Cherry blossoms were in the air and gorgeous weather was everywhere, bringing throngs of people together on Saturday to celebrate the 19th Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. Officially kicking off the event was the Mistress of Ceremonies, Penny Keli’i-Vredenburg, who introduced many special guests, including Reverend Midori Kondo, who offered a blessing, and Mayor Billy Kenoi, who presented Paniolo Hall of Fame members, Jamie Dowsett, Charles T. Kimura, and Charles T. Onaka, with special plaques commemorating their important contributions to ranching in Hawai’i. Attendees were treated to a wide variety of exciting cultural activities throughout Waimea, including traditional mochi pounding, vocal and dance entertainment, informational booths, food demos and tastings, and tea ceremonies.
This year’s celebration was very special in that it marked the centennial anniversary of the presentation of cherry blossom trees to the US from Japan. In commemoration of 100 years, additional cherry blossom trees will be planted nationwide this year, beginning with our local event in Waimea. Seeds, carefully nurtured this past fall, grew into seedlings ready to be planted in the ground at the Hamakua end of historic church row in Waimea. Although cherry blossoms generally require a very cold winter in order to bloom, Dr. Tetsuo Koyama, Director of the Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden, helped to select a variety that is suitable for Hawai’i’s unique climate. Special guest Yoshihiko Kamo, Consulate General of Japan at Honolulu, was present to participate in this special planting, along with Dr. Koyama. Cherry blossoms are a symbol of friendship between the US and Japan, and it is hoped that this centennial celebration will strengthen and support the positive relationship between Japan and the US.
