The Fashion Parade, a highly-anticipated event of the Hibiscus Carnival, was cancelled in 1996 due to various organizational challenges. Ana Sweetman, the event coordinator, stated in an article from The Fiji Times on August 21, 1996, that the decision was regrettable but necessary, as confirmation for the event and sponsorship arrived too late. She emphasized that it would be unfair to present a fashion show without proper planning.
The parade had been a key highlight of the carnival in previous years, and organizers intended to commemorate the carnival’s 40th anniversary with a special show featuring former Hibiscus queens and their children as models. Sweetman expressed disappointment over the cancellation, highlighting the significance of the milestone.
Amid the cancellation, it was reported that tensions within the carnival’s organizing committee were beginning to heal. Publicity officer Elenoa Sikivou, who had previously expressed concerns over judging inconsistencies in prior years, announced that High Court Judge Justice Daniel Fatiaki would now supervise the judging process. This move came after Queens’ committee chairman Arthur Hazelman opposed Sikivou’s remarks, which he believed undermined the integrity of past judges and organizers.
Criticism of the committee’s performance also surfaced from former Fiji Hibiscus Association president and Suva Chamber of Commerce vice-president Litia Koto Vakarewakobau. She questioned the absence of publicly available audited accounts and called for increased transparency from the committee. Vakarewakobau raised concerns regarding the lack of calls or advertisements for public annual general meetings, a practice she noted was common during her presidency. She stressed that all profits from events and stalls were directed to charity during her tenure.