The generations before her and the generations that will follow her. Kathryn Teruya could visualize her place in that circle of life as she was crowned Miss Hawaii 2017 Saturday night at the Hawaii Theatre. Competing as Miss Kaka‘ako Teruya beat 14 other contestants to become the 73rd woman to hold the title of Miss Hawaii.

“I mentioned that on stage and I really mean it,” Teruya said backstage, moments after receiving her crown from Miss Hawaii 2016 Allison Carol Nanea Chu.

In addition to winning the overall title and the opportunity to represent Hawaii at the 97th Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City in September, Teruya won the talent category award with her spirited high-kicking performance of “I Want To Be A Rockette.” She also received the Miss America/First Hawaiian Bank Community Service Award.

Four other women went home as finalists: Miss Central Oahu Carissa Kano was first runner-up. The second runner-up spot went to Miss Oahu Amber Aduja. Miss Kahala Penelope Ng Pack was third runner-up. Fourth runner-up was Miss Leeward Oahu Alyson Tsui.

Kano also won the Spirit Award for top combined ticket and sponsorship sales. Aduja won Swimsuit, Miss Diamond Head Kylee Ann Kamalani received the Congeniality Award and Scholarship, and Miss East Oahu Robynn Corneau won the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Miracle Maker Award.

A panel of seven judges scored the contestants on their appearance in bikinis and evening gowns, their talent and their ability to stay on point while answering a “surprise question” on stage. The contestants’ scores also included the judges’ assessment of their conversational skills in interviews earlier in the week.

Teruya’s winning dance number was one of several noteworthy performances in the talent segment. Miss Kona Coffee Jessica Lloyd delivered show-stopping acrobatic choreography in “Feeling Good.” Miss Leeward Oahu Alyson Tsui overcame the distractions caused by sound system problems to give a superb performance of “Con Te Partiro.” Miss Kahala Penelope Ng Pack brought a touch of old-time Hollywood to the proceedings with spirited update of a 1944-vintage song-and-dance number, “Stuff Like That There.” Miss Paradise Latina Noe Baladad demonstrated the beauty of classical music performed on grand piano with her dramatic rendition of List’s “Rigoletto Concert Paraphrase.”

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Miss Hawaii 2017:

Miss Kaka‘ako Kathryn Teruya

First Runner-Up:

Miss Central Oahu Carissa Kano

Second Runner-Up:

Miss Oahu Amber Aduja

Third Runner-Up:

Miss Kahala Penelope Ng Pack

Fourth Runner-Up:

Miss Leeward Oahu Alyson Tsui

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