Seven decades of Hibiscus Queens reunite for 70th anniversary

Seven decades of Hibiscus Festival history will come together later this month as former Hibiscus Queens return to Suva to celebrate the festival's 70th anniversary.

Festival director Ellen Whippy-Knight confirmed that former Queens from 1956 to 2025 will make special appearances during the celebrations, bringing together generations of women who have worn the Hibiscus crown.

Among those confirmed are the festival's first Queen, Liebling Hoeflich (1956), along with Eta Uluvula (1962), Michele Smith (1975), Annie Reymond (1983), Lenora Qereqeretabua (1988), Lynda Tabuya (1996), Patricia Naisara (2007), Merewalesi Nailatikau (2009), Alisi Rabukawaqa (2011), Melania Tora (2024) and outgoing Queen Rhyelle Aisea (2025).

Ms Whippy-Knight said the reunion formed part of her vision to restore the glamour and excitement of the Hibiscus Festival while recognising its significance in Suva's cultural history.

Organisers spent months reconnecting with former Queens who have been part of the festival since it began in 1956.

"I am now absolutely delighted to confirm we will have personal appearances from these former Queens," she said.

The reunion will also feature the top three placegetters from the inaugural 1956 pageant, with Ms Hoeflich joined by first runner-up Susan Curtis and second runner-up Lydia Pickering.

Ms Whippy-Knight said the presence of the 1956 Queens would be a major highlight of this year's celebrations and provide a rare opportunity for the public to meet some of the women who helped shape the festival's early history.

Former Queens will also serve as mentors for this year's contestants, sharing their experiences and stories from their time in the pageant.

Among the mentors are 2002 Queen Shital Chandra, who now lives in Melbourne, Australia, and 2012 Queen Drue Slatter, who is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Ms Whippy-Knight said their participation reflected the enduring bond former Queens continued to have with Fiji and the Hibiscus Festival despite living overseas.

"It's wonderful that contestants can see real role models who have won the crown, to witness that their lives may have taken them overseas but that does not sever their loyalty to Fiji or the festival," she said.

She said technology had also played an important role in reconnecting former Queens with the festival and its history.

The reunion is expected to strengthen the link between the festival's past and present while giving a new generation the opportunity to learn about the women who have worn the Hibiscus crown over the past 70 years.