 As she represented Hawaii, Miss American Pageant as one of our very own Miss Hawaii 1987. Today we are coming to you live from my home in downtown Honolulu and from the studios of Think Tech in downtown Honolulu, where we share the views of over 35 dynamic hosts covering very diverse topics. Today, I would like you to get to know the heart of my friend, Miss Luana Alapa as she shares her OHA journey and knows her purpose for running for the office of Hawaiian Affairs. What Luana would like you to take away from today's discussion is staying focused and keeping your eyes on the prize. It's all about staying positive despite negative people and being able to see good in everything. Hey, come on by Luana Alapa. Aloha. Thank you so much, Wendy, for having me. I have a feeling we're going to have a wonderful, fun time. Well, we only got 30 minutes, so we'll have a wonderful, short time. Whoo-hoo. All right. Okay. So, you know, I knew you as the, you know, you were Miss Hawaii 1987, okay? So that's how I knew you, Miss Luana Alapa, Miss Hawaii 1987. So please tell me about your reign, and what did you do as Miss Hawaii? Well, during my year of reign, it's been a magical year. It was a magical year for me because of the fact that not only are you selected by an esteemed panel of judges to represent your state in the National Miss America pageant, but also you're an ambassador. An ambassador of Aloha, like a cultural host, so to speak, as we, Miss Hawaii's travel is, she travels all over the world promoting our Hawaiian culture, the beauty of Hawaii to many of the visitors who will come to Hawaii as well. And at the same time, you know, I had a chance to meet a ton of people from all walks of life, from celebrities like the Dolly Partons, the George Michaels, I don't think I remember those people, but they were also the Robin Leach lifestyles of the rich and famous shows. Thank you, girl. I swear, I had an incredible year, but I'm also meeting the most awesome people, but it was also people in general from the different countries that I traveled to from Australia to New Zealand. I went to Rotonga, Samoa, Tahiti. I've been to places like China, Beijing, China, and so forth. Just wonderful places that I had an opportunity to share my love for Hawaii as well as being Miss Hawaii. It's just an honor. Anyone who has had that opportunity at that time was really, really well taken care of. And of course, it was all about showcasing Hawaii. And the years that have been involved in pageantry from that point after, it was all about helping other women to achieve their goals in the pageant industry. So it wasn't just about me, but it was also ensuring that others will have that opportunity. So I got involved in the pageant industry as a state director for the Miss Hawaii pageant, the Miss Hawaii for America. They all fall under the same umbrella. So I hold a franchise rights to it. And of course, I have a daughter, by the way, but you know, she got involved. She wanted to, you know, try our hand at it. And naturally with the support of myself along with many others who wanted to get on board to help her, Miss Hawaii Teen USA. So it was, it was a, for her, just that was it. It wasn't like I'm going to be running pageants forever. No, it was a one shot deal for her. Just like me, one time at Miss Hawaii and that's it. Now we move on to other things. And I, for me, that, but I don't think you really moved on because I know that you continue mentoring a lot of young women to match out who Kaya Kua created them to be. And so that's the whole idea, like even myself being involved with almost 25 years under my belt with all of you young ladies. It's because we want to find the right representative so that she could showcase Hawaii and represent Hawaii in the best light. And so you've got a big job on your hands because there are many, many qualified young women here in Hawaii. And your role is to guide them and make sure that they just, just make sure that they are maxing out who they were created to be. Yeah. And they know the whole idea behind the women itself. For me, it's, I enjoy working with them and seeing them grow from the beginning with like zero confidence to towards a pageant. It's like a whole different woman that has come about because of the cooperate. We teach everything from interview techniques, poison posture for the speech. You know, some people pluck themselves off of the chair. You're the girl from olacai and I'm the girl from Miley. So a lot of training going on there. But if you can make it as Miss Hawaii, I tell you your job is a big job, but very well done. And you took the responsibility and I'm sure it'll never stop because you're always the pageant mama. Yeah, I enjoy it because it's, it's been a part of me for about 30, almost 30 years that I've been producing these events and meeting women from all walks of life. And I love that. Love their backgrounds and so forth. But I think more than anything, it's always about seeing the fact that they can become the better version of themselves. Just learning and they're not really taught that in their home per se. Yes, something like this would probably help them along the way. It surely does. I mean, I've seen it done and I've seen you create so and you will continue. So keep, keep building Hawaii's women as beautiful as we can. And it's not just the outside, but it's the heart and that's the beauty that the heart and the brain are working. And I always tell, we can paint the barn, but it's the heart that we can't put, we can't change. But they got the right heart and the right mind to represent Hallelujah. Amen. Amen, girl. And I know that you didn't just stop with those with those girls, those women of Hawaii. But tell us a little bit about