From animal advocacy to pageant queen: Mrs. Hawaiʻi United States' journey

HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Ashley Howell-Wasson, the reigning Mrs. Hawaiʻi United States, has a story that stands out in the world of pageantry. Unlike many who enter the pageant world, Howell-Wasson didn’t start with a lifelong dream of winning a crown.

Instead, her journey began in her senior year of high school in a small town in California.

Howell-Wasson participated in a scholarship program called Miss Exeter, which she won in 2017. This experience gave her a sense of community involvement and connected her to events she had never known existed.

“I got to connect with my community,” Howell-Wasson said, recalling her early pageant days. “I went to all sorts of events that I never even knew about, and I lived in the smallest town ever. And so it just made me feel like I was part of something more.”

Howell-Wasson’s journey into pageantry wasn’t straightforward.

Initially, she planned to compete in the Miss Hawaiʻi America pageant, but COVID-19 interrupted those plans.

Then, life took another turn—she got married and discovered the Mrs. Hawaiʻi United States pageant, a competition for married women.

This new path opened doors to connect with people on larger platforms and advocate for causes close to her heart, particularly animal welfare.

“My platform is the prevention of cruelty to animals,” Howell-Wasson explained. “That is a big passion of mine.”

Since becoming Mrs. Hawaiʻi United States, Howell-Wasson’s life has been a whirlwind of events and responsibilities. From attending a fashion show focused on preventing domestic violence just one day after being crowned to volunteering at a dog surfing contest during Duke’s Ocean Fest, she’s had opportunities she never imagined.

“Being able to attend things like that… it’s been so fun,” Howell-Wasson said. “I’ve had so many amazing opportunities that I didn’t even know about.”

However, the role of a reigning queen isn’t without its challenges. Howell-Wasson opened up about her struggles with body positivity, even as someone who might be considered “smaller.” She shared that maintaining confidence can be difficult, but she’s learned to accept herself.

“I struggle with a little bit of body positivity… but I’ve learned that I’ve put in the effort—I exercise, I eat healthy, I do what I need to do,” Howell-Wasson said, reflecting on her personal journey.

Being a public figure also means being a role model, something Howell-Wasson has grown accustomed to, as she was always seen as a leader, even in her school days.

But the pressure is still there, especially now that she holds a title that comes with expectations from the community.

“Everybody’s also looking to you. You now are a role model for everybody,” she said. “It’s a lot more pressure because now everybody’s watching you.”

Cultural sensitivity is another area where Howell-Wasson treads carefully. As a Hispanic woman from California, representing Hawaiʻi means being mindful of the diverse cultures that make up the islands.

She makes sure to honor these cultures without overstepping, especially since her husband is Native Hawaiian, and his family’s heritage is deeply important to them.

“I try to be respectful,” Howell-Wasson said. “I wear the Aloha wear, but I make sure not to overstep my boundaries… It’s also very important as not only an outsider… but I’m also trying to help protect what has been here for thousands of years.”

While Howell-Wasson’s role as Mrs. Hawaiʻi United States is full of glamorous moments and public appearances, her passion for animals drives much of her work.

Growing up on a ranch in California, Howell-Wasson developed a deep love for animals early on. She was involved in 4-H and FFA, showing dogs, hogs and participating in agricultural classes.

Her love for animals followed her to Hawaiʻi, where she initially studied to become a human doctor but soon realized her true passion lay elsewhere—working with animals.

“I loved working with animals,” Howell-Wasson said, recalling her time as a horseback tour guide and dog trainer in Hawaiʻi. “That was just my passion.”

Howell-Wasson’s involvement with the Oʻahu SPCA, where she volunteers as a veterinary assistant, has been particularly impactful. She has seen heartbreaking cases, like dogs with gunshot wounds and blind cats left abandoned.

These experiences have solidified her commitment to advocating for animals who can’t speak for themselves.

“It made me realize that not everybody cares for their animals the way that I have or that I do,” Howell-Wasson shared. “I wanted to make sure that all those other animals had the opportunity to be loved by somebody like me.”

One of Howell-Wasson’s most significant contributions has been bringing shelter dogs into the dog sports community.

She’s worked to give these animals a chance to be seen by potential adopters or even sporting prospects, providing them with opportunities they might not otherwise have.

“I actually brought out to the last Fast Cat a shelter dog named Caitlyn… And I think that that’s a really great opportunity,” Howell-Wasson said, emphasizing the importance of these events in helping shelter dogs find homes.

Despite her passion and dedication, Howell-Wasson faces challenges in changing attitudes and educating people about animal care.

Many people, she noted, are resistant to change or unwilling to invest the time and money needed for proper training and care. But Howell-Wasson remains committed to her cause, advocating for responsible pet ownership and working with shelters and other organizations to make a difference.

“I can only be an advocate and use my voice to say and teach people and educate them,” Howell-Wasson said, recognizing the limits of her influence but also the power of her platform.

Balancing her responsibilities as a public figure with her personal passions isn’t always easy, but Howell-Wasson is determined to make a positive impact.

Through her work with the Oahu SPCA and her ongoing advocacy, she’s helping to improve the lives of animals in Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Ashley Howell-Wasson’s journey as Mrs. Hawaiʻi United States is a testament to her dedication, not just to the pageant world but to the causes she holds dear.

Her story is one of finding purpose, overcoming challenges, and using her platform to make a real difference.

You can watch Howell-Wasson's full interview in the video above.

It’s a story that reminds us that beauty and grace can go hand in hand with compassion and action—and that sometimes, the most important crowns we wear are the ones we earn through our actions.