HONOLULU — The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation announced the members of the 94th Lei Court following a Saturday selection event at Kapolei Hale. They are Queen Leilani Kūpahu-Marino Kaho‘āno, First Princess Melodie Lynn Leina‘ala Nalua‘i Vega and Princess Charlene Kapualani Kauhane Harano.

From Waimanalo, Kaho‘āno, already with decades of prior nursing experience, is pursuing an advanced nursing degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She has a passion for incorporating hula and cultural practices into medical care and has launched several medical foundations while serving as a cultural advisor for others. She enjoys music, volunteering and playing golf. Kaho‘āno cares for her mother and spends time with husband Kimo, their five children and five grandchildren.

Kaneohe resident Vega has worked as a traveling preschool teacher with Kamehameha Schools and as the chief early education officer at the Keiki O Ka Aina Family Learning Centers. She enjoys making lei from napua grown in her garden, and spends time in the ocean, traveling, reading, writing and enjoying music. High school sweethearts, Vega and her husband will celebrate their 45th anniversary in 2023.

Harano, also a Kaneohe resident, serves with the Honolulu Police Department’s Human Service Unit. Dancing hula from 11 years old, she danced professionally in the Kodak Hula Show. Harano enjoys baking, spending time with husband Roy, their three daughters and four grandchildren.

Queen Leilani and her court will preside over the 95th Annual Lei Day Celebration scheduled for May 1, 2023, at Queen Kapiolani Park. They will also act as the city’s Ambassadors of Aloha at various public events.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.