The road to the Kunia Orchid Society's annual show is much different this year.

No longer will people pass old plantation homes along a dusty, bumpy road. After more than 50 years of holding its annual show at the old, rustic Kunia Gymnasium, the Kunia Orchid Show has found a new home — at least for this year — in the Leilehua High School gym.

The society ended its 53-year-old tradition of holding shows at the Kunia gym last year, after Del Monte Fresh Produce — which leases land under the gym — abruptly announced its closure. There are no plans to demolish the Kunia gym, but the society decided to find another location.

"An old house to a new house," said Callman Au, who co-chairs the show with his wife, Frances Au. "Big difference."

Compared to the old Kunia gym, which had scuffed wooden floors and corrugated metal siding, the Leilehua gymnasium — built in 1968 — is relatively modern.

"There's more parking, no mud," said Au, adding that there are also "nice bathrooms" and air conditioning.

It's also three times bigger than the Kunia building, which allows the Kunia Orchid Society to add new vendors and a "country store," which will feature such items as orchid mixes, trays, fresh fruit and vegetable plants. Au said the store is meant to bring country nostalgia.

Not that people didn't enjoy the Kunia gym, Au said.

"We miss seeing all the pineapples around us, and we will miss seeing the ethnic foods around us," he said. Unlike the old location, there are no chickens around, he said.

Still, "we like this new house over here," he said. "There's still a sense of excitement.

"Wahiawa is country, too."

The orchid show, the first such show of the year, is expected to draw thousands of people over the weekend. The show attracted nearly 7,000 people last year, according to the society.

Au said the Kunia Orchid Society and Leilehua are discussing holding next year's show at the school again.

If this year's orchid show goes well, Leilehua High School would be "more than happy" to be the show's home in the future, said principal Aloha Coleman.

Leilehua's athletic department and student clubs are participating in the show and plan to sell prepared food and fresh produce.

The Kunia Orchid Society was established in the early 1950s by California Packing Corp. workers who lived and worked in Kunia Village and Poamoho Camp, according to society press secretary Jenna Hollinger.

The club has about 130 members, Au said.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.