Voice of Stephanie Salazar

HILO, Hawaii:  Hilo’s superstar stamp artist is at it again…

The United States Postal Service recently announced that John Dawson has designed a series of five ‘forever’ stamps – due to be released next year – depicting the beauty of bonsai.

Stamp enthusiasts will recognize Dawson as the man behind the popular Nature of America series, which culminated in a fitting unveiling of the “Hawaiian Rain Forest” stamp at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park about a year ago.

The word “bonsai” is Japanese for “plant in a pot” and refers to the art of cultivating plants — usually trees — in trays, pots, or other containers. Favorite bonsai plants include evergreens, maples, and azaleas, but many other trees and shrubs are also suitable.

This horticultural art form has become popular in many parts of the world. Here on the Big Island, of course, numerous clubs and associations hold meetings and shows in order to perpetuate the art.

Art director and stamp designer Ethel Kessler worked with artist John D. Dawson on the Bonsai stamps. They are being issued as Forever® stamps, which are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.