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Department of Parks and Recreation
Lester K.C. Chang, Director
Richard T. Haru, Deputy Director
1000 Uluohia Street, Suite 309
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
Phone: (808) 768-3003
Fax: (808) 768-3053
email: parks@honolulu.gov
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2007 LEI QUEEN
MANU ANANA
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Manu Anana hails from the north shore of O'ahu. She was born to David and Vanderlyn Anana and was raised and continues to live in Hale'iwa. She is a mother of two children, Paige Miki, a sophomore at Punahou School and Kuheleaumoku a third grader at the Kamehameha Schools.
She is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Early Childhood from the University of Hawai'i at Mânoa. She later received her Master's Degree in Special Education from San Francisco State University.
She currently works for the Department of Education as the Preschool Coordinator in the Leeward District. |
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Manu remembers back to her first hula teacher, Leialoha Lee, who was also her daughter's first hula teacher. Later, in high school, Manu danced for Aunty Ma'iki's hâlau, Hâlau Hula O Ma'iki where she eventually became 'olapa. Manu currently is alaka'i to Kumu Hula Keith Awai of Hâlau Kawaipuilani. Hula continues to be her passion.
Manu feels that Lei Day focuses on the lei. Lei Day "is a wonderful way to commemorate the time honored Hawaiian custom of making and wearing lei. It is a time when school children hold celebrations to showcase unique practices of various cultures that make Hawai'i home."
Lei Queen, to Manu, is someone who exemplifies poise and diplomacy. She is confident, articulate and open to others. Manu continues to describe the Lei Queen as someone who is pono, honest with herself and others. She touches people through her wisdom and with compassion and is able to convey the spirit of aloha with humility, modesty, grace and humanity.
Historically, there have been many women who played significant roles in establishing foundations for the care and advancement of the Hawaiian people. Manu feels that these are exciting times for Hawaiian women. She believes that she would be a good role model and would be an excellent representative as Lei Queen. |
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PRINCESS UAKEALEHUA KAUAHI AGBAYANI
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Uakealehua Kauahi Agbayani is the daughter of Haunani Judd Kauahi and Peter Kana'iaupuni Kauahi III. She grew up in the Kâne'ohe and Kaimukî areas, and is the second of six siblings. She is married to William Garrett Agbayani and is the busy mother of four children ranging in age from 20 years old to 15 months old. Her two boys' names are Andre Chase and Asa Kealaulaokamâlamalama. Her baby daughters' names are Rain Kahaliana and Jessica Kaleihiwaakeali'i.
Ua is a Kamehameha graduate. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at Brigham Young UniversityHawai'i. However she also attended San Jose State University and Honolulu Community College where she took a range of classes including classes for Early Childhood Education.
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She currently works part-time as an accountant with LMI Business Services and full-time as a wife and mother. Among her many talents and interests, Ua really enjoys dancing Polynesian dances. However, she has danced hula for several kumu and in several hâlau. She has danced for Ka Pâ Hula Hawai'i under the direction of Kumu Hula Kaha'i Topolinski; Ka Pâ Hula O Nâ Ko'olau for her mother, Kumu Hula Haunani Judd Kauahi; as well as for nâ kumu hula Michael and James Dela Cruz.
Some of the organizations and competitions she danced for was the Kamehameha Schools Band Hawaiian Ensemble; the Polynesian Cultural Center; Kamehameha Day Chant and Hula Competition, in individual as well as group categories; and, Miss Hawaiian Islands Competition to name a few.
Ua feels that "Lei Day is a day to celebrate the colors and fragrances of Hawai'i as portrayed through the flowers. It is a day of hugging and kissing, a day of visual beauty, and a day of aloha."
She goes on to say that the Lei Queen should live, practice and possess aloha. With it the Lei Queen can be helpful, humble and respectful while being gracious and fun loving. As a Hawaiian woman, she feels responsible to share the Hawaiian virtues with others. Being Lei Queen will be a way she can make a contribution to her family and community that she so cherishes.
Ua wants her mother to be proud of her achievements, accomplishments and desires. In addition, she wishes to pass on a heritage of sharing and growing to her children. She feels that she is living the Hawaiian values and virtues that a Lei Queen should possess. |
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PRINCESS KALEI`AHIHI KA`ONOHIKULA FERMANTEZ |
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Kalei'ahihi Ka'onohikula Fermantez is from Honolulu, and is the daughter of the late Donald Leleiohokuokalani Kidder and Bernardette Holo'aumoku Farden Kidder. She is the mother of two, a daughter Kau'ionameleonalani and a son, Ha'aheoho'iikaleilehua. Kalei is the wife of Brandon Keawe Fermantez of Hau'ula.
