Enjoy a meal in business class on Fiji Airway and you will notice a delicate vau flower is part of the table setting.
The flower is the work of artisan Wati Walawala, who makes 500 of the blooms by hand each week from dried hibiscus bark.
Walawala is a native of Lovoni, Ono-i-Lau – whose women are famed for their skill with vau. She carefully cuts, soaks and sun-dries the hibiscus tree bark, then hand makes the flowers at home.
“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,” the artist says.
Walawala adds: “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.”
“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,” said Andre Viljoen, CEO and Managing Director of Fiji Airways.
Earlier this month Fiji Airways was named one of the top 10 airlines in the world by APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association.
It is the smallest airline by fleet size ever to ever earn this honour, and the only airline in Oceania to be recognised.
