The 1992 Air New Zealand Suva Hibiscus Carnival achieved remarkable success, raising a record-breaking total of $187,006.13. This achievement was celebrated by The Fiji Times on August 24 of that year.
The carnival featured the crowning of Miss National Bank of Fiji, Setaitata Tamanikaiyaroi, who earned the title of Miss Charity after raising an impressive $53,313. The event also included a vibrant float parade on Saturday afternoon, drawing thousands of spectators to the streets of Suva.
With temperatures soaring into the 30s, contestants dazzled in summer dresses, and the event enjoyed favorable weather conditions for the first time in years. The highlight of the carnival occurred on Saturday night at Albert Park during the traditional crowning ceremony, in marked contrast to the previous year’s rainy conditions.
Participants showcased their elegance in beautiful full-length evening gowns of colors such as emerald green, purple, black, mauve, and peach, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. A memorable moment arrived when Miss Reserve Bank of Fiji, Elisapeci Kubuabola, was crowned Miss Hibiscus 1992 by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. An emotional Kubuabola, a 21-year-old science student from Otago University in New Zealand, expressed her gratitude and surprise, thanking her sponsors, family, and fellow competitors.
The first runner-up was Miss Fiji National Provident Fund, Salote Kaimacuata, a 31-year-old lawyer, while the second runner-up was Miss Colonial Mutual Life, Sanya Gain, a 22-year-old customer benefits officer. Both Kaimacuata and Gain were recognized for their grace and charm throughout the competition.
In addition to the crowning of Miss Charity, the carnival featured Yvonne Joseph as Miss Bank of Baroda, who raised the second-highest amount for charity. Following the crowning, Kubuabola, dressed in an elegant black velvet gown with white puffy sleeves, interacted with the crowd.
The carnival also provided exciting travel opportunities through Air New Zealand, with Miss Hibiscus receiving a trip to Los Angeles and Miss Charity headed to Honolulu, along with two tickets each and $500 in spending money. Moreover, Air New Zealand awarded return air tickets to Auckland for the first runner-up to support the charity efforts.
Suva’s Lord Mayor, Seni Buadromo, urged the community to keep the carnival spirit alive until the next year’s event. The night concluded with the winners and contestants being escorted by Fiji Military Force soldiers, marking a celebration of camaraderie and community spirit throughout the week.