What works for Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery

David Fell and Sandy Kasman started Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery in Hilo, Hawaii, with a bag of peat moss and a bag of perlite in a backyard shade house. The operation now includes three locations totaling 26 acres on two Hawaiian islands. The nursery’s primary crops are bromeliads and foliage ranging from 2-inch to 20-gallon containers. Fell and Kasman sell to local and mainland mass markets, hotels, garden centers, grocery stores, florists, interiorscapers and landscapers.

“We are committed to our company philosophy, ‘quality and service,’” Kasman said. “Our employees keep that philosophy in the forefront of their thinking when they plant, grow, sell and ship products. It is our company’s focus on that goal and the attention paid to the daily details and organization which are essential parts of our overall success.”

Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery developed Tillandsia cyanea ‘Sandy’ as a 2-inch potted product before other bromeliads were widely seen in such small sizes.

“His passion for plant breeding keeps him busy many a night with a head lamp and a pollen brush,” Kasman said.

Fell holds several plant patents and has been developing hybrid vrieseas for 30 years.

The nursery introduced its Hawaiian Volcano Plants shortly after a radical decline in business from the Sept. 11 disaster. The plants are grown on real Hawaiian lava and blessed by a Kahuna (a spiritual leader of the Hawaiian community) “to bring joy and prosperity to those who possess them.” This particular volcanic mineral was produced during a 1955 eruption of Kilauea Volcano on the island of Hawaii. The volcanic cinder provides an excellent habitat for growing exotic plants.

The nursery grows a line of dwarf Singapore plumeria. This evergreen dwarf variety works well in summer patio pots and features fragrant flowers and attractive glossy leaves. “This plumeria reminds people of tropical Hawaiian breezes filled with rich and exotic scents and allows the buyer to bring the tropics home with them,” Kasman said.

Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery

Founded: 1979 by David Fell and Sandy Kasman.

Locations: Hilo and Waimanalo, Hawaii.

Crops: Bromeliads and more than 100 varieties of tropicals.

Production space: 26 acres.

Market: Mainland and Hawaiian Islands.

Employees: 55.

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For more: Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery, (808) 895-2776; www.hawaiiansunshinenursery.com.

- Kelli Rodda

August 2008