60th Cherry Blossom Festival Contestant
Mindy Mitsuyu Yoneshige
Parents: Kerry and Audrey Yoneshige
High School: Iolani School, 2006
College: Santa Clara University, 2010
Degree: B.S. in Civil Engineering
Occupation: Wastewater Engineer
Ambition: To earn a M.S. in Environmental Engineering, my Professional Engineer’s license, and eventually a MBA.
Interests: Zumba, kickboxing, networking, and going to the beach
The tradition I value most is making mochi at New Year’s with my family. The men steam and pound rice with the same tools my mother’s family used when she was growing up, while the women make mochi the way my grandmother taught us before she passed away. We use the mochi for ozoni, a traditional New Year’s soup representing strength and prosperity, and for the kagamimochi display. Pounding mochi is a tradition I have the opportunity to partake in the way my parents and grandparents did with their families. This tradition is most valuable to me not only because my ancestors did it, but also because it allows my family and I to take time from our hectic lives and enjoy each other’s company while exchanging stories, laughs, and cherishing the memory of my grandmother through a significant tradition that she passed down to all of us.