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Aloha and Konichiwa,

As Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, it brings me

great joy to extend a warm welcome to you

to the 31st Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom

Heritage Festival.

The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival

commemorates the blossoming of the original

20 cherry trees planted in 1972 by the Waimea

Lions Club at Church Row Park and observes the time-honored

Japanese tradition of hanami, or “cherry blossom viewing party.”

Much like the fleeting beauty of the Sakura (cherry blossom) bud,

our time is precious and brief. Let us savor the beauty of our

life’s bloom. May we embrace our challenges, value our moments

with loved ones, uplift those around us, extend a helping hand

whenever possible, and above all, give gratitude for each day. In

doing so, our community will thrive and grow, and we will enjoy

its beauty, together.

I am honored to serve as your mayor, and I look forward to

many more cherry blossom festivals to come, celebrating the

promise of spring, the warm hospitality of our residents, and the

harmonious blending of cultural heritage that continues to make

the County of Hawai‘i a truly beautiful place to call home.

With Aloha.

Mitchell D. Roth

Mayor

County of Hawai‘i

Margo Mau Bunnell

Rochelle delaCruz

Colene DeMello

Capt. Jeremie Evangelista

Fern Gavelek

Gene Ishihara

Nancy Male

Colin Miura

Jim McDonough

Amy Nishiura

Duane Puhi

Annu Shionoya

Kathy Sprinkle

Clarence Yee

2024 Festival Planning Committee

Morty Carter, Jr.-- Chairman

Elyse Stevens, Lori Lei Katahara, Bert Mukai -- Assistants

Festival Portal QR includes:

• Digital version of

Souvenir Program

• Activity Line-up and

Festival Map

• Entertainment Schedule

Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Celebrates Hanami

In its 31st year, the 2024 Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. February 3

at multiple venues sprawling from the Parker Ranch Historic Homes to the historic planting of

cherry trees at Church Row Park.

Delicate pink blossoms, often backdropped by a crown of snow atop Maunakea, attract

thousands each year to the annual festival. Presented annually the first Saturday in February

under the direction of the Culture and Education Division of the County of Hawai‘i Parks and

Recreation Department, the community event is a favorite with both visitors and residents alike.

At the core of the festival is the blooming of cherry trees at Church Row Park and the age-old

Japanese tradition of hanami, which literally translates to hana (flower) and mi (look) or “cherry

blossom viewing party.” Harking from the 7th century, hanami celebrates the fleeting beauty of
nature while heralding the arrival of spring.

Cherry Trees Arrive in Waimea in 1953

Cherry trees first came to Waimea in 1953 as a living memorial to Fred Makino, founder of
Hawai‘i’s former Japanese language newspaper, Hawaii Hochi. The late Isami Ishihara, a noted
Waimea gardener, bonsai master and festival volunteer, propagated more trees. He donated
the seedlings to the Waimea Lions Club for community beautification and the club received
permission from the county to plant the trees in 1972 at Church Row Park.

Through the years, the Waimea Lions Club nurtured the trees—which aren’t native to Hawai‘i—
replacing those that died. The late Hisao Kimura, who was a professional agronomist, was

instrumental in laying the groundwork for the

partnership between the county and the club

in caring for the trees. Church Row Park

is currently home to 75-some trees.

During the festival, the Lions Club

offers an informative photo display

chronicling the club’s planting

efforts through the years.

Festival Founded in 1994

Under the direction of former county Parks and Recreation Director

George Yoshida, the festival originated in 1994 in Church Row Park

and has evolved over the years to involve numerous community

organizations providing fun activities throughout town.

While activities and locations vary each year, the festival

offers plenty of hands-on fun: mochi pounding, bonsai

demonstrations, origami making, traditional Japanese

tea ceremonies, bon dancing and more. While many

venues are within walking distance of each other, Roberts

Hawaii graciously provides free shuttle service among select

locations.

