- BONSAI RECORD,ARTICLES, AWARDS, ETC
Fuku-Bonsai is a dream in progress
that builds upon the bonsai career of founder David W. Fukumoto. Through good times and
bad, it's been "committed and growing for the future!" In
1985, Fuku-Bonsai evolved into a corporation to build an international
bonsai center in the Kona-Kohala visitor destination area of the Big Island.
Unfortunately, in 1989 defective Benlate was sprayed at the nursery and
before the center could open, there was a downward spiral and Fuku-Bonsai
began an epic fight for survival!
1962-68 As newlyweds, David and Myrtle Fukumoto begin
growing and training a Brassaia houseplant in their apartment and this enlarges into a
lifetime pioneering of True Indoor Bonsai™. The hobby expands to completely
fill a suburban houselot. David became one of the first English bonsai instructors
teaching evening adult education classes at Aiea High School and writes his first bonsai
handbook. One of his classes forms into the Aloha Bonsai Club. Myrtle becomes a backyard
nurserywoman, propagates seeds and cuttings, and maintains the bonsai collection of over
2,000 trees in training!
1969-73 Co-founded the non-profit Hawaii Bonsai
Association; developed their bonsai team-teaching curriculum and lesson plans as the
educational committee chairman and course coordinator. Designed and slip-casted bonsai
pots with original plaster molds. Participated in formulating the Hawaii State Burrowing
Nematode Nursery Certification Program (in Honolulu) and upon approval, moved to the Big
Island of Hawaii to form the first nursery under that program. Developed first non-soil
media with volcanic pumice and the first products utilizing volcanic welded splatter
cinder. Extensive test marketing demonstrated that True Indoor Bonsai™
(Fuku-Bonsai's houseplants trained in the bonsai manner) are very successful gift bonsai
for anyone who can grow houseplants.
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This 1974 copywrited photo of son Tad was taken when he was four years old with
our first HS-1 small and HD-1 desk size Brassaia Lava Plantings. Began shipments to
retail mail-order customers and to Fuku-Bonsai Authorized Retailers with delivery via U.S.
Postal Air Priority Mail with a special packing system and with a satisfaction and safe
arrival guarantee. |
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In 1973 and 1974, David's first two articles were published: "Bonsai in
Hawaii" in Bonsai Clubs International's Bonsai Magazine edited by Connie and
Horace Hinds, and "Island Hopping" in the American Bonsai Society's Journal.
The Island Hopping article told of barerooting and fumigating the bonsai collection to
move from Honolulu to the Big Island to meet inter-island plant quarantine requirements.
The article was featured at the American Bonsai Society's booth at the joint
Pasadena convention co-sponsored by the California Bonsai Society, American Bonsai
Society, and Bonsai Clubs International. This was the first opportunity to meet Dorothy
Young (who later became the editor of ABS Journal), John Naka, Ed Potter, and many of the
early national bonsai pioneers. A sequel article "Successful Island Hopping"
included the the photo of the dead trunk of one of the few trees that did not survive
silhouetted against a sunset which was used as a cover of the Winter 1975 issue. |
1973-79 As a research affiliate of the Harold
Lyon Arboretum of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, David amassed a ficus specie and
variety collection, ran trials, researched, and published a series of articles in the
American Bonsai Society Journal. He pledged to equally support Bonsai Clubs
International and also later wrote for Florida Bonsai, Bonsai Society of Greater New York,
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, American Nurserymen's magazine, Nippon (Japan) Bonsai
Association and other publications. Over 50 articles have been published locally,
nationally, and internationally. Participated in a Japan Bonsai Tour with the Hawaii
Bonsai Association. Attended the International Bonsai Convention in New York
including a presentation promoting IBC 80 Hawaii. Became the first Hawaii State certified
nursery to ship to Canada and Europe. Designer of a line of plastic bonsai pots and
saucers manufactured by Ole Orchard Hill of Michigan and later designer for a line of
larger fiberglass bonsai pots.
1980 Coordinated and moderated the Hawaii 3-Ring
Demonstration at the International Bonsai Convention co-sponsored by the Hawaii Bonsai
Association and Bonsai Clubs International at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu.
Co-founded the non-profit Big Island Bonsai Association in 1981 and led the two
year project: Revitalization of Bonsai on the Big Island. Participated in a Chinese
Bonsai-Penjing Tour organized by Dorothy and Luther Young of Pennsylvania. As the only
non-professional, David received the top editorial award from the Hawaii County Media
Council for his Viewpoint article: "If the tax revolt succeeds, who wins?"
1985-88 Fuku-Bonsai evolved into a corporation in 1985 to
become the catalyst to build and operate an international bonsai visitor attaction and
over 200 stockholders supported the effort. 17 acres of the former Tanaka Quarry in upper
Keauhou-Kona was purchased and in-house design and construction began, funded with the
income from the Kurtistown nursery and a series of stock offerings. The center
featured nine themed bonsai gardens and included extensive educational exhibits.
Co-founded the non-profit Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation to educate and promote, to be the
public guardian of the memorial bonsai of the Hawaii State Bonsai Repository and to be the
liaison to the community.
