‘No dream is too big’: Miss Hibiscus returns home to Rotuma

“I want young girls from small islands to know that no dream is too big, especially when you stay grounded in your culture and believe in yourself,” says reigning Miss Hibiscus 2025, Rhyelle Aisea.

The 20-year-old commerce student at the University of the South Pacific returned to Rotuma at the first opportunity after completing the Miss Fiji Pageant.

At this pageant she championed awareness of her island’s biodiversity and natural beauty while promoting cultural pride. She was placed 2nd Runner-Up as Miss Suva.

Today, she was honoured with a traditional mamasa welcome by her people.

Miss Hibiscus 2025, Rhyelle Aisea (middle) with her strong support team.

Photo: Supplied

Ms Aisea, who hails from Pepjei, Noatau, Motusa and Itumuta, and attended Christ the King Primary School, said coming home first was her way of thanking the villages, families and classmates who supported her journey.

“Through both pageants, I carried Rotuma with me — its beauty, its environment, and the values I was raised with,” she said.

“Coming home like this means everything. I wanted my first return to be about honouring my people and saying thank you.”

She expressed pride in following the footsteps of Rotuman queens before her and hopes her journey inspires others.

“Our islands may be small, but our stories, our environment and our dreams are not.”