Miss Island Queen Pageant

Miss S.O.F.I.A.S

Society of Fa'afafine in American Samoa logo
Formation 1979
Type Beauty Pageant
Location
Website http://assofias.webs.com/

Miss Island Queen is a fa'afafine pageant held annually in American Samoa, it is noted for being the longest standing pageant of its kind in the south pacific. It was first held in 1979 before undergoing a series of changes. No pageant was held in 1980 and 1982 as it endured shifts in ownership. It was canceled in 1986 due to a tropical cyclone and ceased again in 1999 and 2002 when it struggled with funding. In 1996 It was held simultaneously on the same evening as another fa'afafine pageant Empress of Samoa. In 2008 the pageant coincided with the Festival of Pacific Arts and became the closing event of festivities. After undergoing extensive reestablishment in 2010 the pageant has since been held during Flag Day week and broadcast live on KVZK-2. It is now known as Miss SOFIAS and maintains yearly advocacy and charity programs.

History

The pageant began as a marketing show for Herb & Sia's motel a family owned business, in its heyday it was a staple for Polynesian revues and local musicians. A gathering of fa'afafines shepherd by educators Leroy Lutu and Vena Sele led to pioneering the first fully organized beauty pageant in 1981. It came to prominence in the late 1980s when organizers incorporated educational awareness, community service and charitable causes in both American Samoa and neighboring Apia, Samoa. Governor A. P. Lutali was the first territorial leader to officially support the pageant in 1987 in years that followed numerous local dignitaries and politicians became fixtures at the event. The pageant was hugely successful by 1990 it spawned a fa'afafine performance troupe.The troupe entertained across the islands at public ceremonies and private events popularizing a streak of song and dance routines among them the apartheid anthem Gimme Hope Jo'anna, music from the soundtrack of Sarafina! and Samba in the night by Daniel Rae Costello many selections were opening themes of past island queen pageants.[1][2] Power struggles corrupted the pageant in the mid-90's resulting in the exploitation of fa'afafines in countless beauty pageants publicized for financial gain.[3] Vena Sele and Leroy Lutu harbored creative differences and parted ways. Lutu went on to establish "Empresses of Samoa" and "Mizz Corona" pageants and Sele continued with Island Queens before leading "Miss American Sevens". American Sevens was originally operated under a netball association but at the height of its success became known as Seven Islands of American Samoa.

In the 2000s Miss American Sevens and Miss Island Queens pageants dominated the territory.[4] In 2010 American Sevens and Island Queens communally retired uniting to become S.O.F.I.A.S (Society of Fa’afafine in American Samoa). Organizers also preserved history honoring past winners under its retooled name. Three distinctive awards were awarded during the history of both pageants. In 2000 high chief Tiumalu Sia Scanlan was presented with a special award, in 2006 longtime serving member Rosie Moimoi was recognized by Island Queens and in 2005 founder Vena Sele was honored by the American Sevens for her legacy and service to both the fa'afafine community and her pioneering career.[5] Sele was the first fa'afafine to earn a doctorate degree, for a short term Sele was president of American Samoa Community College becoming the highest ranking fa'afafine at the time. Sele retired in 2005 and in 2007 published her autobiography "Memoirs of a Samoan, Catholic and Fa’afafine". Sele is widely known to have inspired many fa'afafines to pursue education many of whom affectionately call her "Mama". Sele lives in Tacoma, WA.[6] Leroy Lutu rose to great success with the Department of Education and retired in 2011. He was a popular local personality well known for his fashionable taste and socialite status. In 2008 both Sele and Lutu returned for the 25th anniversary of Miss Island Queens it was their last time together on stage. Lutu died in 2012.[7]

Notable Contestants & Winners

Past winners

[17][18]

Year Miss Island Queen Hometown Village Age Host Venue
1979 Nancy Olo Fagatogo Herb & Sia's Motel
1981 Marsha Mageo Taputimu 17 Herb & Sia's Motel
1983 Tanya Laumoli Vailoatai 29 Tumua Palace Nightclub
1984 Rexene Yandall Atu'u Tumua Palace Nightclub
1985 Shevon Matai Fagatogo 17 Herb & Sia's Motel
1987 Tasha Le Atio'o Fagali'i, Samoa/Fagatogo 19 Rainmaker Hotel
1988 Stacie Titiali'i Alofau Rainmaker Hotel
1989 Julie McEntire (Meleise'a) Leloaloa 21 Rainmaker Hotel
1990 Danielle Mose Atu'u Rainmaker Hotel
1991 Cherylmoanamarie 'Cherie' Ripley Leone Rainmaker Hotel
1992 Loata Sipili Ili'ili 37 Rainmaker Hotel
1993 Shalimar (Atisone Seiuli) Mapusaga 17 Rainmaker Hotel
1994 Hazel Wells (Talia) Malaeloa 21 Rainmaker Hotel
1995 Rachael Ng Lam Apia, Samoa Rainmaker Hotel
1996 Ericha Thompson Pago Pago 28 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
1997 Tiffany Diaz (Potasi) Fagatogo 22 Rainmaker Hotel
1998 Isabella L. Valentino Apia, Samoa Rainmaker Hotel
2000 Lei Cameron (Fatuesi) Fagatogo 29 Pago Bay Restaurant
2001 Lydia Risati Fagatogo 30 Rainmaker Hotel
2003 Pearl Mata'u Afono 40 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2004 Sheena T. Willis (Ipi Ieli) Aua 37 Maliu Mai Beach Resort
2005 Marion Malena (Mageo) Pago Pago 20 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2006 Marlo Fuimaono A'oloau 31 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2007 Bianca Yoshimiro (Miscoi) Pago Pago 23 Pago Pago Community Center (Tautua Hall)
2008 Princess Amirah (Auva'a) Malaeloa 22 Pago Pago Community Center (Tautua Hall)
2009 Didi De'Barge (Afuafi) Malaeloa 28 Tradewinds Hotel

S.O.F.I.A.S. is established

Year Miss S.O.F.I.A.S. Hometown Village Age Host Venue
2010 Pearl Langkilde Apia, Samoa Tradewinds Hotel
2011 Trina Tui Ili'ili 26 Tradewinds Hotel
2012 Tepatasi Vaina A'oloau 25 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2013 Roberta Laumoli Vailoatai 25 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2014 Maya Saumaeafe Aphrodite Blaque-Ierome Tula & Fagatogo
2015 Arykah Fonoti

Year Miss American 7s Hometown Village Age Host Venue
1999 Shevon Matai Fagatogo 31 Pago Bay Ball Restaurant
2000 Christina Robinson Apia, Samoa Rainmaker Hotel
2001 Tasha Le Atio‘o Fagalii, Samoa/Fagatogo 33 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2002 Mavis Connery Apia, Samoa Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2003 Athena Mauga Pago Pago 25 Maliu Mai Beach Resort
2004 Aysha Tomanogi Nu'uuli 25 Maliu Mai Beach Resort
2005 Lydia Risati Fagatogo 33 Maliu Mai Beach Resort
2006 Shiki Leaupepe Atu'u 26 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2007 Marion Malena (Mageo) Pago Pago 22 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2008 Trisyss Ali Suva, Fiji/Leone 17 Governor Rex H. Lee Auditorium
2009 Samayah Jackson (Tualaulelei) Pago Pago 19 Tradewinds Hotel

References

External links

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