Miss Samoa crowned Pacific queen

By BOURA GORU-KILA
MISS Samoa Fonoifafo Nancy McFarland Seumanu was crowned Miss Pacific Islands on Saturday, succeeding Miss PNG Leoshina Kariha who was crowned last year at Nukualofa in Tonga.
The one-week annual pageant featuring 12 beauty queens from Pacific islands ended with the crowning at the Stanley Hotel & Suites in Port Moresby.
Seumanu, 24, who won US$3,000 (K10,200) with the crown was earlier judged the queen with the best traditional wear and best interview. She will represent the Pacific region at various regional and international events.
Seumanu is a public health nurse by profession and is a dance and music enthusiast.
“I am happy to connect with my sister contestants and, in the Pacific spirit, use our roles to make a difference, however small, to the lives of Pacific youth,” she said.
“Our every action, opinion or statement matters and can leave a lasting impression on our Pacific people.”
Miss Solomon Islands Gladys Habu, 24, was first runner-up and won US$2,000 (K6,800). Miss Papua New Guinea Lucy Maino, 24, was second runner-up and won US$1,500 (K5,100).
Miss Tahiti Herevai Hoata, 22, was third runner-up. She won US$1,000 (K3,400).
The fourth runner-up was Miss Tonga Yehenara Soukop, 20 with US$700 (K2,380) prize money.
MPIP chairperson Molly O’Rourke said the pageant recognised Pacific island women, their contributions to regional affairs and ability to advance in diverse fields with the common goal to empower each other.