your family and your your children. Well, you know, you know, to have the highlights of Miss Hawaii and, you know, everything said, you have this wonderful life and so forth after Miss Hawaii. No, it's about reality. OK, no, I don't have the castle in the sky and all that, you know, that goes with it. No, you know, I got married and I raised two children. But, you know, I also suffered from a broken marriage and I became a single mother in the early 2000s. And I was responsible now because I used to be a state home mom. And now I'm on my own raising two children and to add to the mix. I had two more children, foster siblings, Native Hawaiian foster siblings who used to come to our neighborhood. My house was the kids central. Everybody was I love it. I did everything for the neighborhood kids. I threw out Christmas parties. I had ice cream Sunday night. I had movie night and these two kids in particular came around a lot. And pretty soon they didn't leave my house. They didn't want to go home. And I was like, no, it's 12 o'clock. Me died at school. Don't take me home. I'll take you home. Right. But then I learned more about their background as they shared some insights, what happened to them. We lost a mother went to cancer and she was really actually she's leaving her husband at that time. And the father, as I found out, was abusive and so forth. So they lived a life that wasn't, you know, the normal. And so when they saw what I did for my kids, as well as for the neighborhood kids, they wanted that they wish they had that help when we can have that. Wow. And then one day I got a call from CPS saying that they had the children. If no one wants them, would I take them? And what are we going to blessing? No, I said, of course, I'll take them. The one wants them off with a feel. You know, for children to feel not wanted. And so but it took a little while before that happened because they they ended up with their mother's sister, and that was a whole another episode. It was not good. Well, so you said I will and you did and you adopted. So you you're responsible for four amazing young adults in our community. I'm so proud of you when I saw that. I was like, you go girl and you're able, you were capable and why not? So, you know, I just love that that's what you've done. And on top of that, single parents and I take my my hats off to them. I love them that have to raise their family and go to work and everything else, which is what I did, but at the same time, I wanted to still have a sense of normalcy for my four kids. And that was the way I ran my home. So it was open, loving. There was no fighting. I mean, there was never, never any of that. And it was part of each other and so forth. So the kids are reflection of you. The kids are also reflecting a reflection of their parents. Right? I mean, you have you want to see how a person is? Look at their home, right? Look at their right. Yeah, you look at their home and how and how needed is or what it looks like. You know, I mean, not that we're judging, but you can have an idea. You know, yeah. And I know that, you know, in the community, I volunteered with many different organizations like the Food Bank and many years with the Hotel Coalition with Mr. Noel Trainor as my director and working with him. I missed him so much. He did so much for the Hilton and the community. But I know now that you've always been community minded as well. And you've done so much for our state. And I know you've been very active with the Food Bank. So share with us a little bit. What have you been doing with the Food Bank recently? You know, so well, a lot of my work has been in the volunteering for a variety of organizations, such as mentioned, Susan G. Coleman, there's Toys & Toys of Tots. I work with the volunteer with the hotel and travel industry, the HUD's program, IHS, Project Shine. I've done work with Salvation Army and so forth. But the one aspect that I love is being a part of the Food Bank, because to me, food is your lifeline. You know, without food, we can't survive. And and you'd be surprised that people that are going without food, you know, they'll have one meal and that's it. It's the rest of their day is done. So I wanted to get more involved with the Hoi Food Bank, which I've done. And and at the same time, I really enjoy the facts that of giving back and of course, another part is that besides food is water. Water is such an important aspect of our life because, you know, it also sustains our body, you know, flush out toxins and so forth. So I try and lubricates our joints, but you're getting old. And so so that, you know, that sets in. So you'd be surprised at things that happen as you get older. But water always found a wonderful tool and wonderful must have to have in our life, but aside from the aside from that, though, the food distribution, what I've been involved in with the Hoi Food Bank, it's just been amazing because of the smiles on the faces of the people we see then it is that that makes my day. That's and I know that not only do you volunteer with the food bank and now, of course, the need for more organized food, food drives have just been going out the door and another one here, another one there, but so needed. So please share with us a little bit about Mahalo Malama Meals. OK, so the Mahalo Malama Meals, basically that was a banner that we had made to think it's that was a picture of my team of volunteers in Molokai that helped distribute the foods to all of the Kapuna Nevee families, and we wanted to show our appreciation for the organizers of Malama Meals. So it was Ahmad and his partners that helped distribute the meals. These are ready cooked meals that was flown over and we had a time frame in which to deliver these meals