Welcome to
Santa Maria
Noontime Kiwanis
ELKS RODEO QUEEN CANDIDATE

My name is Kamakanakaualiko’okalani Mahelona, but my family and friends call me Makana. I am proud to be representing the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria as their Elks Queen candidate.  

My family moved to Santa Maria from Hawaii 24 years ago. Although my family is not originally from here, we have strong roots in this community and I’m proud to say that I was born and raised here in Santa Maria. I am the daughter of Kurt and Noe Mahelona.  I live with my parents, my grandmother and my dog, Mufasa.  I have an older brother, Kaulana who lives in Vacaville.  I am currently a senior at Righetti high school.  I enjoy playing volleyball and have played at the varsity level for the last three years.  In my sophomore year I earned the recognition of a tri-sport athlete by playing volleyball, water polo and swimming all at the varsity level.  I love young children and animals, particularly dogs. I enjoy working at a daycare, spending time with my friends, family and dog and love outdoor activities.

Early on in my life, I was exposed to volunteering thanks to my parents.  It’s something that, as a child, I may not have appreciated, but as I’ve gotten older, I have learned to value the lessons that volunteering has taught me.  I’ve learned how blessed I am, how rewarding giving can be and I appreciate the opportunity to meet people in our community. I’ve been involved with ASTRA for four years. ASTRA is a volunteer organization for adolescents sponsored by Altrusa.   I have also volunteered with Cruzin’ for Life, Hancock Booster’s Joe White Memorial Dinner, the Santa Barbara Foodbank, Altrusa of the Central Coast and Angels Bearing Gifts.

After high school I plan on attending Allan Hancock College and transferring to a university to major in business management and minor in early childhood development.  

People may ask, “Why are you running for Elks Queen?”  I only recently started going to the rodeo, but I have lived here all my life and have attended and participated in the parade.  To me the Elks Queen contest isn’t just about the rodeo or parade.  It’s more than that.  It’s about our community coming together for a greater cause. The Queen Contest provides the perfect avenue to raise funds for great organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria, whose missions are to serve our community.

The Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria has a long history in the valley; the club has enriched the lives of people in our community for over 90 years.  Some of the projects sponsored include eight Service Leadership Programs in Santa Maria, which help students from elementary to high school become competent, capable and compassionate leaders.  They have donated funds towards the Hancock Promise Program, helping insure every student that wants to attend Allan Hancock College is able to, regardless of their ability to pay.  The club has also distributed funds annually to other non-profit organizations who serve our community and has distributed scholarships to local graduating high school students. I am honored to be representing the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria; a club who serves a broad spectrum of our community, especially our youth.

My name is Makana Mahelona and I’m running for Elks Rodeo Queen. I look forward to meeting you during the campaign and hope that I can count on your support.