Miss Hawaii USA

Miss Hawaii USA
Formation1952
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersHonolulu
LocationHawaii
Members
Official language
English
Executive 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.

Darja Bassut of Oahu was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2026 on May 16, 2026, at Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. She will represent Hawaii at Miss USA 2026.

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.

Results summary

Placements

Hawaii holds a record of 26 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

Winners

Color key
Year Name Hometown Age
 Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes
2026 Darja Bassut Oahu 23 Miss Oahu
2025 Issha Rose Mata Hilo 30 Miss Hilo
2024 Breea Yamat Oahu 27 Miss Oahu Top 10
  • Sister of Kiana Yamat, Miss Hawaii USA 2022
2023 Savannah Mari Gankiewicz Kihei 27 Miss Wailea 1st Runner-up Best State Costume
2022 Kiana Yamat Honolulu 27 Miss Waikiki
  • Sister of Breea Yamat, Miss Hawaii USA 2024
2021 Allison Carol Nanea Chu 26 Miss Wailupe
2020 Samantha Neyland Honolulu 24 Miss Hawaii Kai Top 10
2019 Lacie Choy 20 Miss Waikiki Top 15
2018 Julianne Chu Honolulu 26 Miss Honolulu
2017 Julie Kuo 23
2016 Chelsea Keolani Hardin Honolulu 24 Miss East Oahu 1st Runner-up Being crowned Miss Hawaii USA was her first pageant experience.
2015 Emily Colleen "Emma" Wo Honolulu 25 Miss Manoa Top 11
2014 Moani Anna Marguerite Hara Manoa 24 Miss Nuuanu
2013 Brianna Acosta[citation needed] Waialua 21
2012 Brandie Kapuaalohaakaua Cazimero Hawaii Kai 26
2011 Angela Anela Jokia 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 Kamaliʻiʻoʻiwalani Kim Len Tseu Mililani
2008 Jonelle Layfield Kaneohe 22
2007 Chanel Joy Puaalaonalani Wise Honolulu 21 Top 10
2006 Radasha Leialoha Hoʻohuli Nanakuli 26
2005 Jennifer Fairbank Honolulu 25
2004 Justine Michioka Kapaa 22
  • Sister of Miss Hawaii USA 2003, Alicia Michioka
2003 Alicia Malia 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 Lynn Leonard Lahaina 22
2000 Michele Jacqueline Kaplan Kona 23 Miss Congeniality
1999 Trini-Ann Leilani Kaopuiki Honolulu 25
1998 Tiffini Kawaonaheleopaiʻi Hercules Kailua
1997 Leslie-Ann Kwailan Lum Honolulu 26 did not compete
Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee Pearl City 26 Miss USA 1997 Miss Universe 1997
1996 Kuʻualoha Taylor Hilo 25 Miss Congeniality
1995 Lyn K. Vesnefski Honolulu 19 Style Award
1994 Nadine Atangan Tanega Honolulu 26 Top 12
1993 Kelly Ann Hu Honolulu 24 Top 6 Miss Photogenic
1992 Heather Elizabeth Hays Honolulu 20
1991 Kym Lehua Digmon Honolulu 25 Top 11
1990 Leimomi Bacalso ʻEwa Beach 20
1989 Julie Larson Honolulu 21
1988 Paula Prevost Honolulu 20
1987 Deborah "Debbie" Laslo Haleiwa 24
1986 Toni Leimomi Costa Kailua 20 Briefly Miss Hawaii USA 1985 due to Tina Machado's disqualification
1985 Toni Leimomi Costa Kailua Did not compete First runner-up at Miss Hawaii USA 1985, but due to represent Hawaii at Miss USA, due to Tina Machado's disqualification
Tina Marie Machado Honolulu 25 Top 10 Initially disqualified due to being overage, later regained title after a $5 million lawsuit
1984 Puna Stillman Honolulu 23
1983 Zoe Ann Roach Honolulu 24
1982 Vanessa DuBois Honolulu 23 Top 12
1981 Teri Ann Linn Honolulu 20 4th Runner-up
1980 Carol Lee Ching Kāneʻohe 21
1979 Blanche Leialoha Maa Kāneʻohe 20 2nd Runner-up
1978 Judi Lois Andersen Honolulu 20 Miss USA 1978
1977 Celita "Cely" Ochoa DeCastro Honolulu 23 Top 12
1976 Brenda Texeira Hilo
1975 Lois Mililani Wise Honolulu 21 Top 12
1974 Joan Marie Ottensmeyer Kaneohe Originally first runner-up, assumed the title when Agnes Lum was disqualified
Agnes Nalani Lum 17 Did not compete Disqualified for being under the age requirements.
1973 Camille Deubel Kaneohe
1972 Tanya Denise Wilson Honolulu 21 Miss USA 1972
1971 Deborah L. Gibson Honolulu 18
1970 Donna Hartley Honolulu 22
  • Participated in Miss Hawaii USA 1968
1969 Stephanie Quintana Honolulu 23 Top 15
1968 Carol Ann Seymour Waiʻanae 24 Top 15 Best in Swimsuit
1967 Nancy Victoria Banks Honolulu
1966 Judith Anne Wolski Honolulu 18 Top 15
1965 Elithe W. Aguiar Kapaa 20
1964 Wanda Byrd 18
1963 Susan Molina Honolulu
1962 Macel Patricia Leilani Wilson Honolulu 19 Miss USA 1962
1961 Did not compete
1960 Gordean Leilehua Lee Did not compete
1959 Patricia F. "Pat" Visser Honolulu 21 competed as a territory at Miss Universe 1959
1958 Geri Hoo Honolulu 18 competed as a territory at Miss Universe 1958 2nd Runner-up at Miss Universe 1958
1957 Ramona Tong Honolulu 19 competed as a territory at Miss Universe 1957
Did not compete between 1955—1956
1954 Gertrude Kapiolani Miller Honolulu 21 No show at Miss Universe 1954.
Later Miss Hawaii 1954 and won a Non-Finalist Talent Award at Miss America 1955.
1953 Aileen Lauwae Stone Honolulu 20 competed as a territory at Miss Universe 1953
1952 Elsa Etta Kananionapua Edsman Honolulu 19 competed as a territory at Miss Universe 1952 1st Runner-up at Miss Universe 1952

