Iwaniec wins Miss Latina Hawaii pageant

HONOLULU PULSE STAFF / honolulupulse@staradvertiser.com

University of Hawaii student Joleen Iwaniec was crowned Miss Latina Hawaii 2012 at Mamiya Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Miss Latina Hawaii 2012 Joleen Iwaniec. (Star-Advertiser photo by Jason Genegabus)

Iwaniec, 22, was also named Miss Congeniality at the conclusion of the pageant, which included five components: Private Interview Competition, Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit Competition, Talent Competition, Evening Wear Competition and On-Stage Question.

Leeward Community College student Steisha Sheather was named first runner-up and received the award for Lifestyle & Fitness; Chaminade University senior Dzidezielia Trevino was named second runner-up and received the Popularity (most ticket and program advertisement sales) and Photogenic (selected by the official pageant photographer) awards. In addition, Hawaii Pacific University sophomore Kaylah Miranda’s spoken word performance won her the pageant’s Talent Award.

Judges for the pageant were Hawaii-based filmmaker Brett Anbe; Donalyn Dela Cruz, Deputy Communications Director for Gov. Neil Abercrombie; Miss Hawaii 1991 and KALO-TV general manager Lani Stone Kaaa; 24-Hour Fitness Honolulu’s Shane Lyman; Kumu Hula Kailihiwa “Hiwa” Vaughan-Darval; Kumu Hula Robert “Ke’ano” Ka’upu IV; and Honolulu Star-Advertiser Entertainment Editor-Online Jason Genegabus. Krater 96′s Sista Sherry and Star 101.9′s DJ Maleko hosted the pageant.

As Miss Latina Hawaii, Iwaniec will represent the Latin and Hispanic community during various public appearances over the next year. She will also move on to compete in this year’s Miss Hawaii pageant, which will select a representative to participate in the 2013 Miss America pageant.