Kauai Launches Beyond the Crown Mentorship Program

Golf tournament to raise funds for scholarships as part of new leadership development initiative.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:04am

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The Kauai Filipino Community Council is launching a new mentorship program called Beyond the Crown, which aims to empower local youth through confidence-building, skills development, and effective communication. As part of the program's debut, a golf tournament fundraiser will be held on April 25 at the Puakea Golf Course to support scholarships.

Why it matters

Beyond the Crown expands the mission of the existing Miss Kauai Filipina Scholarship Pageant to include inclusive leadership development for a broader group of students, not just pageant participants. The program aims to foster positive role models, cultural pride, and community engagement among Kauai's youth.

The details

Beyond the Crown was developed in collaboration with the Miss Kauai Filipina Committee and the Kauai Filipino Community Council, which organizes the Miss Kauai Filipina Scholarship Pageant. The program is open to all Kauai students starting in 8th grade, and focuses on helping participants identify their own voice, strengthen self-esteem, and develop practical leadership and life skills.

  • The golf tournament fundraiser will be held on April 25, 2026 at the Puakea Golf Course.
  • The Miss Kauai Filipina Scholarship Pageant is scheduled for June 20, 2026.

The players

Elizabeth Kawamura

A former Miss Kauai Filipina, a key member of the Miss Kauai Filipina leadership team, and a vice president with the Kauai Filipino Community Council.

Ciaralan Tolentino

The reigning Miss Kauai Filipina who recently visited the Philippines to present a contribution to the GMA Kapuso Foundation on behalf of the Kauai Filipino Community Council.

Leila Maeda-Kobayashi

The Kauai Complex Area superintendent for the Hawaii Department of Education.

Kauai Filipino Community Council

The primary presenter of the Miss Kauai Filipina Scholarship Pageant and a collaborator on the Beyond the Crown mentorship program.

Miss Kauai Filipina Committee

A collaborator on the development of the Beyond the Crown mentorship program.

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What they’re saying

“Beyond the Crown is mentorship experience designed to empower Kauai's future leaders — boys and girls, starting in the eighth grade — through confidence-building, skills development and effective communication.”

— Elizabeth Kawamura, Former Miss Kauai Filipina and Vice President, Kauai Filipino Community Council

“Our goal is to support Hawaii's youth by complementing the Department of Education's mission to develop confident, capable and community-minded citizens. We believe Beyond the Crown can serve as a valuable enrichment opportunity that reinforces communication skills, character development and leadership readiness.”

— Elizabeth Kawamura, Former Miss Kauai Filipina and Vice President, Kauai Filipino Community Council

What’s next

The Beyond the Crown mentorship program will officially launch with the golf tournament fundraiser on April 25, 2026, leading up to the Miss Kauai Filipina Scholarship Pageant on June 20, 2026.

The takeaway

By expanding the mission of the existing Miss Kauai Filipina Scholarship Pageant, the new Beyond the Crown mentorship program aims to foster leadership development, cultural pride, and community engagement among a broader group of Kauai's youth, complementing the Department of Education's efforts to nurture the next generation of confident and capable citizens.