This Women's Day, we celebrate the women who make for Watanabe Floral what it is! From design, operations, sales to delivery, our female staff play a vital role to our business, while bringing with them generosity, kindness and love for our ohana.
We are grateful for each and every one of them!
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The Matriarch of Watanabe Floral
Shizue Watanabe, affectionately known as “Mrs. Watanabe” to the staff, was born on May 12, 1918 in Honolulu and is the second of three daughters of Japanese immigrants, Masaro and Shizuko Katashima. The family moved to Kapahulu and opened a grocery store on Campbell Avenue in 1923. Shizue attended Waikiki Elementary School, Washington Intermediate School and McKinley High School. In 1940, Shizue graduated from the University of Hawaii as the top scholar in her graduating class. She taught in a school on the Big Island during the war years and married Ernest Watanabe in 1945 after he returned from serving in the forces during WWII. They started growing roses commercially in 1945. Over the years, the business grew to become Watanabe Floral. Ernest and Shizue were married for 57 years and are parents of 6 children, 16 grandchildren and currently 20 great grandchildren!
- Penned by Russell Watanabe, eldest son of Mrs. Watanabe and CEO of Watanabe Floral