1989-90 Fuku-Bonsai sprayed defective fungicide that was
contaminated with weed killer at the Kurtistown nursery causing devastating almost total
loss of all plant inventory. Over 5,000 product liability cases filed against DuPont.
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Aerial photo of the Kona Fuku-Bonsai Center under construction showing about 3 acres of
the first increment. |
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The Grand Opening Celebration in September 1992. The "Bonsai of Japan" garden
was one of nine themed bonsai gardens designed, landscaped, and constructed by
Fuku-Bonsai's in-house staff. |
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As
the Fuku-Bonsai Center began its soft opening, preview articles appeared in Bonsai Clubs
International's Bonsai Magazine and the American Bonsai Society's Journal
(with above cover). |
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The "Rocks & Landscapes" bonsai garden was
tucked into a natural grotto formation that was a serene setting when there were fewer
visitors but also a dynamic setting for weddings. From the popular lookout, the entire
center could be appreciated. |
1994-1997 Unfortunately, the
huge Kurtistown nursery losses due to defective Benlate cut away the nursery income needed
to subsidize the center during the start-up years. This eventually caused the
corporation to seek Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, to close the Kona center, to reduce
a staff that once totalled 25 to just four managers, and to retrench to Kurtistown.
A product liability settlement allowed paying off all creditors 100% plus interest and
cancelling the bankruptcy. A special stock redemption cashes out stockholders no longer
supportive. Rebuilding of staff and nursery began without funds. With Brassaia
fungus at epidemic levels, a new Dwarf Schefflera replacement crop was developed and
introduced in 1997 (15%), 1998 (42%), and 1999 (82%).
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The
Winter 1995 issue of the American Bonsai Society Journal cover features the 19" tall
exposed root Natal Banyan (Ficus natalensis) requested by and donated to the National
Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC by Fuku-Bonsai Inc. It was trained from a
cutting rooted in 1976 and is one of the youngest trees in the national collection. The pot is a
priceless Chinese drum design by master bonsai potter Akiji Kataoka of Yamaaki Kiln of
Tokoname, Japan. Kataoka began his career trying to duplicate the ancient Yixing, China
pots. He went on to lead the development of Japanese bonsai pottery. This is amongst his
last creative flowering and he ended his career returning to his Chinese inspiration. The
pot features four Kimei feet and he handsigned it for us. . |
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With very limited funds, Fuku-Bonsai continued its commitment to promote and educate. The
exhibit bonsai were brought back from Kona and new display facilities developed adjoining
the Kurtistown nursery. In May 1997, Fuku-Bonsai Inc. and the non-profit Mid-Pacific
Bonsai Foundation opened the new FUKU-BONSAI CULTURAL CENTER & HAWAII STATE BONSAI
REPOSITORY and received a congratulatory certificate from the Hawaii County Council of the
County of Hawaii. |
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The modest Kurtistown Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center attracts a modest amount of visitors
from all over the world. Most stay at hotels in the Kona-Kohala visitor destination area
and make the 250 mile round trip to visit and select specific plants to handcarry or ship.
During their day trip, they usually also visit nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Others stay at Hilo or Volcano hotels or bread and breakfasts. There is a free
workshop-demonstation beginning about 9AM on the second Saturday of each month. |
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On May 7, 1997 Hawaii County Mayor Stephen Yamashiro graciously issued a proclamation
naming David W. Fukumoto as "Ambassador of Bonsai" for efforts to promote the
Big Island as an International Bonsai Mecca. Fuku-Bonsai's collection has the widest
variation of artistic pot plants in the world including Japanese bonsai, Chinese penjing,
Hawaiian tropical outdoor bonsai and our specialty True Indoor Bonsai. We have especially
received compliments on outstanding Ficus (banyan) bonsai, rock plantings, tray
landscapes, and numerous innovative new bonsai concepts. Fuku-Bonsai does not charge for
instruction and there is no admission fee. |
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On August 31, 1997 David W. Fukumoto received a certificate from the Council of the City
and County of Honolulu as a co-founder of the Hawaii Bonsai Association on the occassion
of its 25th anniversary. David was also a co-founder of the Big Island Bonsai Association
in 1981 and the Mid-Pacific Bonsai Foundation in 1986. He also assisted in the formation
of the North American Bonsai Federation, Latin America Bonsai Federation, and the World
Bonsai Friendship Federation in 1989. |
1997-2000 In several cases after our 1994 product liability
settlement, it became known that the DuPont data that was the basis of our settlement was
shown to be a flagrant misrepresentation and Fuku-Bonsai was amongst the first to
"affirm the product liability settlement and sue for fraud and punitive
damages." Fraud is already a matter of court record. Yet the legal battles continue
and we await the setting of a trial date in federal court in Honolulu. With the selling of
the Kona Fuku-Bonsai Center, with other new products developed, with the establishment of
an Internet web site, and the rebuilding of staff, the corporation is now well along
in recovery.
