that you already are. I want to commend each of you for your accomplishments, but this is not the end — just the ending of the beginning part of your life."

He recalled a "great philosopher," his former Kahuku football coach Siuaki Livai, told him, "There are three types of people in this world: Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen, and those that wonder what happened… Don't merely exist in this world. Live life to its full potential… Preparation plus opportunity equals success," Funaki said.

He also paraphrased a "wise turtle" who once upon a time advised a Panda bear that "yesterday is past, and tomorrow's the future, which is why today is a present."

Funaki, who received his bachelor's degree in psychology last December (but still has one more season of football eligibility as he starts graduate school at UH), told of following his father and namesake — BYU–Hawaii psychology professor Inoke Funaki — into that field of study.

One of the subject's appeals for him, he continued, is that it helps demonstrate the power of the mind. That, plus "hard work beats out talent when talent doesn't work hard."

"You've had wonderful teachers, principals, and staff," he added, encouraging the graduates to follow their examples. Whatever goals you have set for yourselves after graduation — whether it's to go to college or work, whatever career you desire to pursue — I promise that you can achieve it."

Later, Funaki said he felt "privileged to come back to the school and community. I love this community. This is where my roots are. To come back and share some of my words and experiences means a lot to me."

After Kahuku's Vocal Motion music group sang, Kahuku High Athletic Director Joe Whitford [pictured at right] responded on behalf of the school administration and faculty, praising Funaki as "a fantastic example."

Addressing the seniors, Whitford said, "We thank you for your efforts, and we look forward to your going out into the world and being great contributors and people." He also quoted a poem that "has helped me throughout my life":

It matters not if you try and fail,
and try and fail again.
It matters much if you try and fail,
and fail to try again.

"Some of you will be going on to university. Some of you will be choosing different careers in life. It's not going to be easy, but we all hope as a school and administration that you continue to try and succeed. We love you, and look forward to hearing about your successes and achievements."

— By Mike Foley