Apia, Samoa — Empowering women in the Pacific is one aspect of life that newly crowned Miss Pacific Islands, Anne Dunn is passionate about and in doing so, that is one of the first projects that she’ll be working on upon returning home. Held in Tuanaimato, the 30th Miss Pacific Islands pageant saw outgoing Miss Pacific Islands, Abigail Havora, crown Anne Dunn.

The daughter of Filimaina Kunaika and Charlie Dunn, the new Miss Pacific Islands was born in Fiji, but was raised in the United States of America. Anne’s young life was in American and then after graduating high school she moved back to Fiji in 2011 for family reasons and attended the University of South Pacific where she studied law. She graduated earlier this year with her BA in law and is currently waiting to further her studies in order to practice law next year.

During an interview with Samoa News after the awards ceremony over the weekend, Anne said that she is hoping to initiate the empowerment of young women in the Pacific — tell them to be bold and stand up and raise their voices a little bit louder.

She told Samoa News there is a significant need to campaign and emphasize that women can be powerful allies in many ways and are uniquely qualified to do so because of their experience with the same challenges on a daily basis.

Anne said that there’s also the need to be mindful that culture still prevail all over the world, not just in the Pacific Islands — that women are trying to make their way in what was created by men, and it is dominated by the antiquated notion that burnout is a sign of dedication and commitment.

The newly crowned Miss Pacific Islands said that she’s “into all efforts to empower the young women, to be politically active in their different countries and the need to raise their voices a little bit louder and make a stand.” She told Samoa News that she’s hoping to inspire women and also build the confidence of young women through workshops and having programs that are geared towards helping women in any way.

Anne also spoke of how shocked she was when she was crowned Miss Pacific Islands. “I was in shock, honestly as much as I wanted the crown, I don’t think I actually realized what had just happened. It was a very grateful and shocking moment. It wasn’t until the next day I realized I am the Miss Pacific Islands.” She said one of the highlights of the 30th Miss Pacific Islands that she will take back is appreciating her Fijian culture and her traditions.

“All eight of us, portrayed such different and unique cultures that I want to take back home, the idea of holding on to our identity, really harnessing and encouraging one, to really get down to their roots and not forget it and not to westernize it or be too modern.”

She spoke about trying to adapt with one of the major changes in her life when they moved back to Fiji after spending most of her young life in America.

“Honestly it’s such a growth process, and I love it, because in America a lot of people identified me as an African American only because I never said that I'm from Fiji, unless I was asked, but most of the time they assumed I'm African American. When I reached 16-17 years old that’s when I was keen on learning about my Fiji, my culture and traditions. I know I came from one of the smallest, but i’m super proud of being a Fijian all in all.”

She said that back in 2011 was when they moved back home and “being introduced back into my culture, was a treat and to learn first hand of my history and culture was an overwhelming experience.

“I got to interact with people who have so much pride in who they are, all because they know who and where they come from. In America, everyone of those people came from a different country entirely and so their ancestors migrated to America and so the only real American would be the native Americans and for me to go back to Fiji and say this is home, this is my Fiji and to say that this is the Pacific region and I am part of that… that’s something to be proud of.”

Dunn won the Best Traditional Wear and the Best Interview awards.

Miss American Samoa, Antonina Lilomaiava, was first runner up and she won Best Sarong and the National Tourism Award.

Miss Solomon Islands, Camilla Grossmith was second runner up and won the Best Talent category.

Third runner up was Miss Samoa, Priscilla Olano who also won the Miss Personality award.

Fourth runner up was Miss Cook Islands.

Other special prizes: Miss Internet was won by Miss Nauru, Lucina Detsiog and Miss Tonga Leila Melaia Rene Lauti was Miss Photogenic.

See you next year in Nandi, Fiji where the 31st Miss Pacific Island’s will be held, which was announced before the 30th MPI pageant began.