ELIGIBILITY -
To become a local or state participant for the Competition Cycle 2026, with the potential of competing as a State Titleholder at nationals in September 2026, you must meet the age criteria as shown below.
Miss America Division
Must be no older than 28 as of September 30, 2026
Must be at least 18 by September 1, 2026
Miss America’s Teen Division
Must be at least 14 by September 1, 2026
Must be no older than 18 as of September 30, 2026
Miss Kona Coffee’s Teen: 13-year-olds may compete if turning 14 by Sept 1, 2026
Teen Age Criteria- Additional Notes:
- Miss America HQ is reinstating the option for 18-year-old contestants to have a ‘pivot’ year to decide whether they would like to compete in the Teen or Miss divisions.
- Additionally, once an 18-year-old decides on the division she may compete in, she may not change divisions until the next cycle.
For All Ages you must ALSO meet criteria as shown below:
- Be a United States citizen
- Be a female
- Single
- No legal dependents
- Meet residency requirements for competing in your city or state - Current or former resident of Hawai'i Island for at least two years.