Sat Apr 26 04:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Kauai Nurse Crowned Miss Aloha Hula 2025
**Hilo, Hawaii** – Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao, a 23-year-old registered nurse from Kauai, was crowned Miss Aloha Hula 2025 Thursday night at the Edith Kanaka’ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. The prestigious title, awarded during the opening night of the Merrie Monarch Festival, was the culmination of a competition among thirteen young women.
Pavao, representing Halau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina’ala, also won the Hawaiian Language Award, achieving a perfect score of 50 points. Her performance included a captivating hula pahu (drum hula) and showcased her mastery of ‘olelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language). She dedicated her win to those who supported her, particularly Dr. Keao NeSmith, who assisted with her chant and pronunciation.
Pavao’s kumu hula (hula teacher), Leina’ala Pavao Jardin, expressed immense pride in her niece’s accomplishment, noting Pavao’s lifelong dedication to hula, beginning “since she could walk, since she could talk.” Pavao Jardin herself is battling cancer but continued to support her students throughout the competition.
Pavao’s score of 1162 points edged out first runner-up Tiare-Jennings Iwalani Kamaluoluokaluahine Rebecca Ka‘aumoana Vaughan-Darval of Oahu. The win marks a continuation of recent trends, with the Miss Aloha Hula winner often also claiming the Hawaiian Language Award.
The new Miss Aloha Hula balances her passion for hula with her career as a public health nurse, serving the community through the Department of Health. She described the win as a blessing, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and the support she’s received. Pavao’s lineage also holds significance in the hula world, tracing back to influential figures such as kumu hula Rae Fonseca and George Na‘ope.
First Piper 