Dedicated & Passionate to Help Them Grow
the Little Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Competition
PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Executive DIRECTOR | Michelle Sakata Johnson
Crowned the 1977 Kona Coffee Queen, Michelle is a passionate 4th generation Japanese coffee farmer, working on her family’s 100-year-old farm in Holualoa. Even after graduating from Konawaena High School in 1978, then receiving her BA in Fashion Design in San Francisco and Los Angeles, farming is still what she enjoys most of all. As an active participant in the Kona Coffee industry, she has come full circle to be a part of the KCCF board and director of the Little Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Program. This is how she can say “Thank you” to her father and mother, Norman and Marilyn Sakata and to all who work so hard to create one of the Best Food Festivals in the World. Michelle raised 2 children, started her own business as a specialized gold buyer in Kailua-Kona, farms, volunteers and will continue to fulfill her daughter’s suggestion at age 9: The Little Miss Kona Coffee Pageant.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR | Jane Clement
Jane is an active volunteer and member of various boards and commissions, including the Kona Visayan Club, West Hawaiʻi Community Forums, and the Economic Development Committee of the Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves as the Hawaiʻi Island Commissioner to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and is an officer on the Keahole Center for Sustainability (formerly Friends of NEHLA) board and, previously served as the President of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District and the chair of the Government Affairs Committee of the Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce. All this while managing her own community consulting practice, Jane also represented Hawai’i Island, crowned Mrs. Hawai’i Filipina in 2016, Honolulu.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | Sloanne Hoku HewLen
Sloanne Hokuhelelani HewLen, the only daughter of Kaumoana and Kathleen HewLen was born and raised here on the beautiful island of Hawai’i in Kailua-Kona. A graduate of Kealakehe High school Class of 2007. Sloanne has a little over 10 years of pageantry. Has held the title of Miss Aloha Hawaii 2013 and the reigning Miss Hawai’i International 2019. She is looking forward to being apart of the Little Miss Kona Coffee Organization again and continue to mentor the next generations of our future wahine.
ARTISTIC coach | Kanoelehua Cantiberos
Kanoelehua Cantiberos was born and raised in the little town of Kealakekua, here on the Big Island of Hawai’i. She is a proud graduate of Konawaena High School’s class of 1999. She is the 1994 Miss Nakamalei O Kona and 1994 Miss Keiki Aloha. Kanoe is a 2010 law graduate and has had a career in law since 2004. She is the owner of multiple businesses and a professional singer and recording artist. Kanoe is an active volunteer and member of various organizations. She has previously worked with Family Support Services of West Hawai’i as their Youth Development Specialist and as a strong activist with the Hawai’i Island Coalition Against Human Trafficking (HICAT). She currently works with the disabled community at Full Life of Hawai’i and with the Hawai’i County Police Department and Hawai’i Fire Department as a volunteer first responder. Kanoe is honored to be a part of the Little Miss Kona Coffee Organization and looks forward to working with and mentoring the keiki wahine of our islands.
BUSINESS DIRECTOR | debbie mabuni
Debbie grew up in what was the sleepy little town of Kailua Kona. She attended Konawaena High School and studied at University of Hawaii before becoming the proud mother of three. Debbie was on the AYSO Board of Directors - Kona, where she served as the Regional Registrar and also as the State Treasurer for a total of 12 years. As an Assistant Administrator for almost 20 years, service was never at a shortage. She is now an Executive Administrative Assistant at a private estate. Debbie has competed in a handful of pageants as a teenager and was crowned Miss Homecoming of Hawaii in 1989. She has also served as a judge in numerous cheer competitions. She believes that competing brings out the strengths in each individual and builds character.
Help us Celebrate our Glorious 10-day events! Go to: konacoffeefest.com
November 4-13
The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is celebrated each November, for the last 51 years! Last year, we followed the Hybrid trend; but this year we are back in Live-action and In-Person! Events and programs that enrich and ensure that the story of Kona coffee’s cultural heritage continues to be shared with residents and visitors. Please join us for the history and the fun of it!
Kona coffee’s world-renowned reputation along with the unique cultural treasures behind nearly 200 years of Kona coffee history, tells the story of coffee traditions that produced this American legacy.
“To offer opportunities at a young age; to nurture their growth to become an excellent Candidate for Miss Kona Coffee, Miss Aloha Hawaii,
Miss Hawaii and for Miss America.”
OUR GOAL
“To instill the opportunities of pageantry from a young age; to nurture their growth to become an excellent candidate for Miss Kona Coffee, Miss Aloha Hawaii, Miss Hawaii and Miss America.”
Apply to enter the competition!
