Racheal Guttenbeil crowned Miss Heilala 2024

Racheal Angelica ‘o Manakakapu Guttenbeil was crowned Miss Heilala 2024-2025 (known as Miss Pacific Tonga too) during the Miss Heilala Festival, held on July 5, 2024  at the Heilala Village in Nuku’alofa. The 26-year-old native from Vava’u beat 11 other contestants to win this title and to become the new representative of Tonga at the next edition of Miss Pacific Islands, to be held in 2025.

As Miss Heilala, she wins $10,000 pa’anga, two tickets to the U.S. on Fiji Airways, and other prizes. Sponsored by AGT & Maa’imoa Catering, Racheal won the prestigious title after excelling in several categories, including sarong costume and tau’olunga dancing. She also earned the title of Miss Popularity with over 9700 likes on the Heilala Festival Facebook page.

Born and raised in Vava’u with ties to Ha’apai and Germany, she graduated in April from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji with degrees in Law and Commerce in Human Resource Management. She also holds a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice and is awaiting bar admission. While studying in Fiji, Racheal became a renowned runway model, participating in events like Fiji Fashion Week and Wearing Fiji.