The village of Elevala in the city of Port Moresby came alive with joy and celebrations following the crowning of Miss Elevala as 2024 Miss Hiri Hanenamo in the 50th Hiri Moale Festival over the weekend on Sunday, 24th March. The young Miss Elevala, Henao Heni, also received accolades adding to her victory in the quest. She was presented with gifts, a K10, 000 Education Scholarship and a K5, 000 cash Prize from the Major Sponsors. Miss Elevala was followed by Miss Pari, Margret Ali as the Runner Up and Miss Kirakira, Mabata Noka Paul, who received the Miss Hetura Award. The three participants out of the ten were voted by the judges following a rigorous judging process. The 50th Hiri Moale Festival consisted of ten contestants representing the Motu Koita villages of Kido, Tubusereia, Gaire, Barakau, Gabagaba, Kirakira, Tatana, Boera, Elevala and Pari. Meanwhile, NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, during the judging and presentation, expressed gratitude and appreciation to all the Motu Koita Chairman past and present, the Committees, Judges, communities and stakeholders for maintaining the Hiri Moale Festival up to its 50th Anniversary. He said the festival over five decades has successfully elevated to new heights the promoting of cultural and traditional beliefs and attire, which has also boosted tourism in the capital city. “The Hiri Moale Festival has entered a new stage, becoming a tourism trade platform attracting tourists far and wide,” said the NCD Governor. The 2024 50th Hiri Moale Festival event was proudly sponsored by Platinum sponsors, Exxon Mobil, Digicel PNG and PNG LNG. Golden sponsors Steamship, Trukai, Hebou and BSP, and the Silver Sponsors House of Gemini, BizPrint, Budget, Pi, Pepsi, PNG Gardener and Havanah Beauty Box.