Miss Samoa takes mothers’ footsteps in winning the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 05 February 2024: Miss Samoa winning the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant crown in Nauru in the weekend has a significant connection to the history of the Miss Samoa pageant since its inception 37 years ago.

In winning the Miss Pacific Islands crown, Miss Samoa, Moemoana Safa’atoa Schwenke repeated history her mother Maryjane McKibbin achieved 27 years earlier when the pageant was called the Miss South Pacific Islands Pageant.

The pageant has brought young Samoan women from overseas to compete in Samoa with the hope to represent Samoa on international platforms.

Nine years after the Miss Samoa Pageant was established in 1987, Samoa won the Miss South Pacific title for the first time in 1996 through Verona Ah Ching.

The Miss South Pacific franchise was later changed to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in 2015.

Following Parkers win, Maryjane McKibbin and Cheri Moe Robinson continued Samoa’s winning streak in 1997 and 1998 respectively.

Maimoana with parents Fred and Maryjane Schwenke in Nauru.

Out of the 35 Miss South Pacific/Miss Pacific Islands Pageant competitions, Samoa has won 8 times and now Moemoana’s name is penned beside those who paved the path for her and future Miss Samoa.

Moemoana went up against 6 contestants and scooped three out of seven special awards.

Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Overall Result

• Miss Pacific Islands 2024 – Miss Samoa
• First Runner-up- Miss Papua New Guinea
• Second Runner-up – Miss Nauru
• Third Runner-up – Miss Marshall Islands
• Fourth Runner-up- Miss American Samoa

Special Awards

• Miss Photogenic – Nauru
• Miss Personality -Tonga
• Best Talent – Samoa
• Best Interview – Samoa
• Best Sarong – Papua New Guinea
• Digicel People’s Choice – Samoa
• National Tourism Award- American Samoa