Vista Grande graduate wins Hawaii Big Island title

By MELISSA ST. AUDE Staff Writer Jul 9, 2018 

CASA GRANDE — After winning a preliminary competition in Hilo, a Vista Grande High School graduate will represent the island of Hawaii at the Miss Hawaii USA Pageant in November.

Sarah Makanaokamalu Battles, a 2015 graduate of Vista Grande High School, won the title of Miss Kilauea 2018 on Saturday.

The local pageant is the official preliminary to the Miss Hawaii USA competition. As the winner, Battles will advance to the state competition Nov. 8 at the Honolulu Convention Center.

The Miss Hawaii USA Pageant is part of the Miss USA and Miss Universe organization.

Battles’ mother, Ella Battles of Casa Grande, emailed PinalCentral saying, “Positive news for Casa Grande. Sarah was crowned last night as the new Miss Kilauea 2018 and will represent the island of Hawaii at the Miss Hawaii state pageant.”

Sarah Battles said she appreciated the support from her friends and family in Casa Grande.

“I really appreciate them,” she said.

Battles, 21, is a student at Hawaii Community College in Hilo.

She was born in Hawaii but moved to Casa Grande with her family as a toddler and attended Desert Willow and Cholla Elementary schools as well as Cactus Middle School.

Her family, including her mother, still live in Casa Grande. Several family members traveled to Hawaii to watch her compete.

https://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_grande_dispatch/area_news/vista-grande-graduate-wins-hawaiian-island-pageant-title/article_714817d7-9d5d-57be-9913-d0be4377fcf8.html