THE Miss Solomon Islands 2022-2024, Tiare Haro’s journey as Miss Solomon Islands came to an end on Saturday night when she officially handed over the crown to Miss Lauru Elsie Polosovai, the new Miss Solomon Islands. Ms Haro’s farewell speech was an inspiring. In it, she recounted her experience as a Miss Solomon Islands.
She said some merely see Miss Solomon Islands Pageant (MSIP) as a beauty contest, when it is not. Ms Haro believes that a true pageant queen is more valued for what she offers in her service to her country than just a pretty face. She said the MSIP platform is an avenue that has allowed young Solomon Islands women like herself to serve and give back to her nation.
“Whilst holding the reins, I have been afforded many opportunities, experiences and life lessons that shaped me into who I am today. And I realized that I can’t make a difference if I am not genuinely humble and patient. “I am reminded to be patient, especially with our Solomon time, which I think we should consider as a threat and advocate on as well.
Because a [pageant] queen is never late when attending events on a set program time. We all know how our Solomon Island time goes,” Ms Haro said. She added that events in tight dresses and high heels for an hour or more were experiences that reminded her that beauty is pain.
“My integrity was tested every time. If what I stood for and who I am is real, the criticisms from the public should not stop me from doing my work as an ambassador. Instead, they fuelled me to be better and prove them (critics) wrong, which I did in so many occasions.
“One was securing the Awards for Best Speech and On-Stage Interview at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in 2023 when there were so many backlashes about my question-and-answer interview on the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant. “This was a newfound experience, turning weakness into strength for me. I never realized to look at critics in this perspective.
However, not many may see it this way,” the former Miss Solomon Islands added. Ms Haro then pleaded to the public to only show support and positive comments to future Solomon Islands women leaders on the MSIP platform and stop making negative comments on things they do not understand. She added that it is hard enough to be representing a country and all that a Miss Solomon Islands needs from her people is their support, showing her the essence of the ‘Hapi isles’.
“Every day, I am reminded to always be prepared, knowing that everything is always last minute and at times, I would be going about my day or in one of the islands and then be called on Miss Solomon Islands Pageant duty on that very same day. “Being Miss Solomon Islands, you are on duty as soon as you wake up and be ready to be on the move for a new mission to give service to our people. Most importantly, this journey has taught me to be grateful.
Grateful for all that I have, knowing that there are many people who don’t have much or have nothing at all compared to what I have in my life, even if it is little or not to what I expect,” Miss Haro said. She added that during her visits, she met children who do not beg for anything but follow their mothers and grandmothers to their market stalls to sell items just to have something to eat the next day. “I also went to the Ranadi dumpsite and saw children looking after their siblings, sitting under makeshift houses from cardboard boxes while the elder brother scavenges through rubbish from incoming dump trucks for reusable materials that we throw away.
“I was reminded that if some things do not go my way, it is God’s way. And if I have something that I no longer use, rather than throwing them away, I should put them into donations for those who will need them,” she said. Ms Haro expressed how blessed, humbled and honored she was to be the Miss Solomon Islands 2022-2024.
“I know in my heart that the Lord does not give us a calling if He knew we couldn’t handle it. This calling was made possible with a lot of positive self-affirmations from tears, prayers, faith, hope, courage and the strength to get back up and with everyone’s support. “I competed in the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant not for my own glory but to be a light to those I was going to encounter, even if it means just one person,” the former Miss Solomon Islands said.
She said during her stay in Samoa for the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in 2023, she noticed how the government and many companies of the other contesting islands have strongly supported their queen. Ms Haro said this made her realize that if Miss Solomon Islands has had enough support and all Solomon Islanders contribute to this platform, the country would have been awarded such prestigious title as Miss Pacific Islands, which will open a whole new avenue to raise awareness and promote itself on a broader scale. “With that said, I’m looking forward for us hosting the Miss Pacific Islands next year.
And of course, with your support, our government and our people working together with the love for our nation. Together, let us build a society where dignity, respect and love are the cornerstones of our interactions and where humanity comes first. “This is where Miss SI pageant is derived from and gives purpose,” she added.
Ms Haro thanked MSIP Director Joyce Konofilia, Events Manager Lynette Adomea, Stage Manager Jessie Konofilia and the whole MSIP Committee for making young Solomon women’s dreams come true..
