Origin of the Hilo Orchid Society

From an article in the July 1949 Bulletin of the Hawaii Orchid Society (which later became the Hilo Orchid Society)
By Mack Odo and Takumi Kono

​Above, a photo of a Hilo Orchid Society meeting in 1949.  Note the men are wearing suits!

The Hawaii Orchid Club, as it was first known, had its start from orchid discussions held amongst early orchid fanciers back in 1935-36-37.  Orchid discussions were held on various thoroughfares and especially at the corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Shipman Street.  This, then, points to Mr. Herbert Shipman and Mack Odo, whose offices were at the corner of the above-mentioned streets, as being directly connected with stimulating the way to an organized Orchid Club.  With the promotional impetus put in by Takumi Kono, all the known orchid fanciers in Hilo were asked to meet to discuss the possibility of establishing a club for orchid fanciers, patterned after the other orchid groups known to have existed throughout the world.

The first meeting was held in the Hilo High School agriculture room on Sept. 26, 1938.  There were nine orchid fanciers present at this first meeting.  An election of officers was held and Alex Anderson of Papaikou was unanimously elected President.  A committee to make further study of an orchid organization and to draw up a constitution and by-laws was appointed by the President…

News of the formation of the Orchid Club spread rapidly and in a short time the membership grew into a sizeable group.  From a membership of nine persons the Hawaii Orchid Club (Hawaii Orchid Society–1949) has grown to its present membership roll of 180 orchid growers and fanciers.  Of special interest to the members present at all meetings have been the various demonstrations given by successful orchid growers.  In each of the demonstrations, it has been found that new ideas and schemes in orchid growing have come to light, thereby, creating much of interest and learning to all present.