A single handcrafted Vau flower placed on every Business Class table setting is the latest addition to Fiji Airways’ inflight experience. This delicate flower, made from dried hibiscus bark known locally as Vau, carries a rich story of tradition, artistry, and care — now shared in the newest edition of the airline’s Meet the Makers video series.
Created by local artisan Wati Walawala, each flower is made from carefully cut, soaked and sun-dried hibiscus tree bark and assembled entirely by hand. Working from her home, Wati produces 500 of these unique flowers every week, blending cultural heritage with meticulous artistry.
“My name is Wati Walawala. I hail from Lovoni, Ono-i-Lau . I started working with flowers about 10 years ago,” and all this material is from the hibiscus tree, planted near the shores of my village. We cut it, soak it in the sea, dry it in the sun, and then choose the best layers to make roses. We call it a Vau.” Her artistry goes beyond craft — it carries deep personal meaning. “One day, while I was making roses, my children came home from work, and they were so happy because I was telling them stories about me and my work with Fiji Airways. I told them, ‘I’m about to fly.’ This small rose here makes me fly. I know guests will be happy seeing this little craft sitting beside them. Working with Fiji Airways makes me happy. I’m so excited — they are friendly to me, and I love them very much.”
When complete, the flowers are carefully packed and sent to Nadi, becoming a special touch on Fiji Airways’ Business Class journeys worldwide. More than décor, the Vau flower symbolizes ‘Uku uku’— a symbol of celebration and connection. These qualities are at the heart of Fiji Airways, bringing heartfelt, genuine connection to every journey.
“This campaign honours the artisans who embed our service with genuine Fijian spirit and tradition,” said Andre Viljoen, CEO and Managing Director of Fiji Airways. “Wati’s artistry enriches the travel experience with stories and values that resonate beyond the journey, and we are proud to share her work with our guests.”
The Meet the Makers video series continues to highlight the incredible individuals whose craft elevates Fiji Airways’ world-class service, bringing authentic Fiji culture to every journey.
FURTHER READING: For those interested in exploring this topic further, additional resources and in-depth materials are provided below when available; otherwise, no further reading is included at this time.:
REFERENCES: This guide is based on over a decade of research and firsthand experience living in Fiji. It incorporates extensive knowledge gained through long-term residence and ongoing engagement with the region. Images and text have been sourced from official references, which are acknowledged below, to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
FOOTNOTES: Additional details, clarifications, or sources referenced in this article are included as Footnotes below the text when applicable; otherwise, no Footnotes are provided.