Eight beauty contestants compete for 2025 Miss Pacific Islands crown

11:21 am today

Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist

Miss Pacific Islands Pageant contestants greeted by the Solomon Islands Ports deputy CEO at Unity Square in Honiara. 5 February 2025 Photo: Facebook / Miss Pacific Islands

Eight contestants are vying to be crowned the 2025 Miss Pacific Islands, which is being hosted by the Solomon Islands this week.

Honiara is playing host to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant for the second time since its inception in 1987.

The 2025 iteration kicked off on Sunday, with events held throughout this week, leading to the crowning night this weekend.

The countries represented at this year's event are Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, American Samoa, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, and the Cook Islands.

Formerly known as the 'Miss South Pacific Pageant', it was established by the Samoan government and held every year until it faced a pause due to Covid-19.

In 2014, the pageant was renamed to 'Miss Pacific Islands' to reflect its wider audience across the Pacific region.

The reigning Miss Pacific Islands Moemoana Safato'a Schwenke from Samoa will be leading the eight contestants in "a celebration of Pacific culture, leadership and empowerment", the organisers said.

Moemoana, who was born and raised in Samoa and lived in New Zealand and Australia, swept the competition last year, winning all judged categories.

Moemoana described it as a "full circle" moment, recalling her mother, Mary Jane McKibbin Schwenke, who also represented Samoa in the 1997 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, and won.

"She was Miss South Pacific 1997, and she had the honour of crowning the first Miss Solomon Islands in 1998.

"Now 27 years later, I find myself in the same place, Solomon Islands, this time passing on my Miss Pacific Islands crown to the next queen, a journey that began with my mother's footsteps now comes full circle through time," she said in a social media post.

The 2025 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant contestants with 2024 Miss Pacific Islands Moemoana Safato'a Schwenke (front, second left) in Honiara. 2 February 2025 Photo: Facebook / Miss Miss Pacific Islands

The theme for this year's event is 'leadership in diversity and adversity'.

Miss Tonga Rachael Guttenbeil encourages young females to take the initiative.

"I encourage you all to step forward, take chances, [for] the opportunities are there if you believe in yourself and you take the first step."

Miss Solomon Islands Elsie Polosovai said that the pageant brings positive visibility and empowerment.

"That's the beauty and the positivity that comes with a platform such as the Miss Pacific Islands pageant. It gives empowerment to women and youth."

Miss Samoa Litara Ieremia Allen emphasised her intent to prioritise youth.

"One thing that I hope to continue to do this week and beyond the pageant is to highlight our youth voices, which are often leading the charge in these areas.

Miss America Samoa Pauliana Felsie-Vitale said that many people have inquired about the differences between the two countries.

"The only difference between my Samoan sister competing Litara [Ieremia-Allan and me] are the politics; Samoa is independent, and we are a territory of the US.

"Otherwise, "e tasi lo ta aluga, e tasi lo ta fala, tasi lo ta ie-afu, we share the same bed, same pillow, and blanket, same culture and the same love for each other."

The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant features a sarong section instead of a swimsuit category and includes a traditional wear category instead of evening gowns, where this section showcases cultural attire designed by skilled Pasifika designers.

Solomon youth excited

Tavuli News reporter Jeremy Gwao told RNZ Pacific that the vibe and experience will be felt by the youth in Honiara, who are excited about the event.

"Now the pageant is here, young people are looking forward to it when it comes to seeing what a beauty pageant is like," he said.

"When it comes to the Solomon Islands, everyone is happy to see visitors from our Pacific region.

"The significance for our young people is to see how young women become empowered at their own levels. It is going to be a big one for us."

The contestants will be delivering pre-pageant interviews on Thursday, which is a crucial category of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant where the young Pacific women will discuss topics, they selected the day before, followed by a question and answer session with judges relating to their presentations and chosen subjects.

On Friday, the float parade, a signature event of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant, will be held and will feature contestants parading through the streets of Honiara on decorated floats.

The crowning night will be held on Saturday, when contestants will compete in categories including sarong, talent, traditional attire, and onstage interview.

This year, the pageant is missing Fiji, Niue, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Tahiti, Fiji, Rapa Nui, New Caledonia, and Hawaii.

"The great thing about the Miss Pacific Islands is that you don't just represent one island, you represent a heartbeat of the entire Pacific Ocean," Moemoana said.

"We are one ocean, one people, and this platform is for us to embrace that unity and that connection so that we never lose that connection within the Pacific."