HONOLULU (KHON2) — Miss Hawaii USA has returned home to the Hawaiian islands and will prepare to pass her crown down to the winner of the Miss Hawaii USA 2024 pageant.
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Originally from Maui, Savannah Gankiewicz competed in Miss USA 2023, finishing runner up in the competition. For her, becoming Miss Hawaii helped her grow into the person she is today.
She stole the show in the costume competition after dressing as the iconic Lahaina Banyan Tree.
“I got the chance to wear a banyan tree costume for my state, and it holds a special civilization to the people of Maui and what has happened,” she said. “I just wanted to show that even through traumatic events, we can persevere and keep pushing forward.”
Gankiewicz returned home to assist the Miss Hawaii USA pageant in their recruitment process for both the next Miss Hawaii USA and next Miss Hawaii Teen USA.
“I’m here to recruit girls to do this journey,” said Gankiewicz. “It’s been the best experience, the best year of my life actually.”