And the new Miss Hawaii USA is…

Kiana Yamat of Waikiki was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2022 at the end of the pageant, held on February 19, 2022 at Hawaii Convention Center, in Honolulu. Beating 21 other beautiful girls, she succeeds Miss Hawaii USA 2021, Alisson Chu and will represent her island at the upcoming edition of Miss USA pageant, later this year. A total of 43 women from across Hawaii come together to compete for the titles of Miss Hawaii USA and Miss Hawaii Teen USA in 2022, a title Kiana Yamat feels shocked to have.

“It’s been two days since the pageant and I still don’t know how to process my win. I am excited, grateful and overwhelmed all at once. It has been an amazing journey to get here and I am excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for me,” says Kiana Yamat, 2022 Miss Hawaii USA.

Hailing from Waikiki, Honolulu, Kiana is a graduate of Lahainaluna High School . She is a former Athlete who ran Track & Field, was her school’s cheerleading captain and represented Hawaii at Wrestling Nationals. She attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu where she earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. She was awarded University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Chancellor’s scholarship and was the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter President.

She currently works as an office Civil & Construction engineer, and her goal is to be a female role model in the STEM industry and to inspire young women who are looking to pursue a careers in male-dominate industries. Being the “happiest place on earth,” Disneyland inspired her to become an engineer and she applies the same concepts of creating unforgettable moments in her career.

The 2022 Miss Hawaii USA’s court included –

1st Runner-up – Ashley Pierceall (South Shore)

2nd Runner-up – Kayli Obrero (Kaua’i)

3rd Runner-up – Cayla Kaimana Forever Moore (North Shore)

4th Runner-up – Kawena Janessa Kan-Hai (Maui)

Also during this final Malulani Paiste, 18, a 2021 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, won the title of Miss Hawaii Teen USA. She is currently a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where she hopes to become a bioengineer to help Hawaii’s agricultural development to become more sustainable and self-reliant to minimize the need to rely on imported goods. Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2022 was not her first pageant. She has won Miss Congeniality 4 times including this year a Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2022.

“Just like Kiana, my title as Miss Teen Hawaii USA has not hit me yet. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions and I couldn’t be more happy. I am beyond grateful to all of my supporters, especially my family and friends,” says Malulani Paiste, 2022 Miss Hawaii Teen USA. “I joined the pageant to help Hawaii’s agricultural development to encourage Hawaii residents the importance of becoming more sustainable and self-reliant, to minimize the need to rely on imported goods.”

Kyani Bateman, Tehani Kekuawela, Haley Blount and Tatia Denis-McRight were adjudged first, second, third and fourth runners-up respectively.

Both young women will serve as Hawai’i’s delegates to the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants later this year.