Congratulations to 2019-20 Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Court!

Photo by Julia Neal

2019 Miss Ka‘ū Coffee with Ed Olson
and Gloria Camba.
Photo by Kamalani Kaluahine-Salmo

Congratulations to our new Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Court, who all performed well, with grace and talent at the Ka‘ū District Gym during our 2019 Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Pageant!

Here are the results for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee:

Helena Sesson was crowned Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Queen. A senior at Ka‘ū High School, Helena says she plans to become a police office, "to keep my community safe." As her talent, she sang a song in Spanish, accompanied by her own ‘ukulele stylings. Helena won the Interview, Career Outfit, Photogenic, and Talent portions. She took home a $1,500 scholarship from Edmund C. Olson and $400 for winning four categories in the competition, with scholarships provided by Pacific Quest, County Council member Maile David, state House of Representatives members Richard Onishi and Richard Creagan, and state Senator Russell Ruderman.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee First Princess, Bernadette Ladia, a sophomore at Ka‘ū High School, won the Swimsuit and Gown portions and took home a $1,000 scholarship from Kaʻū Mahi and $200 in scholarships from Rep. Richard Onishi.

Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Peaberry.
Photo by Julia Neal

Here are the results for the Miss Ka‘ū Peaberry: 

Lilianna Marques, who performed an original song about coffee picking, was crowned Miss Kaʻū Peaberry Queen. She won the Character Outfit and Photogenic portions. She takes home an $850 scholarship from Punaluʻu Bakeshop and Rep. Richard Onishi, as well as two $90 scholarships from County Council member Maile David and Sen. Russell Ruderman and donors.

Kendall Haddock, named First Miss Ka‘ū Peaberry Princess, won the Talent portion, with a $650 scholarship from CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union and donors, and a $90 scholarship from Rep. Richard Onishi.

Helen Miranda, named Second Miss Ka‘ū Peaberry Princess, won the Gown portion, with a $350 scholarship from Pacific Quest and a $90 scholarship from Rep. Richard Creagan.

Here are the results for Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Flower:

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower and First Princess.
Photo by Kamalani Kaluahine-Salmo

Kysha Manini Kaʻupu was crowned Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Flower Queen, and took home a $500 scholarship from Kaʻū Valley Farms, an $80 scholarship from Sen. Russell Ruderman for Miss Photogenic, plus an $80 scholarship for Character Outfit.

First Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower Princess Adilyn Aetonu won a $350 scholarship from Big Island Toyota and an $80 scholarship for Evening Gown from Rep. Richard Onishi. Adilyn, 5 years old, was also named Miss Popularity, across all candidates from ages 4 to 17, with a $200 scholarship and the title based on support she received from the community.

Pageant Director Trini Marques thanks the many sponsors for providing scholarships. Stay tuned for future announcements about our 2020 Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Pageant. See kaucoffeefestival.com.