September 14, 2004, WebMD Medical News:  A Taichung, Taiwan medical institute study showed that Hibiscus flower extract may help cut cholesterol and heart disease. It contains many antioxidants including flavonoids which are found in red wine.   Reported at http://my,webMD.com

August 30, 2004, Japan:  Typhoon Chaba (Thai word for hibiscus) struck southern Japan early Monday morning with 130 mph winds.  Many dead, thousands homeless.  From BBC news.

August 23. 2004, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa:  Typhoon Chaba is headed toward Okinawa.  Chaba is the Thai word for hibiscus. From a story in the Stars and Stripes Pacific Edition.

August 13, 20004, US Virgin Islands: The Virgin Islands Olympics team will appear in the Olympics Opening Ceremonies wearing royal blue outfits which feature a gold hibiscus. Reported in the Virgin Islands Daily News.

August 9, 2004, Del Ray Beach, FL:  An explosion of the iguana population is  feeding on flower gardens and consuming hibiscus flowers and leaves, with just naked stems left behind. From the Miami Herald.

July 30, 2004, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:  Agreement reached between Mieco Chipboard and Matsushita Electric Works to establish a Kenaf fiberboard plant.   Kenaf is Hibiscus Cannabinus, a base raw material for biocomposites. Story from thestar.com.my  

July 29, 2004, Houston, TX: “Plant is called hibiscus but it won’t get you high”. Houston Chronicle story describes 10-man narcotics task force raid targeted at pot plants, which turned out be hibiscus.

June 17-20, 2004, Punta Gorda, FL: American Hibiscus Society National Convention Pictures

May 18, 2004, Sandakan, East Malaysia.  20,000 hibiscus plants were planted within one minute on this date to commemorate Sandakan as a Nature City. 13,000 people were involved. Reported in East Malaysia Daily Express.