immediately. So it was our grab the meals and everybody split to their designated spots on Molokai that they delivered the meals. And that was part of the drive as well. We go to the homes of the Kapunas and to all the family's Molokai and the expressions on their faces, priceless. They were sold just so appreciative just for a meal, you know, because we don't know where the next meal is going to be. And so that Malama Meals banner was an important way which we could show our appreciation. Wow. That's amazing. And I understand that you help to coordinate that and bring it there to Molokai. I mean, like kudos to you for every little one more thing well done. You know, and all the work and I know all the work and meetings and coordinating that it takes to just even to have a simple food drive as that. But the reward at the end of the day is prices. And yes, I know that that's what fuels you to continue to continue. And then I under I also understand that your father instilled upon you and your sisters, so being of service to others is one of the greatest keys one should do in their lifetime. Absolutely. You know what? Kudos again to your daddy, because he's done a good job. His little girl has grown up along with all his other little girls. And they're continuing in his legacy and his teaching. So your dad must have been an amazing man. He was absolutely. He was I know he's smiling proudly on all of us, you know, being able to serve our people. You know, it was as you mentioned, it's a lot of work. It was a lot of coordination. And I'm so blessed to have the most amazing people, volunteers on Molokai to help distribute these meals. We served over forty five four thousand five hundred meals went out every week to our families. So it is quite a task. But again, as you mentioned, the rewards are just priceless. And I know that by being a part of being of service to others, you know, it'll always be a part of me because it's what my dad always stressed to me and my sisters about giving up yourself at least one time in your life to do something for someone else. And of course, that's a natural for us anyway. So I love that. And that's, you know, that's another thing that we have in common, Luana. A lot of people would say, oh, yeah, when I get old, I go and volunteer. I go and donate. But you know what? You and me, we didn't wait like a lot of other our friends. We didn't wait. We didn't say when we're old, you know, because we've been doing it for the last 20 and 30 years. And now we're old and we've been we have 30 years under our belt. So we didn't wait. So all you young, you're cakey out there. Don't wait. Don't wait until, you know, you have only time to sit on the couch and watch prices right or something. Get out there, volunteer, join a community and just do it because it's so rewarding. It's priceless. When you see you doing it, they want to do it too. And I'm very blessed to have my kids be a part of my meal distributions. Whenever I have a chance to volunteer to do that, it's like automatic. So again, it's it's what we as parents do that our kids follow. And by doing that is a wonderful way of showcasing the values that we still upon our family and our own children. Exactly. And you know, I'd like to add that one point is my daughter is not an academic or an athletic or she doesn't play a musical instrument. However, when she did go to college, they gave her $48,000 scholarship and I said, what did you make a mistake? Where did this come from? Why are you giving it to us? And they said because she had like 14 years of community service under her belt. And I didn't let her take all the credit from the time she was five. OK, she only could start taking credit from the time she was like seven. And then what it was was if I didn't force her to do it, you know, like, come on, you got to help mommy. No, it was like, OK, mommy's going to go to the heart walk if they woke up and if they came, that's when they got I let them put it in their journal and get credit for it because it was of their will. And I know that the job was done because now they enjoy it and they become an addict to community service like their mother. So that's so so valuable, so valuable. OK, so now years have passed and I see you on a Molokai a lot. I'm like, hey, what problem is there in a Molokai? It's like expensive. Go back and forth back and forth. But I didn't realize you were spending a lot of time on Molokai. In fact, tell me that and then I mean, tell me that you have a home there and tell me about the beautiful life there on Molokai. Well, here's how it, you know, first of all, I've been a Molokai since we were little. You know, we come from divorced parents. So my dad and my stepmom moved to Molokai. And of course, me, my sisters and I stayed with my mother, my stepfather and my eight. So of course, we traveled back and forth through our youth and so on. And that was many of this back in the seventies that we're doing that. And then, of course, my sisters, one of them, who had lived there for a bit and moved back to Oahu and vice versa. I just did the traveling back and forth because on Oahu, I did a lot of my raising my own family and my career and so forth. And then now that, you know, my kids are all adults. They're on their own. They're going off to college. One is married, has two children and other works for a floor laying company. And my two kids are in college, my own biological kids. I'm an empty nester. Right. This is the time to head on over back to Molokai to help roads and and I stayed on my father, my late father's five acres of land in Ho'olehua. Now, my father, mind you, had a blueprint, a massive blueprint that he designs for the purpose of developing the five acres there. One in particular