Silent Auction Held During March Meeting

The Honolulu Orchid Society held its annual silent auction on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the Lanakila Elementary School Cafeteria.   More than 15 nurseries located throughout the State donated blooming and potted plants for the auction.  In addition, members donated baked goods, orchid plants and other items for the auction.  About 50 members and guests attended the auction.  Many went home with big smiles on their faces carrying boxes of flowering orchid plants, baked goods and other merchandise.  The auction was a great success thanks to the many donors who helped the Society.  The photographs below were taken by Mel Waki.  Click on a photo for a larger, higher resolution image.  When done, click on the expanded image to return to the page.

Ken and Aileen Ching inspect the plants before placing their bids.
Ken and Aileen Ching inspect the plants before placing their bids.
Baked goods made by the members generated a lot of interests and bids.
Everyone pitched in to set a minimum price for the baked goods.
There were many beautiful blooming Phalaenopsis to choose from.
There were many beautiful Phalaenopsis to choose from.
Many of the bidders consulted with each other before placing their bids.
Many of the bidders consulted with each other before placing their bids.
Members enjoyed the refreshments in between bids.
Members enjoyed the refreshments before the winning bids were announced.
Ben Kodama, Jr., was the chairman of the auction.  He said he was stressed out throughout the week.  He was glad when it was over.
Ben Kodama, Jr., was the chairman of the auction. He said he was stressed out all week. He was glad when the night was over.
Randy Tajima gives some expert advice during the bidding process.
Randy Tajima gives some expert advice on a Paphiopedilum that was on the bidding table.
Calvin Kumano and Margaret Lin discuss the qualities of the Phalaenopsis plants in the auction.
Margaret Lin consults with Calvin Kumano before placing her bid on a Phalaenopsis.
Cakes, cookies, bread and other items made by the members generated a lot of interests and bids.
Cakes, cookies, bread and other items made by the members generated a lot of interests and bids.  All the homemade items sold out.
In between the bidding, people talked story.
In between the bidding, people talked story.
Even the men (Calvin Kumano, Calvn Abe and Dave Bealer) took time to talk story.
Even the men (Calvin Kumano, Calvn Abe and Dave Bealer) took time to talk story.
President Ruth Chun was a big winner.  She calculates the damage after collecting her winning bids.
President Ruth Chun was a big winner. She calculates the damage after collecting her winning bids.