Hundreds took time to browse and admire beautiful bonsai plants on display at the Wailoa Art Center during the annual gallery show.
The Mokuhonua Bonsai Kai and Hilo Bonsai Kyoshitsu clubs hosted the annual bonsai exhibit for the public last Friday and Saturday.
Bonsai is defined as a plant grown in a container. The word “bonsai” is formed from two words — “bon,” meaning tray or dish, and “sai,” meaning a tree or plant. It is a living work of art that cannot be compared with any other art form.
The gallery on the second floor displayed several bonsai plants that were all unique to each other and grown with devoted care.
On Saturday, dozens of people also watched a demonstration by Jon Morishita and Stacy Oliver on how to form and care for a bonsai. They taught the crowd how to create a good environment for a bonsai plant while also teaching them the nuances of the activity.
“Bonsai is not about making plans, but making mistakes. You don’t want it to look too perfect, or else it will look artificial,” Morishita said. “The unique thing about bonsai is the root system. If one goes, the plant still thrives.”
Morishita has taught many people through this year and has made an impact on how people approach growing bonsai.
“Jon is excellent, patient and very encouraging. It doesn’t matter if you mess up,” Mel Honda said. “Bonsai is a good social activity to do when you’re getting older. It’s very relaxing and teaches me patience, which I don’t have.”
According to the bonsai groups, a bonsai can never be a finished work of art in this sense because it will always be a living piece of nature, continuing to live and grow.
Sidney Hatanaka has been actively growing bonsai for 20 years and inherited his parents’ many plants as well.
“Bonsai is fun and it keeps me out of trouble,” Hatanaka joked. “I like being able to work with my hands and work with nature.”
Bonsai clubs are always looking for more members that are interested in learning more and expanding their skills.
More information on bonsai groups can be found at hawaiibonsaiassoc.org/clubs.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com