The mission for the Miss International Hawai'i pageant is to recognize the legacy of sisterhood through the celebration of beauty and goodwill while becoming advocates for changes within the community.
This Pageant Program crowns two queens: the Miss International Hawai'i & Miss Hawai'i U.S. International
Miss International Hawaii is a preliminary pageant to Miss International, the 4th largest pageant in the world. We at Miss International Hawaii value unity, authenticity, integrity, leadership and sisterhood. Those core values make up the heart of the pageant along with strong community achievements, global awareness and recognizing the beauty of individuality. Our vision is to expand the friendship between Hawai’i, Japan and ultimately the world.
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The Miss International Hawaiʻi Organization proudly announces Nicole Keʻala Alia Kāhealani Sakaguchi as Miss International Hawaiʻi 2026, representing Hawaiʻi at the 64th Miss International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo, Japan.
Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 17, she embodies the mission of promoting grace, cultural understanding, and global goodwill. Inspired by aloha ke kahi i ke kahi - to love one another - and kūlia i ka nuʻu - to strive for the highest - Nicole leads an initiative advancing peace through self-love, compassion, and connection. She believes how we see ourselves shapes how we treat others, fostering a more united and empathetic world.
Crowned as Miss Hawaii U.S. International 2025 & 2026, Ava Burke is a classically trained vocalist and dedicated cultural advocate with deep ties to both Seattle and Hawai‘i. Her experiences in opera, language immersion, and global studies drive her ambition to utilize the arts as a powerful tool for cultural exchange.
Focused on advancing SDG #10: Reduced Inequalities, Ava is actively creating a scholarship program aimed at uplifting local artists and giving visibility to underrepresented voices, fostering a more inclusive artistic community.
Under the leadership of Meghan Akim, the Miss International Hawaii pageant strives for international excellence by cultivating cultures and communities as one. We believe in the legacy of female leadership while understanding the importance of becoming ambassadors of beauty and goodwill.
Executive Director
President /Communications Director
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Member
Board Advisor
Meet our 2023 Core Committee
Contestant Wellness Coordinator
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Contestant Wellness Coordinator
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Contestant Wellness Coordinator
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We have built a program to encompass great learning and development opportunities for our contestants. We meet with our contestants once a month throughout the season, covering topics such as:
At our organization, we take great pride in providing comprehensive training for our participants that encompasses various life empowerment skills, as well as personal and professional development.
Workshops & Webinars
Subject Matter experts
Life Skills & Life Coaches
Contestant Wellness
Contestant Mentors
Confidence
Financial Acumen & Fundraising
Sisterhood & Support
Alumni Legacy Program
Official Mentor Panel
Event networking
Official Sponsors
Gold & Diamond Sponsors
Diverse Charity Work
Community Involvement
Community Upliftment & Projects
Role Models
Brand Building
Ambassador
Influencer
Return on Investment
Media & Social Media Exposure
Advertising Values
Business Opportunities
Career Advancement
International Opportunities
2026 Applications
We at Miss International Hawaii are conscious and supportive of every woman’s self-discovery journey. Although the actual Miss International Pageant has an age requirement of 18-28, we encourage those of all ages to join our Personal & Professional Development Workshops. We offer this self-discovery journey multiple times a year because we want to see you in full bloom!
Born female between the ages of 18-28 in 2026
Be legally not married, no children
Be in possession of a valid Hawaii Identity Document
There are no restrictions on educational background, height, weight, or tattoos
**We accept applications on a rolling basis.
At Miss International Hawaii, we collaborate with organizations that share our commitment to empowering women and providing them with valuable support as they navigate the transformative journey of self-development.
Here we share our current and past sponsors & partners!
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Our efforts are concentrated on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Young women are encouraged to explore nonprofits and community service efforts of their own choosing as well.
"I have known Meghan Akim for the past 23 years. Through those 23 years, she has always been the most loyal, kind, and hardworking person I know. She always puts community first and everything that she has done has been to grow her community."
"Meg has the personality, work ethic, event planning experience, spirit of serial entrepreneurship, set of interest and values, and genuine passion to apply her skills to the task of elevating Miss International Hawaii to a new level. She is the woman for the job."
