A proud graduate of the Class of 1994, Steve Uyehara is described by his best friend and classmate Brent Limos as “a loyal, giving friend with a witty sense of humor, deeply grounded in his faith.” Steve understood the sacrifices his parents made to provide him and his sister with a private school education—one that allowed him to grow and nurture his Catholic identity.

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Steve reflects on his time at Damien with laughter and deep gratitude—from the everyday moments with classmates to sitting in the gym during liturgy, sweating profusely with no fans or air conditioning, to deepening his faith and friendships during the Encounter Retreat. He enjoyed writing, contributing to the school newspaper and yearbook, and found inspiration in Mr. Abraham Mokunui’s Speech and Debate class. That class laid the foundation for his future role on Hawai‘i News Now Sunrise. Steve recalls not only the lessons Mr. Mokunui taught in the classroom but also the way he “went out of his way to help and nurture us. He was fantastic!”

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Steve describes Damien as “that perfect combination: it’s a place that builds your confidence and reminds you that you’re capable of anything, but at the same time reminds you that we are all humble servants of God and must do what is asked of us—it’s Viriliter Age.” This life lesson has guided Steve throughout his career, from internships in high school to studying journalism at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the University of California, Northridge, to working in the newsroom today—where his 3:00 A.M. morning meetings bring him back to the basics he learned from Mr. Mokunui.

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Despite all the accolades he has earned over his 24-year career, Steve Uyehara remains humble and grounded. He is active in his faith and community, and a loving husband to his wife, Liz, and father to their two children, Jace and Kayla. Proud to be a Monarch, Steve is a testament to the transformative power of a Damien Memorial education and the impact of perseverance in achieving one’s dreams.