FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
With sash and crown, Miki Kobayashi began her reign
yesterday as winner of the annual Meadow Gold Dairies
Healthy Baby Contest at Ward Warehouse.

Mililani girl, 2,
wins title of
Healthy Baby

Smiles and kisses prove
a lucky combo for
Miki Kobayashi

---

By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

Two-year-old Miki Etsuko Kobayashi picked her older sister's red and gold cheongsam blouse to wear as a dress for yesterday's finals. It was the right choice.

The dress, combined with her smile and wave -- not to mention the blowing of kisses -- persuaded the judges to name her the Meadow Gold Healthy Baby of the year. Miki is the daughter of Hiroko and Matt Kobayashi of Mililani, who also have another daughter, 14-year-old Akiko.

Hiroko said she was surprised her daughter won, especially since they did not even know about the event until two weeks ago. They were eating at the Kaneohe McDonald's and noticed an ad on the paper lining the food tray.

And this is Miki's first contest. "Imagine that," said father Matt.

Hiroko said Miki loves to dance, play with jigsaw puzzles and sing nursery rhymes. Moreover, she enjoys listening to teenage pop singers like Christina Aguilera.

The contest, started in 1953, has become an island tradition with a simple purpose, to raise public awareness for the well-being of Hawaii's children.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Third-place winner Nalani Ashlee Story shed a
tear from all the excitement.

It is a two-day event held at the Ward Warehouse Amphitheater. About 350 Oahu babies born between Dec. 16, 1998, and Jan. 8, 2000, entered this year's contest. Fifty babies made it to yesterday's finals. Eight judges voted on the basis of the baby's appearance, health and personality.

Along with the title, Miki won a $2,500 U.S. savings bond and a bag full of toys.

The rest of the top five finishers were:

>> Second Place: Victoria Chambers, 1, of Honolulu; daughter of Jordan and Mary Chambers. She won a $1,500 U.S. savings bond.

>> Third Place: Nalani Ashlee Story, 1, of Kailua; daughter of Richard and Raeko Story. She won a $1,000 U.S. savings bond.

>> Fourth Place: Bradley Nakamura, 2, of Mililani; son of Roy and Cesceli Nakamura Jr. He won a $750 U.S. savings bond.

>> Fifth Place: Kaira Emmalia Kaaihue, 1, of Kaneohe; daughter of Jonathan and Kehau Kaaihue. She won a $500 U.S. savings bond.