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11'aimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival <br />.. _b 4 larks 30th Anniversary <br />After a hiatus due to COVID, the free festival returns to Waimea for in -person <br />activities hosted by numerous community organizations at multipte venues 9 a.m.3 pm. <br />February 4. Marking its 30th year in 2023, the festival appeared as a virtual event in <br />2021 and as a special newspaper section in both West Hawaii Today and the Hawaii <br />Tribune Herald after the 29th festival was cancelled due to a January 2022 surge in <br />COViD. <br />Delicate pink blossoms, often backdropped by a crown of snow atop Mauna Kea, <br />attract thousands each year to the annual festival. Presented the first Saturday <br />in February under the direction of the Culture and Education Division of the County of <br />Hawaii Parks and Recreation Department, the community event is a favorite with both <br />visitors and residents alike. <br />At the core of the festival is the blooming of cherry trees at Church Row Park and the <br />age-old Japanese tradition of hanami, which literally translates to hana (flower) and mi <br />(look) or "cherry blossom viewing party." Harking from the 7th century, hanami <br />celebrates the fleeting beauty of nature while heralding the arrival of spring. <br />History of Abim+< ds Cherry Trees <br />at Church [low Park <br />Cherry trees first came to Waimea in 1953 as a living <br />memorial to Fred Makino, founder of Hawai'i's <br />Japanese language newspaper, Hawaii Hochi, The <br />late Isamil Shihara, a noted Waimea gardener,. <br />bonsai master and festival volunteer, propagated <br />more trees. He donated the seedlings to the <br />Waimea Lions Club for community beautification <br />and the club received permission from the county to <br />plant the trees in 1972 at Church Row Park. <br />Through the years, the Waimea Lions Club <br />nurtured the trees —which aren't native to <br />Hawai'i—replacing those that died. The late Hisao <br />Kimura, who was a professional agronomist, was <br />instrumental in laying the groundwork for the <br />partnership between the county and the club in <br />caring for the trees. Church <br />Row Park is currently home to 75-some trees. <br />During the festival, the Lions Club offers an <br />informative photo display chronicling the club's <br />planting efforts through the years. <br />Festival luformiatiou (at You Fhigertips <br />This Souvenir Booklet shares information <br />on the many community organizations <br />and volunteers who collaborate to present <br />the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage <br />Festival. <br />For the full lineup of things to do, pick <br />up the free, one -page handout titled <br />" 2D23 Festival Activity Lineup" at festival <br />venues. It is also available online; use the <br />QR code to access that link. Mahalol <br />