Baby-contest finals will crown tot

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Keila Sue School was last year's winner of the Meadow Gold baby contest. Communications Pacific 50th annual Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest 4 p.m. Saturday Hawai'i State Farm Fair arena Watch the contest free with paid admission to the fair: $3 for 12 and older, $1.50 for ages 5 to 11, and free for ages 5 and younger. On Saturday, admission is free for two with an empty half-gallon Meadow Gold or Viva milk carton. Information: 949-6161, www.lanimoo.com

The Waipahu toddler held her mother's hand as she walked onstage at Windward Mall, then waved shyly at hundreds of smiling onlookers. She was among more than 150 keiki cuties at a July 12 preliminary round vying for a chance to compete in the finals of the 50th annual Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest.

"We're just doing this for fun, you know, and she looks good enough," her 35-year-old mother, Linda, said and laughed.

Three preliminary rounds — others were held June 28 at Pearlridge Center and July 5 at the Kahala Mall — attracted nearly 600 contestants islandwide, which were narrowed down to 50 hopefuls. These contestants will compete for the O'ahu title, as well as a $2,500 U.S. savings bond, on Saturday at the Hawai'i State Farm Fair.

"Health, personality and physical appearance are what the children are judged on, on a scale of 1 to 50," said Joni Marcello, spokeswoman for Meadow Gold Dairies Inc. The competition, designed to raise public awareness of the well-being of Hawai'i's kids, was open to children born from Dec. 16, 2000, to Jan. 8, 2002, Marcello said.

Immediately following the islandwide contest, the O'ahu winner will compete against the winners from Maui, Kaua'i and two from the Big Island for a statewide title and a $200 Wal-Mart gift certificate.

Wendy Arakawa of Kane'ohe, a parent of another contestant at the Windward Mall preliminary, waited patiently for her 1-year-old daughter C.J.'s chance to shine.

The contest, an island tradition since 1953, may become a tradition for the Arakawa family as well.

"My husband wanted to (enter C.J.) 'cause he was entered into the Healthy Baby Contest a long time ago," said Arakawa, 39. "I guess it's a good memory for him."

Tasha Akiona, who entered 2-year-old daughter Sierra in the contest, said that while the experience was a good one, she did not want to think about the results.

"I'm not really going to worry about it," the 24-year-old Mililani mom said, smiling. "If she gets in, she gets in. If not, it was fun."

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.