Sala Toganivalu, a 22-year-old schoolteacher, was crowned Miss Hibiscus 1991 in a ceremony that blended joy with a poignant sense of loss. In an interview published on August 26, 1991, Toganivalu described her victory as an “uplifting” and “once-in-a-lifetime” experience but acknowledged the shadow cast by the recent death of her grandfather.
Toganivalu was mourning her grandfather, who passed away just a week prior to the event. She expressed her sadness about him not being able to witness her crowning, stating, “I’m sad that my grandfather, who I was close to, was not alive to see me crowned.” In a particularly challenging moment, her mother delivered the news of his death just 15 minutes before she arrived for the event.
Despite her grief, Toganivalu’s family encouraged her to fulfill her commitments as a contestant. “My family gave me the courage to carry on and win despite feeling really down because of my grandfather,” she shared. Although she initially skipped several pre-carnival events, her family convinced her to attend the Rotary luncheon and other gatherings, ultimately helping her prepare for her moment on stage.
Toganivalu, initially not focused on winning, delivered a heartfelt and confident victory speech. “I am delighted to be standing before you as this year’s queen,” she said, expressing her gratitude to the Fiji Trade and Investment Board, her family, and the people of Suva for their support. She also reflected on the friendships she had built with fellow contestants.
The 1991 Hibiscus Carnival was a resounding success, raising a record $122,284.04 for charity, with Miss Charity, Ulamila Raikadroka, contributing $44,000. Following a week of poor weather, the final day attracted an impressive crowd of 20,000 people, who gathered to enjoy the festivities.
The day after her crowning, Toganivalu spent time with her family at her uncle Ratu Josua Toganivalu’s home in Tamavua, where she was joined by staff from the Fiji Trade and Investment Board and local artists.