Orchids on display at 60th annual Hilo Orchid Show

HILO, Hawaii: There were “Islands of Orchids” at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo this weekend. Thousands of beautiful orchids were on display at the Hilo Orchid Society’s 60th annual show and plant sale.

According to the Orchid Society, its the largest orchid show in the state. Last year 4200 people attended the show, making it the second largest event on the island, surpassed only by the Merrie Monarch hula Festival. People came from 23 states and seven other countries. Over 2500 attended from Hawaii Island.

One purpose of the Hilo Orchid Society is to make awards for excellence and proficiency in the culture of orchids.

Each year several awards are bestowed in two categories: Hilo Orchid Society Ribbons and American Orchid Society Merit Awards.

Here is the 2012 Grand Champion, and winner of the Yasuji Takasaki Perpetual Trophy. These orchids called Blc. Walden’s Glen “Green Man’s Grapes” by Orchid Eros.

And the Reserve Champion, in Memory of Florence Kodama Perpetual Trophy. These flowers from Newman’s Nursery.

The show was more than a display and sale. There was also music and special demonstrations.

Demonstrations like this one by Al Nakaji, of Nakaji Orchids in Papaikou.

Nakaji showed this crowd how to properly pot phalaenopsis.

This year, Mayor Billy Kenoi issued a proclamation naming the first week of August as “Orchid Week” in recognition of the value orchids have to the people, culture, and economy of the County of Hawaii.

After all, Kenoi explained, Hawai’i Island is also known as the Orchid Island, and that “the orchid industry spreads Aloha throughout the world.”