60th Cherry Blossom Festival New Queen and Court
On March 31 the 60th CBF Festival Ball took place and saw a new reigning Cherry Blossom Festival Queen and Court. The Cherry Blossom Festival and Hawaii Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce proudly presents our 60th Cherry Blossom Festival Queen and Court!
Queen – Erin Mie Hi’ileialoha Morimoto
First Princess – Edrea Eri Katsunuma
Princess – Nicole Yuriko Kinney
Princess – Cari Ayako Tasoe
Princess – Tomomi Julia Ida
Miss Congeniality – Heather Leilani Chiyono Smith
Miss Popularity – Teri Leinaala Nakakura
(from left to right): Miss Congeniality Heather Smith, Princess Tomomi Ida, Princess Nicole Kinney, Queen Erin Morimoto, First Princess Edrea Katsunuma, Princess Cari Tasoe, and Miss Popularity Teri Nakakura.
60th Cherry Blossom Festival Unveils Queen Contestants
The opening ceremonies held on Sunday, Jan 22, officially commenced the start of the 60th Cherry Blossom Festival with the unveiling of this festival's queen contestants. This festival's theme, "Kizuna," which means, "to bond," was also announced.
The 60th Cherry Blossom Festival Queen Contestants are:
Kristin Amanda Rie Alm
Carrie Gemma Chiemi Esaki
Tomomi Julia Ida
Edrea Eri Katsunuma
Nicole Yuriko Kinney
Allison Keiko Kunichika
Shiho Matsutaka
Erin Mie Hi‘ileialoha Morimoto
Jenna Akie Moriwaki
Teri Leinaala Nakakura
Erin Ai Shiroma
Heather Leilani Chiyono Smith
Cari Ayako Tasoe
Marika Emi Yano Wilson
Mindy Mitsuyu Yoneshige
Perpetuating Japanese Culture and Enriching the Lives of Young Women
The Cherry Blossom Festival holds the honor of being one of the longest, continually running ethnic festival in the State of Hawai‘i – originally started in 1953. While times have evolved, the purpose of the Festival continues to be the perpetuation of Japanese culture, and to enrich the lives of young women of Japanese ancestry.
Photo credit: Sean Nakamura
The Queen Contestants are given the opportunity to learn about their Japanese heritage, improve their poise and public speaking and develop leadership skills through numerous cultural and training classes. From January through March they will participate in the Festival's wide range of events, from Fashion Show to Festival Ball - where the 60th Cherry Blossom Festival Queen and Court will be selected. Please review the detailed information in the application packet.
Over the past 60 years the Festival has touched the lives of many. Our national sister Cherry Blossom Festival relationships continue to flourish, and each year the Festival hosts five sister Junior Chamber chapters from Japan.
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