Many types of flowers have been hybridized. For example, there are about 75 species of tulips and about 3,000 registered tulip hybrids. But aside from color variations, they all look pretty similar.

Orchids are different, says former Hilo Orchid Society President Larry Kuekes. There are more than 20,000 orchid species. They come in a variety of colors and range in size from a pinhead to a dinner plate.

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Kuekes says the best place to see an amazing variety of different kinds of orchids is at this year’s annual Hilo Orchid Show from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 14 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 15 at the Edith Kanaka’ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

The event’s theme, “Kaleidoscope of Orchids,” pays tribute to the variety of the thousands of orchids that will be on display and for sale at the show.

The flower shapes are even more bewildering: some round, some star-shaped, some with pouches, some with spiral petals, some looking like butterflies. Kuekes recounted that “a Stanhopea orchid was described as looking like a cross between an eagle and a squid.”

Orchid hybridizers have added to this variety by registering more than 160,000 orchid hybrids to date, with several thousand added every year. Some of the world’s top hybridizers are working on the Big Island to produce new and improved orchids.

The orchid show also will feature tasty, reasonably-priced food from local sources, Hawaiian musical entertainment at lunchtime and late afternoon, a lectures and demonstrations throughout the day.

Kaleidoscope of Orchids

What: Hilo Orchid Show, the largest and most comprehensive orchid show and sale in the state.

Where: Edith Kanaka’ole Multi-Purpose Stadium, Hilo

When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 14 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 15

Tickets: $5 adult, free for ages 18 and younger, $8 for three-day Superpass, $3 if purchased from Hilo Orchid Society member before show.

Online: www.hiloorchidsociety.org

Silent auction to benefit displaced Puna residents

Each year, the Hilo Orchid Society hosts a silent auction during the annual orchid show to raise money for the Yasuji Takasaki Memorial Scholarship that supports students at University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Silent auction chairperson Leslie Hayes-Cullins announced that this year 100 percent of the proceeds from the fundraiser will instead go to disaster relief for neighbors in lower Puna.

“Looking at the news every day about how our community is suffering from the volcanic eruption made me think that all our local business partners who donate items to the auction would want to help with disaster relief this year,” Hayes-Cullins said.

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Lower Puna is home to many of the island’s orchid nurseries who are now scrambling to relocate their operations. Orchid society President Dana Culleney says the group’s board leaped at the chance to help neighbors who have lost everything.

“Because of the past generosity of local businesses who donate to the scholarship fund, we have the resources to continue supporting students next year even if this year’s auction goes to disaster relief,” Culleney said. “We hope this year’s ‘Kaleidoscope of Orchids’ show helps bring the community together for a wonderfully positive event in such difficult times.”