Local News

Coming home with crowns

FIRST PHOTO: Maui Airports District Manager Marvin Moniz poses with Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz (left) and Miss Hawaii Teen USA Noelani DeNisi after their arrival at Kahului Airport Tuesday evening. Both Maui women earned their crowns in competitions held Saturday at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. Gankiewiscz, 27, and DeNisi, 18, were welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends and supporters. Maui pageant officials said the win by Gankiewicz was the first for a Maui woman since Trini Kaopuiki was named Miss Hawaii USA in 1999. DeNisi was Maui's first Miss Hawaii Teen USA winner since Joahnnalee Ucol was crowned in 2016. SECOND PHOTO: Newly crowned Miss Hawaii Teen USA Noelani DeNisi (foreground) and Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz are welcomed home Tuesday at Kahului Airport.