Watanabe Floral Inc. Biography

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Flowers bring a special sentiment to moments in our lives; elegance to a wedding; sympathy to a Celebration of Life; tenderness to a Birthday or Anniversary celebration. While it is true that we work with flowers, our real opportunity comes from helping our guests express their feelings. Wherever you are in life, it is our commitment to make your occasion exceptional and unique for you!

For over 71 years, we have made it our priority to provide excellent service to our guests. We have an award-winning design team, with over 100 years of combined experience ready to serve you and a sales and operational team committed to living the Spirit of Aloha and keeping People first in all we do! We strive for 100% Exceptional guest service!

We are truly blessed to have received numerous accolades, including being named Hawaii’s Best Florist 2003 – 2019 (Star Advertiser/Midweek). We were also awarded the prestigious Ho’okela Award, being recognized as Oahu’s Retail Merchant of the Year in 2005.

Looking Back

In 1945, Ernest Watanabe, a soldier stationed in Brisbane, Australia, passed the time growing flowers outside his barracks. Missing his fiancé, Shizue, led him to think of all the romances that would need to be rekindled at the war’s end. Upon returning from the war, Ernest, alongside his parents and new wife, began growing roses as a business to returning soldiers and their loved ones.

Soon, Ernest started Watanabe Roses, a family business helping people to express their feelings. As his children grew, they worked in the family business as well. Helping to plant and grow roses was a part of their daily lives.

In 1974, Ernest’s son Russell, a student of business marketing, returned to the family business. Together they added a wholesale division and renamed the company Watanabe Floral. As demand from florists grew, the company began to expand. Finally, by the mid-80’s, Watanabe Floral began retail operations, selling directly to the general public.

Here and Now:

Steeped in a rich past, we are a company that believes in the Spirit of Aloha, Love, Honesty, Teamwork, Communication, Superior Service, and ‘Ohana (Hawaiian for family). At the core of our beliefs is our dedication to Kina’ole or flawlessness. We believe in doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place, for the right person, for the right reason, with the right feeling THE FIRST TIME!

Today, we employ over 80 people that we consider part of our ‘Ohana. We continue to provide fresh and beautiful floral arrangements, ranging from classic to contemporary designs to a large variety of flowers (sold by the stem) for both retail and wholesale customers. In addition, we service many corporate customers in Hawaii including Wal-Mart, Costco, Foodland, Sam's Club, Target, Jimmy Choo and Disney’s Aulani Resort at Ko’olina. No matter the size of our customers, our focus and commitment is to meet the needs of EVERY guest and to make him or her feel important and special.

Exciting Future:

Originating from humble beginnings and envisioning a bright future, Watanabe Floral is now a testament to E Ho’omau Pono, our Vision and Mission, which means to endure and persist by doing things with morality and love. We are a team that began as a small family business which today still employs Ernest and Shizue’s children and grandchildren. These children (Russell and Leland), grandchildren (Landon and Justin), and our entire Watanabe Floral ‘Ohana will carry on our mission and continue the legacy started by Ernest and Shizue: helping people to express their feelings through flowers!