{"id":1035,"date":"2020-12-02T14:32:01","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T00:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaii.carpentermediagroup.com\/midweekhawaii\/?p=1035"},"modified":"2020-12-02T14:32:01","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T00:32:01","slug":"kiilani-arruda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaii.carpentermediagroup.com\/midweekhawaii\/kiilani-arruda\/","title":{"rendered":"Teen Queen"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Miss Teen USA Ki\u2018ilani Arruda calls herself an island girl who loves to be barefoot.
Here and on the cover: Makeup:<\/strong> Genai Robinson Hair:<\/strong> Joslyn Basilio Lashes:<\/strong> Kristin Wood Lashes Nails:<\/strong> The Nailery Location:<\/strong> Ala Moana Hotel<\/p><\/div>\n

The crowning moment of 2020 just may be the beginning of Ki\u2018ilani Arruda’s reign as Miss Teen USA.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As Ki\u2018ilani Arruda reflects on her many blessings this past Thanksgiving, bringing home the national title of Miss Teen USA is surely among them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m thankful for my family, and I’m so excited that I get to share this title with them and be home with them for the holidays,\u201d says Arruda, 18. \u201cAnd I’m thankful for everybody who helped me through this journey. It was really a team effort.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arruda, who was born and raised in Kapa\u2018a on Kaua\u2018i, was crowned Miss Teen USA Nov. 7 in Memphis, Tennessee. She entered her first pageant a couple of years ago, at mom Napua’s urging, winning Miss Kaua\u2018i Teen USA and taking second runner-up at Miss Hawai\u2018i Teen USA. She then returned the following year to capture the state title and now Miss Teen USA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn’t want to do it (pageants) at first because I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I looked into it and saw it’s a really great opportunity overall and to get more confidence,\u201d recalls Arruda, who’s only the second local to claim the national title since Kelly Hu accomplished the feat in 1985. \u201cOne thing led to another, and I was working really hard to get to where I am now. I’m really excited to be Miss Teen USA and have this whole year to expand on my platform.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ki\u2018ilani Arruda gasps while being crowned with the \u201cPower of Hope\u201d crown, presented by Mouawad, by Kaliegh Garris, Miss Teen USA 2019 at the Miss Teen USA competition Nov. 7 at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
BENJAMIN ASKINAS PHOTO<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

While not a requirement, Arruda chose to have a platform \u2014 autism awareness \u2014 knowing she would have the chance to bring more attention to a cause she holds dear to her heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy little brother (Channing), when he was 2, he was diagnosed with autism, and for me and my family, it was difficult to navigate his diagnosis,\u201d shares Arruda, who also has a younger sister named Lea. \u201cI want to educate people about autism, and create a community of families who have loved ones with autism to provide the support that they need.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to being an advocate for autism, Arruda is also looking forward to working with the nonprofit Best Buddies, which the Miss Universe Organization (that Miss Teen USA falls under) has been actively involved with for many years.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ki\u2018ilani Arruda returns home to Hawai\u2018i<\/p><\/div>\n

Currently a student at University of Puget Sound, but distance learning from her home in Kapa‘a, Arruda is majoring in molecular and cellular biology, and minoring in Spanish, with a goal to become a dermatologist in Hawai\u2018i.<\/p>\n

\u201cPersonally, I’ve struggled with self-confidence in the past due to my blemishes,\u201d says Arruda when asked about problems teens are faced with today. \u201cThat’s why I want to be a dermatologist.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe live in a world of filters. I want to help them to be more comfortable in their own skin and with themselves \u2014 to look beyond the smoke and mirrors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond the crown, Arruda calls herself an island girl who loves to be barefoot everywhere she goes. But she’s grown to love being a pageant girl, too, and has picked up a few beauty tricks along the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Wearing the \u201cPower of Hope\u201d crown, presented by Mouawad, after winning Miss Teen USA 2020.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWhat I learned from doing pageants is that makeup is so different for each person, so know what makes you comfortable and what enhances your natural features,\u201d she says. \u201cPractice makes perfect and take your time. Before pageants, I was a novice at makeup, but I found what works for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among her must-have beauty products are \u201csome sort of Chapstick \u2026 anything that smells really good\u201d and sunscreen.<\/p>\n

\u201cSunscreen is super important and I use it every day,\u201d she says. \u201cProtecting your skin from the sun is the best thing to do to maintain one’s beauty and longevity. Also, by eating healthy and drinking lots of water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arruda is a graduate of Island School in L\u012bhu‘e, where she served as student body president, maintained a 4.0 GPA, played volleyball and was on the track and field and swim teams. She’s currently on the roster for the women’s swim team at University of Puget Sound, but hasn’t been able to compete yet because they haven’t had any swim meets due to rising COVID-19 cases in the U.S.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ki\u2018ilani Arruda with her younger siblings, brother Channing and sister Lea<\/p><\/div>\n

She’s also a foodie, and can often be found in the kitchen cooking, baking and eating. That explains her list of favorite TV shows, which include Chopped<\/em>, Iron Chef America<\/em> and Zumbo’s Just Desserts<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like trying new things and I love making crepes \u2014 sweet and savory crepes,\u201d she says. \u201cThat’s my signature.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for music, she likes Fleetwood Mac and is obsessed (like the rest of the world) with Korean boy band BTS.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey’re my favorite,\u201d she says. \u201cIt’s so crazy, the fan base is huge. I haven’t (seen them perform live) but that’s on my bucket list. My prelim pageant director (Avery Kano) said he would take me to Korea if I won (Miss Teen USA) and I did, so one day we’ll go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ki\u2018ilani Arruda with mom Napua<\/p><\/div>\n

2020 has been a year of uncertainty for many, but Arruda has learned to overcome these challenging times with grit and grace. Some of her life’s major milestones all took place during the coronavirus pandemic \u2014 high school graduation, first year in college, Miss Teen USA. But she’s made the most of the situation, and found the positivity in it, such as being able to unwind the way she loves most \u2014 with her family.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver quarantine, we spent a lot of quality time together, and we were lucky we could still hang out in our yard,\u201d she says. \u201cMy dog loves to play fetch, so I enjoy going outside and getting some exercise with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, Arruda says she hopes to continue her work in the community locally and nationally, while making her family and Hawai\u2018i proud.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom is my mentor, I’m a mama’s girl,\u201d she says. \u201cShe was a single mom for most of my life. I really felt like I had a really strong female empowerment in my life. She worked really hard to provide the opportunities that I have now, so I hope that with my success, it’s also her success and I get to share that with her, which is really special to me.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really appreciate her for that, and with this title, I would hope that I made her proud.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The crowning moment of 2020 just may be the beginning of Ki\u2018ilani Arruda’s reign as Miss Teen USA. 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