part of our land is like commercial zone. So he already knew when he selected that lot, he had plans for that lot. And part of it was to establish a cafe and then the farm to table like what we have today now, I want to play with you. I want to come already have you in the plans. And it was all about servicing our people. You know, those who came to visit would would have their meals. Basically, it was farm to table like what's up with trainers today. And then he wanted to build a cultural center to showcase our Hawaiian culture, our language, our through hula chant, learning of the lua, the art of lua and so forth. So he wanted that built on the property as well. And then, of course, to the garden, the healing garden that he wanted built. He wanted there because of the Hawaiian herbs. Of course, as you know, about Hawaiian herbs and the medicinal aspect of it. He wanted that he also wanted a garden so that when people came over, they were able to walk through and see the most beautiful plants and flowers. They go visit the healing garden as well. And then, of course, girl, this is where you come in. It's all about the tower gardens, right? Go up, go up, go up, go up, go up this way because it takes up a lot of land. So we got to go out in less water as I've learned. So that's some of the things I want to implement in my father's property. But guess what? That takes money money money. So I have I'm beholden to grants and so forth because of the cultural aspect of what my dad's blueprints are about. And we're and I know that we're able to fire grant moneys to help build this for my my father. Well, I'm the only one my family could do it because my sister, my younger sister lives in Washington, D.C. Then my older sister in New Orleans, you're apart. She runs the family checking business that is in all the stores today. And she's been doing that for many, many years. So middle sister here. Since I have an empty nester went back home. Let's get to work, girl, lots of time, lots of energy. I don't want nails, case of dirt field. It long, long, long. But you know, I saw a picture. You just looked over a picture and I saw one of the pictures I put up one, which is, of course, caught my eye. Such a beautiful sunset from your property. But what you are doing on the other slide that I didn't submit is that you all were having a movie night in your yard. And I love that because I always do that. And I put the projector up and oh, everybody comes. Yeah, I love it. You know, the fact is that, you know, I can do more things on five acres, especially that one area that I showcase the hour. I get to look at that every day. The most beautiful sunset. It is just striking. Yes, it was. It is gorgeous. And I have like my family over when we have like all the tables there. And then we have we love it, love it. It is so amazing. And so, you know, now we're going to segue into another topic of your life, another chapter, you've always been one to make a big difference. And it only makes sense that you would want to represent the people of Molokai. And of course, of all Native Hawaiian culture. Tell us how this this decision come about for you to run for OHA. Well, let's run it this way. It didn't happen overnight. You know, I was asked many years ago to run for OHA. And I just brush it aside, didn't take it seriously. And plus, you know, timing is important, right? So I was married at the time and I had my kids and my focus was my family first. So that I spent 20 plus years doing that. And now that my kids are, you know, they're on their own now and so forth. I'm moving back to Molokai because they have their house here, not get my house there in Molokai, my dad's property. And I was asked again, hey, why don't you come back to Molokai? Because would you really consider, you know, running for OHA? And I'm like, I don't know about this. This is all, you know, what that takes. You're going to be putting yourself out there for the public, bubble, blah, and so on. But the words that kept coming back to me over and over are those words my father said to be of service to others. And that was a deciding factor for me that if I could, while I'm here in Molokai, to do all what I need to do, why not be of service to our Hawaiian community there, but not just just besides Molokai community, but everyone in general. And if I could do that, why not utilize this time to run for OHA? And that's how all of that happened. Now, I've never thought I would be in a position. You remember now I have my comfort zone. We all have our comfort zones, but taking yourself out of that comfort zone, just like running in a pageant, you're coming from your own back in a backyard, your own home. Now you've got to go out and expose yourself to everybody. Innovating suit. Innovating suit, that's the direct. And in heels. And in heels, yeah, I challenge anybody to do that, yeah. Right. And to answer questions in front of everybody and so forth. So I knew that I would be doing the same thing that I would be teaching my own contestants to be able to step out of the comfort zone and to do something different for once for themselves. This one was not about me. It was about our Hawaiian community. And that was the overall deciding factor on why I decided to go for it. Right. Second, I was probably the last one to enroll or sign up. I became official candidate. So and I bought, by the way, lots of prayer, lots and lots of prayers, lots of prayers behind you. And that's why when I saw that and I figured, you know what, I wanted to just showcase to the people of Hawaii, your heart and your service, your community's service, heart in all of this and for them to see and decide on that and then, of course, all the different issues or issues of the heart