It’s a Garden party — with a twist

Don your decorated hat and wander with a glass of wine through Anaina Hou’s botanical gardens for an evening of music, food and surprises.

It’s a twist on a tea party and a fundraiser for the gardens, which took a hit during Kauai’s record-setting storms in 2018 — an event geared toward aloha and whimsy.

Cupcakes and fairies, rare plants and contests for best hat and aloha shirt are all scattered throughout the lineup for an event that’s entitled “Not Your Typical Garden Party” for a reason.

“You’ll walk through the gardens and come upon different food stations with foods provided by different local vendors and then you will come upon entertainment,” said Pam Warren, an organizer.

Storms in 2018 flooded several parts of the island, destroyed homes and triggered landslides that closed Kuhio Highway for more than a year.

The weather also damaged mature trees and delicate plants in Anaina Hou’s botanical garden, as well as historically replicated buildings.

First and foremost the fundraiser is to help replace some of those buildings and to restore parts of the gardens that were destroyed. Alongside that, though, it’s a reminder that Aniana Hou needs support for maintaining the gardens, too.

“Some of the smaller delicate plants were brutalized (during the storms) and so restoration is needed, but the gardens just need funding to be kept in proper condition,” Warren said. “We’re hoping to get some people interested for maintenance of the gardens.”

Pupus will be available too, from places like Tiki Iniki, April’s Cakes, Tropic Fish Kauai, Kalypso Café, Delicious pupus will be created by Kauai Shrimp, Palate Wine Bar, Eat Healthy Cafe, Shivalik Indian Cuisine.

A silent auction includes items like a package of four round trip tickets to Oahu from Makani Kai Air, Kauai-made gift baskets, specialty wines, resort stays, car detailing, massage, and gardening classes, plus more.

The $100 ticket price includes wine, pupus and wonderfully exciting entertainment. Ron Wiley and Michelle Rundgren will MC and judge our contests.

Women are encouraged to decorate a bonnet and men should find a vintage aloha shirt — and the point is to be as outrageous and creative as possible.

Prizes for the contests strewn throughout the evening include candy from Chocolat Hanalei, mini golf passes, gift certificates for dining at the Westin and more.

“Not Your Typical Garden Party” is set for Aug. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.Anainahou.org or at the Cafe in upper campus.

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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 234-0452 or at jelse@thegardenisland.com
Source: The Garden Island