Two former Hibiscus queens have been appointed to a six-member judging panel for this year’s festival, which is set to kick off in Suva on Saturday. Leading the panel are Anne Dunn, Miss Hibiscus and Miss Pacific Islands 2016, and Patricia Naisara, Miss Hibiscus 2007. They will be joined by Kamal Haer, Executive Manager of Strategy, Alliances, and Loyalty at Fiji Airways; Rabih Yazbek, Country Head of ANZ Bank (Fiji); Robert Thompson, Executive Director of Regions at Tourism Fiji; and Viliame Leqa, Chairman of Yatu Lau Company.
The 2024 Miss Hibiscus Festival will start with a parade at 4pm, led by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces band. Spectators will have the opportunity to see nine remarkable contestants as they parade through the city beginning at the Flea Market. The event will reach its conclusion at the Hibiscus Village along the Suva Civic Foreshore.
His Excellency, President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, will officially inaugurate the 68th edition of the festival at 7pm, which will be followed by traditional entertainment and the introduction of the contestants.