Miss Kona Coffee 2016 Polanimakamae Kahakalau (left) and Miss Aloha Hawaii 2016 Kristie Naone flank Miss Hawaii 2016 Jeanne Kapela at the conclusion of the Kona Coffee Festival scholarship pageant Saturday at Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Soleil Fitz-Gerald)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Polanimakamae Kaoakaokalani Kahakalau was crowned as Miss Kona Coffee 2016 the 45th annual scholarship pageant Saturday evening.

Also as part of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival’s signature event, Kristie Naone was crowned as Miss Aloha Kona.

Kahakalau, 20, won the talent portion with her hula auana, performed to a song written by her mother and paying tribute to Waipio Valley.

“This is so extraordinary,” she said, juggling bouquets of flowers and gifts backstage. “I just felt such a sense of accomplishment. Now I can follow my dream and really work on my platform.”

With a career goal of Hawaiian language and culture educator, Kahakalau said she will spend the year advocating for Hawaiian-focused education that is culturally driven, family-oriented and community-based and will close the achievement gap of Native Hawaiian public school students.

Miss Kona Coffee 2016 Polanimakamae Kahakalau performed a hula dedicated to her grandparents. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Soleil Fitz-Gerald)

The University of Hawaii Hilo student also scored points with her answer to the onstage question about what constitutes a good friend. “A good friend is always there for you furing good times and bad times,” she said. “That’s what makes a good friend.”

Kahakalau, a Kanu o ka Aina Public Charter School graduate, said she counts friendship as part of her winnings.

“This experience really has been like a family. It was an ohana,” she said. “We’ve all made a very close connection, great friendships.”

Kahakalau is sister to Iinimaikalani and daughter of Ku Kahakalau and Nalei Pate-Kahakalau.

Kristie Kanoelani Akemi Naone, 21, is a Mililani High School graduate and current University of Hawaii Hilo student focusing on public health, nutrition and kinesiology.

She dedicated her modern Tahitian dance to her grandparents and was top scorer in the lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit segment.

Her platform is EAGLE: Encouraging A Global Learning Experience, with a goal of increasing acceptance of other cultures through a variety of affordable international immersion experiences.

The nine contestants for the 45th annual Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

By winning the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival crowns, Kahakalau and Naone punched their tickets to the Miss Hawaii pageant and will compete against contestants from across the state next spring.

A total of $46,000 in scholarship money was awarded to the nine contestants. The two title-holders also will visit Japan to promote Kona coffee products.

Competition scoring includes a private interview, lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, talent, evening wear and on-stage question.

First runner up was Jessica Lloyd, an aspiring chef studying at University of Hawaii – Palamanui. The 19-year-old Kealakehe High School graduate is daughter of Aaron Lloyd and Charlotte Lloyd.

Second runner up was Laakea Vogelgesang-Kahale, 17, a Kealakehe High School senior and daughter of Doug and Ella Vogelgesang. She also earned the Congeniality Award and Photogenic Award.

The Popularity Award went to Marlie Mandaguit.

Other contestants included Kalai Olono Mersberg-Gonzalez, Megan Souza, Cheryl Presiados and Piper Pearson.

Miss Kona Coffee 2015 Ariel Enriquez pins the crown on Miss Kona Coffee 2016 Polanimakamae Kahakalau. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Karin Stanton)

Special guest performers at the pageant included singer Chamika Fujioka and Miss Hawaii 2016 Jeanne Kapela, who was Miss Kona Coffee 2014.

Judges for the evening were: Chuck Fallis, Gloria Brausel, David Weincek, S. Kaimiloa Dahang, Huy Vo, Sheri Taflinger and Richard Fujie.

— Find out more:
www.konacoffeefest.com

(Hawaii 24/7 photos by Soleil Fitz-Gerald)