Olive Tau

Miss Hiri Hanenamo inspired by Aunt

Attending Marianville Secondary School, 18-year-old Olive Tau from Poreporena Village was crowned at the Miss Hiri Hanenamo for 2016 at the Hiri Moale Festival last weekend at Ela Beach.

Inspired by her aunty who was once a Hiri Henanamo back in the 70’s, Olive went ahead to take a bold stand for her family to take part in the contest.

“I felt that there was a need to learn more about my traditions and culture and that most of them were dying away slowly and losing its meaning in the change of times,” she says.

2016 Hiri Hanenamo crowned

Hailing from the village of Poreporena, Olive Tau was crowned as 2016 Miss Hiri Hanenamo Queen followed by her Runner- up Boni Bitu from Porebada village.

In third place and taking the Miss Hetura for 2016 was Maha Asi from Tubuserea village.

Minister for Health and HIV/Aids, Michael Malabag presented their sashes whilst traditional singsing groups sang to signify the crowning taking place.

The spectators cheered ending the day on a high note.