Ted Riese

Fortunato Teho's Hawaii Gardens Ted Riese

FORTUNATO TEHO was for over a quarter-century Hawaii?s gardening expert. Through his newspaper columns, radio and television broadcasts, personal appearances and best-selling book Plants of Hawaii ? How to Grow Them, Teho?s influence on home gardening throughout the islands was unparalleled from the late 1940?s until his death in 1986. Teho was also the first naturalized Filipino-American citizen in Hawaii; the first Filipino graduate of the University of Hawaii; a graduate of Mid-Pacific Institute and their Man of the Year; a winner of many awards for public service and garden writing, including the prestigious Garden Communicator?s Award. Teho was revered and loved by his family and the public at large for his warmth, good humor and accessibility. Upon his death, it was said, he was ?a memorable man? and ?few have done as much to keep Hawaii beautiful and productive.? This book contains a biography of Fortunato Teho, the introduction and table of contents from a comprehensive, environmentally attuned new book that was left unfinished at Teho?s death, and a selection of his garden writings compatible with his sustainable view of Hawaiian horticulture in later life. CORINNE VILLA-RIESE is a granddaughter of Fortunato Teho; she currently lives in Washington State with her husband, TED RIESE, a retired community college English and Humanities professor.