Miss Hibiscus 2026
Congratulations are certainly in order for Sala Korosaya on clinching the Miss Hibiscus 2026 crown. Well deserved Sala! It must have been a hectic, demanding and exhausting week for all the participating contestants as they moved around our communities, visiting the underprivileged, the needy and the elderly, while promoting goodwill, compassion and unity. It was also heart-warming and certainly photogenic to see our bevy of smiling Hibiscus beauties embracing these charitable activities and showcasing their philanthropic side. But now that the curtains have fallen on this year’s “mother of all festivals”, one question remains, how many of these young ladies will continue that good work once the spotlight has moved on? Will the visits to the needy, the elderly and the neglected continue when there are no cameras, photographers or crowds around? Will the goodwill and compassion demonstrated during Hibiscus week become a genuine, long-term commitment, rather than simply part of the pageant itinerary? Sadly, history suggests that some festival contestants, after flashing those trademark Colgate smiles and basking in the public limelight, quickly disappear from public view once the show is over. The causes they passionately championed during the week can soon become yesterday’s news. It is somewhat like our “hardworking” politicians, who passionately and desperately influence and hoodwink the public for votes, make grand “pie in the sky” promises (like that famous lamb chops deal) and then, after suffering an embarrassing electoral defeat, tell the very same public to “take a hike”. Nothing new in Fiji’s political landscape. So, as the dust settles and the crowns are packed away, perhaps the real test of our Hibiscus queens is only beginning. Will it be business as usual again this year, or will some of these young women prove that their advocacy was more than just a week-long performance? Time, as always, will tell. By the way, whatever happened to the famous Adi Senikau Pageant? Is it no longer part of the Hibiscus Festival? For many years, it was almost a fixture of the festivities, men pretending and dressed as women, strutting their stuff, displaying their talents and sending the crowd into fits of laughter. Oh well on second thoughts, I say good riddance! Nishant Singh Lautoka
Korosaya crowned Hibiscus queen
I congratulate Miss MHCC & Carpenters Tower Sala Korosaya who was crowned Miss Hibiscus 2026 on the 70th anniversary of the iconic Hibiscus Festival. She claimed the prestigious crown ahead of first runner-up Miss Fiji Rugby Suliana Latianara and second runner-up Miss Superstore Nicole Matavesi. I salute Korosaya for paying tribute to the generations of women who had carried the Hibiscus crown before her. I quote her inspirational words, “Seventy years. Seventy years of Suva girls standing here. I did not build this. I have been handed it, and I know exactly what that means. To the queens before me, thank you for keeping the door open.” She also paid tribute to Yavu Village which supported her tremendously. Korosaya stood out during the public judging. Her confidence was outstanding. The fluency with which she spoke brought her into the limelight. The 23-year-old’s leadership and cultural and family connections were vital instruments that culminated into her crowning. To the contestants who did not win, I commend you all for standing tall and for taking the mighty challenge to be part of the historic 70th Hibiscus Festival! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Business goals
It is encouraging to learn that Fiji is targeting the establishment of 5000 iTaukei businesses by 2034, as announced by Prime Minister Rabuka. Good luck with that dream. Indigenous economic empowerment and greater business ownership are areas where Fiji has had room for improvement for generations. It would be promising to see more iTaukei entrepreneurs successfully establishing and growing businesses, competing on an equal footing with other well-established vulagi entrepreneurs. Perhaps start with a small and strictly “dinau free” village canteen and gradually develop into larger and more established enterprises. As the saying goes, one must learn to crawl before learning to walk. I wish every goal-oriented and business-minded Indigenous Fijian entrepreneur the very best of luck. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Investments and salaries
My wife informed me that for August she had received two (2) cents interest and charged $18 electronic fee in her savings account by a prominent bank. Maybe she made too many payments electronically. In another bank she received 0.75 per cent interest on term deposit. I believe banks give loans from 6 per cent to 13 per cent depending on type of loan. How RBF regulates banks is a mystery. Recently, PM had said that Government would raise $1billion. Much of it will be locally. Then, newly-reappointed DPM and Minister for Industries, Commerce, Public Enterprises announced explosive news that huge investments were coming in. The Fiji Times splashed this news across pages. Now we hear that teachers have not been paid. One teacher informed me that their school had not received education grant by end of second term despite submitting audited accounts. To sum up , it’s all “bahar bada dhamaka; andar phus pataka” (outside huge announcements; inside Government coffers, rotten or damp firecrackers that fus, thud, fus, thud, fus, thud). Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
VVIP tickets
Second day of bad experience during the BOG in Ba for my friend and myself on Saturday as the Fiji Football Association, Ba Town Council and whoever the ticket suppliers for FFA are, struggled to get the right numbers for VVIP ticket holders. On day one we were told to use the last row of seats as front two rows were for a prominent Ba family and yesterday the seats were numbered but then a call was made and FFA executives rushed to change the seat numbers wanted by the Ba family. So much for a $200 ticket from the day it got rolled out for sale. Hope on day three I will not have any drama. Aaron Wong Lautoka
