Second time competitors Leilana Penaloza and Tia Cantiberos-Ontiveros were crowned the Jr. Hawaiian Idols in late April. ADVERTISING Second time competitors Leilana Penaloza and Tia Cantiberos-Ontiveros were crowned the Jr. Hawaiian Idols in late April. Penaloza, 13, took the crown
Second time competitors Leilana Penaloza and Tia Cantiberos-Ontiveros were crowned the Jr. Hawaiian Idols in late April.
Penaloza, 13, took the crown for the 8-13 age group while Cantiberos-Ontiveros, 19, took the crown for the 14-20 age group following finals held April 29. Jr.
Each also received $125 cash from Hawaiian Queen Coffee, family luau tickets by Island Breeze Productions and a three-hour bowling party for six at KBXtreme.
Second place went to Cleselle Espejo and Kahai Hai-Kelly with each winning $50 from Hawaiian Queen Coffee and a three-hour bowling party for six. Third-place winners Carley-Ann Taylor and Audrey Poggensee received $25 and complimentary bowling.
Espejo was also the fan favorite award winner, receiving the most fan votes among Jr. and adult Hawaiian Idol entrants.
Jr. Hawaiian Idol, for kids and young adults ages 8-20, was held first in 2016 to give younger adults a “stage” of their own after many requests. ■
