Kapolei toddler awarded Oahu healthy baby title
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Ezekiel Antonio of Kapolei was crowned the 56th Meadow Gold Healthy Baby of O'ahu yesterday at Ala Moana Centerstage and won a $2,500 U.S. Savings Bond and other prizes.
Ezekiel, 1 1/2, is the son of Charity and Avin Antonio. Among more than 250 toddlers aged 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years, Ezekiel was selected after two preliminary rounds at Pearlridge Center and Ala Moana Center. From those two rounds, the 50 highest scoring contestants were selected to compete in yesterday's final round.
The toddlers were judged on physical appearance, healthiness and personality.
Second place was awarded to 2-year-old Mahina Ishikawa of Honolulu, daughter of Denise and Noriki Ishikawa. She received a $1,500 U.S. Savings Bond.
Third place went to Pepper Sabat-Jones of Honolulu, daughter of Kelly Jones and Raul Sabat. The 1 1/2 year old was awarded a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond.
In fourth place was Brooke Meyer of Wahiawa, the daughter of Lyndsey Correia and Kaipo Meyer. The 2 year old received a $750 U.S. Savings Bond.
Fifth place was awarded to Tokujiro Wada-Goode of Honolulu, the son of Jenny and Nori Wada-Goode. The 2 year old received a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.
The winner of the first-ever People's Choice Online Photo Contest was 2 year old Hailey Romero of Pearl City, the daughter of Dawn and Kamaunu Romero. The public was asked to vote for their favorite finalist on www.lanimoo.com and more than 24,000 votes were cast in three days, with Romero coming out on top.
All winners also received numerous toys and other prizes contributed by the contest's sponsors.
The annual Meadow Gold Healthy Baby Contest, in partnership with the Honolulu Chinese Jaycees, is designed to raise community awareness of the importance of teaching children good health and nutrition habits at an early age.
The Neighbor Island Healthy Baby Contests are held in conjunction with county fairs; dates for registration vary. Visit www.lanimoo.com for more information.