THE Hibiscus Festival charity chest raised $95,500 in 1998, The Fiji Times reported on September 4 that year.
Hibiscus Festival Committee chairman Joel Sahai said they received $3000 from the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
At the prize-giving event at Central Suva on Wednesday, September 2, Mr Sahai said $85,000 would go to charity, and the balance would be kept for the following year’s event.
He said the value of all the prizes given to the 17 contestants was $35,500.
The main sponsor was Air Pacific.
All other contestants won a 50 per cent discount on a return flight to Australia/New Zealand, gift packs from Best and Less, a camera from Caines Jannif, a picture frame, a yoghurt maker, a cosmetic gift pack, and coffee for two.
Miss Hibiscus Ranadi Johnston won among other things, a two-month free subscription to Sky television, a barbecue set from Fiji Gas, a CD stereo set from Courts Fiji Ltd, a cordless telephone, and two nights for two at the Sheraton Resort.
Miss Charity and Miss Personality Elina Nailatikau won a return trip to Los Angeles, a $50 gift voucher at Deoji’s Footwear, a $75 gift voucher at Sogo, champagne, a compact disc, and a list of other prizes.
