Nine Tongan beauties have registered to compete in the 2009 Miss Heilala Pageant that began with a Pageant Orientation program this afternoon at the Heilala Village on a cool rainy day in Nuku'alofa.

This year only three of the contestants are local girls and the other six are Tongans who have come from the United States and Australia to join the event.

The Miss Heilala activities will be held at the Heilala Village, assembled with white tents and a stage on the vacant lots on Taufa'ahau Road in central Nuku'alofa, where the former the Tungi Arcade was located.

The Contestants for this year's Miss Heilala Pageant are:

1. Miss Tonga Visitors Bureau, Jean Marie Fainga'a Tupou (local);

2. Miss Loumaile Lodge, Kathy Schaumkel;

3. Miss Liahona Prep, Tupou Taumoepeau (local);

4. Miss Leiola Duty Free, Paea Williams;

5. Miss Tonga China Friendship Association, Vika Halafihi (local);

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.

Three of the contestants were not present at the orientation ceremony but will join the contestants later in the week. They are Miss Lady Maria Australia, Miss Nikua Security and Miss Liahona Prep.

Judging events

The Pageant judging events begin on Monday, July 27 with a Pre Pageant Interview followed by the Miss Tau'olunga Competition on July 28.

The Heilala Pageant Night featuring the final judging events of Sarong, Talent and Contemporary Island Creation will be held on July 30 followed by the announcement of the top three winners in each of the judging categories.

Crowning

The announcement and crowning of the new Miss Heilala 2009/10 will take place at a Grand Ball and Banquet held at Queen Salote Memorial Hall on July 31.

On August 1 contestants will join in the Heilala Festival 2009 Float Parade from Taufa'ahau Road to Tu'imatamoana Wharf, ending the one-month of festivities celebrating HM King George Tupou V's birthday.