Tekehu was born in the Tuamotu Archipelago of Tahiti on the Island of Hao. He moved to the main island of Tahiti in his youth. He is passionate about the Tahitian language and was able to make it his career, interpreting Tahitian for over 30 years. He attended CCH, now BYU Hawaii where he met his wife Heriette from Raiatea, Tahiti. Together they have raised five children and are now enjoying nine grandchildren. Tekehu is a former Mission and Temple President of the Tahiti French Polynesia area. He has served on various boards and committees including: Utah’s Governors Council, SOPU, Iosepa Historical Society among others. He made Utah his home in 1969 being one of the first Tahitian pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley.