Miss Hawaii USA#Winners

{{for-multi|the state pageant affiliated with Miss America|Miss Hawaii|the state pageant affiliated with Miss World America|Miss Hawaii World}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = Miss Hawaii USA

| image =

| image_border =

| size =

| caption =

| map =

| msize =

| mcaption =

| motto =

| formation = 1952

| type = Beauty pageant

| headquarters = Honolulu

| location = Hawaii

| membership =

Miss Universe {{small|(1952 – 1959)}}
Miss USA {{small|(1960 – Present)}}

| language = English

| leader_title = Executive Director

| leader_name = Alicia Michioka

| key_people =

| num_staff =

| budget =

| website = [http://www.misshawaiiusa.com/ Official 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.

Issha Rose Mata of Hilo was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2025 on March 22, 2025 at Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. She will represent Hawaii at Miss USA 2025

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, 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, one of only 9 Miss USA winners to become Miss Universe in the history of the pageant.

Gallery of titleholders

File:TeriAnnLinn in 2009.jpg|Teri Ann Linn, Miss Hawaii USA 1981 at her Punahou School reunion in June 2009

File:Miss Hawaii USA 1990 parade.jpg|Leimomi Bacalso, Miss Hawaii USA 1990 in the 1989 Mililani Town Christmas Parade

File:KellyHu.jpg|Kelly Hu, Miss Hawaii USA 1993 and Miss Teen USA 1985, at a public event

File:Brook Lee.JPG|Brook Lee, Miss Hawaii USA 1997, Miss USA 1997 and Miss Universe 1997

File:Chelsea Hardin King Kamehameha Parade 2016 cropped.jpg|Chelsea Hardin, Miss Hawaii USA 2016

File:Savannah Gankiewicz - August 2023.png|Savannah Gankiewicz, Miss Hawaii USA 2023 and Miss USA 2023

Results summary

=Placements=

Miss USAs: Macel Wilson (1962), Tanya Wilson (1972), Judi Andersen (1978), Brook Lee (1997)
1st runner-up: Chelsea Hardin (2016), Savannah Gankiewicz (2023)Savannah Gankiewicz was originally 1st runner-up at Miss USA 2023 but assumed title after the winner relinquished her title for personal reasons.
2nd runner-up: Blanche Leialoha Ma{{okina}}a (1979)
4th runner-up: Teri Ann Linn (1981)
Top 6: Kelly Hu (1993)
Top 8/10/11/12: Lois Wise (1975), Cely De Castro (1977), Vanessa Dubois (1982), Tina Machado (1985), Kym Digman (1991), Nadine Tanega (1994), Alicia Michioka (2003), Chanel Wise (2007), Angela Byrd (2011), Emma Wo (2015), Samantha Neyland (2020), Breea Yamat (2024)
Top 15: Elithe Aguiar (1965), Judith Wolski (1966), Carol Seymour (1968), Stephanie Quintana (1969), Lacie Choy (2019)

Hawaii holds a record of 26 placements at Miss USA.

=Awards=

Miss Congeniality: Ku'ualoha Taylor (1996), Michelle Kaplan (2000)
Miss Photogenic: Kelly Hu (1993)
Style Award: Lynn Vesnefski (1995)
Best State Costume: Savannah Gankiewicz (2023)

Winners

;Color key

{{plainlist|

{{Color box|gold|border=darkgray}} Declared as Winner
{{Color box|#FFFF66|border=darkgray}} Ended as runner-up or finalist
{{Color box|#FFFACD|border=darkgray}} Ended as one of the semifinalists

}}

class="wikitable"style="font-size:90%;"

bgcolor="#efefef"

! width=5% | Year

! width=20%| Name

! width=10%| Hometown

! width=3%|Age
Age at the time of crowning

! width=12%| Local title

! width=14%| Placement at Miss USA

! width=17%| Special awards at Miss USA

! width=31%| Notes

2025

| Issha Rose Mata

| Hilo

| 29

| Miss Hilo

| TBA

style="background-color:#FFFACD;”

| 2024

| Breea Yamat

| Oahu

| 27

| Miss Oahu

|Top 10

Sister of Kiana Yamat, Miss Hawaii USA 2022

style="background-color:#FFFF66;"

| 2023

| Savannah Gankiewicz

| Kihei{{cite web|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2023/10/17/maui-native-represented-hawaii-miss-usa-winning-1st-place-an-outfit-honoring-lahaina/|title=Maui native represented Hawaii at Miss USA, winning 1st place for an outfit honoring Lahaina|date=October 16, 2024|work=Hawaii News Now}}

| 27

| Miss Wailea

| 1st Runner-up

|Best State Costume

Became Miss USA 2023 following the resignation of Noelia Voigt{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C6weGRcrxvr/|title=The Miss USA Organization is thrilled to announce that Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz is Miss USA 2023. She will be crowned in her native state of Hawaii in a celebratory coronation on Wednesday, May 15.|date=May 9, 2024|publisher=Miss USA}}{{cite web|url=https://www.khon2.com/local-news/miss-hawaii-usa-2023-to-be-crowned-as-miss-usa/|title=Miss Hawaii USA 2023 to be crowned as Miss USA|date=May 9, 2024|work=KHON2|last=ʻUfi|first=Elizabeth}}
Previously Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Filipino Communities 2017{{Cite web |date=4 August 2017 |title=FULL LIST: Winners, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2017 |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/pageants/winners-mutya-ng-pilipinas-2017-ilene-astrid-de-vera |access-date=6 August 2023 |website=Rappler |language=en}}

2022

| Kiana Yamat

| Honolulu

| 27

| Miss Waikiki

Sister of Breea Yamat, Miss Hawaii USA 2024

2021

| Allison Chu

| Honolulu

| 26

| Miss Wailupe

Previously Miss Hawaii 2016
Sister of Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2010 and Miss Hawaii USA 2018 Julianne Chu

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 2020

| Samantha Neyland

| Honolulu

| 24

| Miss Hawaii Kai

| Top 10

Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2013 and top 16 at Miss Teen USA 2013.
First African American Miss Hawaii USA

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 2019

| Lacie Choy

| Honolulu

| 20

| Miss Waikiki

| Top 15

2018

| Julianne Chu

| Honolulu

| 26

| Miss Honolulu

Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2010.
Sister to Miss Hawaii 2016 Allison Chu

2017

| Julie Kuo

| Honolulu

| 23

| Miss Honolulu

Born in Taiwan{{Cite news|url=http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3162411|title=Julie Kuo first Taiwanese-born woman to compete in Miss USA contest|last=Everington|first=Keoni|date=16 May 2017|work=Taiwan News}}

style="background-color:#FFFF66;"

| 2016

| Chelsea Hardin

| Honolulu

| 24

| Miss East Oahu

| 1st Runner-up

| Being crowned Miss Hawaii USA was her first pageant experience.

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 2015

| Emma Wo

| Honolulu

| 25

| Miss Manoa

| Top 11

Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2008

2014

| Moani Hara

| Manoa

| 24

| Miss Nuuanu

Previously Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen 2007

2013

| Brianna Acosta{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

| Waialua

| 21

Competed at Miss International 2015, representing Hawaii

2012

| Brandie Cazimero[http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/16047314/miss-hawaii-usa-2012-brandie-cazimero Miss Hawaii USA 2012 Brandie Cazimero - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home - Honolulu]

| Hawaii Kai

| 26

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 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

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 2007

| Chanel Wise

| Honolulu

| 21

| Top 10

2006

| Radasha Ho{{okina}}ohuli

| 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

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 2003

| Alicia Michioka

| Kapaa

| 24

| Top 10

Sister of Miss Hawaii USA 2004, Justine Michioka. Later Mrs. Hawaii America 2010.
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

rowspan=2|1997

| Leslie-Ann Lum

| Honolulu

| 26

|colspan=2 {{N/A|did not compete}}

Originally first runner-up, assumed the title when Brook Lee crowned Miss USA 1997
Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1987

style="background-color:GOLD;"

| Brook Lee

| Pearl City

| 26

| Miss USA 1997

|Miss Universe 1997

1996

| Ku{{okina}}ualoha Taylor

| Hilo

| 25

| Miss Congeniality

1995

| Lynn Vesnefski

| Honolulu

| 19

| Style Award

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 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.

style="background-color:#FFFF66;"

| 1993

| Kelly Hu

| Honolulu

| 24

| {{nowrap|Top 6}}

| {{nowrap|Miss Photogenic}}

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)

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 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

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 1985

| Tina Machado

| Waipahu

| 25

| Top 10

1984

| Puna Stillman

| Honolulu

1983

| Zoe Roach

| Waipahu

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 1982

| Vanessa DuBois

| Honolulu

| 23

| Top 12

style="background-color:#FFFF66;"

| 1981

| Teri Ann Linn

| Honolulu

| 20

| 4th Runner-up

Actress, starred in The Bold and the Beautiful.

1980

| Carol Ching

| Kaneohe

style="background-color:#FFFF66;"

| 1979

| Blanche Leialoha Ma{{okina}}a

| Kaneohe

| 20

| 2nd Runner-up

style="background-color:GOLD;"

| 1978

| Judi Andersen

| Honolulu

| 20

| Miss USA 1978

1st runner-up at {{nowrap|Miss Universe 1978}}

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 1977

| Cely De Castro

| Honolulu

| 23

| Top 12

1976

| Brenda Texeira

| Hilo

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 1975

| Lois Mililani Wise

| Honolulu

| 21

| Top 12

1974

| Joan Ottensmeyer{{cite web|url=http://hi.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.19810402_0040173.HI.htm/qx|title=Ottensmeyer v. Baskin|work=FindACase|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211205800/http://hi.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.19810402_0040173.HI.htm/qx|url-status=dead}} (Appeals case April 2, 1981)Agnes Lum was initially crowned, but later disqualified for being under the age requirements. Cf. [http://hi.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.19810402_0040173.HI.htm/qx Ottensmeyer v. Baskin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211205800/http://hi.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.19810402_0040173.HI.htm/qx |date=2019-12-11 }}

| Kaneohe

1973

| Camille Deubel

| Kaneohe

style="background-color:GOLD;"

| 1972

| Tanya Denise Wilson

| Honolulu

| 21

| Miss USA 1972

Top 12 semifinalist at {{nowrap|Miss Universe 1972}}

1971

| Deborah Gibson

| Honolulu

1970

| Donna Hartley

| Honolulu

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 1969

| Stephanie Quintana

| Honolulu

| 22

| Top 15

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 1968

| Carol Seymour

| Waianae

| 24

| Top 15

1967

| Nancy Victoria Banks

| Honolulu

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 1966

| Judith Wolski

| Honolulu

| 18

| Top 15

style="background-color:#FFFACD;"

| 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

style="background-color:GOLD;"

| 1962

| Macel Wilson

| Honolulu

| 19

| Miss USA 1962

Top 15 semifinalist at Miss Universe 1962

1961

| colspan=7 align=center|did not compete

1960

| Gordean Lee

| colspan="3" align="center" | withdrew from competing in Miss Universe 1960

1959

| Patricia Visser

| Honolulu

| colspan="3" align="center" | competed as a territory at {{nowrap|Miss Universe}}

style="background-color:#FFFF66;"

| 1958

| Geri Hoo*

| Honolulu

| 18

| colspan="2" align="center" |competed as a territory at {{nowrap|Miss Universe}}

| 2nd Runner-up at Miss Universe 1958

1957

| Ramona Tong

| Honolulu

| colspan="3" align="center" | competed as a territory at {{nowrap|Miss Universe}}