In October 2000, we launched the "Keiki Bonsai" concept to effectively teach how
to train True Indoor Bonsai. Fuku-Bonsai's True Indoor Bonsai are already the most
successful gift bonsai because they meet the two basic rules for success. They are the
best indoor bonsai for those who can grow houseplants and all have been pre-trained and
already have character. "Rule #3" is formally stated: "For best
growth, create the optimum growing conditions and enviornment." Keiki Bonsai
enlarges the root system for vigorous plant growth. The 16-page Keiki Bonsai Handbook
explains applicable bonsai principles and describes the factors to create ideal growing
conditions. With basic nursery production rebuilt, the corporation's emphasis shifts back
to bonsai education.
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The Fuku-Bonsai Logo Tree is a Dwarf Schefflera trained into a tropical banyan form from a
cutting rooted in 1976. Fuku-Bonsai founder David Fukumoto has had over 50 of his
bonsai articles published locally, nationally, and internationally. The logo tree
featured on the front-back wrap-around-cover of the January-February 2000 issue of Bonsai
Magazine, the publication of Bonsai Clubs International. That issue included
articles: "Bonsai in Hawaii" by Ted Tsukiyama, and "Passing the Torch"
by David Fukumoto. |
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In May 2001, "FUKU-BONSAI PREMIUM KEIKI BONSAI WORKSHOP PACKAGE" is
developed to Premium Prepared Keiki Bonsai Stock, a Fuku-Bonsai 8" diameter x 2"
round plastic bonsai pot, coarse bottom media, body media, fine top dressing, tie-down
wire, and the Keiki Bonsai Handbook. The Fuku-Bonsai Study Group assures long-term
assistance by phone, FAX or e-mail. These and other efforts make Fuku-Bonsai's True Indoor
Bonsai the easiest and most successful way to learn and understand bonsai and completes a
39 year effort to develop high-success beginner bonsai. |
2001-2002: The "FUKU-BONSAI PREMIUM KEIKI BONSAI WORKSHOP
PACKAGE" is a "gift of the spirit of bonsai" to those who accept the
challenge. It is far less costly for Fuku-Bonsai to just complete the workshop and
sell the finished item at a higher price. The Package was designed to so a 10-year
old child will be successful with a little coaching by an adult. Non-timid adults
should have no problem completing the workshop without assistance. The true spirit of
bonsai is the development of the bond between the bonsai and the owner-trainer-caregiver
in a similar bond between a mother and child. Once there is success, there is growing
enjoyment.
www.fukubonsai.com became the top-rated "indoor bonsai" website
as rated by Yahoo!, MSN Search, Google, Excite, AltaVista, and other search engines.
The website is now HUGE and it will take many hours to completely study it. The
Fuku-Bonsai Study Group is an informal sharing of houseplant bonsai information amongst
the customers and friends of Fuku-Bonsai. In helpping others, we learn more too!
We're setting up more pages by those willing and able to share their knowledge and
work on a future book has begun. At the request of those who have gone through it, FBnews has a linked listing to new
editorial material so "old-timers" won't have to search for the new
items. You're invited to request a free subscription.
FUKU-BONSAI CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY! David Fukumoto receives the Bonsai
Clubs International's 2002 Writer, Artist & Photographer of the Year Award.
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2003 (June 23): With the nursery largely rebuilt, and having kept
faith with the initial bonsai supporters that created Fuku-Bonsai Inc., the corporation's
second major specialty is introduced! THE AMAZING HAWAIIAN MICRO-LOBSTERS!™ may
seem unrelated to bonsai, but growing these special creatures share many of the same
nurturing and design concepts in a very tiny scale! Just as Fuku-Bonsai encourages the
teaching of bonsai principles to children, these unique long-lived creatures have valid
lessons of man and nature in harmony! Discover and visit the MICRO-LOBSTER WEBSITE! |
The legal battle with DuPont began with the spraying of defective
Benlate fungicide in 1989 and this has dominated the last 18 years.
On April 24, 2007 Fuku-Bonsai
Fuku-Bonsai has been blessed and we thank everyone for their support and goodwill that
made it possible for us to survive. Most nurseries of our size that get hit with
over $10 million of losses would go out of business. We've received extraordinary
assistance from the Big Island visitor industry, our promotional partners, stockholders,
customers, associates, and staff! I have had the privilege of living a bonsai lifestyle
in a very special place and with the assistance received, have an obligation to pay back
for the rest of my life.
For me, bonsai must be a business. But it's still my hobby and this must be shared.
There are no secrets and we will continue to write, photograph, and teach. I am fortunate
to have good people around me. Senior plant manager Michael Imaino joined Fuku-Bonsai in
1983. He is a bonsai master in his own right and president of the non-profit Mid-Pacific
Bonsai Foundation. The staff works hard and we continue to build to allow me to move out
of operations.
We are now training the third generation of bonsai masters and the majority of the staff
can now lead increasingly popular workshops. There are a number of exciting new products
in development or that have started production and there will be interesting times ahead!
The stockholders, directors, and the officers have supported the dream and we build a
corporation that will lead future generations. There's a lot more to do!
- David
W. Fukumoto
- Founder
& president
-
July 2003
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