Miss Hawaii USA
Formation1952
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersHonolulu
Location
Membership
Miss Universe (1952–1959)
Miss USA (1960–present)
Official language
English
Exec. Director
Alicia Michioka
WebsiteOfficial website

The Miss Hawaii USA competition, previously known as Miss Hawaii Universe, is a beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state of Hawaii in the Miss USA pageant.

Savannah Gankiewicz of Wailea was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2023 on January 15, 2023 at Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. She will represent Hawaii for the title of Miss USA 2023.

History

Hawaii is the most recent state to participate in Miss USA, first competing in 1962. Prior to being admitted to full statehood in 1959, it sent delegates to Miss Universe. Despite the late start, it has been one of the most successful: Hawaii's first Miss Hawaii USA, Macel Wilson, won the Miss USA title. Four Miss USA winners came from Hawaii, one of four states with four titles (only second to Texas and California). Though many Miss USA winners and semifinalists came from Hawaii, relatively few have placed as runners-up. Two previously competed at Miss Teen USA. Kelly Hu, Miss Teen USA 1985,[1] became the first Miss Teen USA winner to win a Miss title, in 1993.

Many Miss Hawaii USA titleholders competed at a number of international pageants. Similar to Miss South Carolina USA, there was one Miss Hawaii USA that competed at Miss World. Another one competed at Miss International. Four of the winners competed at Miss Universe, after winning Miss USA. Six titleholders represented the United States or Hawaii at major international pageants, with Miss Hawaii USA 1997, Brook Lee, winning the title of Miss USA 1997 and capturing the crown of Miss Universe 1997,[2] one of only 8 Miss USA winners to become Miss Universe in the history of the pageant.

Gallery of titleholders

Results summary

Placements

Hawaii holds a record of 24 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

Winners

Color key
Year Name Hometown Age
[notes 1] 		Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes
2023 Savannah Gankiewicz Wailea 27 TBA TBA
2022 Kiana Yamat Honolulu 27
2021 Allison Chu Honolulu 26 Previously Miss Hawaii 2016, sister of Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2010 and Miss Hawaii USA 2018 Julianne Chu
2020 Samantha Neyland Honolulu 24 Top 10 Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2013 and top 16 at Miss Teen USA 2013. First African American Miss Hawaii USA
2019 Lacie Choy Honolulu 20 Top 15
2018 Julianne Chu Honolulu 26 Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2010. Sister to Miss Hawaii 2016 Allison Chu
2017 Julie Kuo Honolulu 23 Born in Taiwan[3]
2016 Chelsea Keolani Hardin Honolulu 24 1st Runner-up Being crowned Miss Hawaii USA was her first pageant experience.
2015 Emma Wo Honolulu 25 Top 11 Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2008
2014 Moani Hara Manoa 24 Previously Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen 2007
2013 Brianna Acosta[4] Waialua 21 Competed at Miss International 2015, representing Hawaii
2012 Brandie Cazimero[5] Hawaii Kai 26
2011 Angela Byrd Honolulu 18 Top 8 Competed and won Miss LVIMS 2015. Competed and won Miss International Model 2016.
2010 Renee Mokihana Nobriga Pupukea 25
2009 Aureana Tseu Mililani 25 Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1999
2008 Jonelle Layfield Kaneohe 22 Sister of Ashley Layfield, Miss Hawaii 2007
2007 Chanel Wise Honolulu 21 Top 10
2006 Radasha Hoʻohuli Nanakuli 26 Miss Hawaii World 2001 and Represented Hawaii at Miss World 2001
2005 Jennifer Fairbank Honolulu 25
2004 Justine Michioka Kapaa 22 Sister of Miss Hawaii USA 2003, Alicia Michioka
2003 Alicia Michioka Kapaa 24 Top 10
  • Sister of Miss Hawaii USA 2004, Justine Michioka. Later Mrs. Hawaii America 2010.[6]
  • Current director of Hawaii (both Miss & Teen) pageant
2002 Juliet Lighter Honolulu 26
2001 Christy Leonard Lahaina 22
2000 Michelle Kaplan Kona 23 Miss Congeniality
1999 Trini-Ann Kaopuiki Honolulu 26 Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1991
1998 Tiffini Hercules Kailua
1997 Leslie-Ann Lum Honolulu 26 Did not compete
Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee Pearl City 26 Miss USA 1997[2] Miss Universe 1997
1996 Kuʻualoha Taylor Hilo 25 Miss Congeniality
1995 Lynn Vesnefski Honolulu 19 Style Award
1994 Nadine Tanega Honolulu 26 Top 12 * Miss Hawaii International 1990 and 2nd Runner-Up at Miss International 1990.
*Miss Hawaii World 1992 and 3rd Runner-Up at Miss World America 1992.
1993 Kelly Hu Honolulu 24 Top 6[1] Miss Photogenic[1] Actress, previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1985 and Miss Teen USA 1985
1992 Heather Hays Honolulu 20 Currently a newscaster at the Fox affiliate in Dallas (KDFW)
1991 Kym Lehua Digmon Honolulu 25 Top 11
1990 Leimomi Bacalso Ewa Beach 20
1989 Julie Larson Honolulu 21 Mrs. Hawaii America 1991
1988 Paula Prevost Honolulu
1987 Deborah Laslo Haleiwa
1986 Toni Costa Kailua 20
1985 Tina Machado Waipahu 25 Top 10
1984 Puna Stillman Honolulu
1983 Zoe Roach Waipahu
1982 Vanessa DuBois Honolulu 23 Top 12
1981 Teri Ann Linn[7] Honolulu 20 4th Runner-up Actress, starred in The Bold and the Beautiful.
1980 Carol Ching Kaneohe
1979 Blanche Leialoha Maʻa Kaneohe 20 2nd Runner-up
1978 Judi Andersen Honolulu 20 Miss USA 1978 1st runner-up at Miss Universe 1978[8]
1977 Cely De Castro Honolulu 23 Top 12
1976 Brenda Texeira Hilo
1975 Lois Mililani Wise Honolulu 21 Top 12
1974 Joan Ottensmeyer[9][notes 2] Kaneohe
1973 Camille Deubel Kaneohe
1972 Tanya Denise Wilson Honolulu 21 Miss USA 1972 Top 12 semifinalist at Miss Universe 1972[10]
1971 Deborah Gibson Honolulu
1970 Donna Hartley Honolulu
1969 Stephanie Quintana Honolulu 22 Top 15
1968 Carol Seymour Waianae 24 Top 15
1967 Nancy Victoria Banks Honolulu
1966 Judith Wolski Honolulu 18 Top 15
1965 Elithe Aguiar Kapaa 20 Top 15
1964 Wanda Byrd 18
1963 Susan Molina Honolulu 18 Later Miss Hawaii World 1963 and Top 15 semifinalist in Miss USA World 1963
1962 Macel Patricia Leilani Wilson Honolulu 19 Miss USA 1962[11] Top 15 semifinalist at Miss Universe 1962
1961 did not compete
1960 Gordean Lee withdrew
1959 Patricia Visser Honolulu competed as a territory at Miss Universe
1958 Geri Hoo* Honolulu 18 competed as a territory at Miss Universe 2nd Runner-up at Miss Universe 1958
1957 Ramona Tong Honolulu competed as a territory at Miss Universe
1956 did not compete
1955
1954
1953 Aileen Lauwae Stone Honolulu competed as a territory at Miss Universe
1952 Elza Kananionapua Edsman Honolulu 19 competed as a territory at Miss Universe 1st Runner-up at Miss Universe 1952
Notes to table
  1. ^ Age at the time of crowning
  2. ^ Agnes Lum was initially crowned, but later disqualified for being under the age requirements. Cf. Ottensmeyer v. Baskin

