This story was originally posted on January 29 on UH News.

Fion Lau, a 2005 University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School) graduate, is turning her experiences as a mother into a children’s book series that explores sibling relationships, growth and family life. The series, The Courageous Forrest Brothers, was inspired by a quiet period in Lau’s life after transitioning from a corporate job.

“That night, I started thinking: why don’t I create something about [my children]? Something that captures the sibling moments, the emotions, the conflicts and the growth I was witnessing every day,” Lau said. “Writing became a way for me to process that transition in my own life, and those first ideas gradually grew into The Courageous Forrest Brothers. What began as a personal project has since become a series I hope resonates with other families navigating similar moments.”

The series currently includes three titles, with three additional books planned for release in the coming months. The books are available online and on Amazon. Lau is also developing a children’s activity-book series, Safe and Smart.

UH experience shapes Lau’s path

Lau credits much of her professional and personal development to her time at UH Mānoa’s TIM School, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

“My fondest memories of studying at the TIM School are the sense of openness and global perspective,” she said. “Coming from Hong Kong, I was surrounded by people from different cultures and backgrounds, which challenged me to think more broadly and communicate more thoughtfully. Beyond the classroom, the relationships and conversations I had during that time left a lasting impression and shaped how I approach both work and life today.”

She said the school’s focus on experiential learning prepared her for her career and life beyond the classroom.

“What I appreciated most about the TIM School/Shidler College of Business was how much emphasis it placed on learning by doing,” Lau said. “While we were still students, we had opportunities to meet and learn from industry professionals, which made everything feel much more real and tangible, not just theoretical.”

Lau encourages current students to embrace the community and cultural experiences in Hawaiʻi.

“The people are genuinely friendly and welcoming, and because Hawaiʻi is such a diverse community, you don’t really feel like an outsider—even if you didn’t grow up there,” Lau said. “My advice to students would be to lean into that experience. Be open, build relationships, and allow yourself to learn not just academically, but culturally and personally as well. The connections you make and the perspectives you gain in Hawaiʻi will stay with you long after you leave, and they often shape you in ways you only realize later.”