KALAHEO — Supporters of the National Tropical Botanical Garden have until Sept. 8 to bid in the nonprofit’s second annual virtual auction.
NTBG has three gardens on Kaua‘i, in addition to sites on Maui and in Florida. The ongoing auction comes at a time when revenue has been rendered uncertain by the pandemic, according to NTBG Director of Philanthropy Heather George.
“We are counting on extra funds from events like this to help support all the work the garden does, whether it’s our research projects on endangered plants, our conservation work here at the garden, in our nurseries, and then other education projects that we do as well,” George said.
Last year’s auction garnered approximately $25,000. This year, the botanical garden hopes to raise $35,000 on donated auction items with a total value of $45,000.
Bidders can set their sights on a wide variety of goods, gift cards and experiences, including a sunset dinner cruise on Napali Coast, ziplining in Po‘ipu and a private lunch with Mayor Derek Kawakami at Keoki’s Paradise.
“We are thrilled to have so many supporters from the community … and then even outside of the community,” George said, noting items include hotel stays in Florida and O‘ahu, and roundtrip flights from Southwest Airlines.
A limited number of botanical-garden memberships, which come with bonus items, are also available.
The auction and the full list of donors can be accessed online at ntbg.org.
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Scott Yunker, general-assignment reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or syunker@thegardenisland.com.
