Kalani Sitake visits Tonga for first time since birth
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 12, 2026, 8:30 AM
Last updated Aug 12, 2026
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake returned to Tonga for the first time in 50 years. The 50-year-old Sitake had not visited since his family's relocation to Hawaii shortly after his birth. Along with a delegation of 50 BYU representatives, he participated in community service, including the grand opening of the We Are One Tonga Center aimed at increasing employment opportunities. The group also conducted youth sports camps in Tonga, helping to promote education and community engagement. Sitake plans to make annual visits to his homeland.
- •Sitake has not been back to Tonga since he was a baby.
- •The trip involved a 20-hour journey from Provo to Tonga.
- •BYU opened the We Are One Tonga Center to promote remote job opportunities.
- •Sitake and players conducted youth sports camps to engage with the community.
- •Sitake intends to return to Tonga annually for similar initiatives.
- 8:30 AMYahoo Sports — Why BYU’s Kalani Sitake went home — for the first time since birth
"BYU coach Kalani Sitake, the only Tongan head coach in the NCAA, finally returned home to his roots 50 years after his family left the islands.
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