Hawaii Pageant Queen and Hula Dancer Maile Emily Francisco Dies at 45
The 2005 Miss Aloha Hula winner passed away at a hospital in Oahu; the cause of death has not been released.
Maile Emily Francisco, the 2005 Miss Aloha Hula winner, has died at the age of 45. She passed away on Sunday morning at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center on Oahu, her family announced.
The cause of her death has not yet been made public.
Francisco, a renowned hula dancer, began learning the traditional art form at age four. She trained with Kumu Hula Leimomi Ho at Kealiʻikaʻapunihonua Keʻena Aʻo Hula and later continued her studies with Kumu Hula Sonny Ching at Hālau Nā Mamo O Puʻuanahulu. She went on to win the prestigious Miss Aloha Hula crown in 2005.
Her brother, Kapua Francisco, described her as the "most beautiful person, soul, and hula dancer." He noted that Francisco grew up in a family deeply connected to Hawaiian culture and hula.
Following her victory at the Merrie Monarch Festival, Francisco continued her involvement in hula alongside her brother at Hālau Nā Mamo O Ka Liko Maile O Kohala.
Friends and family remembered Francisco as a devoted mother, a beloved sister, and a gifted hula dancer. Her legacy is expected to continue within the community.
She is survived by her two sons, Exodus Kekiaʻiokeānuenueokeola Nuʻa Francisco and Ezra Kiona Kekahualiʻionaʻiwikuamoʻo Nuʻa Francisco.
