Suva’s workforce was encouraged to embrace the festive spirit of the Hibiscus Festival by wearing Hibiscus-themed attire. On August 19, 1997, The Fiji Times reported on the efforts of the Hibiscus organizing committee to revive the lively atmosphere of previous festivals by introducing a prize for the most colorful costume. The honor was awarded to the staff of the ANZ Bank’s lending and customer services department located at Dominion House.
Committee member Jacki Kabu mentioned the difficulty in selecting a winner, highlighting the outstanding display of Hibiscus spirit and the camaraderie observed among the participants. The competition was slated to continue throughout the week, with committee members visiting various workplaces to randomly select winners in partnership with individual managers.
“What we were trying to do was to basically get back the Hibiscus spirit, the real spirit of the old Hibiscus festivals which seems to have sort of disappeared,” stated Ms. Kabu. “I guess we are trying to revive it.”
She noted that the 1997 festival aimed to recapture the essence of traditional Hibiscus celebrations, even in the absence of street decorations. Alongside the costume contest, the festival included a miss personality contest where contestants would help determine the winner.
A significant addition to that year’s festival was the “eco-Fiji” corner at Albert Park, which focused on environmental themes and excluded motorized attractions. Instead, the Suva Pony Club offered pony rides for both children and adults, adding a delightful element to the celebrations.
This initiative showcased a commitment to revitalizing the festival’s cultural and community spirit, making it a noteworthy event in Suva’s history.