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Miss USA 2023: Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii wins Costume Show

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The 51 contestants vying for Miss USA 2023 showcased their glittering state costumes during the Costume Show held on Wednesday, September 27 at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. Miss Hawaii USA 2023 Savannah Gankiewicz bagged the award for the best state costume for her spectacular costume inspired by the banyan tree of Maui. The beautiful creation was made by Patrick Isorena, the same talented designer behind R'Bonney Gabriel's winning costume at last year's Miss USA pageant. In a post on social media, Savannah shared: "It is with immense pleasure and gratitude that I am proud to take home the best costume for Miss USA. This means so much more than a win to me and my home state, as this symbolizes a beacon of hope, overcoming catastrophe and true resilience." "The banyan tree of Maui survived the worst fires in American history in over 100 years. This costume pays tribute to the roots of Hawaii and the everlasting cycle of life showing the

Makaʻala Perry to represent Hawaii at Miss International 2023

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Makaʻala Perry is the newly appointed Miss International Hawaii 2023 and will represent the Aloha State at Miss International 2023 in Japan this October. The 24-year-old flight attendant, business owner, and musician was announced as Priscilla Wang's successor for the national title last month. Besides working for Hawaiian Airlines and running her own business called Sunbeams Creamery, a dessert shop located in Wahiawa, she is also pursuing her bachelor of arts degree in music at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. As a musician and hula dancer, she performs regularly doing seasonal shows at the Four Seasons Ko’olina and travels to Japan, Canada, and Taiwan sharing her love of music and dance. Born and raised on the island of Oʻahu, Makaʻala is passionate about preserving the arts and perpetuating Hawaiian culture. She hopes to inspire others to follow their passions in life and make a positive impact on our communities. The 61st Miss International pageant will be held in Shibuya,

Miss Hawaii USA 2023 is Savannah Gankiewicz

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Miss Wailea Savannah Gankiewicz was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2023 in a state competition held on Sunday, January 15 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. The 27-year-old model of Filipino, Vietnamese and Polish descent from Maui was also awarded Miss Photogenic. She will now represent Hawaii at the Miss USA 2023 pageant in Reno, Nevada later this year. Kawena Kan-Hai, Breea Yamat, Mikayla Baptista, and Ronelle Valera were announced as the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Last year's titleholder who competed in Miss USA 2022 last October, Kiana Yamat, passed the crown to her successor at the end of the event. Another winner proclaimed at the same venue was Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2023 Noelani DeNisi. She was crowned by her predecessor Malulani Paiste and will be heading to the Miss Teen USA 2023 pageant. Elaina Kristine Head, Kyani Bateman, Lehani Coloma, and Isabella Emma Alohalani rounded out the Top 5 finalists and were named runners-up for the teen d

Meet Macel Wilson, the first Asian American Miss USA

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Macel Leilani Wilson became the first Asian American to be crowned Miss USA on Thursday night of July 12, 1962, in Miami, Florida, from a field of 40 contestants. The Hawaiian beauty, a 19-year-old receptionist, was born in Honolulu to a Portuguese mother and her father, a plumber, is of Hawaiian, Chinese, and English descent. She was also the first non-caucasian woman to win the national title. Diane Zabicki from Middletown, representing Connecticut, was named first runner-up while crowd favorite Tennessee's Gail White from Chattanooga finished as the second runner-up.  California's Marilyn Tindall from Hollywood and Nevada's Janet Hadland from Las Vegas rounded out the Top 5 finalists as they were announced third and fourth runners-up, respectively. Two days after winning the Miss USA pageant, Macel went on to compete against 51 other contestants in Miss Universe 1962 at the Miami Beach Auditorium in Miami Beach, Florida, where she placed as one of the Top 15 semi-finalis