Alexia Locquiao Sommers: A Heart Rooted in Lāna‘i, A Future Empowering Hawai‘i’s Youth

Contributed by Malia Locquiao Sommers

Alexia Locquiao Sommers recently captured the spotlight at the Miss Hawaii USA 2025 pageant, where she proudly placed in the Top Five, walked away as 3rd Runner-Up, and was honored with the People’s Choice Award, Social Media Award and Best in Interview Award. But for Alexia, the real crown lies in her purpose of empowering the next generation through entrepreneurship.

Though she represented Kahala on the pageant stage, Alexia’s heart has always belonged to the island of Lāna‘i, where she spent much of her childhood with her grandparents, Avelino and Leonora Loquiao. It was on Lāna‘i that her entrepreneurial roots were planted. Her grandmother owned a jewelry business and instilled in her the values of passion, creativity and hard work.

Tragically, Avelino and Leonora Loquiao passed away in a fishing accident off the coast of Lāna‘i. Though heartbreaking, the loss deeply shaped Alexia’s perspective and inspired her to live with purpose, do what she loves and help others do the same.

That sense of purpose led to the creation of She Means Business, an educational program founded by Alexia to teach youth vital life skills such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship and interpersonal communication. Through this initiative, she hopes to equip young people, especially those in small communities like Lāna‘i, with the tools to build confidence, pursue their passions and create a future they believe in.

Alexia hopes to bring She Means Business workshops to the youth of Lāna‘i and continue giving back to the island that raised her. With her grandparents’ legacy guiding her and her vision set on impact, Alexia Sommers is not only a standout on stage but a changemaker rooted in aloha.