‘American Girl’ author will speak
Sandra Bonura, co-author of "An American Girl in the Hawaiian Islands: Letters of Carrie Prudence Winter, 1890-1893," will give a free talk from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai‘i in Ward Warehouse.
Bonura and archivist Deborah Day edited the book from a trove of letters and photos found in the attic of an old house in Berkeley, Calif.
The documents provide insight into the lives of students and teachers at Kawaiahao Female Seminary during the turbulent years of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. As part of Sunday’s presentation, Bonura will play a portion of a taped interview with Lydia Aholo, hanai granddaughter of Queen Liliuokalani and one of Winter’s former students.
"An American Girl," published by University of Hawai‘i Press, is not yet available in bookstores, but an advance shipment of several dozen copies is being sent for the event.
‘Galaxy of Orchids’ on display at show
Dazzling displays of rare and fantastic orchids will be on view at the Honolulu Orchid Society’s 73rd Annual Orchid Flower and Plant Show Oct. 5-7 in the Washington Middle School cafeteria.
New to this year’s show, whose theme is "Galaxy of Orchids," are collections of rare jewel orchid species and bulbophyllums, which put out spectacular — and sometimes bad-smelling — blooms.
The best flowers from six orchid societies will be competing for trophies, and less experienced growers can buy easy-care orchid hybrids.
Expert growers will be demonstrating techniques for coaxing the best flowers from cattleyas, dendrobiums and other orchids, and a "plant doctor" will be on hand to offer advice (make sure specimens are in a sealed plastic bag). Tools and supplies will also be available.
The free event will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5-6 and until 3 p.m. Oct. 7 (plant sale closes at 2 p.m.).
Classes will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Oct. 5-6, and 11 a.m. Oct. 7. For more information, visit honoluluorchidsociety.org.
Arboretum promises family fun in sun
Explore Lyon Arboretum at the "Lyon in the Sun" family fun day from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30.
The 193-acre Manoa arboretum will provide music by Hapa Folk and others, tours of the grounds, Hawaiian cultural demonstrations, a plant sale, flower-arranging lessons and beer and wine tastings. The Five-O Hawaiian Style Smoked Ribs truck will be on site selling food.
Students from Halau Ku Mana Charter School, who regularly tend the taro patches at the arboretum, will demonstrate poi pounding, while Halau Na Pua Lei o Likolehua will perform hula.
Look for parking and shuttle signs on the way to the arboretum, at 3860 Manoa Road.
Admission is $20 for those 21 and older, $10 for under 21.
For tickets, contact the Friends of Lyon Arboretum office at 988-0464; tickets will also be available at the door.
For more information, visit friendsoflyon.org.
Share craft fairs and Halloween fun
Event organizers can publicize their fall and holiday activities in two special Star-Advertiser Today section guides:
» The season for craft fairs is fast approaching, and our Fall Craft Fair Guide will be published Sept. 30 for events happening from October through December. The deadline to submit a listing is Tuesday.
» Our Halloween Fun Guide will come out Oct. 2, with information on haunted houses, trick-or-treating events, costume contests, scary movies, nightclub parties, spooky stage shows, ghostly tours, storytelling, craft events, zombie conventions and more. The deadline is Tuesday.
There is no charge for listings. Email the date, time, location, sponsor, cost, contact information and a description of your event to calendars@staradvertiser.com.
Scary tales sought for fiction contest
Spin your most haunting tale of horror and the supernatural in our annual Halloween Fiction Contest.
Entries are limited to 650 words and must be original work never before published. The winner will receive a $200 cash prize, and the story will appear Oct. 28 in the Today section. The deadline for entries is Oct. 15. One entry per person.
The contest is open to Hawaii residents only; Oahu Publications Inc. contributors, employees and their family members are not eligible.
The winner’s story and photo will appear in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Email entries to features@staradvertiser.com or mail to Halloween Fiction Contest, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813.
