By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Miss USA Shawnae Jebbia, center, signs an autograph
for 7-year-old Leia Tsubota after Jebbia arrived a Honolulu
Airport yesterday. Leia was with her sister, Leigh,
and her uncle, Eric Baker.
Delegates are here:
It’s show time
Welcome Brook Lee home
By Tim Ryan
at a party tonight or see the
delegates at tomorrow's parade
Star-BulletinIt's time.
Delegates have arrived from 81 countries -- the most ever -- and Hawaii for the next two weeks is the center of the Universe.
The 1998 Miss Universe Pageant runs today through May 12, when Brook Mahealani Lee, the current title holder, will relinquish her crown in a telecast broadcast live throughout the world from the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.
This pageant, under new leadership, is promising to go beyond beauty and focus on the intelligence and individuality of the contestants, including their diverse backgrounds, interests and accomplishments.
Fifty-eight delegates arrived Saturday and yesterday, with Selina Stuart, Miss Zimbabwe, traveling the farthest. Jewel Lobaton, Miss Philippines arrived first, at 7 a.m. Saturday, beating the second arrival, Dimitra Eginiti, Miss Greece, by about four hours. Another 20 contestants will arrive today and tomorrow.
At a get-acquainted reception for the contestants last evening at Palomino Euro Bistro downtown, there were more guests than contestants.
About 30 contestants were expected, but late airplane arrivals and then check-ins at the Hilton Hawaiian Village prevented most of the contestants from getting to the first party in their honor.
Mayor Jeremy Harris and his wife, Ramona, waited about an hour at the restaurant before having to leave for another engagement without seeing even one contestant.
Lee, in a floor-length brown dress and matching shoes, was the first one in the door, accompanied by her fiance, Sean Lee.
By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Wes Perry greeted Miss USA, Shawnae Jebbia, with a lei
as she got off the plane at Honolulu yesterday.
The contestants, all wearing sashes with their country's name on it, sat at several tables in a secured section of the restaurant monitored by two security guards. A few guests who wandered into the area were quickly ordered to leave until the delegates had finished their meal.Lee floated between tables, talking to the aspiring contestants whom she was meeting for the first time. "I'm here to welcome them to the islands and give advice if they ask for it."
Shawnae Jebbia, Miss USA, was all smiles and energy. She promised that "the girl you see on stage is the girl that I am off stage. There is so much beauty and talent here that the what you have to rely on in the end is who you really are."
Joylyn Munoz, Miss Guam, was making her first visit to Hawaii. "It feels like home," said the 21-year-old, of Barrigada Heights. "I want to meet as many people as I can, make lots of friends and teach people about my culture and country."
What's happenin'
"Brook Lee's Pa'ina Ho'omaika'i" party: Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today. Includes a performance by Lee, who will be assisted by the group Chant, and performances by Kawai Cockett, Na Leo Pilimehana and Randy Hongo.
There also will be a video presentation highlighting Lee's crowning and reign as well as a special guest appearance by Patrick Landeza, who will sing the song "Mahealani," which he wrote for Lee.
Tickets $30; available at the door or by calling Miss Universe at 591-1933.
