HANAPEPE — Neill Sams of Orchid Alley in Kapa‘a said on Monday that there are lots of Lady’s Slippers and just a few vanda because of the weather being on the cooler side.
“I’ll be bringing a bunch of Lady’s Slipper varieties for judging,” Sams said. “But we’re also bringing orchids from the shop to sell, too. Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and we’ll be preparing for the rush to ship live, flowering orchids to the mainland. We do ship live plants.”
Sams’ destination is the Garden Island Orchid Society’s (GIOS) Spring Orchid Show and Sale, which opens on Friday with hours from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ social hall. The orchid extravaganza continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is no admission to view and purchase items from the “orchid extravaganza,” a term used by GIOS’s David Fastenau.
“This year’s show will feature a large display of beautiful, flowering orchids, plus scheduled sessions on orchid culture, and orchid growing,” said Fastenau in a GIOS newsletter.
“A wide variety of amazing orchids, supplies and other items will be available for sale. There will be a bake sale fundraising benefiting the GIOS. Lucky drawing winners will receive a lovely orchid arrangement.”
GIOS President Elizabeth Borchelt said the last orchid show and sale was in 2019. She said the event was very successful.
“Our club had more than 100 members, and it was a chance for those members to bring their orchids in, not only for judging, but for the enjoyment of the community. The number of orchids that were submitted for the display filled the church hall. We had many different types in an abundance of different colors,” said Borchelt in a newsletter.
“Today, we look back and see how our membership was affected by the pandemic. Over the past four years, we have lost members for a variety of reasons. We now need to provide a reason for new and old members to join us. Your board and myself think putting on the Spring Orchid Show and Sale is a great reason. With the support of volunteers, we decided to charge forward and bring the show back.”
Sams, as an orchid grower and business owner, was pleased with the GIOS decision to move forward. The show in Hanapepe gives him a reason to groom his plants for judging, bring orchids to sell, and meet up with other growers to discuss orchids.
He said the eastside orchid club has not had a meeting since the pandemic.