1956

| colspan=7 rowspan=3 align=center|did not compete

1955

1954

1953

| Aileen Lauwae Stone

| Honolulu

| colspan="3" align="center" | competed as a territory at {{nowrap|Miss Universe}}

style="background-color:#FFFF66;"

| 1952

| Elza Edsman

| Honolulu

| 19

| colspan="2" align="center" |competed as a territory at {{nowrap|Miss Universe}}

| 1st Runner-up at Miss Universe 1952

Notes

References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=

{{cite news|title=Kapa'a native crowned 2010 Mrs. Hawai'i|url=http://thegardenisland.com/lifestyles/article_95163594-a130-11df-a457-001cc4c002e0.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203203243/http://thegardenisland.com/lifestyles/article_95163594-a130-11df-a457-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2013|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=The Garden Island|date=August 5, 2010}}

{{cite news|title=Miss USA is crowned the new Miss Universe|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/11765532.html?dids=11765532:11765532&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:FT&type=current&date=May+17,+1997&author=LUISA+YANEZ+Miami+Bureau&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=MISS+USA+IS+CROWNED+THE+NEW+MISS+UNIVERSE++++MISS+VENEZUELA+IS+FIRST+RUNNER-UP+AT+MIAMI+PAGEANT&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107042620/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/11765532.html?dids=11765532:11765532&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:FT&type=current&date=May+17,+1997&author=LUISA+YANEZ+Miami+Bureau&pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel&desc=MISS+USA+IS+CROWNED+THE+NEW+MISS+UNIVERSE++++MISS+VENEZUELA+IS+FIRST+RUNNER-UP+AT+MIAMI+PAGEANT&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=South Florida Sun-Sentinel|date=May 17, 1997|quote=Brook Lee, a 26-year-old from Pearl City, Hawaii, was chosen from among 74 delegates.}}

{{cite news|title=Also noted...|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7206F658425A3&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=San Jose Mercury News|date=February 6, 1997|quote=Miss Hawaii, Brook Lee, was crowned the new Miss USA on Wednesday night. Miss Idaho, Brandi Sherwood, was the first runner-up.}}

{{cite news|title=Hawaiian girl crowned as Miss Teen|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB7C15526730BAB&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=January 23, 1985|quote=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.}}

{{cite news|title=Michigan crowned Miss USA|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WE&s_site=kansas&p_multi=WE&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADB5529365F83E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=The Wichita Eagle|date=February 20, 1993|quote=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.}}

{{cite news|title=TV People|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/104100513.html?dids=104100513:104100513&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+31,+1988&author=Beth+Sherman.+Bill+Kaufman.+Ben+Kubasik&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=TV+PEOPLE&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107042732/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/104100513.html?dids=104100513:104100513&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+31,+1988&author=Beth+Sherman.+Bill+Kaufman.+Ben+Kubasik&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=TV+PEOPLE&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=Newsday|date=Jul 31, 1988|quote=The actress was voted fourth runner-up.}}

{{cite news|title=Miss South Africa Wins Title|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/647796042.html?dids=647796042:647796042&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+25,+1978&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Miss+South+Africa+Wins+Title&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107042822/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/647796042.html?dids=647796042:647796042&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+25,+1978&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Miss+South+Africa+Wins+Title&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 25, 1978}}

{{cite news|title=Miss Australia Named As 1972 Miss Universe|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/30/archives/miss-australia-named-as-1972-miss-universe.html|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=New York Times|date= July 30, 1972|quote=Miss United States, Tanya Wilson, 21, of Honolulu, had been among the 12 semifinalists selected earlier tonight.}}

{{cite news|title=Miss USA is beauty from Hawaii|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/573112212.html?dids=573112212:573112212&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+13,+1962&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=MISS+U.+S.+A.+IS+A+BEAUTY+FROM+HAWAII&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107042834/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/573112212.html?dids=573112212:573112212&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+13,+1962&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=MISS+U.+S.+A.+IS+A+BEAUTY+FROM+HAWAII&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 7, 2012|access-date=4 November 2010|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=July 13, 1962|quote=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

[http://www.misshawaiiusa.com/ Miss Hawaii USA official webpage]

Hawaii

Category:Hawaii culture

Category:Women in Hawaii

Category:Recurring events established in 1952

Category:1952 establishments in Hawaii

Category:Annual events in Hawaii