References

  1. ^ a b c "Hawaiian girl crowned as Miss Teen". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 23, 1985. Retrieved 4 November 2010. Kelly Ann Hu of Hawaii was crowned Miss Teen USA 1985 on Tuesday night in Miami and won $100,000 worth of prizes that go with the title. "Michigan crowned Miss USA". The Wichita Eagle. February 20, 1993. Retrieved 4 November 2010. The other three were Miss Hawaii, Kelly Hu; Miss Pennsylvania, Kimmarie Johnson; and Miss New Jersey, Amy Fissel. Also earlier, Hawaii's Kelly Hu was named most photogenic.
  2. ^ a b "Miss USA is crowned the new Miss Universe". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. May 17, 1997. Retrieved 4 November 2010. Brook Lee, a 26-year-old from Pearl City, Hawaii, was chosen from among 74 delegates. "Also noted..." San Jose Mercury News. February 6, 1997. Retrieved 4 November 2010. Miss Hawaii, Brook Lee, was crowned the new Miss USA on Wednesday night. Miss Idaho, Brandi Sherwood, was the first runner-up.
  3. ^ Everington, Keoni (16 May 2017). "Julie Kuo first Taiwanese-born woman to compete in Miss USA contest". Taiwan News.
  4. ^ "Brianna Acosta Crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2013". Beauty Pageant News. January 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  5. ^ Miss Hawaii USA 2012 Brandie Cazimero - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home - Honolulu
  6. ^ "Kapa'a native crowned 2010 Mrs. Hawai'i". The Garden Island. August 5, 2010. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  7. ^ "TV People". Newsday. Jul 31, 1988. Retrieved 4 November 2010. The actress was voted fourth runner-up.
  8. ^ "Miss South Africa Wins Title". Los Angeles Times. July 25, 1978. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  9. ^ "Ottensmeyer v. Baskin". FindACase. Retrieved January 23, 2019. (Appeals case April 2, 1981)
  10. ^ "Miss Australia Named As 1972 Miss Universe". New York Times. July 30, 1972. Retrieved 4 November 2010. Miss United States, Tanya Wilson, 21, of Honolulu, had been among the 12 semifinalists selected earlier tonight.
  11. ^ "Miss USA is beauty from Hawaii". Chicago Tribune. July 13, 1962. Retrieved 4 November 2010. Tears of joy stream down the cheeks of Macel Wilson, Miss Hawaii, as she is crowned Miss USA in a beauty pageant in Miami Beach.

External links

Hawaii pageantry
Hawaii pageant winners
Miss USA state pageants
Miss Universe participant countries and territories
Categories