Orchid winners crowned as fair hits high gear

LIHU‘E n The area surrounding Vidinha Stadium has been buzzing with activity for the past week as Kauai County Farm Bureau members and friends prepared for the opening of the 2004 Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair that kicked off Thursday night.

With the help of various county agencies, the fair committee spent countless hours at the stadium site in preparation for the four-day run of the annual extravaganza that offers something for everyone on the island.

Hanalei Orchids was a big winner Thursday even before the fair opened, as American Orchid Society judges deemed two of their submissions as AOS award winners at the Garden Island Orchid Society-hosted (GIOS) “Orchids in Paradise” orchid show area.

A dendrobium specimen, Den. Aussie Sweetness, as well as a miltonia, Milt. Neifert’s Gem, qualified for national awards following a lengthy discussion by the certified AOS judges. AOS awards are made three times a year on Kaua‘i, the first taking place at the Spring Fantasy Show and Sale at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ, followed by the Mother’s Day Show and Sale at Kukui Grove Center.

Dr. Monroe Richman is GIOS president.

This year’s fair opened with the event being dedicated to Howard and Emi Tengan, for the couple’s years of service to the farm bureau organization.

Dedication services were led by the Rev. Shoryu Akiya of the Kapaa Jodo Mission.

Opening-night features in addition to the array of E.K. Fernandez rides and midway included the Spunky Bunch 4-H Country Store, the petting zoo, the Kaua‘i Cattlemen’s Association beef promotion, with Paradise Yellow Pages presenting hypnotist Tony Angelo on the entertainment slate.

Also performing were members of the Kauai Community Correctional Center Lifetime Band.

Today’s activities run from noon to midnight, with the Sunday, Aug. 29 hours running from noon to 11 p.m.

Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.