Miss Hawai’i Island USA contestant, Leina’ala Nakoa, was featured on a Hawaii Public Radio show called The Conversation on April 13, 2023. Leina’ala is on the autism spectrum and will be participating in the Friendship Walk at Volcano National Park on Hawai’i island on April 29th. She wants to raise awareness about individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the pageant platform. A communications major at University of Hawai’i – Hilo, Leina’ala wants to show that the sky is the limit for people with disabilities, and “we can do anything!”