How and why was the Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation created?
In 1986, shortly after the corporation took over, we received word that Sadakichi Sugahara, the bonsai master of Kauai, was dying and wanted to donate his bonsai collection to be sold to help raise funds to build the Fuku-Bonsai Center. Sadakichi was an extraordinary person with a close loving family. They had hosted several of us from Honolulu to an Ironwood collecting expedition to the fabled hills of Hanamaalu in the late 1960’s. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) had attempted to reforest the eroded hillsides during the early 1930 depression years. Trees that could not escape the planting holes in the dense clay-rock were stunted and made ideal bonsai stock. I did not feel it was appropriate for a corporation to accept such a generous bonsai gift and instead, we formed the Foundation. After Sadakichi passed away, we accepted three bonsai on behalf of the foundation and helped to sell the remainder of the collection. These funds went to the family, but a large amount was used to p
