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.
Gallery of titleholders
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 Maa (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
Year Name HometownAgeAge at the time of crowning 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 OahuTop 10 Sister of Kiana Yamat, Miss Hawaii USA 2022 2023 Savannah Mari Gankiewicz Kihei 27 Miss Wailea 1st Runner-upBest State Costume Became Miss USA 2023 following the resignation of Noelia Voigt Previously Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Filipino Communities 2017 2022 Kiana Yamat Honolulu 27 Miss Waikiki Sister of Breea Yamat, Miss Hawaii USA 2024 2021 Allison Carol Nanea Chu 26 Miss Wailupe Previously Miss Hawaii 2016 Sister of Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2010 and Miss Hawaii USA 2018 Julianne Chu 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 2019 Lacie Choy 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 23 Born in Taiwan 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 Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2008 2014 Moani Anna Marguerite Hara Manoa 24 Miss Nuuanu Previously Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen 2007 2013 Brianna Acosta Waialua 21 Competed at Miss International 2015, representing Hawaii 2012 Brandie Kapuaalohaakaua CazimeroMiss Hawaii USA 2012 Brandie Cazimero - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home - Honolulu 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 Kamaliioiwalani Kim Len Tseu Mililani Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1999 2008 Jonelle Layfield Kaneohe 22 Sister of Ashley Layfield, Miss Hawaii 2007 2007 Chanel Joy Puaalaonalani Wise Honolulu 21 Top 10 2006 Radasha Leialoha Hoohuli 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 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 Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1991 1998 Tiffini Kawaonaheleopaii Hercules Kailua 1997 Leslie-Ann Kwailan Lum Honolulu 26colspan=2 Originally first runner-up, assumed the title when Brook Lee crowned Miss USA 1997 Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1987 Brook Antoinette Mahealani Lee Pearl City 26 Miss USA 1997Miss Universe 1997 1996 Kuualoha Taylor Hilo 25 Miss Congeniality 1995 Lyn K. Vesnefski Honolulu 19 Style Award 1994 Nadine Atangan 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 Ann Hu Honolulu 24 Actress, previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1985 and Miss Teen USA 1985 1992 Heather Elizabeth Hays Honolulu 20 Currently a newscaster at KDFW in Dallas 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 20 1987 Deborah "Debbie" Laslo Haleiwa 24 1986 Toni Leimomi Costa Kailua 20 Briefly Miss Hawaii USA 1985 due to Tina Machado's disqualification1985 Toni Leimomi Costa Kailua colspan=2 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 Actress, starred in The Bold and the Beautiful. 1980 Carol Lee Ching Kāneʻohe 21 1979 Blanche Leialoha Maa Kāneʻohe 20 2nd Runner-up 1978 Judi Lois Andersen Honolulu 20 Miss USA 1978 1st runner-up at 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 (Appeals case April 2, 1981) Kaneohe Originally first runner-up, assumed the title when Agnes Lum was disqualified Agnes Nalani Lum 17 colspan=2 Disqualified for being under the age requirements.Ottensmeyer v. Baskin 1973 Camille Deubel Kaneohe 1972 Tanya Denise Wilson Honolulu 21 Miss USA 1972 Top 12 semifinalist at 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 Born in Massachusetts 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 Later Miss Hawaii World 1963 and Top 15 semifinalist in Miss USA World 1963 1962 Macel Patricia Leilani Wilson Honolulu 19 Miss USA 1962 Top 15 semifinalist at Miss Universe 1962 1961 colspan=7 1960 Gordean Leilehua Lee colspan=4 1959 Patricia F. "Pat" Visser Honolulu 21 competed as a territory at 1958 Geri Hoo Honolulu 18competed as a territory at 2nd Runner-up at Miss Universe 1958 1957 Ramona Tong Honolulu 19 competed as a territory at colspan=8 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 1952 Elsa Etta Kananionapua Edsman Honolulu 19competed as a territory at 1st Runner-up at Miss Universe 1952
Notes
References
External links Miss Hawaii USA official webpage