The 1992 Air New Zealand Suva Hibiscus Carnival achieved remarkable success, raising an unprecedented total of $187,006.13. This achievement was notably reported by The Fiji Times on August 24 of that year.
The event celebrated the crowning of Setaitata Tamanikaiyaroi, representing the National Bank of Fiji, as Miss Charity, after raising an impressive $53,313. The carnival featured a lively float parade on Saturday afternoon, drawing thousands of spectators to the streets of Suva.
With temperatures soaring into the 30s, contestants impressed in summer dresses, and for the first time in many years, the weather conditions were favorable throughout the week. One of the main highlights occurred on Saturday night at Albert Park during the traditional crowning ceremony, contrasting sharply with the rainy conditions from the previous year.
Participants showcased stunning full-length evening gowns in various colors, including emerald green, purple, black, mauve, and peach. The evening witnessed a memorable moment when Elisapeci Kubuabola, Miss Reserve Bank of Fiji, was crowned Miss Hibiscus 1992 by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. The 21-year-old science student from Otago University in New Zealand expressed her surprise and gratitude in her acceptance speech, thanking her sponsors, family, and fellow contestants.
The first runner-up title went to Salote Kaimacuata, Miss Fiji National Provident Fund, a 31-year-old lawyer, while the second runner-up was Sanya Gain, Miss Colonial Mutual Life, a 22-year-old customer benefits officer. Both Kaimacuata and Gain were praised for their grace and charm throughout the competition.
Alongside Miss Charity, featured participant Yvonne Joseph, representing the Bank of Baroda, raised the second-highest amount for charity. After the crowning, Kubuabola, dressed in an elegant black velvet gown with white puffy sleeves, interacted with the crowd.
The carnival also provided exciting travel rewards, with the newly crowned Miss Hibiscus receiving a trip to Los Angeles and Miss Charity heading to Honolulu. Each queen was given two tickets and $500 in spending money, while Air New Zealand provided return tickets to Auckland for the first runner-up as part of the charity initiative.
Suva’s Lord Mayor, Seni Buadromo, encouraged everyone to embrace the spirit of camaraderie and togetherness until the next year’s event. The festivities concluded with winners and contestants escorted by soldiers from the Fiji Military Force, celebrating a week of community spirit and togetherness.