Attendees are treated to a wide range of local entertainment including taiko

drumming, hula and Chinese lion dance, plus sometimes headliners from Japan delight festival

goers with authentic Japanese costume, dance, song and instrumentation. Stages outside Parker

Ranch Center, Waimea Center, Church Row Park and Pukulani Stables present a wide range of

local and ethnic performing arts. Attendees can shop among numerous craft vendors, a farmer’s

market, tables of Asian-themed collectibles, cherry tree blossoms and cherry-themed art.

All the activities spur the appetite and festival goers enjoy free samplings at staged cooking

demonstrations by local chefs. Hungry attendees make their way among numerous broke-da-
mouth food booths, Asian baked goods like andagi and refreshing shave ice.

Official Festival Honorees and Art

Since 2007, the festival has often celebrated persons or organizations within the community—

whether they are community volunteers, leaders, businesses or colorful characters involved

with the festival—as official honorees. Honorees are not named annually and such is the case

for 2024. In addition, the Waimea Arts Council (WAC) facilitates a contest for the festival’s

official annual art that appears on this booklet’s cover and the event poster that can be

purchased for $10 at Firehouse Gallery. WAC also presents the annual “Cherry Blossom Art
Exhibition” at Firehouse Gallery, located at Waimea’s Historic Corner.

Festival Information at Your Fingertips

This Souvenir Booklet shares information on the many community

organizations and volunteers who collaborate to present the Waimea Cherry

Blossom Heritage Festival. For the full lineup of things to do, pick up the free,

one-page handout titled “2024 Festival Activity Lineup” at festival venues. It is

also available online in the Festival Portal; use the QR code in this booklet to

access that link. Mahalo!

Parker Ranch Center is thrilled to once

again be a major participant with the annual

Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival for

2024. Visitors to this year’s festival can enjoy

shopping, dining and entertainment while

experiencing the stunning aromas, views and

colors of the 31st Cherry Blossom Festival.

Located in the heart of Waimea, the center

offers plenty of parking.

Parker Ranch Center is part of the 250,000-

acre Parker Ranch, one of the nation’s oldest

and largest cattle ranches. The center was

built to serve the needs of the ranchers and

their families who made their livelihood on the

ranch.

Originally opened in 1968, Parker Ranch

Center was reconfigured and designed to an

award-winning architectural standard in 2002.

It is anchored by local island grocer Foodland

and local health food store Healthway’s.

Signature tenants include Starbucks, Patisserie

Nanako, Mahina, Village Burger and Waimea’s

only food court.

Located in the heart of Hawai‘i’s paniolo

country, Parker Ranch Center invites festival

goers to visit the nine-ton “Ikua Purdy

Rides Again” statue, courtesy of the Paniolo

Preservation Society and located near the

Center’s Mamalahoa Highway 19 entrance.

Purdy was the 1908 World Champion Roper

who was inducted into the National Cowboy

Hall of Fame. Inside the center’s Fireside Food

Court, 32 paniolo murals, painted by local

artist Marcia Ray, colorfully adorn the walls.

The history of Parker Ranch and Waimea is

rich and captivating. It’s a story of the land,

of the melding of cultures, of cowboys and of

community spirit.

Parker Ranch Center

North Hawai‘i Bon Dancers

Accompanied by Kona Hongwanji Taiko Drummers

Bon Odori (Bon Dance) originates from the story of a

Buddhist disciple who envisioned his deceased mother in

the Realm of Hungry Ghosts where she was indulging in

her own selfishness. Greatly disturbed, the disciple went to

Buddha and asked how he could release his mother from

this realm.

Buddha advised his disciple to perform a charitable act in memory of his mother. The disciple

did this and thus saw his mother’s release. He also began to see the true nature of her past

unselfishness and the many sacrifices she had made for him. The disciple, happy for his

mother’s release and grateful for his mother’s kindness, danced with joy.

