Darja Bassut is proud to represent Hawaiʻi as Miss Hawaiʻi USA 2026. A Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant, nonprofit founder, and student pursuing a pilot's license, Darja is passionate about creating opportunities through cultural education and community service.

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After experiencing housing insecurity firsthand, she founded her nonprofit, Unity Across Borders at just 17 years old, raising funds for displaced families and developing cultural education programs that have reached more than 1,500 students across two continents.

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As Miss Hawaiʻi USA, Darja is committed to advocating for belonging, access to opportunity, and empowering communities through education. She hopes to inspire others to lead with empathy, embrace their heritage, and create meaningful change both in Hawaiʻi and beyond.