that you can understand and research and dissect and you're going to make the better decisions for the people. And I think that's most valuable is that everyone sees your heart within the reasoning for you going in. So I'm just so proud of you and just just 100 percent behind what you are doing. And I know that, you know, another cause very deep in your heart is the breast cancer awareness, which is this month, October is breast cancer awareness month, thus we're wearing pink. So you come up with great causes to wait for. So talk to us a little bit about your commitment with the breast cancer society. Sure. Well, the reason for breast cancer is partially because I volunteered with that organization to help raise awareness. And part of it is through the Susan G. Cohen, I've also participated in the Susan G. Cohen runs and attended their galley events and so forth. I've had my state pageant queens also volunteer for this wonderful organization. And so I knew that breast cancer was an area that it's close to my heart. I also had several former, a couple of my former Mrs. ways have also suffered from breast breast cancer and they are survivors today. So I knew this would be a wonderful way in which I could be a part of continuously, especially for this month of October, being breast cancer awareness and the color pink, that I have the pink. Yes. And you know, there are so many people very dear to us in our pageant world. Of course, Angela, Dr. Angela Pratt. Yes, she is 100 percent behind all of this wearing pink and all her events and everything she does along with her mother, Barbara Pratt. Yes, yes, yes. Very, very dynamically involved with everything. I got myself involved because of them and their support. And so, Naturop, you're going to follow your friends for a good cause. And so that's where that that whole pink theme that come about on the in my month of October and what I'm going to be doing for the rest of this month, as you know. And you've been representing well. I mean, another good friend of ours is Ivalani Sayu. And she, like yourself, has a healing garden and, you know, just welcomes all what he needs to come so that they can come. And I'm sure you're going to have the same invite for your property and your venture is that people can come there and just just be with nature and heal to be still in nature and to be and to be healed. And that's what we all need is to have a place of safe haven that we can go and feel comfort that we want to just let our bodies let down so that our bodies can take over to heal itself as we're doing the right things and giving it the right tools to heal. So I'm excited to see and be a part of this from the very beginning and see it come to fruition. So I'm going to keep you in on my radar and watch what you're doing. So, you know, I know that you've been doing two things. You've been campaigning, waving at the sides of the road. You're you rally your supporters and friends to bring awareness for breast cancer as well, so not just for me for OHA, but be more aware of breast cancer as we are right in the month. Is it that you are doing the two things that matter so much to women? So tell us about your sign waving events. I know you had one in Kahala area. Yes, so I've had several events. We've had three already. We got several more this week and the next week until the end of the month. And of course, I love to do it all year long, but no can. Because everybody has their real jobs. But the pink campaign, this is what happened. Just a little quick story on it. We had ordered back in September, we had ordered more signs for the general elections and to post more of it and it was in the colors of blue and green. And they came in bright neon pink and 50 of them and I'm like, oh, my God, we're going to get pink signs and this is awful and blah, blah, blah. And of course, we weren't going to pay for it. But they sent in the correct ones later. But in the meantime, we were stuck with pink. So I thought I'd be in it next month. Wait a minute, a fall moment. You was the one who knew what he was doing. He did that for me and oh, my gosh, I'm so excited. So with the pink signs, I said, wait a minute, let's incorporate pink as part of the pink campaign where we have the sign. But also I had other signs done that says the pink cancer awareness with the ribbon on it and those signs along with my own campaign sign. So we did a double, you know, you see, I tell you, you were chosen. You were chosen with the fine appointment. You're right by you through this all. I tell you, could not be even more efficient and you know what, indeed, you know, the best part. So when we're standing on Kahala, you're going by and the lights come to a stop or all the cars stop and you see the women, they're like this, looking at us and they're praying and throwing kisses. And you know, having the signs there wasn't just brilliant, brilliant cancer. And they loved it and I had to catch on more and more people wanted to jump on my pink campaign and I've got more volunteers because of the pink campaign because they're what breast cancer survivors. Amen. Yes. And you're in support of them and we want to help them through these times. Yes. Wow. I'm so excited. Well, Luana, we have come to an end of our talk, but get on, get me your schedule for the next week because I will commit to coming out, I will wear pink and I want to be out there with you all. So we just want to say mahalo, mahalo kea kua for bringing Luana to us, mahalo kea kua for your heart and for making a difference now, today, yesterday, today and our future. So vote Luana Alafa. I give you a plug. You don't have to be both I, you can just vote. It's open to everyone. Mahalo for being with us so much. Mahalo. Hello, everybody.