Eden Keolani Stewart of Maui waves after being crowned Mrs. Hawaii America 2026 on July 2. Stewart will represent Hawaii at the national competition Sept. 1-3. Photo courtesy Mark Salondaka

Maui resident Eden Keolani Stewart has been crowned Mrs. Hawaii America 2026, earning the opportunity to represent Hawaii on the national stage later this year.

Stewart received the title on July 2, and this is a milestone year for the pageant organization, with Mrs. America celebrating its 50th anniversary and Mrs. Hawaii America State Director Luana Alapa marking 35 years of pageant leadership.

A Native Hawaiian with roots on Maui and Kauai, Stewart serves as external affairs section chief for the Maui Emergency Management Agency. She has nearly 20 years of experience in communications, public relations, community engagement and leadership.

Stewart’s work following the August 2023 wildfires helped shape who she is today, according to the pageant. She served with the American Red Cross in Lahaina for 10 months and currently manages and facilitates Rebuild Hope, a grant program supporting Maui fire survivors.

As Mrs. Hawaii America 2026, Stewart said she plans to use her platform to encourage women to pursue their purpose, inspire young people, share Native Hawaiian culture and values, and promote disaster and emergency preparedness.

“It is an incredible honor to represent Hawaii, and especially meaningful to carry Maui with me on this journey,” Stewart said in a news release. “The strength and resilience I have witnessed in my community have forever changed me and deepened my commitment to serving others. I want to encourage women to step boldly into their purpose, even when the path is unfamiliar, and to remind our communities that preparedness is one of the ways we mālama ourselves, our families and one another.”

Stewart’s own path to the crown reflects the message she hopes to share. Stewart recently

emceed her first fashion show and competed in her first pageant after years of working behind the scenes in communications and community service.

Grounded in her faith, Stewart has also participated in mission trips, traveled with a nonprofit singing group teaching character education to elementary school students, volunteered with the Maui Humane Society and modeled for bridal and Native Hawaiian designers, according to the pageant.

Stewart and her husband, David, have been married for 18 years and have a 15-year-old daughter, Eliana Kamalei Stewart.

Hawaii’s 2026 titleholders are (from left) Miss Hawaii for America 2026 Yosy Rodriguez; Mrs. Hawaii America 2026 Eden Keolani Stewart of Maui, and Mrs. Hawaii American 2026 Lizel Zeager. Photo courtesy Mark Salondaka

Joining Stewart as Hawaii’s 2026 titleholders are Lizel Zeager, who was named Mrs. Hawaii American 2026 after placing first runner-up in the Mrs. Hawaii America competition, and Yosy Rodriguez, who was crowned Miss Hawaii for America 2026.

The national competitions are scheduled for Sept. 1-3.