Seruiratu’s response
Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu says it didn’t cost Fiji taxpayers anything because all his expenses to Palau as an Ocean champion was paid for by the Australian Government. So he is a beneficiary of Australia’s cheque book diplomacy. How has Australia with its questionable commitment to climate change and ocean ecological integrity benefited by paying for Seruiratu’s participation at the Pacific leaders meet in Palau? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
All Blacks go down
As predicted, the mighty All Blacks fell victim to the physicality and power of the Springboks. This will not go down well with All Blacks rugby fans who were expecting nothing less than a victory but it is a blessing in disguise as it has also exposed the Springboks prior to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. With due respect, if the All Blacks are serious about Rugby World Cup glory, they need to bring on board some power players and game breakers such as Richie Mo’unga. The All Blacks must also have learnt that there is no room for kickers to miss opportunities and missed tackles also come with painful costs, especially in highly-contested matches. For now, glory rests with the Springboks and the All Blacks will go back to the drawing board once again. Meanwhile, local rugby fans look forward to Terio Tamani on the field for the Flying Fijians. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Thank you PRF team
Thank you, Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF), for arranging a vigil for those who have lost their lives or are still missing in Nepal. I understand that this vigil was also for the Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR) or informal waste pickers who have lost their lives. PRF, your ability to do so many things, from advocacy, awareness, collection and processing of recyclables, data management, and always finding ways to ensure everything is centered around people, is truly admirable. Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Nepal. Vinaka, PRF team, Amitesh Deo, and all those who took part in the vigil. Shalvin Singh Rewa St, Suva
Christian or Jewish state?
There has been a lot of noise that Fiji should be made a Christian state. I believe people are jumping the gun a bit because there should be a proper debate on whether people want a Christian or a Jewish state. I believe there are a significant number of people in Fiji who believe they are the lost tribe from Israel. Jan Nissar Phuket, Thailand
No effective policing
Nadi Town appears to be severely overlooked in terms of law enforcement. The police presence on the streets is almost nonexistent, with minimal patrolling even in areas clearly requiring their attention. For example, during peak hours when traffic congestion is at its worst, motorists desperately need police officers to manage busy intersections. Yet, no traffic controllers are visible. In the meantime, groups of intoxicated youths move about freely without intervention, creating an unsafe environment and disturbing the peace for everyone in town. Adding to the problem, impostors posing as tourist guides frequently approach and harass unsuspecting tourists, once again without any police presence to deter this behaviour. There was a time when we had a dedicated tourist police force aimed at managing these issues, but that is now a thing of the past. Observing the situation, one might assume that the mission and objectives of our local police station are misguided; otherwise, we would not witness such a glaring gap in law enforcement across the town. What’s most puzzling is how drastically things change during a rugby match in Nadi. At these events, police officers are everywhere, showing strong presence, active engagement, and heightened vigilance. Their involvement during such occasions raises questions about why similar enthusiasm isn’t displayed in regular duties essential to maintaining public safety. This inconsistency suggests deeper underlying issues, possibly stemming from poor leadership within the police department. Ineffective management and prioritisation seem to be major contributing factors. Moreover, the lackadaisical approach of the town’s administration exacerbates the situation. Their efforts appear perfunctory — undertaken merely for appearance — with little concern for driving meaningful progress or improvements for Nadi. This lack of accountability is troubling and reflects poorly on those responsible for managing local affairs. It raises the question: Why should residents and tourists be left vulnerable because of such negligence? Both the police force and town administrators must reassess their roles and take immediate steps to address these glaring issues before further harm is done. Suresh Chand Nadi
Overgrown and forgotten
The grass and weeds along the median fence of the Nausori-Suva corridor (near Koronivia roundabout) are becoming increasingly overgrown. The Nausori- Suva corridor is one of the busiest and most important routes in Fiji, yet some sections are looking neglected and poorly maintained. Overgrown grass and weeds are taking over the roadside areas and around the fencing. It gives the impression that the authorities responsible for these surroundings are not taking pride in the appearance of one of Fiji’s major transport corridors. This is not simply about making the road look beautiful. Clean and well-maintained surroundings create a better impression for residents, visitors and motorists, while also contributing to safety and civic pride. If we expect our citizens to keep their properties and surroundings clean, shouldn’t the same standard apply to the public spaces under government responsibility? A little regular maintenance could make a big difference. Our main corridors should reflect the pride we have in our country. Shamal Chand Kuku Village, Nausori
