B.A. in Environment & Sustainability Alumna, M.S. in Positive Psychology Current Student, Life U Women’s Wrestling Team Member

“Say Aloha to Life U”

Why would anyone leave a paradise like Aiea, Hawaii? Sandy beaches, gorgeous sun and beautiful surf … what more could you want? These are probably questions that Brianna Funakoshi has had to field from new friends in her five eventful years as a Life University (Life U) student. To answer that, it requires taking a look back to Funakoshi’s past. As the youngest child and the only daughter of a former wrestler, wrestling coach and now Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) coach, the athletic spirit was in the blood and needed an outlet. For her, following in her dad’s footsteps was a point of pride. Funakoshi started wrestling as a high school freshman, and the first time she ever left the islands was for a wrestling event.

To continue wrestling at the collegiate level from Hawaii, it takes an intentional approach to recruitment, competing well at the national level and in mainland tournaments. Yet, women’s wrestling is something of a small community, so Funakoshi had developed a relationship with the head coaches of the Life U Women’s Wrestling team since she was about 16, getting to know many of the girls that would later become her teammates. The actual move and official start of her Running Eagle journey had to be a bit jarring, especially as she had never visited the campus in person given the distance and cost.

She hit the ground running though, not only making strides in her sport but also helping to start the Green Club on campus as well as the fuel stations for athletes (snack stations to boost health and energy.) And, of course, she has grown a lot as a person through being a student-athlete.

“Coaches know us personally, which can really help as well. Like they’re trying to build us up to be good humans and good women and good advocates of the sport as well,” Funakoshi said.

Funakoshi described how women’s wrestling is still gaining footing in the public eye, so often she and her teammates need to educate people a bit.

“I love wrestling. It’s so fun; it’s so empowering too, and there’s really no other sport like it. Women’s wrestling is actually one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.”

Life U Women’s Wrestling recently celebrated a championship win in January 2025. Funakoshi revels in the success, though it probably has a bittersweet note, as graduation looms not too far into the horizon. Her post-graduation hopes are exciting and promising, as she hopes to use her undergraduate degree in Environment & Sustainability for a career in Environmental Communication, or otherwise become a coach of some kind back home in Hawaii. Her M.S. in Positive Psychology program is giving her additional wisdom and insight to better understand people and how to make a positive difference. Wherever her path takes her, we at Life U wish her well and plan to send her off with a warm aloha!