Miss Hawaii

Serena Karnagy

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Last year I was given the opportunity to ride an aerobatic plane / bi-plane at Hawaii's oldest glider company, "Honolulu Soaring". The pilot took me through the North Shore's skies as we did numerous loop-di-loops and crazy tricks. While we were in the air, I specifically remember the pilot say through the headpiece, "Okay, are YOU ready to fly this thing yourself?" There I was, the daredevil, grasping the steerer firmly and taking the glider in my control! It was one of the most memorable moments of my life...despite feeling nauseated immediately afterward. Haha!

If you could have lunch with any one (1) person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Barak Obama. He's an alumni of my high school, Punahou, and also a presidential candidate who has accomplished many impressive things throughout the years. He and I share the same pride for our school, and I'm sure we would be able to come up with a million and one things to discuss! He, having graduated from Punahou and made something of himself, has given me the inspiration to give forth no less than my best. He's shown me that great things are possible to achieve if you start from the beginning.

Please list any Honors/Awards you have received in the past 2 years.
Gold medalist in National competition for karate (weaponry) 2005, 2006
Video DJ - Punahou Carnival
Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Most Accomplished Teen for Miss Hawaii Teen USA
qualifier for the Junior World Championships for karate
Outstanding Achievement in Poetry by the International Society of Poets (2005 and 2006)
Best in Talent (minor state pageants)
silver medalist - all-state champs in karate
Outstanding Achievement in Poetry by the International Society of Poets
Two silver medals and two bronze in the Junior Olympics 2006 for karate
Best "Runway Model" and "Best in Swimsuit" two years in a row for "Hawaii's Teen Miss" pageant

What would be your "dream job" in life?
My "dream job" would be doing something that I have an absolute passion for, like acting, but that also gives me enough money to give back to my mom and buy her "dream home".

Name one personal accomplishment (IN ADDITION to being a State Titleholder) that makes you especially proud.
Last year I competed with the best karate competitors throughout the nation for a spot on the United States team for the Junior World Championships, and actually qualified! This is a very selective field, and requires INTENSE training and skill prior to the tournament. I trained extremely hard and put my best out there. As my sensei says, "it takes about 80% talent and 20% passion to WIN!" Well, passion was exactly what I had, and I was able to accomplish what I had worked for in the end.

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