Many Hawai'i residents remember the lush grounds of Hart, Tagami & Powell Gallery and Gardens in Kahalu'u Valley. They were filled with rare plants and animals (including a lion).

Artist Hiroshi Tagami and his protege, Michael Powell sold the Kahalu'u property in 1997 after 37 years and left for the Big Island. They're now back on O'ahu.

Tagami, born in Schofield Barracks, spent his youth laboring on plantations. His interest in art came early, in Japanese school, and later attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts. He also developed an interest in horticulture, endangered species and birds.

Today his paintings command from $350 to $45,000 and hang in galleries worldwide.

Richard Hart, a ceramicist, became Tagami's business manager, friend and partner in the Kahalu'u gallery and gardens.

When Hart died in 1987, Tagami asked Powell, who was then working in the corporate world, to join him at the Kahalu'u gallery. A one-year trial turned into a new career when Michael had his first art show in 1988.

"Hiroshi is just one of those people who was born with art in his soul," Powell said, in a release. "I have to work with discipline. Hiroshi, on the other hand, won't paint for weeks and then produces a tremendous outpouring of paintings over-night."

The two work primarily with charitable causes. One of their rare public exhibitions will be at La Pietra on the weekend of the school's annual fundraiser, Sunset Jazz, Etc.