Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor
UPDATED Sunday:
A full day after winning her title, Enos said the excitement still hadn’t worn off.
“The first thing I thought was ‘Oh my goodness, really, are you serious?’ then I realized it was real,” she said during her appearance at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival’s recipe contest.
“It was really tough competition. They are a group of talented and amazing girls,” she said of her fellow contestants. “We all bonded so well. We’ll stay in touch.”
Enos said she only began serious preparations about six weeks prior to the pageant, but the experience already qualifies as a highlight.
“I never even looked at the world of pageants growing up. I was always more into sports,” she said. “But I’m so excited about all the appearances in this next year. I’m really looking forward to meeting people, learning more about the coffee industry and visiting Japan to represent Hawaii.”
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The Big Island has some new royalty. The Miss Kona Coffee and Miss Aloha Hawaii titles were up for grabs Saturday night at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival’s perennial favorite scholarship pageant.
A sold-out crowd of 600 stayed until the very end to see Wikolia Enos and Mahealani Nakaahiki awarded the crowns at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.
Ten contestants were judged in five areas: a private interview, talent, evening wear, bathing suit and an on-stage interview.
Each also touted a platform of ideals and causes they support.
In addition to the wearing the crown for a year, Miss Kona Coffee also received a $2,000 academic scholarship, a host of prizes, and will represent the festival, Kona coffee and Hawaii on a five-day promotional tour of Japan courtesy of Ueshima Coffee Corp.
Emcees for the pageant were Fred Callejo and Tracey Apoliona.
As a special treat, Miss Hawaii Raeceen Woolford performed a hula … after a technical glitch with her music was fixed. The break allowed Woolford to put in a few words about her platform: Giving back and volunteerism.
The evening also included final performances by 2009 Miss Kona Coffee Kuulika Karratti and 2009 Miss Aloha Hawaii Kelsey Iyo.
First runner-up was Ariel Enriquez; second runner-up was Hawane Rios.
Special awards included:
Talent award: Hawane Rios
Swimsuit award: Rebecca Carvalho
Congeniality award: Seneca Oleyte
Interview award: Mahealani Nakaahiki
Evening wear award: Wikolia Enos
Popularity award: Brandy Shibuya
Photogenic award: Brandy Shibuya
Miss Kona Coffee 2010 contestants:
Hawane Rios, 21, a 2006 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus and University of Hawaii at Hilo student.
Parents: Anthony Rios and Bonnie Case; step-father, Kalani Flores
Siblings: Kapulei
Talent: Vocal/hula auana – “Hawaii Kamahao”
Platform: Encouraging involvement in performing arts
Asia Vanavichai, 21, a graduate of University of Hawaii at Hilo, with a double major in political science and administration of justice. She hopes to become a lawyer.
Parents: Orsoom (Van) Vanavichai and Janeen Abell
Siblings: Max
Talent: Classical Thai dance – “Blooming of the Lotus Flower”
Platform: Encouraging the community to buy local products
Wikolia Enos, 19, a 2008 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus and Hawaii Community College student, majoring in administrative justice.
Parents: Hensley Sr. and Venetta Enos
Siblings: Heather, Edward, Kahau, Hollie, Benjamin, Christopher
Talent: Hula auana – “Lei Hooheno”
Platform: Encourage and motivate youth to establish a positive legacy
Seneca Oleyte, 19, a graduate of Ka‘u High School and University of Hawaii at Hilo student studying communicatioins.
Parents: Ernest Sr. and Lenora Lorenzo-Oleyte
Siblings: Ernest Jr., Stanley-Joe
Talent: Vocal/ukulele – “Seems So Wrong”
Platform: Promoting the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle
Rebecca Carvalho, 18, a 2009 honor graduate of Hilo High School and University of Hawaii at Hilo student studying environmental science.
Parents: David and Michelle Carvalho
Siblings: DJ, Joshua, Kaipo, Mackenzie
Talent: Contemporary dance – “Let It Be”
Platform: Raising awareness on environmental conservation
Sloanne HewLen, 20, a 2007 graduate of Kealakehe High School and member of Hulatown Productions at Kona Village Luau.
Parents: Kaumoana and Kathleen HewLen
Siblings: Zad, Zy, Zahz
Talent: Tahitian dance – “Polynesian Drums”
Platform: Conservation of Hawaii’s coastal and marine resources
Tatiana Boteilho, 21, a 2006 graduate of Kealakehe High School and West Hawaii Community College student.
Parents: Thomas Boteilho and Carolina Hubik
Siblings: Devin (twin), Sage, Hannah
Talent: Hula kahiko – “he Niuhi ai Holopapa o ka Moku”
Platform: Encouraging youth involvement within our communities
Ariel Enriquez, 18, a 2009 graduate of Pahoa High School, who plans to attend University of Hawaii at Hilo in spring 2010.
Parents: Conrad Salazar and Candi Salazar; Darin Akiyama
Siblings: Braden, Conrad, Dorian
Talent: Color guard – “Wild Horses”
Platform: Project M.A.D. – Make a Difference
Brandy Shibuya, 21, a 2006 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Keaau Campus and West Hawaii Community College student studying early childhood education.
Parents: Dane and Terry Lee Shibuya
Siblings: Kassie, Tiare Lee, Dane Jr.
Talent: Hula auana – “Lei Pikake”
Platform: Emphasizing importance of education by strengthening children, youth and communities
Mahealani Nakaahiki, 23, attended Castle High School and Soquel High School, and is a University of Hawaii at Hilo student studying nursing.
Parents: Clarence and Victoria Nakaahiki
Siblings: Max
Talent: Jazz vocal – “Till It Happens To You”
Platform: Raising awareness on ALS
— Find out more:
www.konacoffeefest.com
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