By Katalina Siasau

The 12 Miss Heilala Contestants presented their creative island sarong swim-wear styles, also winning points for their natural beauty, in the second judging event of the Miss Heilala Pagent competitions, last night, 2 July, held at Heilala Village in Nuku’alofa.

The Top 5 contestants were announced for Sarong swim-wear, in no particular order:

• Contestant #1 Miss Tourism, Talanoa Moheloto Fifita
• Contestant #3 Miss Lady Maria Tonga Australia, Gabriella Maria Augustina Mailangi 
• Contestant #7 Vava'u Heilala, Sophron Kosmios 'Unaloto ki he Melino Latu
• Contestant #10 AGT and Maa'imoa Catering, Racheal Angelica 'o Manakakapu Guttenbeil
• Contestant #12 Apraxus Tonga 2024, 'Akosita Fa'alangi 'Ofa ki Vava'u Guttenbeil

This category was judged based on the suitability of the sarong in place of a swim-suit, its attractiveness, and the creativity of the tied design.

There were points won for poise, personality, natural beauty, elegance, and modesty of the contestant, while wearing the sarong.

The panel of judges for this category were Lavi Maka, Erin Gleeson, Olivia Philpott, Kerry Mataele, and 'Amelia Helu.