How did Fuku-Bonsai come to be the host for the Hawaii State Bonsai Repository?
In the 1960’s, the bonsai leaders were mostly 20 or more years older than me. But they were the people I admired and who came to be my best friends. Dr. Clay especially encouraged those of us from shy Asian cultures to take stronger Western-type leadership roles and to establish high standards. Ted Tsukiyama and Dr. Clay were already successful and believed that bonsai should be freely shared with everyone. Haruo Kaneshiro was willing to share his knowledge, but stressed that each person follow his own “bonsai path.” From the late 1960’s our group researched and attempted to create a public bonsai collection but the logistics were too over-whelming. In becoming the primary Hawaiian bonsai professional, I had the opportunity to create a huge personal bonsai collection. But when my children decided not to follow my bonsai path, we formed a corporation with a commitment to create a public bonsai garden. This allows my collection to also survive into the future. The creation of the non-pro
