The Contestants for this year's Miss Heilala Pageant are:
1. Miss Tonga Visitors Bureau, Jean Marie Fainga'a Tupou (local);
2. Miss Loumaile Lodge, Kathy Schaumkel;
3. Miss Liahona Prep, Tupou Taumoepeau (local);
4. Miss Leiola Duty Free, Paea Williams;
5. Miss Tonga China Friendship Association, Vika Halafihi (local);
6. Miss Tonga Tourism USA, Pauline Koloa;
7. Miss Lady Maria Australia 2009, Mele Francis Greatz;
8. Miss Nikua Security, Malia Kavapele;
9. Miss Tonga Victoria 2009, Leilani Gibson.
Three of the contestants were not present at the orientation ceremony but will join the contestants later in the week. They are Miss Lady Maria Australia, Miss Nikua Security and Miss Liahona Prep.
1. Miss Tonga Visitors Bureau, Jean Marie Fainga'a Tupou (local);
2. Miss Loumaile Lodge, Kathy Schaumkel;
3. Miss Liahona Prep, Tupou Taumoepeau (local);
4. Miss Leiola Duty Free, Paea Williams;
5. Miss Tonga China Friendship Association, Vika Halafihi (local);
6. Miss Tonga Tourism USA, Pauline Koloa;
7. Miss Lady Maria Australia 2009, Mele Francis Greatz;
8. Miss Nikua Security, Malia Kavapele;
9. Miss Tonga Victoria 2009, Leilani Gibson.
Three of the contestants were not present at the orientation ceremony but will join the contestants later in the week. They are Miss Lady Maria Australia, Miss Nikua Security and Miss Liahona Prep.
For the judged events
Miss Leiola Duty Free won the sarong beach wear, contemporary island creation and the Talent event,
Miss Tonga Tourism USA won the interview and Best costume
Miss Tonga Visitors Bureau won the Tau'olunga event.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the new Miss Heilala, Paea Williams, she expressed her determination and confidence in representing Tonga in the upcoming Miss South Pacific pageant later on this year.
Attending the grand ball was HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu and Lord Tuita, His Excellency Yasuo Takase and Hon. Fatafehi 'o Lapaha Tuita among many other guests.
Performances from George Fiji Veikoso were also featured throughout the night. The events continued on Saturday with a float parade starting from Teufaiva Stadium to Faua Wharf.
Several businesses, government departments and school bands joined the parade including the Miss Heilala contestants. The float parades were judged on two main categories: tourism and culture and businesses.
The announcements were made at the Heilala Village in Downtown Nuku'alofa. Miss Leiola Duty Free's float won the competition under business category, followed by Chatham's Pacific in second place and Teufaiva's Tonga Body Building in third. Under tourism and culture the Makamaile Club won first prize, second prize went to Miss Tonga Tourism USA, and third prize to the Japan International cooperation agency.
After the prizes were awarded, the float parade returned to the Heilala Village in downtown Nuku'alofa where it ended the final activity to Tonga's Heilala Festival 2009