This dance of joy is Bon Odori, a time when ancestors and their sacrifices are remembered

and appreciated. During the festival, the North Hawai‘i Bon Dancers will perform traditional

Bon Odori movements in lines fronting the entertainment stage in the back parking lot at

Parker Ranch Center. They will be accompanied by the Kona Hongwanji Taiko Group. The

public is welcome to join in.

The W. M. Keck Observatory

The W. M. Keck Observatory telescopes

are among the largest, most scientifically

productive on Earth. Research conducted from

atop Maunakea on Hawai’i Island using Keck

Observatory’s two, 10-meter optical/infrared

telescopes have led to groundbreaking

discoveries—two of which won Nobel Prizes

in Physics: one in 2011 for the discovery of the

accelerating expansion of the universe and

another in 2020 for conclusive evidence of a

supermassive black hole at the center of our

Milky Way galaxy.

Keck Observatory is a non-profit organization

operated as a scientific partnership between Caltech, University of California, and NASA. Its twin

telescopes, equipped with cutting-edge technology, enable astronomers around the world to

observe the deepest and darkest regions of space, unraveling celestial mysteries.

Inspired by the awe and wonder of the universe and deeply committed to Hawai’i’s community,

Keck Observatory’s 140-plus employees are dedicated to sharing the knowledge learned from

Maunakea, fostering curiosity and exploration through science engagement, community

citizenship, and workforce development. The front lawn of the observatory’s Waimea

headquarters offers activities during the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival.

Learn more:

www.keckobservatory.org

Keck Observatory Domes atop Maunakea

by Ethan Tweedie Photography

Urasenke Hilo Association

The Urasenke Hilo Association annually

participates in the festival by offering Chanoyu,

the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Chado, “The Way

of Tea, is based “on the simple act of boiling

water, making tea, offering it to others and

drinking of it ourselves.” Powdered matcha tea

is used, which is whipped into hot water and

served “with a respectful heart while received

with gratitude.”

The Urasenke Hilo Chapter (Urasenke Hilo

Association) was established in 1971. It meets

and (hopefully) teaches regularly at the landmark Shoroan (Pine Ocean) Tea House on the

beautiful grounds of Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo.

Through practice and experience of Chanoyu, each practitioner seeks to attain the four

essential virtues. They are “wa,” which is harmony; ‘kei” is respect, “sei” is purity and “jaku” is

tranquility or the peace of mind that comes with the realization of the first three principles

of the philosophy of wabi, meaning quiet or sober refinement.

The Urasenke Hilo Association invites festival goers to be a guest at a traditional Chanoyu

and enjoy the serenity of a bowl of tea. The chapter offers several tea ceremonies during

the festival 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Parker Ranch Historic Homes.

Asian Dance and Music

The performing arts of Japan returns to the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival during

a presentation of dance and music entitled “Sakura Beauty and Spirit.” The sakura, or cherry

blossom, is the national flower of Japan and represents a springtime sense of renewal and

optimism. Dances and choreography are by Shizuno Nasu while Annu Shoko Shionoya, who

teaches and performs piano on the Big Island, coordinates participating local musicians and

artists.

Shizuno Nasu Dance Institute of Japan is composed of eight dancers, featuring special Buddhist

guest Chief Priest Koshin Nagamune. A solo vocalist, he is from Tendai Shomyo Honjoin Tendai-

Shu Temple and has performed in many European countries and throughout Japan.

On lyre, is Miyuki Ikesue, who has appeared in concert in Japan, Europe and the US. Also

performing is vocalist Lisa Katherine Taylor, bamboo flutist Manuel Roberto and pianist Annu

Shoko Shinoya. Featured painting is by Susumu Sakaguchi. The presentation is 2 p.m. at Parker

Ranch Historic Homes.

Waimea KTA Super Stores

KTA Super Stores started in 1916, as a modest,

500 square-foot grocery and dry goods store,

by Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi. Since then,

KTA has grown to a seven-store chain, serving

the residents of Hawai‘i island. For over 100

years, KTA Super Stores has been committed

to our founder’s philosophy, which is a

commitment to humbly serve the people of

our community.

