BY LYNNISSHA RUNA – SUNDAY ISLES FREELANCER
MISS Guadalcanal, Ezinma Keni Kausua, took home the Miss Personality award at the 2024 Miss Solomon Islands competition held on Saturday night at the Pacific Crown Hotel. Throughout the competition, showcasing her beautiful character and behavior throughout the pageant journey.
At 23, Kausua, with a rich ethnic heritage from East Guadalcanal and South Malaita, symbolizes the significant role of cultural diplomacy in shaping the political landscape of the Solomon Islands.
Kausua, a recent Fiji National University graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce in Banking and Law, said her victory is not just about charm and character; it’s about the message her success sends to the youth of Guadalcanal and the broader Solomon Islands.
In an interview with Sunday Isles, Kausua highlighted the importance of character as a key quality for a woman ambassador.
“Having a good personality is what makes you special,” she said. “Personality is not about sharing attractiveness but admiration. When you have a good personality, people will admire you for who you are, and it brings self-confidence.”
Kausua expressed her satisfaction with her Best Personality award to the panel judges and Solomon Host for acknowledging her worth.
“I am happy for my best personality award, and I thank the panel judges, the scrutinizer, and, of course, the Solomon Host for recognizing that worth in me.
“I am a very simple and humble person and very approachable too. I can tug along, but mostly in a quietly genuine manner, and that’s a reflection of my inner beauty.
“Even though I didn’t get the crown, that doesn’t mean I’m not a winner; at the end of the day, me and my fellow Pageants sisters are all winners,” she said.
She said while this award is a personal triumph for her, also serves as a diplomatic victory for the Guadalcanal Provincial Government. She cited that the government has effectively used the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant as a soft power tool to promote the cultural and natural wealth of Guadalcanal.
Kausua’s role as cultural ambassador extends beyond the pageant. Her participation symbolizes a broader political strategy aimed at fostering pride and unity among Guadalcanal’s youth.
“By participating in this unique platform, it gives me an invaluable opportunity to raise awareness about the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands,” she said. “It builds my strength as a woman and gives me more confidence to step out of my comfort zone with pride and honor.”
Her message to the youth of Guadalcanal is clear: embrace your culture, your identity, and your heritage. In doing so, Kausua is not only inspiring a new generation of leaders but also reinforcing the political and cultural bonds that unite the Solomon Islands.
“I encouraged Guadalcanal youths to take pride and ownership of their identity by embracing their culture and uniqueness as proud descendants of Guadalcanal Province,” she said.
Her acknowledgment of her supporters, including the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, highlights the interconnectedness of cultural achievements and political influence in shaping the future of the region.
“I acknowledged my chaperone, The Elizabeth Design, and the rest of her team for their immense effort behind the scenes in making my story heard and seen, and I also want to highly commend my major sponsor, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government under the leadership of Honourable Premier Willie Atu, for having trust in me.
“My sincere appreciation to the Guadalcanal men, women, youths, and children who have trusted me and supported me through my journey as the Miss Guadalcanal. I am honored and thankful for all of them, including my family,” she added.
