John Arafiles was always intrigued by the aesthetic elements of bonsai. The 72-year-old says he had little time for gardening before retiring from his job as a software engineering manager, but now it serves as his main hobby.

"I was fascinated by how you could keep the plants small and miniaturized," he said. "The upright and informal styles are easiest to maintain, but the cascading ones are my favorites."

One of his most prized plants is a ficus he picked up at a pawn and antique shop on Mau­na­kea Street that is worth much more than the $100 he paid for it.

He transformed his Tantalus front yard into a bonsai showcase that includes more than 100 plants and sculptures of dragons, Buddha, pagodas and even a pink flamingo. He has miniature pomegranate and bougainvillea plants and Chinese, Seiju and Catlin elms. His first bonsai was a Surinam cherry, also known as pumpkin cherry, a miniature variety commonly used for bonsai trees.

Arafiles recently made a trip to California and bought a few more plants for his collection.

"Any plant can be used for bonsai. However, plants with smaller leaves usually make better bonsai," he explained.

"I gardened before but not to this extent. The most difficult part about bonsai is having the time and patience to develop the trees."

Arafiles appreciates the sense of accomplishment that comes from his pastime. The plants need to be watered daily, and he’s always maintaining his collection.

A member of the Pearl City Bonsai Club, Arafiles is also president of the Rainbow Bonsai Club. The clubs conduct meetings during which members work on their plants. "The camaraderie of the bonsai community is valued especially since I’m retired," he said.

Arafiles and his wife, Joni, lived in the Silicon Valley in California for 40 years before returning to Hawaii in 2000 to take care of his ailing mother. The couple remained in the house after she died in 2001. His interest in bonsai was piqued about 10 years ago when he attended a display at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

"I started taking classes and later joined the clubs. I’d always wanted to do it but didn’t have the opportunity."

Arafiles began working on the yard last April, but midway through he had a heart attack and everything was put on hold. He’s back in full force now to complete the project with a new entry gate with an anthurium design, his late mother’s favorite flower.

"I like to call the garden my bonsai haven, like a refuge from the harsh world — somewhere to escape the realities of the real world," he said.

Joni Arafiles, 74, a retired business owner and real estate agent, created her own retreat with orchids and plants on the couple’s lanai. "It’s a nice retirement. This place is filled with peace and tranquility," she said.

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