Cherry Blossom Festival

Ruth Mariko Taketa Family: Carol Sato (mother) and Jonathan Taketa (brother) High School: Roosevelt High School, 2011 College/Degree/Year: University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, 2016. “What does kokoro mean to you?” “Kokoro is the careful balance of the heart, mind, and spirit. I think of kokoro as a combination of each characteristic....

The 66th Cherry Blossom Festival got its official kick-off on Jan. 14 with the introduction of the 15 queen contestants at the New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival, presented by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. The Cherry Blossom Festival is sponsored annually by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. This year’s festival theme is Inspire.....

Photos by Expressions and Glenn Yoza Photography TAELER KEALOHILANI AKANA High School: La Pietra Hawai‘i School for Girls, Honolulu, Hawai‘i College/Degree: Saint Mary’s College of California, Bachelor of Science in Psychology Occupation: Community Based Case Manager Hobbies: Gardening and...

Lori Satoki Kim Parents: Eric and Karen Kim High School: Pacific Buddhist Academy, 2007 College/Degree/Year: University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, bachelor’s degree in business administration – accounting, 2012. “What does kokoro mean to you?” “Growing up, Kokoro always meant heart. It meant using my heart to always try and show compassion to others, a thought....

SPOTLIGHT BY Gwen Battad Ishikawa Gwen Battad Ishikawa Kansha (gratitude) and Kokoro (heart) were the themes, respectively, of the 64th and 65th Cherry Blossom festivals, sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. Heather Kiyomi Omori, who was chosen queen of the 65th Cherry Blossom Festival on March 18 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel,....

[caption id="attachment_20392" align="alignnone" width="240"] Taylor Date[/caption] TAYLOR LILIA DATE High School: Punahou School College/Degree: Seattle University, Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications, minor in Journalism Occupation: Marketing assistant Hobbies: Searching for cute cafes, playing soccer and watching k-dramas. How do you live “kaizen,” continuous growth/improvement, in your daily life? “Just over a year ago, I....

Kaelyn Sachiko Okuhata Parents: Kevin and Lori Okuhata High School: King Kekaulike High School (Hawai‘i Island), 2012 College/Degree/Year: Chapman University, bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in art studio, 2016 “What does kokoro mean to you?” “Last winter in the Colorado Rockies, I saw snowfall for the first....

And Miss Congeniality and Recipient of the Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Ida Yoshinaga While growing up, Jewel Mahoe, the bright, focused daughter of yonsei Jennifer Lam of Kapahulu and sansei Arthur Mahoe of Hawai‘i Kai, was...

JACQUELINE MIYUKI ARELLIANO Parents: Janet and Dwayne Arelliano High School: Sacred Hearts Academy College/Degree: Whittier College, Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and minor in Biology Occupation: Procurement Specifications Specialist I What or who drives you to keep moving forward? “Experiencing the quality traits of faithfulness, empathy and love drive me forward through life. We....

Okinawan Musical Performer Sweeps Top CB Festival Awards for Historic “Triple Win” Ida Yoshinaga In the early evening of Saturday, Apr. 3, the virtual audience of the 69th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival — ensconced in their...