Apia, SAMOA — The ten contestants vying for the McDonald’s Miss Samoa crown fielded questions posed by a panel of five judges during a pre-pageant interview prior to the start of tonight's pageant.

Each contestant spoke on a chosen topic with Miss Thomsen’s Bridal Couture, Lagi Lealaitafea Tuisalega Farani focusing on the issue of trade. She told the audience her interest is mainly in domestic trade and its importance to Samoa’s economic development.  “The importance behind internal trade is that it facilitates the exchange of goods and services within the country and by doing this … the economy of the country can grow.”

For her topic, Miss Veronica’s, Tili Lafaele echoed comments made by the Minister of Communication of Information Technology saying that IT plays a vital role in three specific areas in Samoa, education, health and communication. However there are also disadvantages, where children use social networks to excess, “Some kids cannot live without the Internet,” she said. Also there is the western influence, which causes a culture clash. “Everyday is a new status trend, as we all want to be alerted with everything going on the world.”

Miss Samoa Australia, Tusipepa Sandra Lilomaiava spoke about education drawing from her pool of experience, sharing the hope that it will spark interesting conversations, ongoing discussions and tangible actions that will bring about positive change.  In her slideshow presentation, Ms Lilomaiva introduced Tuli Fotulupe, a 10-year-old who’s blind and Sina Taufao, 15, who has Down syndrome. “These children have special needs and the questions that interest me are will these children ever be part of the well educated elite … is that possible. and the answer is YES!”  She pointed out that inclusive education encourages schools to restructure themselves to respect and empower the children with inclusive curriculum, inclusive delivery styles and pro inclusive educators. “In this respect we will undo the harm that we have caused to people with social needs because of ignorance and lack of awareness.”

Miss My Taira’s boutique, Cheyenne Fa’apaia Maiava’s topic was culture — a very broad topic. She said the fa’asamoa is expressed through customs and traditions as seen in the behavior and protocols in every day life and passed down by the ancestors. The Samoan culture is expressed through cultural language with the two manners being formal and the informal. “It is also expressed through our values and morals. Samoan culture is based on the principles of love, mutual respect and sharing. The only way to keep the fa’asamoa alive is to teach our children as much about our culture as we can.”

Miss Samoa New Zealand, Latafale Auva’a spoke about gender equality saying it is the measurable equal representation of women and men.  Gender equality does not imply that women and men are the same, she said, but that they have equal value and should be accorded equal treatment. Despite this, discrimination against women and girls (such as gender-based violence, economic discrimination, reproductive health inequities and harmful traditional practices) remains the most pervasive and persistent form of inequality. She also pointed out that women’s legacy is one of total achievement, in Samoan,  “E au le inailau a tina.”

Miss Superkidz Samoa Foundation, Fa’ailoga Leota spoke about environment, which she says refers to the natural setting in which we live. However there is a major issue we are facing at this time with global warming which is an alarming concern for Pacific nations, particularly when it comes to sea level elevation. She pointed out the goals and challenges commonly expressed by government as long term planning focused to combat global warming, including conservation and sustainable use of scarce resources such as water, land, air and forestry.

Miss Culture X Samoa, Monica Gisella Sene Schwenke, told the judges that agriculture can be large scale farming enterprises that focus on cultivation or livestock. However, in this day and age ruled by technology, farming has become an unpopular option for many young people today. She notes that as Samoa’s population grows so does the use of the land for homes and businesses, resulting in only 43% of land being arable; land that can be cultivated. However, agriculture is one of the main sources for of foreign currency income and the need to develop it is important.

Politics was the topic Miss Moatoga Enterprises, Afiogatuutasioaiga Jessica Taulaga and she talked about female politicians, the Samoan women in Parliament. Further she pointed out “We, Samoa are a very patriarchal society, where the man is the head of the family, particularly the chief (matai).”  When looking at the female representatives in the Samoan Parliament, it is evidence that there is an unequal representation of women in politics, she said.  “Of the 49 members of parliament there are only three females. The constitution act 2013 is a fine example of a stepping-stone for the women of Samoa. It is slow but steady progress.”

Non Communicable Diseases was the health issue Miss Polynesian Shipping Line Ltd, Josephine Mafoa spoke about during her presentation. There is no doubt about the fact that NCDs continue to rise and are becoming a serious problem in Samoa for people in their 30s and 40s, she said. “While much has been done in Samoa to prevent and control NCDs the issue is still on the rise and causing alarming concerns in the health organizations. Hence it is never enough and that more needs to be done.” She believes that trade has a major contributing role to the rise of NCDs within the Pacific, and the government should enforce its regulations to control products and food imported from overseas. She also noted that placing emphasis on primary prevention stages or early intervention through education is important.

 The last contestant, Miss Lavashe Couture, Monice Tuaimau Evans, spoke about tourism and how Samoa is the treasured island of the South Pacific, given its living culture and the environment so pristinely unspoiled, which attracts tourists to our shores. Another uniqueness is that Samoa is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, colorful flora and historical sites. “People are our biggest asset and our people must be educated and trained properly to maintain our environment, our culture and our historical sites, through durable and sustainable partnerships with all stakeholders, including us as the citizens of Samoa which is the ‘Treasured Island of the South Pacific’,” she said