The dream catchers hung from trees with Pele's Hair (volcanic glass fibers) drizzled over it. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
By: Britney Aquino
Oahu Staff Writer
(Honolulu)– In the late afternoon of Saturday, July 14, 2012, the 13.5 acre Foster Botanical Gardens was transformed into an enchanted garden, which was filled with a variety of activities for the children and adults to enjoy. The museum of tropical plants was illuminated by 2,500 tea lights in white paper bags and hundreds of multi-colored tree lights. The tea lights in the white paper bags served as a guide through all the pathways of the garden, while the multi-colored tree lights gave a magical ambiance to the event.
Hundreds of adults and children attended the free admission, Midsummer’s Night Gleam event. The event was held from 4:30 pm until 9:30 pm. Even though it was difficult to see because of the dim lighting, the excitement of the people did not wither. Instead, family and friends brought their own glow sticks, flashlights, mats, and food to enjoy on the lawn in front of the Hawaiian band that performed for half the night, Kai Holu.
Along the paths were displays that people could take pictures of and take pictures with. A few displays that the people enjoyed were the creations that hung from the trees; it looked like giant dream catchers, and in the dream catchers sat real plants with Pele’s Hair (volcanic glass fibers) drizzled over it. Another attraction was life-size bear structures that were made out of coconut husks by the Foster Craft Club.
Some of the gardens were decorated with a haunted theme. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
Joshua Farr, a student of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, felt that “the displays throughout the garden remind me of the Honolulu City Lights. It gives me a warm feeling to see the happiness that it brings to the families who stop to look and take pictures with it.”
Different paths of the garden lead to open lawns where a variety of activities were held. The first open lawn when entering the garden had a dinosaur display made out of old leaves, and across of it was an Indian hut. In front of the Indian hut, volunteers told stories to the children and adults, and had a few children participate to act out the stories.
The biggest open lawn was called The Khanate of the Golden Horde. In this area, there were belly dancers, archery that the kids could participate in, a guy who could free-hand a drawing of anyone’s face, and two knights who were being challenged to a dual by one kid at a time.
Fall is not quite here, but it’s right around the corner. In the heart of the garden was a haunted trail that was very enjoyable for all ages. Through the short haunted trail were colored plastic skeletons that hung from between the trees, a fake mini grave that displayed funny headstones, spider webs, a life-size witch and cauldron, and water-filled latex gloves that hung low across the dark pathway, which gave a sense of hanging branches.
Some of the gardens were decorated with a haunted theme. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
Through all the excitement, a local lunch wagon, Simply Ono, provided gourmet plate lunches. The plate lunches were affordable; the prices ranging from $3.00-$8.00. A few entrees that were being served were Kalua Pig, Shoyu Pork, and so forth.
While I ordered a plate lunch from the wagon, Dia Kelodia Lo, a visitor from Liechtenstein also ordered a mini plate lunch. She heard of the event from a friend, and this was her first family-oriented event that she has attended since she arrived. Dia ordered a mini Kalua Pig plate from the lunch wagon and was surprised by its taste. “I love the Hawaiian music in Hawai’i, and everyone is so friendly. No one is superficial, and everyone cares for everyone. I tried Kalua Pig when I first got here, but it was smelly. This Kalua Pig is very delicious, my friends were right. How do I say it? This is very…ONO!”
The Foster Botanical Gardens is open every day of the week with an admission fee.
Some of the gardens were decorated with a haunted theme. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
Hawaiian music was a hit with all of the attendees. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
Dancers performing at Midsummer Night's Gleam. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
Archery was just one of the many activities offered to the keiki at this event. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
Joshua Farr posed with a life size bear structure made out of coconut husks. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
Dia Kelodia Lo, a visitor from Liechtenstein, enjoyed the mini plate lunch. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
The Simply Ono plate lunches were affordable and delicious. Photo courtesy of Britney Aquino
Local lunch wagon, Simply Ono, provided gourmet plate lunches.