Eleven of 14 entrants for the Miss Heilala Pageant 2015 attended an orientation program for the Miss Heilala Pageant 2015 at Liku’alofa Beach Resort on Tongatapu's sunset coast today, 30 June.

Three more contestants are expected to arrive in Tonga this week.

The girls were welcomed by Semisi Sika the chairman of the Miss Heilala Organising Committee.

They are: 

• Miss Billfish Tangi ‘a Tonga Latu (18),
• Miss Malo e Lelei Travel Lina Ku'uleialoha Po’oi (19),
• Miss Hengihengi ‘a Tonga Seini Kengike (23),
• Miss ‘Unuaki-‘o-Tonga Royal Institute Jessie Malupo (21),
• Miss Leiola Brittne Fuimaono (21),
• Miss Appraxus New Zealand 2015 Lavinia Finau (23),
• Miss Kele’a Tonga Manutu’ufanga Cocker (22),
• Miss Lady Maria Australia Velonika Maletatola (26),
• Miss Nikua Group Australia Kiela Folaumoetu’i (20),
• Miss Tonga Australia Latu Ponitini
• Miss Melie Mei Langi Australia Soana Tupou (18).

Three other contestants who will join them are:

• Miss Tonga Australia Maria Kolo (21),
• Miss Makamaile ‘o e Hala Toaongo Gladys Guttenbeil
• Miss Bou’s Fashion Eva Laurenson (22).

Judging events

The pageant’s main judging events will be held from 6-10 July, at Queen Salote Memorial Hall. A pre-pageant interview will be held on Monday morning 6 July at Davina House with a tau’olunga competition on the same evening.

The talent, sarong and island creation judging will be held on Thursday, 9 July.

The new Miss Heilala 2015 will be crowned during a ball on Friday, 10 July while a float parade concludes the event on Saturday, 11 July.

The current Miss Heilala is Cassandra Ngaluafe (22).

The Heilala Festival program is held under a theme, ‘Tangane Tonga-Bravo Tonga’ began from 22 June to end on 11 July coinciding with the Coronation celebrations.