Miss Hawaii

For the state pageant affiliated with Miss USA, see Miss Hawaii USA. For the state pageant affiliated with Miss World America, see Miss Hawaii World.

The Miss Hawaii competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the State of Hawaii in the Miss America pageant, and the name of the title held by that winner. Hawaii first competed at Miss America in 1948 and has twice won the Miss America title, in 1992 and 2001.

Miss Hawaii

Formation	1948
Type	Beauty pageant
Headquarters	Honolulu
Location	Hawaii
Membership	Miss America
Official language	English
Website	Official website

Emalia Dalire of Kaneohe was crowned Miss Hawaii 2025 on May 31, 2025 at the Hawaii Theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii. She will compete for the title of Miss America 2026.

Gallery of past titleholders

• 
  Kanoelani Gibson,
  Miss Hawaii 2003
• 
  Malika Dudley,
  Miss Hawaii 2005
• 
  Raeceen Woolford,
  Miss Hawaii 2009
• 
  Lauren Cheape,
  Miss Hawaii 2011

Results summary

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Hawaii titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

Placements

• Miss Americas: Carolyn Suzanne Sapp (1992), Angela Perez Baraquio (2001)
• 1st runners-up: Kanoelani Gibson (2004)
• 2nd runners-up: Susan D. Pickering (1964), Jalee Fuselier (2011)
• 3rd runners-up: N/A
• 4th runners-up: Patricia Lei Anderson (1963)
• Top 7: Raeceen Anuenue Woolford (2010)
• Top 10: Beverly Kathleen Rivera (1953), Barbara Mamo Vieira (1956), Jere Wright (1957), Joan Whitney Vine (1962), Leina'ala Ann Teruya (1965), Sheryl Hung Lan Lokelani Akaka (1970), Debbie Nakanelua (1985), Desiree Moana Cruz (1989), Kanoe Aberegg (1994), Melissa Ann Short (1997), Erika Kauffman (1998), Pilialoha Gaison (2007), Nicole Fox (2009)
• Top 11: Lauren Teruya (2023)
• Top 15: Bee Jay Johnston (1949), Nicole Holbrook (2020)

Awards

Preliminary awards

• Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness: Barbara Mamo Vieira (1956), Jere Wright (1957), Kathleen Puanani O'Sullivan (1971), Carolyn Suzanne Sapp (1992), Melissa Ann Short (1997), Erika Kauffman (1998), Angela Perez Baraquio (2001), Jalee Fuselier (2011)
• Preliminary Talent: Patricia Lei Anderson (1963), Melissa Ann Short (1997), Kanoelani Gibson (2004), Pilialoha Gaison (2007), Lauren Cheape (2012)

Non-finalist awards

• Non-finalist Talent: Gertrude Kapi'olani Miller (1955), Aurora Joan Ka'awa (1972), Jeanne Miyamoto (1986), Cheryl Bartlett (1987), Cheryl Akemi Toma (1991), Jennifer Hera (1999), Lauren Cheape (2012), Penelope Ng Pack (2019)

Other awards

• Miss Congeniality: Judith Anne Deegan (1968), Yun Tau Zane (1948), Dell-Fin Kala’upaona Po’aha (1951), Claire Katherine Heen (1952), Barbara Mamo Vieira (1956), Gordean Leilehua Lee (1960), Kanoelehua Kaumeheiwa (1974), Coline-Helen Kaualoku Aiu (1975) (tie), Malika Dudley (2006), Raeceen Anuenue Woolford (2010), Jeanné Kapela (2015)
• Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Miracle Maker Award: Lauren Cheape (2012)
• Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship: Ligaya Stice (1990)
• Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship: Stephanie Steuri (2015)
• Quality of Life Award Finalists: Nicole Fox (2009), Lauren Cheape (2012)
• STEM Scholarship Finalists: Allison Chu (2017)
• Women in Business Scholarship Award Winners: Penelope Ng Pack (2019)
• Women in Business Scholarship Award 1st runners-up: Nicole Holbrook (2020)

Winners

•   Declared as winner
•   Ended as a runner-up
•   Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist

Year	Name	Hometown	Age	Local Title	Miss America Talent	Placement at Miss America	Special scholarships at Miss America	Notes
2025	Emalia Dalire	Kaneohe	19	Miss Kaneohe	Hula		Miss America's Show Me Your Shoes Scholarship recipient	Previously Miss Hawaii Teen Volunteer 2024
2024	Haley Chaney-Kane		27	Miss Waimanalo	Hula and Vocals			Previously Miss Hawaii’s Outstanding Teen 2013
2023	Star Dahl-Thurston[1]	Honolulu	25	Miss Chinatown Hawaii	Slam Poetry
2022	Lauren Teruya[2]	Honolulu	23	Miss Honolulu	Musical Theatre	Top 11		Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2017 Sister of Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2012 and Miss Hawaii 2017, Kathryn Teruya Crowned on Miss Hawaii's 75th Anniversary
2021	Courtney Choy[3]	Ewa Beach	25	Miss Chinatown Hawai'i	Hula Auana
2019–20[a]	Nicole Holbrook[4][6]	Laie	20	Miss Central O’ahu	Piano, "Concerto in A Minor"	Top 15[7]	Women in Business Scholarship Award 1st runner-up[8]
2018	Penelope Ng Pack[9]	Honolulu	23	Miss Chinatown Hawaii	Vocal, "They Just Keep Moving the Line" from Smash		Non-finalist Talent Award Women in Business Scholarship Award[10]
2017	Kathryn Teruya[11]		21	Miss Kaka'ako	Dance, "I Want to be a Rockette"			Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2012[12] Winner of the Miss Teen USA Fan Vote, earning her a spot in the Top 16[13] Sister of Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2017 and Miss Hawaii 2022, Lauren Teruya[12]
2016	Allison Chu[14][15]	Kahala	22	Miss Aloha Latina	Operatic vocal, "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi		STEM Scholarship Finalist[16]	Sister of Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2010 and Miss Hawaii USA 2018, Julianne Chu[14] Later Miss Hawaii USA 2021
2015	Jeanné Kapela[17]	Kailua-Kona	20	Miss Kaka’ako	Contemporary Dance, "Flashlight" by Jessie J		Miss Congeniality
2014	Stephanie Steuri[18]	Kalaheo	20	Miss Paradise Kauai	Hula, "The Prayer"		Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship[19]
2013	Crystal Lee[20]	Waipahu	22	Miss Chinatown Hawaii	Contemporary Dance, "Halo"
2012	Skyler Kamaka[citation needed]	Kaneohe	21	Miss Diamond Head	Hula
2011	Lauren Cheape[21]	Mililani	23	Miss East Oahu	Jump Rope Routine, "Theme from Hawaii Five-O"		CMN Miracle Makers' Award Non-finalist Talent Award Preliminary Talent Award Quality of Life Award Finalist	Contestant at National Sweetheart 2010 Incumbent State Representative for 45th District in the Hawaii State House of Representatives[22]
2010	Jalee Fuselier[23]	Haleiwa	22	Miss North Shore	Vocal, "Feeling Good"	2nd runner-up[24]	Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award	Previously Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen 2005[25]
2009	Raeceen Woolford	Pearl City	24	Miss Ko Olina	Hula, "Ka'ena"	Top 7	Miss Congeniality
2008	Nicole Fox	Honolulu	23	Miss Island O'ahu	Tahitian Otea Dance	Top 10	Quality of Life Award Finalist
2007	Ashley Layfield[26]	Kailua	21	Miss Kahala	Jazz Dance, "Listen"			Sister of Miss Hawaii USA 2008, Jonelle Layfield 2nd runner-up in Miss New York USA 2012 and 2013 pageants[citation needed]
2006	Pilialoha Gaison	Kaneohe	23	Miss Island Ilima	Tahitian Dance, "Te Vaka"	Top 10	Preliminary Talent Award
2005	Malika Dudley	Papaikou	23	Miss Kahala	Vocal, "It's in His Kiss"		Miss Congeniality
2004	Olena Rubin	Kilauea		Miss West O’ahu	Vocal, "Do You Wanna Dance?"		Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship Miss Congeniality[citation needed]	Contestant (1999) & Top 10 (2003) at National Sweetheart pageants[citation needed]
