With hours remaining for the Miss South Pacific Pageant 2009 to kick off, contestants are still making their way into the country.

Miss Samoa, 22 year old US Army Medical technician Hope Tusisaleia who had to fill in for the chosen contestant said taking part in the Pageant in Fiji is a once in a lifetime opportunity for her.

Tusisaleia added she will try her best to win the title especially since her country has been through a lot in the past few months.