FIVE Tongan beauties have registered to compete in the 2011-12 Miss Heilala Pageant, and only one is a local girl with four coming from the United States and Australia.

It is expected that ten contestants will enter in the pageant to be held at the Pangai seafront in Nuku'alofa with the crowning event at the Janfull International Dateline Hotel.

The five contestants to date are:
1. Miss Tonga Visitors Bureau, Pelenaise 'Akau'ola (local)
2. Miss Siangana Travel and Gateway to Paradise Tours, Liberty Afeaki
3. Miss Friendly Islands USA, Pi'ilani Afu
4. Miss Lady Maria Tonga Australia, Victoria Langafisi
5. Miss Tonga Utah Plus, Lavinia Malekamu

The Ministry of Tourism said that five more companies had confirmed their sponsorship of contestants but had not yet registered.

Judging events

The Miss Heilala Orientation and stage rehearsal starts next week on July 20-23.

The judging events begin on Monday, July 25 with a Pre Pageant Interview followed by the Miss Heilala Tau'olunga competition on Wednesday, July 26.

The Miss Heilala Final Night the South Pacific Evening, featuring the final judging event of Sarong, Talent and Island Creation will be held on July 28.

The crowning of the new Miss Heilala 2011-12 will take place in an Island Formal event on Friday, July 29 at the Janfull Dateline Hotel.

On Monday August 1 contestants will join in the Heilala Festival 2011 Float Parade on Taufa'ahau Road starting from Teufaiva Stadium to Tu'imatamoana Wharf, ending the pageant.