Latest news with #WatanabeFloral
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariffs on imports raise cost of cut flowers in Hawaii
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Flower season is underway with major floral events and celebrations coming up. Easter was later than usual this year, and Merrie Monarch is right on its heels. Bottles4College hands out scholarships during Windward recycling event 'You blink and then it's May Day, Mother's Day and Graduation, so the next six to seven weeks for the floral industry is going to be a whirlwind,' said Watanabe Floral General Manager Monty Pereira. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. imports over 80% of cut flowers from other countries, and despite having plenty of tropical flowers, Hawaii imports a lot of those too. 'Mostly from South America, Colombia, Ecuador and a lot of orchid lei that you see or orchid base lei all come from Asia,' Pereira some of those countries have been hit with tariffs, or have another 60-day pause until tariffs take effect. Pereira said all the carnations come from Colombia and have been impacted by tariffs. 'For us, it was 10 to 15% on cut flowers from Colombia and Ecuador and it's 16 to 17% coming in from Thailand which is the major source of orchid lei. Roses, carnations, chrysanthemums are popular for Mother's Day and they'll be a little more expensive but still manageable,' Pereira continued. 'And we worked hard down the supply chain to make sure the consumer doesn't feel the burden of it.' Tropical flowers from home won't be impacted by tariffs, and Pereira said they are looking at importing from California as well. However, florists here at home warn that there are never enough fresh flower lei by the time graduation comes around. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'We've always tried to source as locally as possible,' said Honolulu Flower Lady President Cindy Dabbous. 'So when we do source locally, we're not going to be impacted by tariffs as much.' She guesstimates about 30% of her flowers are imported, but does specialize in lei and tropicals. 'This was around the week I was thinking, you know I think I'm going to increase my local tropical supply and start ordering less classic flowers, but people love their roses and they're never going to stop ordering them,' she added. Hit-and-run in Kāneʻohe claims life of male pedestrian She said there is a lot of uncertainty of what's going to happen with prices. Pereira says one big impact is vases from China, with a 145% tariff, as a $35 vase will now cost $50.75. And while inventory isn't a concern this year, there will still be enough gifts for all budgets. 'We have fake lei, candy lei, gummy lei, gift baskets and food partnerships, budget won't be a reason why you can't bless someone these next six to seven weeks full of holidays,' Pereira added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Still in need of Valentine's Day flowers? Head to Watanabe Floral
KALIHI, Hawaii (KHON2) — It's officially Valentine's Day and of course, it's all about the flowers! There's no busier place than Watanabe Floral in Up 2Day's Chris Latronic went live in Kalihi with a preview with General Manager Monty Pereira to get a glimpse of the Valentine's Day rush and the many offerings to impress that special someone. Check out these Honolulu Valentine's Day events for singles Pereira said the floral business has already delivered more than 1,400 flowers for Valentine's week alone and has 700 more deliveries scheduled for the big day. 'Pre-orders are sold out but we have tons of flowers available until 7 p.m. We've got all kinds of things for any budget, any person, stuffed animals, chocolate-covered strawberries and of course, 100,000 rose stems,' Pereira added. Check out more news from around Hawaii For more information, visit Watanabe Floral's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Valentine's Day gift and date ideas around Oahu
HONOLULU (KHON2) — From flowers to fine dining and more unique experiences, shopowners around the island are prepared to make this Valentine's Day a special owners around the island said Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year. Hawaiʻi ranks in top for these Valentine's traditions 'We've already done close to 900 deliveries for this week, already,' stated Monty Pereira, Watanabe Floral's General Manager. 'We are already sold out for delivery on the 14th. We do still have deliveries available for tomorrow the 13th.' If you want to wine and dine your loved ones, restaurants like Banyans Craft Kitchen and Lounge will feature special Valentine's Day menus. 'We're offering a three-course, plus surprise course meal, for $75 per person,' stated Cidney Wilcox, Executive Chef. 'We have about 150 spots available. And last I checked, we had 148 reservations. We're going to have a cheesecake. We'll have a brownie with smoked gouda ice cream and also a citrus olive oil cake.' The restaurant is also accommodating those who want to celebrate early. 'The girls can get together on Thursday and celebrate with a special charcuterie board and some bubbles,' said Wilcox. For a more unique Valentine's Day experience, Manoa Chocolate and Wine Bar is offering deals and tastings exclusive for the holiday. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'We're doing free chocolate flights so you can come and order a wine flight, and then you'll get free chocolates that are paired with that wine,' said Esau Cusick, Tasting Room Manager. 'We're going to do a trio of our spreads. They're usually not on our menu, but for this Valentine's Day, we thought it'd be really nice to have them.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Hawaiʻi's top 5 most popular flowers for Valentine's
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Valentine's Day in Hawaiʻi is a big deal for florists, and one of the best parts of the holiday is the chance to share beautiful flowers with loved ones. Watanabe Floral is a local flower shop that is especially excited for this year's Valentine's Day. According to the shop, Valentine's Day can make up to 20% of their entire annual florists, it's like the Super Bowl of the year! The team at Watanabe Floral loves the energy of the day and enjoys helping people make their Valentine's extra special. According to Watanabe, most flower shoppers are men, with about 90% of the purchases coming from them. However, many of these shoppers are last-minute buyers. Florists like Watanabe Floral encourage people to order early, especially if they want flowers delivered on time. Although some men wait until after the Super Bowl to think about Valentine's, the Friday before Valentine's Day is still a busy time to buy flowers. Pre-orders are a great way to engage Watanabe Floral, and they will have completed around 500 deliveries on the Monday and Tuesday before Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day in Hawaiʻi is all about roses, especially red roses! Watanabe Floral will bring in more than 100,000 rose stems, with about half of them being red. But roses aren't the only flowers people love on Valentine's Day. Other popular flowers include: Red roses: These are the classic Valentine's Day flower and symbolize love and romance. Carnations: Known for their bright colors, carnations are also a favorite. Lilies: These elegant flowers are often used to make arrangements stand out. Tulips: Tulips bring a touch of beauty and freshness to any bouquet. Potted plants: Many people also choose to give potted plants as a lasting gift. To help flowers stay fresh, Watanabe Floral recommends keeping them in a cool spot away from direct wind or heat. Don't place them under an air conditioning vent or near a sunny window. Remember to keep the water fresh; and by the third day, change the water completely and add a floral preservative. Red roses, carnations and tropical flowers like those grown in Hawaiʻi are some of the longest-lasting flowers. Although flowers are the main attraction, other gifts are also popular for Valentine's Day. Some of the top items at Watanabe Floral include: Chocolates from Hawaiʻi Paradise Candies. Popcorn from Island Popper. Snacks from Enjoy Snacks. Olive Oil from Island Olive Oil. Balloons, including balloon bouquets. Plush Animals. Lei, a special Hawaiian touch for the holiday. If you're in a rush on Valentine's Day, Watanabe Floral has a drive-thru pick-up option. This allows you to avoid crowds and traffic. All you need to do is pre-order, drive to the back of the building, grab your flowers and go! You can even add balloons or chocolates while you're there. Watanabe Floral reminds everyone to shop locally, especially for Valentine's. Local florists like them rely on this holiday for a significant portion of their income, and they appreciate the support from the people of Hawaiʻi. To learn more about Watanabe Floral or to pre-order, click . Watanabe Floral has been a part of the community for almost 80 years, and they are grateful for their loyal customers. Valentine's Day is not just about flowers; it's a time to celebrate love and care for those around you. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 By supporting local florists like Watanabe Floral, you help keep traditions alive while sharing the beauty of flowers with the people you love! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
