Floral Resources Hawaii’s Exquisite Anthurium

Floral Resources-Hawaii specializes in finding and developing exceptional anthurium flowers for the floral industry. Plants chosen for cultivation are selected from the most successful anthurium breeders in Hawaii, including the company’s president, Vern Inouye.

The East side of the Big Island of Hawaii is ideal for anthurium cultivation because of the ratio of humidity to sun, plentiful rainfall and the porous volcanic cinder growing media. Volcanic cinder assists in the optimum drainage and feeding to produce exceptional flowers with vase lives of 2 weeks or more. Floral Resources Hawaii has over 30 acres in production of the highest quality anthurium flowers.

The ascetic appearance of the anthurium flower is the primary goal of Floral Resources-Hawaii’s rigorous selection process, but also includes the consideration of disease resistance, size of foliage to leaf, plant size, yield per acre and more. This entire selection process results in the highest quality anthurium with unique shapes, vibrant and subtle coloration and several sizes to choose from.

Meet our dedicated and talented anthurium breeders.

Vern Inouye - Vern is co-owner, president and general manager of Floral Resources Hawaii and has been involved with Hawaii’s Floral industry for over 30 years. In addition to his duties at Floral Resources Hawaii, Vern and his wife, Lorraine own AlohaBlooms, a farm that specializes in growing unique anthurium plants and flowers. In 1994 Vern and Lorraine purchased a rare collection of of “tulip” type anthurium from breeder, Jim Georgusis. Among those in production today are: “Cassie” pink tulip type named after their niece, “Ami” pale pink tulip type named after Vern’s sister. “Sister Grace” is an off-white tulip type named after Lorraine’s cousin, retired nun, the late Sister Grace Komine. Other cultivars from the Georgusis collection which will soon be available in larger commercial quantities are: “Marcia”, an off-white tulip type with a lavender border around the flower spathe named after their daughter Marcia. “Candy Cane” is a variegated pink and red tulip type which was awarded "Best New Cultivar" in one of the past Hawai'i Anthurium Industry competitions. “Asahi" tulip, a glossy, pink tulip type which grows to large sizes.

Aloha Blooms purchased another tulip type cultivar from local breeder, Mr. Kiyo Inada and over the years have propagated a fairly large quantity. “Princes Ruth” is an elegant light pink, cup-shaped tulip type with a distinctive swirl at the top of the spathe. “Princes Ruth” was named after now retired Hawaii County Extension Service agent, Ruth Iwata.

Aloha Blooms also produces another exotic cultivar called “Jumbo”, a large off-white tulip type with slightly pinkish veins. “Jumbo” got its name for its large flower size and lush growing habit of the plant itself. Floral Resources is the exclusive marketer of the entire Aloha Blooms collection.

In addition to the exquisite collection of anthurium from Aloha Blooms, Vern has developed more exciting and new cultivars for Floral Resources. Already in commercial production are two cultivars that were selected out of approximately 5,000 seedlings. They are: “Hawaiian Sunrise”, a heart shaped orange/coral colored flower and “Watermelon” obake (bi-color). Of course, the colors are watermelon pink and green. Just barely entering the market is another tulip shaped anthurium named “Charlotte’s Elegance”. This new cultivar is green with burgundy/brown veins and outer brim. It is named after Gordon and Vern’s Aunt Charlotte Goya, who passed away in 2004. Another cultivar just entering commercial production, is a traditional heart-shaped lime-yellow anthurium, called “Mama Lily”. This unusual beauty has delicate pink veins running throughout the flower, and is named after Gordon and Vern’s mom, Lily Inouye.

In tissue culture and yet to be named are several other new cultivars which should hit the market over the next several years. Vern strives to develop new cultivars with enticing colors and shapes, and all the newer selections have excellent vase lives of two weeks or longer with proper care. For more information, please refer to our listing of new cultivars and our design ideas sections, or contact any of our friendly sales staff members.

Of special note: Floral Resources-Hawaii is a farm cooperator with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and assists the University by advance testing potential new cultivars for the Hawaii anthurium industry.

Calvin Hayashi - Mr. Hayashi is the breeder of the “Midori” - 1985 (Breeders Rights), “Starlight”- 1988 (patented), “Rising Sun”, - 1991, “Jasmine” 1995-96 (patented), “Melody” - 1998 (patented) and “Limelight” - 2001. He was awarded a gold medal in 2001 by the Society of American Florists (SAF) as “the originator or introducer of a widely distributed plant or flower that has become established as an outstanding product of significant horticultural and commercial value” for his “Midori” anthurium.

Kiyoshi Inada - Mr. Inada produced the “Princess Lily Red” and “Princes Ruth”.

Stanley Oishi - Developed the New Pahoa Red or NPR. This cultivar was awarded "Best of Show" in the Hawai'i Anthurium Industry Association's annual flower competition.

Dr. Haruyuki Kamemoto - Dr. Kamemoto, now retired, originated a prolific anthurium breeding program at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Kamemoto’s list of now famous cultivars cultivated by Floral Resources Hawaii: “Marian Seefurth”, “ARCS”, “Lavender Lady”, “Tropic Ice”, “Tropic Mist”, “Anuenue” and “Kalapana”.

Dr. Heidi Kuehnle - Dr. Kuehnle is Dr. Kamemoto’s successor at the University of Hawaii and a leader in the field of genetics and the science of biotechnology. Floral Resources Hawaii cultivates Dr. Kuehnle’s "Tropic Fire" and "Mauna Loa" (continuation of Dr. Kamemoto’s work) the new and exciting cultivars “Tropic Sunrise” and “Princes “Aiko”.

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