55th Annual Healthy Baby Contest

And the winner is... Shane Kimura of Honolulu!

Congratulations to Shane and the runner-up winners of the 2008 Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest.

Shane Kimura was crowned the 55th Meadow Gold Healthy Baby of Oahu on September 20, officially making him the healthiest and happiest baby in town. Shane is the son of Tyler and Lorene Kimura of Honolulu. At 2 years of age, Shane enjoys healthy habits such as eating nutritious meals and getting plenty of exercise by dancing, jumping and running throughout the day.

More than 300 toddlers aged 1 ½ to 2 ½ years competed for the title of O‘ahu’s healthiest baby in two preliminary rounds at Pearlridge Center and Ala Moana Center. From those two rounds, the 52 contestants with the highest scores were selected to compete in the final round, hosted by Michael W. Perry, on Saturday, September 20, at Ala Moana Centerstage.

The toddlers were judged on physical appearance, healthiness and personality, with each category scored on a 25-point scale. Shane Kimura garnered the most points and was awarded a $2,500 U.S. Savings Bond from Meadow Gold Dairies of Hawai‘i.

NO FLASH

Second place was awarded to 2 ½-year-old Kiara Kanzic of Kailua, daughter of Lisa and Akira Kanzic. She received a $1,500 U.S. Savings Bond.

Third place was awarded to Kamaile Lanias of Ewa Beach, daughter of Shana and Chris Lanias. 2 ½ -year-old Kamaile was awarded a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond.

Fourth place was awarded to Journey Figueroa of Honolulu, the daughter of Tricia Kort and Jeff Figueroa. The 2 ½ -year-old received a $750 U.S. Savings Bond.

Fifth place was awarded to 2 ½ -year-old Tyler-Hudson Lee-Kobashigawa, son of Tracie Kobashigawa and Robert Lee. Tyler received a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.

All winners also received numerous toys and prizes contributed by the contest’s many sponsors.

The annual Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest, in partnership with the Honolulu Chinese Jaycees, helps raise community awareness of the importance of teaching children good health and nutrition habits at an early age. Establishing proper habits in early childhood can lead to a healthy lifestyle. The neighbor island Healthy Baby Contests are held in conjunction with county fairs; dates for registration vary.

Please visit www.HealthyBabyContest.com for a complete listing of this year's finalists and for additional information.

Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaii was established in 1897 as the Dairymen’s Association, Ltd., a cooperative of several O‘ahu dairy farms. Today, Meadow Gold is Hawai‘i’s oldest and largest dairy, offering superior-quality dairy and beverage products and services to the people of these Islands. Meadow Gold operates throughout the state, with facilities on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island.