KTA Waimea opened in 1989 to serve the

community of Kamuela, later expanding

and renovating in 2002. KTA is proud to be

a regular venue participant in the festival,

often doing food demonstrations and other

activities.

Roberts Hawaii

Roberts Hawaii has provided complimentary

shuttle services to venues of the Waimea

Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival for years as

the company’s Big Island team has a sense

of “kuleana” (responsibility) to its hometown

community. The festival resumed last year

after a COVID pause and Roberts Hawaii is

again excited to be part of this festive event.

“We are happy to watch the success of this

festival and its growth over the years,” says

Margo Bunnell, Roberts GM of Hawai‘i Island.

“Our commitment to these types of events is

to always be good partners to help preserve

the mixed cultures found in the Hawaiian

Islands.”

Bunnell adds, “When this festival started

31 years ago for just the pure enjoyment of

‘hanami,’ the viewing of the beautiful flowers

of the cherry blossom trees, we were so

fortunate the community wanted to expand

this event throughout the town. Roberts

Hawaii will always be here for the community

and to be part of this major event, which has

brought a small town like Waimea to host this

time-honored Japanese tradition.”

“Where else in the world can one see the

magnificent Maunakea as the backdrop for

these wonderful ‘hot pink’ cherry blossoms in

full bloom in February?,” she concludes.

Kamuela Farmers Market

The Kamuela Farmers Market was founded December

2015 by a group of vendors who had been working

together in Waimea for many years. The goal was to

establish a place for the community to gather and

support small and local family owned businesses. The

market is held at the idyllic historic Pukalani Stables,

which was part of the original Pukalani Village in the

19th century and located at 67-139 Pukalani Road in

Waimea.
Over the past seven years, the Kamuela Farmers Market

has grown to more than 50 vendors offering some of the island’s best locally grown produce,

“grindz” and goods. Known as “The Heartbeat and Gathering Place of Waimea,” the Kamuela

Farmers Market has hosted many outstanding musicians and performances at special events

and is honored to be an official participant of the 31st annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Festival.
In 2024, the Market is offering a lineup of entertainment and partnering with the Holo Holo

Ku at Parker Ranch Homeowners Association to provide festival activities, including the Cherry

Choo Choo by Kohala Mountain Express. The keiki train rides are from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for $5 at

Holo Holo Ku at Parker Ranch next to Pukalani Stables.

For info on the Kamuela Farmers Market, visit

kamuelafarmersmarket.com

Holo Holo Ku at Parker Ranch

Homeowners Association

Holo Holo Ku at Parker Ranch strives to set an example

of how condominium associations can stay involved with

its neighbors. Working alongside some of the other non-

profits in the Waimea area, Holo Holo Ku at Parker Ranch

assists Pukalani Stables, the local farmers markets and

other public events to create a space for Waimea and the

Big Island to enjoy. Many of the Holo Holo Ku at Parker Ranch community members also

volunteer around town, stay active with social and community gatherings, and support the

greater Waimea area and Hawai‘i through different philanthropic endeavors.

Kohala Mountain Express

The Kohala Mountain Express chugs into Waimea to again

offer its trackless keiki train rides at Holu Holu Ku at Parker

Ranch next to Pukalani Stables. Train Engineer Clarence

Yee of Hawi drives the 10-barrel train that is powered by an

authentic looking locomotive (some say it resembles Thomas

the Train!). Scenic rides aboard the Cherry Choo Choo are

a delight for young children and offer great photo ops!

Passengers are charged a nominal fee.

The Historic Spencer House

The Historic Spencer House has been a Waimea

landmark for over 180 years. Still owned by the

Spencer family, the original home was built in

1840 and boasts being the first western-style

house in the area. A kitchen, bathroom and

additional rooms were added later. While most

of the family furniture has been dispersed, there

are some portraits on the walls, as well as ghost

stories that typically accompany all old houses.

