Passing love of orchids to next generation

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The Hilo Orchid Society has distributed 16,000 tickets to 31 public schools in Hilo, Keaau, Ka‘u and Pahoa, good for free entry to the Aug. 7-9 Hilo Orchid Show for a K-12 student and an accompanying adult.

The Hilo Orchid Society has distributed 16,000 tickets to 31 public schools in Hilo, Keaau, Ka‘u and Pahoa, good for free entry to the Aug. 7-9 Hilo Orchid Show for a K-12 student and an accompanying adult.

“We believe that the story of orchids can serve as a vivid entry point for children to learn about the wonders of tropical forests around the world and in Hawaii,” said Rick Kelley, chairman of the 2015 Hilo Orchid Show and Sale. “We hope to teach young children the vital importance of protecting these ecosystems for future generations.

“Additionally, commercial orchid production has a long and important history in the economic life of our island that young people should learn about.”

Dorthea Fendentz, a former teacher and member of the Hilo Orchid Society, coordinated the distribution of tickets to schools. Students will write the name of their school on the back of their tickets and the school with the highest percentage of students attending the orchid show will win a blooming orchid plant each month for the academic year.

In addition to tickets in the schools, there will be a special advertisement for the Hilo Orchid Show that will contain a pass for free admission for one K-12 student and an accompanying adult printed Aug. 5 in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

The 63rd annual show and sale will be at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Admission is $5 general; children 12 and younger free. For more information, visit www.hiloorchidsociety.org or email info@hiloorchidsociety.org.