Rapturous applause filled the Queen Salote Memorial Hall as this year’s Miss Heilala took her first walk as beauty pageant winner.
Laura Lauti, Miss Loumalie Lodge, 20, was crowned Miss Heilala 2016 by former winner Brittne Mahealani Tupouvakataupule Fuimaono in front of a packed audience in Nuku’alofa on Saturday night.
Her triumph as Tonga’s pageant winner has secured her a place to run for the ultimate beauty crown of Miss South Pacific peagent in Samoa in December.
The first runner up was Miss Bou’s Fashion, Vika Toetu’u from Utah, USA.
Miss Five Star Finances ‘Ofa Hui became the second runner up and the Miss Popularity was awarded to Miss Tongatapu 2, Sosefina Fatai Leger.
Laura won the talent, island creation and tau’olunga competitions as well as winning the best tau’olunga costume.
She was born and raised in Oakland, California. Her connection to Tonga comes from her family links in Tatakamotonga, Pangaimotu, Ha’afeva, Pangai and Ha’ano in Ha’apai.
