The Heilala Festival Committee and TTA do not condone bullying or racism - Press Statement Featured
Miss Pacific Islands 2018-19, Ms Leoshina Mercy Kariha with some of the Miss Heilala contestants
9 July, 2019. The Heilala Festival Committee and Tonga Tourist Association, acknowledge the 25 Contestants who participated in the 2019-20 Miss Heilala Pageant, for their enthusiasm and camaraderie throughout the week long competition.
In a press statement released to the media today, Honorable Semisi Sika, Heilala Festival Director and President of Tonga Tourist Association Siosaia Moehau recognise the winner of the Miss Heilala Pageant 2019-20, Ms Yehenara Soukoup and congratulated her with well wishes for a productive and enjoyable reign over the coming year.
They praise the attendance of the Miss Pacific Islands 2018-19, Ms Leoshina Mercy Kariha, in the week long competition in Tonga which in fact elevated the importance of the Miss Heilala Pageant as the Heilala Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2019.
According to the statement, the former Miss Heilala 2018-19, Ms Kalo Funganitao is acknowledged for her efforts in supporting the promotion of Tonga the last year. However, it is regretful though that Ms Funganitao chose to publicly air concerns harbored over the past year, at a time that the focus belongs to the Contestants and incoming Miss Heilala for 2019-20.
The statement stated that the audience alleged bullying and racist reaction to the speech from Miss Pacific Islands, as well as to that of the former Miss Heilala, is deeply regretted.
The Heilala Festival Committee and Tonga Tourist Association do not condone any form of bullying or racism and takes this allegation very seriously.
However, at the same time the Heilala Festival Committee and Tonga Tourist Association also do not condone that the Heilala Pageant be used as a platform for advancing individual agendas of any contestant, past or present.
The final night of the pageant competition is to celebrate the 25 contestants’ participation and to crown the winner, this was not completed in the usual fashion, which is truly regretted for the 25 Contestants, their families and supporters.
The Heilala Festival Committee and Tonga Tourist Association remain committed to ensuring the pageant continues to provide a positive platform for young women in their endeavours to showcase their talent and aspirations for promoting Tonga.
