We 3 queens

Patricia Lei Anderson Murray didn’t have an entourage or even a fancy embroidered sash, as many of the other contestants did, when she went to the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., as Miss Hawaii in 1962.

During the outdoor Parade of States, she suffered a wardrobe malfunction unthinkable in today’s high-tech, high-glam pageant world.

“When it started raining, I watched my whole identity get washed away. The sash was made with markers, and all of the blue ink ran down the front of my dress,” Murray said.

That evening, her lone chaperone, Gordean Leilehua Lee, eased her humiliation by whipping up some hot cocoa, drawing a bath and assuring Murray everything would be OK.

And it was, as she was named third runner-up after donning a Japanese brocade gown and singing in Italian from “Madame Butterfly” during the talent portion of the pageant.

“Nowadays the girls have a lot more assistance. I was flying by the seat of my pants. I felt like a fish out of water,” she said.

Murray, who is celebrating her 50th anniversary as Miss Hawaii, will perform during the pre-show program at Saturday’s statewide pageant along with Luana Alapa, Miss Hawaii 1987, who will also sing, and Kehaulani Christian Takenishi, Miss Hawaii 2002, who dances Tahitian.

Crowned 10 years ago, Take­ni­shi agrees there’s a lot more help available to contestants nowadays. For one thing, the pageant winner is welcomed by a friendly sorority of former Miss Hawaiis.

“It’s like having a bunch of sisters that you can reach out to for different things,” she said. “We go to Christmas dinners, have brunches with the current Miss Hawaii so we can get to know her and go to charitable events. We all help in as many ways as we can.”

Takenishi traveled throughout the state and to Washington, D.C., to promote her platform, “A Child’s Right to Read.” She also visited Japan, where she lived for three years while working at Tokyo Disneyland, to promote Hawaii and the Disney movie “Lilo & Stitch.”

Nowadays she works at Berry, a Yellow Pages company, assisting clients with online marketing.

When Alapa was crowned 25 years ago, “We didn’t have platforms,” she said. The concept was started by the national organization in 1989.

“We were hired by Hawaiian Airlines to serve as an ambassador for the airlines and Hawaii. We traveled all over the world. I went all over the United States, to Japan, Hong Kong, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand,” she said. “We had lots of sponsors. I had a car and an extensive wardrobe. We were really spoiled back then.”

Playing on her pageant experience, Alapa has produced the Mrs. Hawaii pageant for 22 years. She also owns her own business, promoting natural health and wellness products.

Trends, sponsors and some of the trappings may have changed since the state pageant’s beginnings in 1947, but the qualities required of a Miss Hawaii remain the same, according to Ryan Brown, executive director of Miss Hawaii Organization Inc.

“Miss Hawaii needs to have talent and the ability to communicate. She needs to be intelligent and hold her own whether she is interacting with a 5-year-old at an appearance or the governor,” he said. “It’s not just about a pretty smile. We are trying to find the most well-rounded woman.”

This year 16 women are competing for the title and a spot in the Miss America pageant in January. Saturday’s pageant, to be broadcast live on OC16 starting at 7 p.m., will also bid aloha to Miss Hawaii 2012 Lauren Cheape.

Brown noted the Miss Hawaii pageant is a forerunner to the reality show competitions that have become a television staple.

“We were one of the first reality-based TV shows. The live competition unfolds before your eyes. It’s become an island tradition. We have our own following,” Brown added.

The contestants: Brandy Shibuya, Miss Aloha Hawaii; Carissa Kano, Miss Hono­lulu; Carissa Kitaoka, Miss Oahu; Catelin Aiwohi, Miss Maui; Lei U‘i Kaholokula, Miss Kauai; Corrine Quinajon, Miss Kona Coffee; Courtney Gaddis, Miss Ala Moana; Joleen Iwaniec, Miss Latina Hawaii; Kainani Clark, Miss Hawaiian Islands; Liane Ancajas, Miss Garden Isle; Moani Hara, Miss Kahala; Nicky Leong, Miss Chinatown Hawaii; Sarah Correia, Miss Waikiki; Serena Karnagy, Miss East Oahu; Skyler Kamaka, Miss Diamond Head; and Pua Prones, Miss Mauna Kahalawai.