Miss Heilala Pageant opens with 10 contestants [1]
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 - 17:43. Updated on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 - 22:03.
By Linny Folau
Ten Tongan beauties took part in the 2009 Miss Heilala Pre-Pageant Interview on the morning of July 27, the first judging event.
Also present in the interview is the reigning Miss Heilala 08-09 Fiona Makisi.
The latest and tenth contestant to join the pageant is Miss Appraxus New Zealand, Loraine Rachael Kioa, from New Zealand.
During the interview held at the Janfull International Dateline Hotel, the girls were each asked five similar questions, based on Tonga's history, culture, tourism and the Heilala Festival.
The top five contestants was announced at the end of the interview were Miss Tonga Visitors Bureau, Miss Tonga China Friendship Association, Miss Tonga Tourism USA, Miss Leiola Duty Free and Miss Liahona Prep.
The pageant continues tonight, Tuesday, July 28 with the Miss Heilala Tau'olunga Competition, the second judging event.
Following on July 30 is the Miss Heilala Pageant Night will feature the sarong, talent and contemporary island creation competition and the top three in each category will be announced.
The new Miss Heilala 2009-10 will be announced on Friday, July 31 at a Heilala Festival Ball.
The contestants for this year's Miss Heilala Pageant are:
1. Miss Tonga Visitors Bureau, Jean Marie Fainga'a Tupou
2. Miss Loumaile Lodge, Kathy Schaumkel
3. Miss Liahona Prep, Tupou Taumoepeau
4. Miss Leiola Duty Free, Paea Williams
5. Miss Tonga China Friendship Association, Vika Halafihi
6. Miss Tonga Tourism USA, Pauline Koloa
7. Miss Lady Maria Australia 2009, Mele Francis Greatz
8. Miss Nikua Security, Malia Kavapele
9. Miss Tonga Victoria 2009, Leilani Gibson
10. Miss Appraxus New Zealand, Loraine Rachael Kioa