2005 Narcissus Queen Darah Dung
Symbolism plays a big part in Darah Dung’s life. The Narcissus Festival Queen was born on Chinese New Year’s day in 1981, the Year of the Rooster. As she celebrates her 24th birthday, she reigns as ambassador for the Chinese community in observing the lunar new year.
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“I’m honored to represent the Chinese community,” says Dung. “It will be a privilege for me to share the aloha spirit when we travel to China to represent our state and our nation.”
She is at ease addressing audiences. Those born in the year of the rooster are said to be confident individuals who love pageantry. It also helps that she is a senior speech major at the University of Hawaii.
“I’m studying the science and theory of how people communicate,” Dung explains. “Speech affects interpersonal relationships, culture, and life in general. I grew up taking after my dad (the late Dennis Quan Keong Dung), who was a keen observer of people. I learn by observing others.”
Among those whom she observes closely are her two sisters. They have set a impressive precedent for winning beauty titles. Oldest sister Denby is Miss Hawaii 2001. Other sister Dana-Li was crowned Miss Petite Hawaii USA 2002, Miss Kauai 2003 and Miss Chinatown 2004.
Dung bids the crowd a spirited “Kung Hee Fat Choy” and prepares for a walk to Chinatown, where she and her court visit shopkeepers and businesses with a contingent of dancing dragons, drummers and chimers. The ritual that takes place annually at 50 shop locations in Chinatown chases away evil spirits and ensures prosperity in the new year.
Hundreds of celebrants are assembled along Maunakea and King streets to await the popping of firecrackers, prancing dragons and offering of licee (money in red paper) for good luck. Onlookers get caught up in the excitement of the festivity, whether they are Chinese or not. A cultural connection takes place.
This rapport-building and community-bonding are serious values to Dung, whose family instilled a sense of diplomacy in her at an early age. Her mother, Annette Dung, rules the family with firm hand when it comes to family values and tradition. It belies her ever-effervescent, youthful demeanor.
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