She attended Kamehameha Schools through the eighth grade, and is a graduate of Lahainaluna, the oldest school west of the Rockies. Kalei received a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
Kalei currently works for Bishop Museum in their visitor services section, where she is involved in planning special events and occasions for the community.
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As a child, Kalei enjoyed making lei with flowers from her yard or from a trip up into the valley, just to make someone smile. Although so young, Kalei was often filled with an enormous feeling as she realized that a simple gift could have such an impact on her family and friends. She fondly remembers the awesome feeling of being up in Nu'uanu, where it seemed "Heaven-like." The gentleness of picking just the right flowers and leaves for a lei would leave Kalei with a peaceful feeling of joy.
Kalei feels that representing the dignity, splendor and integrity of Hawai'i's people and culture with poise and grace, the Lei Queen should exemplify the significant beauty of the lei in all that she does. As a lei is a complete circle of flowers or other adornment, she would encompass the magnificence of aloha in her life. As a lei is created with love, strewn with love, and given with love, she too should embrace love in her home, family, work, and community, expressing the values of ha'aha'a, ho'omau, laulima, malama, and ho'okipa.
It is the kuleana of the Lei Queen to carry on the traditions of yesteryear, preserving it for the many years to come and the traits of her character should convey the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawai'i. She shall represent the hospitality of kanaka Hawai'i to all, just as it is shown in the art of the lei. The magnitude of her position should reflect aloha as the essence of our lives.
Kalei shares, "I am as a lei that encircles love in all that I do and I continually strive to put a smile in another's heart or to be the best of myself as a reflection of Heavenly Father and all those who have come before me in my family. I am humbly thankful to Him for leading me to the fullness of who I am." |
PRINCESS SHEILA LEHUANANI KAHO`OKELE
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Sheila Lehuanani Kaho'okele is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Kekoa Kaho'okele, Sr., of Nanakuli. She has four older brothers. Lehuanani has two bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Public Administration from the University of Hawai'i at West O'ahu. She received her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University. She is currently employed at APS Healthcare's Community Care Services, where she assists the mentally ill and underserved population with obtaining financial and medical benefits, finding housing and connecting them with psychological providers.
Lehuanani's hobbies include singing, dancing, story-telling, meeting and helping people, teaching hula and volunteering in the community.
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Her father is originally from Halawa Valley on the island of Moloka'i. This is very special to her. Lehuanani shares, "I especially enjoy it because I get to listen to stories about Halawa. Such as the tidal wave of 1946 and how he and his siblings used to walk to school and then return home to work in the taro patch." She fondly remembers stories of her grandmother, Helen Lahapa Kawa'a Kaho'okele and her Uncle John, who are buried behind the Kalawina Church in the valley.
Lehuanani was taught traditional hula from Aunty Sarah Kawailima and Aunty Agnes Cope at an early age. She 'uniki under the tutelage of Master Kumu Hula Kimo Alama Keaulana. She credits her knowledge of lei making to the late Aunty Sarah Kawailima and Uncle Bobby Asing.
Lehuanani feels that she learned at an early age aloha kekahi i kekahi, kokua and ha'aha'a. She feels that these are a few of the values that any Lei Queen should possess. Lehuanani furthers explains that the Lei Queen is an important representative and that she should have aloha, humility and should assist people whenever possible. She feels that she possesses these values, and practices them throughout her daily life whether at work or play.
Lehuanani feels that she, as well as her fellow contestants' participation plays an important role of carrying the message of Aloha. In this way the tradition of Lei Day and the Hawaiian values are kept alive. |
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PRINCESS PAULETTE MILILANI NAKAMATSU |
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Paulette Mililani Nakamatsu is the daughter of Paul and Mildred Ku'ualoha Ng of Honolulu. She is currently a resident of Mililani Mauka where she resides with her husband, Neal Nakamatsu and two lovely children, Nicole Punahele Makamai Kani O Mililani and Joshua Kaleikaumaka O Mililani.
Mililani received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Hawai'i at Mânoa. She has worked as a registered nurse at Kuakini Hospital and Shriner's Hospitals for Children. She is currently the Day Shift House Supervisor at Shriner's Hospitals for Children. Mililani says it is an honor to work for the beautiful children of Hawai'i and the Pacific-Rim basin region.
Mililani currently dances for Ka Hale I o Kahala with Aunty Leimomi Maldonado. Hula relaxes this busy wife, mother and professional woman by bringing her a sense of peace and energy.
