LIHU‘E — Gabrielle Buist, a senior at Kapa‘a High School, will debut as Miss Kaua‘i Veteran, Saturday, at the annual Veterans Day parade hosted by the Kaua‘i Veterans Council. Bill Honjiyo, commander of the KVC, said this is the first
LIHU‘E — Gabrielle Buist, a senior at Kapa‘a High School, will debut as Miss Kaua‘i Veteran, Saturday, at the annual Veterans Day parade hosted by the Kaua‘i Veterans Council.
Bill Honjiyo, commander of the KVC, said this is the first time in a long time that a girl from the Westside was not named the ambassador for KVC veteran-related events.
During the parade, Buist will be driven by Janice Bond who was the teacher of Buist’s mother, April Arzadon, and following the parade, will assist Honjiyo in greeting dignitaries at the formal ceremonies at the Kapa‘a Beach Park.
She will also be appearing during the annual Veterans Day service, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Hanapepe Veterans Cemetery where she will greet dignitaries and represent the KVC.
Buist, who is the daughter of Samuel John Buist Jr. and Arzadon, said she was inspired to run for the office of Miss Kaua‘i Veteran by her grandfather.
Currently leading the Junior Dragster division in points at the Garden Isle Racing Association drag race series, Buist said she will forego this weekend’s races to participate in the Veterans Day parade.
“While she was debating this position, I told her she would have to commit,” Arzadon said.
Buist, who won the Junior Dragster title last year, said she will be at the parade.
“I already won last year,” the Kapa‘a 12th-grader said. “This year, someone else can be the winner.”
On graduating, she plans on attending Grand Canyon University with a major in physical therapy.
“I just want to make my grandpa as proud of me as I am of him,” Buist said.
