By Linny Folau

Paea Williams (25) the newly-crowned Miss Heilala will represent Tonga at the Miss South Pacific Pageant in Fiji in November, and the talented entertainer, aims no less than to bring back the crown.

Paea, a make up artist and a Polynesian entertainer from Honolulu, Hawaii, likes to think of herself as an easy-going person who loves adventure and sports.

"I am a tomboy so don't get fooled by the makeup and hair", she laughed. She is the only daughter of Masiano Williams from Fungamisi, Vava'u, and Rema from Vaotu'u and Fo'ui in Tongatapu.

She explained her family name Williams came through a Vava'u German connection.

In an interview with Matangi Tonga Online on August 27, Paea said she feels very fortunate to have won the title, which gives her the opportunity to represent the people and Tonga, at the same time opens a lot of doors for her personally.

She has been busy in August making appearances at various functions and joining in community activities, including working with the Child Cancer Foundation in Tonga.

"I am preparing myself mentally and physically for the Miss South Pacific Pageant in Fiji. I will try my best and hopefully bring the crown back to Tonga," she said. "Winning the Heilala title is something new in my life and I am very lucky to have this opportunity in my journey."

Paea said that the Heilala title provides her with a platform to what she really wants to do in the future and that is to set up a charity organisation to help certain groups such as the Alonga centre.

"Working with such organisations that help and give back to the people is something I really want to do and anything is possible," she said.

Hawaii

Born and raised in Hawaii, Paea has been visiting Tonga from a young age. Her last visit was in 2003 before coming back to Tonga this year to join the pageant.

She plans to go back to Hawaii on September 5 for a few weeks, before returning to Tonga for the duration of her reign. "I think it is very important that the Miss Heilala remains here in Tonga and I want to do that," she said.

At the same time Paea will also represent Tonga in functions abroad, and first up on the calendar of events is the Tonga Day in Los Angeles later in the year.

"Coming back to the motherland and joining the pageant has made me appreciate more who I am as a Tongan. I feel very blessed to be here and have this chance as Miss Heilala to do something worthwhile for the people, just being here humbles my heart because in Hawaii we take things for granted," she said.

Paea entered the 2009-10 Miss Heilala Pageant, as Miss Leiola Duty Free.