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In addition, she is able to combine her love for hula and hâlau with her love for her little patients by arranging for the hâlau to perform at the hospital. She finds a deep satisfaction in sharing her heritage and talents' however helping others is the most satisfying.
Mililani fondly recalls when her mother, a former Aloha Week Queen, would teach her how to sew lei by actually having her collect flowers and leaves from their yard. Her Mom would regularly wear a lei for special occasions.
Mililani says that, "Lei Day is a day when people all over the island celebrate and share the aloha spirit with their loved ones
It is a special day unique to our culture."
She feels that she is filled with aloha and desires to perpetuate the very culture that she was nurtured in. Being the Lei Queen she could demonstrate the aloha that is within her heart. She believes that she can make a difference by reaching out and touching the many lives she comes in contact with. |
PRINCESS CARMEN KEANIANUENUE RODRIGUES
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Carmen Keaniânuenue Rodrigues is the daughter of Carmelita and James Rodrigues. She grew up with two brothers and two sisters in Wai'anae.
She received her Hawaiian name from the late Kumu Hula Kaulana Kasparovitch and our former Lei Queen, Flo Fernandez, as a result of a dream she experienced. In the dream she was with both of her kumu speaking Hawaiian. She remembered only the words ani and ânuenue. Upon retelling her dream to Uncle Kaulana, he said that it was significant and declared her name to be Keaniânuenue explaining that the meaning is the clear shiny rainbow.
Keani attended Wai'anae High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Hawai'i at Mânoa. She then received her Master of Arts in Communication from Hawai'i Pacific University. She currently works as a Project Manager at Kelvin Digital.
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Keani began dancing at the age of 21 with Kumu Kaulana Kasparovitch and the Lehua Dance Company along with Aunty Flo Fernandez. She participated in the Merrie Monarch Festival as well as with the Hawai'i Pacific University's hâlau in the International Hula Festival. Keani currently dances with Aunty Flo Fernandez and Hâlau Hula O Pua 'Â'ala Hone.
Keani credits hula with teaching her about lei making and its significance to both the dance and dancer. She feels that to give and receive a lei is a symbol of affection and caring. Whether you are the recipient or the presenter, the lei touches you with Aloha.
She fondly remembers making plumeria lei as a child. The excitement of sharing them with her loved ones extends to her making lei for her niece to wear and share with her friends and teachers at her May Day Program. Watching her niece's delight takes her back to the enjoyment of her doing the very same thing.
Keani feels honored to represent her kumu, hâlau and community in this year's Lei Queen Selection. She is willing to share her Aloha with humility and compassion and looks forward to the months of preparation that leads to Lei Day.
Lei Day is a time honored tradition of celebration and an opportunity to share the Hawaiian culture. A lei is like a person, uniquely beautiful and should be honored and celebrated. |
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PRINCESS KELLY PATRICIA KA`IMILANI SHEATHER
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Kelly Patricia Ka'imilani Sheather resides in Kâne'ohe. She is the daughter of Jack and Valerie Covington. Ka'imi is blessed with three daughters; Kau'ionâlani, 'Eleumikimiki, and La'ikû.
Ka'imi is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, and the University of Hawai'i at Mânoa in Travel Industry Management. Ka'imi is a sales manager at Sheraton Hotels and Resorts in Waikîkî, where she is responsible for booking group rooms and catered events at all four Waikîkî properties.
Ka'imi is a pâ'û rider with the King Kamehameha Day parade. This is a family tradition for her, as both parents have ridden for many years. Through her pâ'û riding experiences she has learned the art of lei making.
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Ka'imi shares that Lei Day is a day of wonderful fragrance and splendor. Lei Day touches everyone's senses
the color of the lei entices the sight, the fragrance of the lei invites the smell, the texture of the flowers are revealed through touch, and the swaying of the lei, as the wind blows, gives way to the sound.
Ka'imi feels that a lei queen should be able to possess qualities of humility and aloha. With these traits, a pleasant aura will be shown and felt by all. A lei queen should be able to portray the Hawaiian culture through dance, song and tradition, and also be able to pass these on to younger generations.
Ka'imi would like to become part of the wonderful tradition of Lei Day, and to be able to share her mana'o of the Hawaiian culture through lei making, dance, and the Hawaiian language. She shares, "as a Native Hawaiian who possesses the traits of humility and aloha, it would be an honor to hold the title and responsibility of the 2007 Lei Queen." |
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| All photographic images are copyrighted by Minako Ishii of Beyond Borders Images. For more information contact: admin@beyondbordersimages.com |
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