Miss Hawai‘i 2024 Hayley Cheyney Kāne Is Unapologetically Authentic

Photo: Credit HIT Imaging, Courtesy of Miss Hawai‘i

This summer at the 2024 Miss Hawai‘i competition, Hayley Cheyney Kāne danced hula while simultaneously singing “Aloha Wau Iā ‘Oe.” In a deeply moving performance, the 27-year-old Native Hawaiian, representing Waimānalo, channeled her love for the Islands, where she grew up. “The song I danced to is a story about missing Hawai‘i,” says Kāne, who moved away for college. “I lived in Seattle for eight years and moved home last year. The song really described the longing I felt to reconnect not only to home and with family, but to who I am. It was a love song to my homeland and myself.”

Not only did Kāne win the crown—she was first runner-up the year before—she also captured photogenic, social media and talent awards. And as the first openly gay Miss Hawai‘i, she’ll assume an active role at the Honolulu Pride Parade on Kalākaua Avenue on Oct. 19.

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“When I didn’t win last year, people said to me, ‘It’s because you’re openly gay.’” Kāne recalls. “I didn’t think so and was disappointed that people were thinking that. Turns out I was right—Hawai‘i is as progressive as I thought it was, and being queer here is safe. Being authentic is the characteristic I bring to the table because I’m willing to be who I am unapologetically.”

Photo: Credit Rick Agan, TakoEye Photo

She now works as a prevention care coordinator, teaching diabetes prevention, at Waimānalo Health Center. “I’m passionate about sharing lifestyle changes that people can implement to prevent diabetes and hypertension,” says Kāne, who is applying to attend medical school. “My partner’s mom passed away earlier this year from complications of diabetes, and she was only 45. We see this a lot here in Hawai‘i, and Native Hawaiians are especially plagued. So I’m here to advocate for showing aloha to yourself.”

@hayleycheyneykane