Miss Ka'u Coffee Contestants, 2011

Jaeneise P. Cuison, of Nā‘ālehu, is the daughter of Tracyann and Mathias Cuison, Sr. and sister to Jolynn, Mathias, Jr., Mark, Micah, Britney, Ernest, Jernest, and Otto. Jaeneise is a senior at Ka‘ū High School. She has “a passion for volleyball, baking assorted desserts and spending time at the beach with family.” She plans to major in nursing and dreams of becoming a registered nurse because she wants “to be able to help the sick and needy within our community.” She loves “living in Ka‘ū because of its beautiful and serene beaches and its majestic hilltop mountains that continuously sustain us with resources.” Jaeneise’s platform is “community service: giving back to my community by preserving and perpetuating the environment.” Her talent is Tahitian dance.

Brandy Nicole Eder, of Pāhala, is the daughter of Bert and Tina Eder and sister to Nathaniel, Fresno, Angelbert, Michael, Chris and Melinda. Brandy is a Kaʻū High School senior. Brandy likes to play sports, read and cook. She “would love to be a doctor someday.” She says, “What I love the most about Ka‘ū is the aloha spirit; the way everyone is like family.” Her platform is "Domestic Abuse: Helping to identify verbal and physical abuse in teens through volunteer counseling in schools." Her talent will be performing her own original composition on the piano.

Alina Berlina Jerilong, of Ocean View, is the daughter of Youlina Henry and Kosmi Silk and sister to Nerling, Eiko, Lomon and Sesmi. She is a junior at Kaʻū High School. Alina enjoys helping people, playing volleyball and doing her work at school. She says she dreams of being a nurse because she wants to help people in need suffering from sickness and illness. She likes Kaʻū because she says she "loves to see the mountains," and enjoys the people, having a good time and talking to them. She added, "I like to live in the Kaʻū side." Her platform is Inspiring community to build a healthy life style. She says,"I believe it is very important to maintain healthy eating habits, stay physically fit and get enough rest to sustain an individual's needs." Her talent is hula.

Kayla Kimiko Nishimura, of Pāhala, is the daughter of Gail and Ned Nishimura and sister to Marissa and Chad. Kayla is a senior a Ka‘ū High School. She is involved in “club volleyball, is Student Body Government treasurer and captain of the soccer team.” After high school she plans to go to college and major in liberal arts. Kayla enjoys living in Ka‘ū and says, “I love that whenever I’m bored, I can call up my friends to hang at the beach or play volleyball.” Kayla’s platform is “inspiring athletes to succeed and stay healthy.” Kayla's will perform a belly-dance for her talent. 

          

Kathline Diane Pataray, of Nāʻālehu, is the daughter of  Esmenia P. Hernandez and her stepfather is Gerald Hernandez. She is sister to Kathryne and Jessa Mae and is a senior at Kaʻū High School. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, competing on the school tennis team and trying new things. She plans to major in travel and tourism in hopes of becoming a travel agent or ticketing clerk in an airport or travel agency. She loves Kaʻū because "the mountains and beaches bring out the beauty of nature." She added, "The people treat each other like family is why I love living in Kaʻū." Her platform is "Perpetuating the Filipino Heritage: Learning from our elders and encouraging the youth to recognize their dedication and work ethic." Kathline's talent is a traditional Filipino dance.

Brandy Kayumi Haunani Shibuya, of Wai‘ōhinu, is the daughter of Terry-Lee and Dane Shibuya and sister to Kassie, Tiare-Lee, and Dane, Jr. Brandy is 22, an Alaka‘i for a Hawaiian culture leadership program, a Children's Miracle Network sponsor, and a hostess for island TV shows for the Big Island. “It has always been a dream of mine to represent Hawaiʻi and make a difference in the world,” said Brandy. She plans to attend Kapi‘olani Community College and aspires to become an elementary school teacher. She loves Ka‘ū because it “is over 922 square miles of rich sacred land, holding the most powerful Hawaiian history” and because she is “intrigued by its cultural diversity and natural beauty.” Brandy’s platform is “the importance of education in strengthening our children, youth and communities.” Her talent is hula.

Young Miss Ka'u Coffee Contestants, 2011

Dayse Meleani Andrade, of Pāhala, is the daughter of Kasey Polido and Veedal Andrade and sister to Kaselon and Markos Andrade. Dayse is in fifth grade at Pāhala Elementary School and likes to dance, sing and play sports. She wants to become a pediatrician because she loves kids. She says she loves living in Ka‘ū because “all of her family and friends are here, and because the beaches are beautiful.” Her talent is dance.

Alyssa Bivings, of Nā‘ālehu, is the daughter of Emely Salmo and Daniel Bivings and sister to Kobie, Kevin, Amber, Aliyah, Alexus, Angelica, and Ashlyne. Alyssa is in fourth grade at Pāhala Elementary School and likes to sing karaoke, dance and have fun with her friends. She would like to be a veterinarian because she loves animals and wants to help them. She enjoys living in Ka‘ū because she “can meet a lot of people, since the people here are friendly.” She also likes the beautiful beaches. Her talent is dance.

