KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in helping to locate a bonsai tree that was stolen from a nursery in Puna.
In August, Hawaii Police initiated a theft investigation on a rare bonsai tree taken from the nursery. The bonsai, Brassaia bonsai, was kept and cared for by the owner since 1962.
The tree was taken in September from a nursery owned by David Fukumoto in Mountain View, the Associated Press reports. The 78-year-old Fukumoto says it was his first bonsai tree and it’s as if someone kidnapped his child.
Police are investigating the incident and are asking for the public’s help providing any information on the theft or locating and recovering the bonsai.
Anyone with information should contact Officer Kaipo Aurello at 965-2716 or the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer anonymity cal call or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.