Sunday night at the Hawaiʻi Theater, Hayley Cheyney-Kāne of Kāneʻohe, was crowned Miss Hawaiʻi 2024. Cheyney-Kāne was one of sixteen delegates competing for the title from all over the state.
The judges acknowledged that her hula performance distinguished her from the other contestants. She captivated the audience with a hula entitled “Aloha Wau Ia ‘Oe.” Along with performing her hula, she also sang the vocals herself.
According to a press release from the Miss Hawaii Organization, “Adding vocals to the performance increased the difficult to an already challenging endeavor.”
Additionally, Kane stated that the victory is a victory for representation after characterizing herself as a “Native Hawaiian queer woman” during the pageant competition.
“I’ve been preparing for the whole year, and it’s been a tumultuous year to say the least, but I feel like all that hard work is finally paying off. And honestly, the reason I’m doing it – my ‘why’—was just to make sure that if there’s any little girl that identifies with me at all, and me being Miss Hawaii brings her into tomorrow, then it’s worth it,” she added.
According to Maui Now, also receiving awards were First Runner up Tatia Denis-McRight (Miss Kona Coffee), Second Runner up Jacelyn Ho, (Miss Honolulu), Third Runner up Darja Bassut (Miss Aloha Latina) and Fourth Runner up Mahinalani Cavalieri (Miss ‘Aiea).
Kane not only took home the title and will represent Hawaii at the 2024 Miss America Pageant later this year, but she also won the Candes Meijide Gentry talent award.
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