Miss Pacific Islands 2018-2019

Kariha, 20, will take up a four-year Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Political Science at the University of Hawaii’s Hilo campus. She will begin her studies in September this year.

When extending her gratitude, Kariha said: “I am very grateful for this scholarship to study in Hawai'i. It is humbling to be given this opportunity to continue my studies under a prestigious program for Pacific islanders. It is a new chapter of my life which I am eager to begin.

At 18 years of age, she was the youngest out of six contestants, and is only the second Papua New Guinean to be Miss Pacific Islands since MPIP PNG joined the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant franchise in 2011. 

From a mixed parentage of Central and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Kariha has again created history by winning the Miss Pacific Island beauty contest.

Kariha also received Miss Tourism, Miss Personality, Best Topic Presentation/Interview and Best Talent awards, winning cash prizes as well as the crown.

The gorgeous but elegant Leoshina Kariha won two minor awards:

• Miss Personality
• Miss Tourism

As well as two major awards:

• Best Talent
• Best Research Topic

According to the Miss PNG Pacific Islands page, Kariha is currently attending a gift sharing breakfast with all her pacific island sisters.

The committee said: “We'd like to send a massive tanikiu badaherea to all our wantoks and supporters for all your love and light that kept us going through these very challenging last few weeks.