2003	Kanoelani Gibson	Kapolei	22	Miss Diamond Head	Vocal, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"	1st runner-up	Preliminary Talent Award
2002	Kehaulani Christian	Pearl City	23	Miss VIP	Tahitian Dance
2001	Denby Dung	Honolulu		Miss West O’ahu	Soprano Saxophone, "G-Bop"
2000	Billie Kiyoka Takaki			Miss Diamond Head		Did not compete; originally 2nd runner-up, later assumed the title after Baraquio won Miss America 2001
	Angela Perez Baraquio	Honolulu	24	Miss Leeward	Hula, "Come Follow Me, I Am Hawaii" by Cathy Foy[27]	Winner	Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award	First Asian American Miss America
1999	Candes Meijide Gentry	Honolulu	22	Miss Oahu	Vocal, "A New Life" from Jekyll & Hyde
1998	Jennifer Hera	Lanai City	21	Miss Hawaii Pacific University	Vocal, "Someone Like You" from Jekyll & Hyde		Non-finalist Talent Award
1997	Erika Kauffman	Kailua-Kona	18	Miss Hawaii Island	Vocal, "God Help the Outcasts" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame	Top 10	Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award
1996	Melissa Ann Short	Kaʻaʻawa	23	Miss Hawaii Pacific University	Classical Vocal, "Ah! Je Veux Vivre" from Romeo & Juliet		Preliminary Talent Award Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award
1995	Traci Toguchi	Honolulu	20	Miss Ala Moana	Vocal, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"			Top 10 at National Sweetheart 1993 pageant[citation needed] 2nd runner-up at National Sweetheart 1994 pageant[citation needed]
1994	Courtney Nicolle Glaza	Kaneohe	22	Miss Honolulu	Classical Piano
1993	Kanoe Aberegg	Honolulu	24	Miss Oahu	Chant & Hula, "Aloha ʻOe"	Top 10
1992	Pamela Kimura	Honolulu	24	Miss Waikiki	Vocal, "Orange Colored Sky"
1991	Lani Stone			Miss Diamond Head		Did not compete; later assumed the title after Sapp won Miss America 1992
	Carolyn Suzanne Sapp	Honolulu	24	Miss Hawaii Pacific University	Vocal, "Ain't Misbehavin'"	Winner	Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award	Previously National Sweetheart 1990
1990	Cheryl Akemi Toma	Pearl City	26	Miss Diamond Head	Piano / Vocal, Gershwin medley		Non-finalist Talent Award
1989	Ligaya Stice	Kaneohe	22	Miss Kahala	Vocal/Jazz Dance, "Quiet Please, There's a Lady On Stage"		Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship
1988	Desiree Moana Cruz	Hilo	26	Miss Maui	Vocal, "I Am Changing"	Top 10
1987	Luana Alapa	Honolulu	26	Miss Island International	Vocal, "South Sea Sadie"			Mother of Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2015, Kyla Hee
1986	Cheryl Bartlett		23	Miss Kaneohe	Vocal, "America the Beautiful"		Non-finalist Talent Award
1985	Jeanne Miyamoto		25	Miss Kalihi	Vocal / Piano, "Bali Ha'i"		Non-finalist Talent Award
1984	Debbie Nakanelua	Honolulu	26	Miss Diamond Head	Stylized Hula, "Hawaiian Hula Eyes"	Top 10
1983	Wendy Sue Nelson	Kihei	21	Miss Maui	Vocal, "Hit Me With a Hot Note And Watch Me Bounce" from Sophisticated Ladies
1982	Gale Lee Thomas	Honolulu	21	Miss Squire	Baton Twirling, "Theme from Magnum P.I." & "Hawaiian War Chant"
1981	Pamela Iwalani Offer		23	Miss Ala Moana Americana	Vocal, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina"			Mother of Miss Arizona 2010, Kathryn Bulkley
1980	Keonelehua Cook[28]	Aiea		Miss Leeward	Interpretive Dance
1979	Sheron Lehuanani Bissen	Kahului	20	Miss Maui	Vocal, "Over the Rainbow"
1978	Elizabeth Kapu'uwailani Lindsey	Laie	22	Miss Waikiki	Silhouette Interpretive Dance & Monologue
1977	Libby Kawaikikilani Lee	Aiea	18	Miss Kalihi	Hawaiian Dance & Nose Flute, "A Hamakua Au"
1976	Haunani Asing	Kailua	18	Miss Kailua	Guitar & Vocal, "Hawaiian Lullaby"
