2018 Miss Ka‘u Coffee Court Announced!

Reishalyn Kekoa Jara, Miss Kaʻu Coffee Queen 2018 with Edmund C. Olson. Photo by Julia Neal

Congratulations to our new Miss Ka‘u Coffee Queen Reishalyn Kekoa Jara!

Reishalyn dancing Tahitian.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Reishalyn, a Junior at Ka‘u High School who loves her family and sports, was crowned on Saturday night (April 21, 2018) by our 2017 Miss Ka‘u Coffee Queen Jami Beck. Reishalyn, 16, won with Tahitian dance in Talent, and also took first in Gown and Miss Photogenic categories. She is the daughter of Regulo Jara and Brenda Kekoa, of Naʻalehu, and sister to Jadelyn, Chaycen, Blaycen, Kamalyn, Jacelyn, and Regulo. 

First Miss Kaʻu Coffee Princess Helena Nihipali-Sesson
and father Guy Sesson. Photo by Julia Neal

     The pageant, directed by Trini Marques, saw Helena K. Nihiplai-Sesson take the title of First Princess. Helena, 16, is also a student at Ka‘u High School and loves singing, playing ʻukulele, and dancing hula. She took first in Career-Interview, second in Talent and Photogenic, and third in Swimsuit and Gown. Her talent was singing and playing ‘ukulele. She is the daughter of Guy Sesson and Sherraine Nihipali-Sesson, of Pahala. Her adoptive parents are Bradford and Jadelyn Moses, of Pahala. She is sister to Asia, Ocean, and Rain.

Second Miss Kaʻu Coffee Princess
Karlee Fukunaga-Camba.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Second  Princess is Karlee Kaliya Kealaikamaile Fukunaga-Camba, who is also 16. Karlee loves dancing. She took second in Swimsuit, and third in Career-Interview and Gown. Her parents are Keala and Justine Camba, of Pahala. She is sister to Tyren Fukunaga-Camba.

     Sheri Lynn Freitas, 18, took home the title of Third Princess. She is a graduate of Kaʻu High & Pahala Elementary School and currently a student at University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo and excels in sports and business. Sheri took third in Talent and Photogenic. She is the daughter of Rodney and Marlene Freitas, of Pahala. She is sister to Jessica, Michaela, Shaelia, and Ikaika. 

     As Miss Kaʻu Coffee, Reishalyn will represent the Kaʻu Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond, with those appearances sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, II. 

Congratulations to our new Jr. Miss Ka‘u Coffee Cristina Nicole Akiko Lokelani Kawewehi!

Jr. Miss Kaʻu Coffee Cristina
Kawewehi (front) and Miss Ka‘u
Peaberry Jacelyn Jara (back). 
Photo by Pam Taylor

     Cristina, 12, attends Ka‘u High & Pahala Elementary School. She took first in Career-Interview, Evening Gown, and Photogenic. Cristina is the daughter of Angelica Kawewehi and Bill Lorenzo, of Pahala. She is sister to Kapono, Mia, Keana, and Zachary Kuluwaimaka.

       First Princess is Jacie Umemoto, 12. She is the daughter of Michael and Valerie Pakale, of Pahala, and sister to Moki. Jacie attends Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.

Congratulations to our new Miss Ka‘u Coffee Peaberry Jaceyln Kaleipua Kekoa Jara!

     Jacelyn, 10, is the daughter of Brenda Kekoa and Regulo Jara, of Naʻalehu, and granddaughter of William "Brada" Kekoa and Lani Kekoa of Kamaoa, Kaʻu. She is sister to Jadelyn, Blaycen, Reishalyn, Kamalyn, Chaycen, and Regulo. She attends Nāʻālehu Elementary School.
     First Princess is Tenielle Jade Ducosin Blanco, 8. She is the daughter of Ted and Donielle Blanco, of Naʻalehu. She is sister to Triton and Teagan-Elis.

Kysha Kaupu-Manini is First 
Miss Ka‘u Coffee Flower.
Photo by Julia Neal 

Congratulations to our new Miss Ka‘u Coffee Flower Telia Aliyana Kauliakau‘i Espejo-Navarro!

     Telia, 6, is the daughter of Elias and Alyssa Navarro, of Naʻalehu. She is sister to Tehani-Mae, Kilinahe, Kanaʻi, and Koaliʻi. Telia attends kindergarten at Naʻalehu Elementary School.
     First Flower is Kysha Kainanimaueonalani Ka‘upu-Manini is First Flower. She is the daughter of Sasha Kaupu and Kai Manini, of Pahala. The three year old attends Naʻalehu Elementary School.
     Second Flower is Lilianna Marques. She is daughter of Shawn Marques and Kuulei Marques. She is sister to John Michael and attends kindergarten at Pahala Elementary School.

Congratulations to all who participated and mahalo to all those who donated and volunteered!

Photo by Pam Taylor

     In addition to their crowns and trophies, all contestants received scholarships in varying amounts, with a total amount of $6,200 donated. Major funders for this year's pageant were Edmund C. Olson, Kaʻu Mahi, Kaʻu Valley Farms, CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union, Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Pacific Quest, Kaʻu Local Products, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Josh Green, Rep. Richard Creagan, and County Council member Maile David.

     The Miss Kaʻu Coffee Court will meet the public this Friday at Pahala Plantation House at 6 p.m. for Pa‘ina & Open House, for the second event of the tenth annual Kaʻū Coffee Festival.
     See all the events at kaucoffeefestival.com.