The Search for a New Queen - Ka'u Coffee Pageant

Ka'u Coffee Festival Queen 2015-2016 Maria Miranda escorted the contenders for the 2016 Miss Ka'u Coffee Pageant court in the Merrie Monarch Parade. Photos by Pageant Director Trini Marques.

This year the Miss Ka'u Coffee Pageant will have young women and girls competing for three titles: Miss Ka'u Coffee Queen, Miss Ka'u Junior Miss and Miss Peaberry. The event will take place on Saturday, May 14, at the Ka'u Coffee Mill - doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available from the candidates and at Punalu'u Bake Shop and Shaka's Restaurant.

Shaira

Jami

Using their talents, wits and beauty, the contestants for Miss Ka'u Coffee 2016 are 18-year-old Ka'u High School senior Shaira Panganiban Badua, daughter of Mario and Lucia Badua, of Pahala; 17-year-old Ka'u High School student Jami Beck, daughter of James and Sharon Beck, of Na'alehu; 17-year-old University of Hawai'i student Casey Koi, daughter of Corey and Connie Koi, of Pahala; and 22-year-old University of Hawai'i student Rochelle Koi, daughter of Rory Koi, of Na'alehu and Michelle Ortega, of Pahala.

Casey Koi

Rochelle Ko

The contestants for Junior Miss Ka'u Coffee 2016 are 15-year-old Ka'u High student Karlee Fukunaga Camba, daughter of Keala and Justine Camba, of Pahala; 11-year-old Ka'u Middle School student Calaysa Koi, daughter of Corey and Connie Koi, of Pahala; 15-year-old Ka'u Middle School student Lyric Oliveiros, daughter of Junior and Saydi Llanes; and 14-year-old Ka'u Middle School student Helena Nihipali-Sesson, daughter of Guy Sesson and Sherraine Nihipali-Sesson, of Pahala, and Bradford and Jadelyn Moses, of Pahala.

Helena

Karlee

Calaysa

Lyric

The contestants for Miss Peaberry 2016 are six-year-old Pahala Elementary School Kindergartener Khloe Moses, daughter of Jack and Brenda Moses, of Pahala; eight-year-old Pahala Elementary School student Jazmyn Navarro, daughter of Jonathan and Jennifer Navarro, of Pahala; and nine-year-old Pahala Elementary School student Chazlynn Pua Queja, daughter of Chad Queja and Jerilyn Pua, of Pahala.

Chazlynn

Khloe

Jazmyn

"The opening number will be a sizzling dance routine to the Bruno Marks hit song Uptown Funk," says Pageant Director Trini Marques. It features 2015 Miss Ka'u Coffee Queen Maria Miranda with all of the girls.

To make a donation to the Scholarship Fund call Chair Julia Neal 928-9811 or to find out more about the Pageant call Director Trini Marques 928-0606.