4th runner-up Miss Hawaii USA 2026
Semi-finalist Miss Hawaii USA 2025
1st runner-up Miss Hawaii USA 2018
1st runner-up Miss Hawaii USA 2017
Ellise Kakazu is Miss Washington USA 2026 and will represent Washington at the Miss USA 2026 pageant in Miami. Ellise is a mental health advocate and board member of the Hawaii chapter of Postpartum Support International. Through her work and lived experience, she hopes to raise awareness of perinatal mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding postpartum depression.
Having been selected by the Miss USA casting call, Ellise was crowned Miss Washington USA 2026 by Miss USA 2025 Audrey Eckert at the start of the Miss USA 2026 pageant week in Miami.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
Ellise competed at Miss Hawaii USA four times, finishing first runner-up to Julie Kuo in 2017 and Julie Chu in 2018. She returned in 2025 after having a daughter and made the semi-finals, and this year she was fourth runner-up to Darja Bassut.
