Mrs. Hawaii now Mrs. America

Nadine Kam photos
New Mrs. America Lara Leimana Fonoimoana with her crown and sash, with Gov. Neil Abercrombie making an award presentation, and Luana Alapa, director of the Mrs. Hawaii America State Pageant, who's a former Miss Hawaii (1987).

Mrs. Hawaii 2011 Lara Leimana Fonoimoana was crowned the new Mrs. America 2011 Jan. 6 at the State Capitol, in a gallery with an intimate circle of friends, family and a few media. Gov. Neil Abercrombie did the crowning, the result of a little musical chairs in the pageant world.

Lara was first runner-up in the pageant held last April, but assumed the crown and title from former Mrs. America April Lufriu, who was named Mrs. World last month.

Hawaii has participated in the Mrs. America pageant for 20 years, and the first Mrs. America from this state was Leslie Lam, in 2000.

The Governor was a little tentative in placing the crown on Lara's head.

In the double-crowning ceremony Friday, the title of Mrs. Hawaii was passed onto the Mrs. Hawaii pageant's first runner-up, Shana Peete. Ironically, Shana, an attorney who's also appeared on this blog several times as a model, no longer lives in Hawaii, having moved to Pleasanton, Calif., due to her husband's career.

Well, our loss is Pleasanton's gain. She said she brings the aloha spirit with her to her new community, and work on her platform, based around childhood issues, will continue. She already managed to start an after-school tennis program as a matter of skill-building and addressing childhood health and well-being.

Congratulations to our two winners!

For more information about the pageant, visit LuanaAlapa.com

Shana's turn to receive her crown.

The newly crowned Mrs. Hawaii Shana Peete and Mrs. America Lara Fonoimoana with the governor and Luana Alapa.

Lara with her family, including husband Vance and baby Titus between them.