Notes

  1. ↑ Savannah Gankiewicz was originally 1st runner-up at Miss USA 2023 but assumed title after the winner relinquished her title for personal reasons.
  2. ↑ Age at the time of crowning

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "Miss USA is crowned the new Miss Universe". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. May 17, 1997. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. 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. ↑ "Maui native represented Hawaii at Miss USA, winning 1st place for an outfit honoring Lahaina". Hawaii News Now. October 16, 2024.
  4. ↑ "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". Miss USA. May 9, 2024.
  5. ↑ ʻUfi, Elizabeth (May 9, 2024). "Miss Hawaii USA 2023 to be crowned as Miss USA". KHON2.
  6. ↑ "FULL LIST: Winners, Mutya ng Pilipinas 2017". Rappler. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  7. ↑ Everington, Keoni (16 May 2017). "Julie Kuo first Taiwanese-born woman to compete in Miss USA contest". Taiwan News.
  8. ↑ Miss Hawaii USA 2012 Brandie Cazimero - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home - Honolulu
  9. ↑ "Kapa'a native crowned 2010 Mrs. Hawai'i". The Garden Island. August 5, 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  10. ↑ "TV People". Newsday. Jul 31, 1988. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2010. The actress was voted fourth runner-up.
  11. ↑ "Miss South Africa Wins Title". Los Angeles Times. July 25, 1978. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  12. ↑ "Ottensmeyer v. Baskin". FindACase. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019. (Appeals case April 2, 1981)
  13. ↑ Ottensmeyer v. Baskin Archived 2019-12-11 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "Me Jane!". Tampa Times. 18 May 1971. p. 3. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "They've Come A Long Way". Coshocton Tribune. 12 May 1970. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "SWIMSUIT WINNERS". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 16 May 1968. p. 62. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Pride Of The Southwest". Arizona Daily Star. 16 May 1967. p. 25. Retrieved 14 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Miss USA is beauty from Hawaii". Chicago Tribune. July 13, 1962. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. 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.
  20. ↑ "'Miss Hawaii' Ruled Finalist With 'Foreign' Beauties". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 27 June 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 10 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.