1975	Cathy Foy	Aiea	22	Miss Hawaii Kai	Vocal / Dance, "Look What Happened To Mabel" from Mack & Mabel			During the Miss America 2001 pageant, Angela Perez Baraquio danced hula to Foy's vocal recording of "Come Follow Me, I Am Hawaii"[27]
1974	Coline-Helen Kanaloku Aiu	Honolulu	23		Modern Jazz Dance, "Hospital Shootout"		Miss Congeniality (tie)
1973	Kanoelehua Kaumeheiwa	Hawaii Kai	19		Hula		Miss Congeniality
1972	Marlene Diane Kehaulani Kalahiki	Kailua-Kona	22	Miss West Kauai	Modern Jazz Dance, "Shotgun"
1971	Aurora Joan Ka'awa	Makakilo City	19	Miss Aloha Hawaii	Silhouette Hula Dance & Speech, "In the Islands"		Non-finalist Talent Award
1970	Kathleen Puanani O'Sullivan	Kailua	18	Miss Kailua	Modern Dance, "Ritual Fire Dance"		Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award
1969	Sheryl Hung Lan Lokelani Akaka	Honolulu	22	Miss Waikiki	Piano, "Prelude in E-flat Major" by Sergei Rachmaninoff	Top 10
1968	Deborah Ynez Gima	Kailua	18	Miss Aloha Hawaii	Hawaiian Song, "Wonderful World of Aloha" & "Kaneha"
1967	Robin Engel	Honolulu	21	Miss Ala Moana	Piano, "Scherzo Humoristique: The Cat and the Mouse" by Aaron Copland			Sister of Georgia Engel[citation needed]
1966	Lorretta Ann Perreira	Kauai	18	Miss West Kauai	Pantomime Song & Dance
1965	Roberta Rosaria Conlan	Honolulu		Miss Honolulu	Monologue, "Hawaiian History"
1964	Leina'ala Ann Teruya	Honolulu	18	Miss Wai-Kahu	Interpretive Monologue "Footprints" from Leaves of a Grass House by Don Blanding	Top 10
1963	Susan Pickering	Honolulu		Miss Honolulu	Combination Dance of Can-Can, Jazz & Freestyle Ballet with Art Display	2nd runner-up
1962	Patricia Lei Anderson		19		Classical Vocal, "Un bel dì vedremo" from Madame Butterfly	4th runner-up	Preliminary Talent Award
1961	Joan Whitney Vine	Honolulu	18	Miss Honolulu	Vocal Medley, "Ah! Je Veux Vivre" & "Thou Swell"	Top 10
1960	Gabriella Haleakala'I	Honolulu	20		Hula
1959	Gordean Leilehua Lee						Miss Congeniality
1958	Georgietta Kahalelaukoa Parker
1957	Sandra Lei Lauhiwa Forsythe
1956	Jere Wright	Honolulu			Comedic Monologue from Gigi	Top 10	Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award
1955	Barbara Mamo Vieira				Vocal / Hula, "The Night Is Young"	Top 10	Miss Congeniality Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award	Was later designated as Miss Hawaii World 1955 and was slated to compete at Miss World 1955, but did not compete due to lack of sponsorship.
1954	Gertrude Kapi'olani Miller	Honolulu			Hula		Non-finalist Talent Award	Was also Miss Hawaii Universe 1954 and was slated to compete at Miss Universe 1954, but did not compete due to unknown reasons.
1953	Dorothy Leilani Ellis	Lihue
1952	Beverly Kathleen Rivera	Honolulu			Hula	Top 10
1951	Claire Katherine Heen	Honolulu			Hula		Miss Congeniality
1950	Dell-Fin Kala’upaona Po’aha						Miss Congeniality
1949	Bee Jay Johnston	Honolulu				Top 15
1948	Yun Tau Zane	Honolulu			Hula		Miss Congeniality	First Asian American to compete at Miss America[citation needed] Became Miss Hawaii after Waiwaiole resigned
	Irmgard Waiwaiole					N/A
1935-47	No Hawaii representative at Miss America pageant
1934	No national pageant was held[29]
1933	No Hawaii representative at Miss America pageant[30]
1932	No national pageants were held[29]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927	No Hawaii representative at Miss America pageant[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]
1926
1925
1924
1923
1922
1921

Notes

1. Titleholder extended to a second full year in 2020 after state and national pageants postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic^[4][5]