HAWAI'I'S GARDENS
Helping community bloom, too
By Scot Mitamura
The Kaimuki Orchid Society is once again hosting its annual Orchids for Everyone show and plant sale. This 20th annual event provides funding for its various orchid programs, but it also helps to fund its many community outreach programs. Similar to other orchid clubs, the society's mission is to promote the culture of orchids but the Kaimuki Orchid Society also tries to be a good neighbor in the community.
Chairing many of these outreach programs is First Vice President Gayle Ozawa. This reigning 2009 Orchidist of the Year has been instrumental in spearheading the Honolulu Zoo's three beautiful blooming orchid garden displays and the Meals on Wheels volunteer recognition program. But Gayle and the gang don't stop here. They also support the Kalani High School athletic and special education programs, plus the Kilauea District Park's Volunteer Recognition Program, and they sponsor the American Orchid Society Judging Program, too.
This year's show will highlight "A World of Miniatures" — complete with a miniature Japanese village and bonsai display. There will also be a free potting service and even a keiki potting workshop sponsored by the Dendrobium Orchid Growers Association and taught by Windward Community College students. In addition, there will be displays by the Lyon Arboretum and the University of Hawai'i's Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences on dendrobium breeding. The state Department of Agriculture will have a display, as well as the Windward Community College's Undergraduate Orchid Research display, plus Charles Sato's ever-popular Hono Hono display.
So get your "orchid fix" and support the community at the same time by joining our good neighbor in celebrating its annual orchid show.