A beloved figure in Hawaii's hula community has died young, a loss for the hula world and her family.

• Maile Emily Francisco, who won the Miss Aloha Hula title in 2005, died this morning at age 45.
• She passed away at Kaiser Moanalua.
• She trained in hula since childhood and competed under Kumu Hula Sunny King with the halau Na Mamo o Puuanahulu.
• Her family remembers her as a devoted mother, sister, and dancer.

Outlook: Services and tributes from the hula community are expected in the coming days.