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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, March 17, 2003

Masaru Sumida, 'Aiea watercress farmer, dead at 84

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Masaru Sumida, an innovative farmer whose family farm produces half of the state's watercress, died Thursday. He was 84.

Masaru Sumida served as president of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation in the 1950s.

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In the 1950s, he took over management of his family's farm in 'Aiea and fought to save it from rapid urbanization in the area, preserving conditions for high-quality watercress and a spot of beauty to relax the eye of commuters on Kamehameha Highway near Pearlridge Center.

The farm was started in 1928 by Sumida's parents and when Sumida retired, he turned over operation to his children. Sumida Farm produces high-quality watercress that is popular with chefs throughout the country.

Sumida also served as president of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation in the 1950s, an era when the organization became affiliated with the powerful national Farm Bureau as Hawai'i became a state.

He promoted the development of diversified agriculture in Hawai'i as a form of reducing dependence on processed food and imported fruits and vegetables.

He served on the Land Commission and worked toward the preservation of farmland and the establishment of a greenbelt around O'ahu.

Sumida introduced vacuum cooling, a method of chilling freshly harvested produce and extending its shelf life, to Hawai'i.

He was also an avid sportsman, and invented a telescoping draw bar for boat trailers, making it easier to pull boats from the water.

He was co-founder of the 'Aiea Boat Club.

Sumida is survived by daughters, Charlotte and Barbara; sons, Stephen and David; six grandchildren; and a hanai son, Matt Kahapea.

Services will be held March 26 at the Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel. Visitation begins at 5 p.m.; service to follow at 6:30 p.m. Aloha attire.