The Tupou Family

Serving God, Their Country, and Their Community

story by JENNIFER BROWN-CARPENTER                    photos by PAUL NURNBERG

Aloha and Lupi Tupou have lived in Beaufort since January of this year. They are stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, where Aloha is working with the Weapons Battalion on The Crucible.

Aloha and Lupi have been married for 13 years and have five children: Esther, 11 years old; Androcles, 9 years old; Finau Ulukilupetea, 6 years old; Dorothy, 5 years old; and Israel, 3 years old. Of the five children, Aloha was only present for the birth of his oldest!

Aloha has been in the Marine Corps for almost 17 years, participating in five deployments. Three of his deployments were combat missions, two to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. From 2013 to 2016, Aloha served as a Drill Instructor at MCRD San Diego.

“Our attitude is what allows us to thrive,” Lupi says. They are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for over 30 years, which also provides them with community and stability as they move around the country. “Having our lives centered on God is what makes this lifestyle work for us.”

Aloha and Lupi are both Tongans. Aloha’s parents migrated to Hawaii to gain more education, which is where Aloha was born. Aloha’s parents eventually returned to Tonga, which is where he was raised until he returned to the United States to finish high school. He served an LDS church-service mission before joining the Marine Corps.

After being born and raised in Tonga, Lupi relocated to Hawaiiherself to pursue her education. She attended the same school that Aloha’s parents had attended. Aloha was stationed in Hawaii
at the time — that is how they met — and eventually they got married there. Aloha was stationed in Hawaii for three different tours, spending nine years total there. Most of their children were born in Hawaii.

Lupi is currently getting her master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy. She is also heavily involved in volunteering: with the Weapons Battalion, on the Resident Advisory Board for base housing, with Pvt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club, as a campaign manager for a local politician, and is the President for the Primary at her church, overseeing the children from age 18 months to 11 years old. She works hard to manage her time and thrives while staying busy. She will also take her children around with her while she is volunteering. Lupi hopes to eventually work in foreign service.

Aloha loves his job, and the sense of brotherhood and teamwork that it creates. But he didn’t join just for the brotherhood. He was joining for the sake of his parents because they were not citizens of the United States. Now his parents are citizens, and both his parents and most of his siblings live in the United States. Aloha has stayed in the Marine Corps all of these years because of the brotherhood that he is a part of. Especially during his combat tours, the sense of camaraderie was essential to survival. “You don’t see your family in front of you, but you do see your brother to your left and your brother to your right. That sense of brotherhood is what keeps you going.”

Aloha is also in school, getting his bachelor of arts in Theology. He would love to retire and continue on to earn his master’s degree as well.

Aloha and Lupi Tupou feel they have a responsibility to serve not only God and their country, but also their community. The Tupous spend time reading the scriptures and praying daily as a family. They enjoy quality time with their children and serving others. Aloha also enjoys playing the piano and is able to teach his children to play. Their children are intelligent and incredibly gifted, each showing off specific skills and personality traits that will serve their family, church, and communities for years to come. Beaufort and Parris Island are extremely lucky to have them as a part of their team!