Malia Nicole Corpuz, of Pāhala, is the daughter of Rochelle Abero and Arthur Estranero and sister to Chloe. Malia is in fourth grade at Pāhala Elementary School and likes to practice karate, bike and hang out with her friends. She wants to become a nurse to help sick people, especially young children. She says, “I love to help sick children by giving them medicine.” She says she enjoys living in Ka‘ū because “I love the beaches, and all my family is here, even my friends.”Malia's talent is dancing.

Dacy Davis-Andrade, of Pāhala, is the daughter of Stacy and Daniel Davis and sister to Shacy, Dylan and Easton Davis. Dacy is in fifth grade at Pāhala Elementary School and likes to ride horses, run track and play soccer. She wants to be a veterinarian because she loves animals. She says she loves living in Ka‘ū with camping, riding horses, “hunting with my dad and going fishing with my papa.” Her talent is hip-hop dancing.

Aiyana Galletes-Alapai, of Ocean View, is the daughter of Genevieve Galletes and Joe Alapai and sister to Napualani, Lloyd, Lehua, Sampson, Thor, and Hercules. Aiyana is in sixth grade at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School and is involved with Ocean View Teen club, is a volunteer at Ocean View Community Center and likes to play baseball. She wants to help kids by being a youth counselor, being involved in programs and activities and lots of field trips. She says she loves living in Ka‘ū because she loves “nature: the ocean, the land, the plants, the flowers, and the trees.”Aiyana's talent is acting.

Shailei-Marie Elizabeth Kalikoililani Penera, was born in Gresham, OR, but now lives in Pāhala. She is the daughter of Breeann Ebanez and Charles Penera, and sister to Kaydence. Shailei-Marie is in fifth grade at Pāhala Elementary School and likes to cook, dance and sing. She “would like to be a lawyer, because they make plenty money.” She likes living in Ka‘ū because she loves “going to the beach and most of all the country life.” Her talent is Tahitian dance.

Miss Ka'u Peaberry Contestants, 2011

Taylor Keoka Burgos, of Ocean View, is the daughter of Jolie and Burt Burgos and sister to Toby. Taylor is in fourth grade at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School and likes “going to the beach, shopping and spending time with family.” She “would like to be a teacher at Pāhala Elementary School.” She enjoys living in Ka‘ū “because of all the beaches and all her family lives here.” Her talent is hip-hop dance.

Cherrisse Althea D. Calumpit, of Pāhala, is the daughter of Charring D. Calumpit and Allan M. Calumpit and sister to Kyle Xander and Kendall Kirsten Calumpit.  Cherrisse is in first grade at Pāhala Elementary School and likes to sing, bike and read books. She would “like to become a nurse someday.” She likes Ka‘ū “because of the good weather. It’s just like back home in the Philippines. People are nice, and, most of all, my family lives here.” Her talent is singing.

Tatiana Ka'awa, of Nā‘ālehu, is the daughter of Barbara Larrabee and David Ka‘awa IV and sister to Joseph, Jesse, David and Kainalu. Tatiana is in fourth grade at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, attends hula class and loves to sing and dance. She would like to be a doctor someday. Tatiana says Ka‘ū “is a nice and peaceful place to live in. Almost everybody knows each other. It’s like one big family.” Her talent will be singing and dancing.

Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar, of Pāhala, is the daughter of Blossom Kailiawa and sister to Eric, Quincy, Kainani, Hailey, Cherish, Sara, Korina and Brisen Kailiawa. Rebecca is in second grade at Pāhala Elementary School and likes to play soccer and volleyball and to make beaded jewelry. She would like to be a scientist because she loves nature, thinks science is fun and could then “warn everyone in the world before anything happened.” She enjoys living in Ka‘ū because “we have resources like fishing, farming, hunting, and ranching. Kaʻū is the only district with untouched beauty." Her talent is hip-hop dance.

Jayme Akemi Kaneshiro, of Ocean View, is daughter of Nicole Fontanilla and Norman Santiago and sister to Kaiminani. Jayme is in second grade at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School and likes to box with Ocean View Boxing Club, model, and camp or go to the beach. She would like to become a veterinarian because she loves animals. She enjoys living in Ka‘ū “because of the beautiful beaches and the people who live here.” Jayme's talent will be boxing.

Bernadette Allysa Ladia, of Pāhala, is the daughter of Elizabeth L. Aurelio and Robert Q. Aurelio and sister to Jan Arnee, Jayvee Jake, and Ralph Robert. Bernadette is in second grade at Pāhala Elementary School and likes to sing, dance and write. She wants “to be a good citizen” and “to become a dentist someday because I want to help people have strong, healthy teeth.” She loves living in Ka‘ū and says she loves helping her mom with chores inside the house and having fun with her family. Bernadette also says she wants to learn how to cook. Her talent is Filipino folk dance.

Johnette Llones-Masters, of Wai‘ōhinu, is the daughter of Salote Llanes Foronda, Jolisa Barcena and John Masters, and sister to Chaunalisa, Kaipo, Chelsie, Chloe and Ka‘ella. Johnette is in second grade at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School and likes to play soccer, swim and travel. She would like to be a police officer, so she can “help others in danger and save lives, too.” Johnette enjoys living in Ka‘ū because “the people are nice and friendly” and because “when you step out of your door, there is a nice breeze in the morning.” Johnette's talent is dance.