Over the years, the Spencer House has been

a family home, a hotel, a law office and a restaurant. It has also accommodated various

offices and businesses. Some parts of the house are currently under repair, but visitors

are welcome to walk through most of the building’s ground floor to appreciate its

historical significance and vintage craftsmanship. E komo mai!

Parker Ranch Historic Homes

In the scenic, pastoral countryside of Waimea, Parker Ranch’s two historic homes, Puuopelu

and Mana Hale, still reside among the green hills and windswept pastures. These beautiful

homes tell the Parker family’s story through historic heirlooms, works of art, and everyday

things. The homes are open for free to the public for self-guided tours during the Waimea

Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival.

Mana Hale, the two-story, “saltbox” koa-wood house that John Palmer Parker built—almost

ship-like with its small rooms, narrow staircase, and low ceilings—was moved from its original

location to sit side-by-side with the more elaborate Puuopelu.

Purchased by John Parker II in 1879, the “Hawaiian Victorian” manor house served as the family

home through sixth generation heir Richard Smart, who surrounded it with flower gardens

and filled it with his extensive art collection, family portraits,

antiques and treasures from world travels.

Take a tour of the historic homes of Parker Ranch, a family

dynasty that began nearly 200 years ago, with deep roots

in the land and intricate ties to the history and monarchy

of Hawai`i. Upon arrival, you will receive a self-guided tour

pamphlet to guide you through the historic homes, gardens,

and grounds. With the exception of festival day on February

3, reservations and availability are booked online, visit

https://parkerranch.com/waimea/explore-self-guided-tours/

Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple

The Kona Hongwanji Temple annually

provides a “hands-on” demonstration of mochi

tsuki (mochi pounding) during the festival and

offers attendees complimentary mochi treats

made from the freshly pounded mochi. The

treats are flavored with either red bean paste

(anko), peanut butter or a soybean powder

with sugar (kinako).
Mochi making is a multi-day process. Rice

must be washed and rinsed, all wooden

equipment soaked, the rice cooked and then

pounded. Mochi is believed to symbolize unity

and strength because of its sticky consistency.

Since mochi rice is pounded, it lasts much

longer than ordinary cooked rice and is

therefore associated with longevity.
The Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple is

located in Kealakekua and celebrated 125

years in 2022. The Temple aspires to be the

leading Buddhist center for West Hawai‘i by

providing:
• spiritual guidance and support

for living in the 21st century

• propagation programs and activities

appealing to people of all ages

and ethnicities

• a resource center for Pure Land/Jodo

Shin Buddhism.

Kamuela Liquor Store

This long-time liquor store and festival

participant is a Waimea landmark

located on Hwy. 19 when driving toward

Honoka’a. Owner Alvin Wakayama hosts

sake tasting for festival goers from noon

to 3 p.m.

The recreational beverage and snack

needs of the Waimea community have

been supplied by several generations

of the Wakayama family. Around

1938, Jitsuji Wakayama erected the

Kamuela Theatre next door to the then

I. Oda Store to expand entertainment

offerings once held at I. Oda. Although

recollections are varied, the theatre

presented dramatic Japanese touring

companies, movies and community

events. One newspaper article shared

about I. Oda described a shibai (farce),

performed by locals whose costumes

were made by wives of Parker Ranch

workers. After WWII, the theatre was

discontinued and the operation was

devoted to selling beverages.

The store, then overseen by Jitsuji’s son,

Tetsuro, became known as the Kamuela

Liquor Store and the business was

established in 1946. Tetsuro married

Yukie, the daughter of a noted paniolo

from Parker Ranch. Today, Tetsuro’s son

Alvin continues to operate the store.

Through the years, Kamuela Liquor Store

has offered a wide range of spirits, fine

wines and beers. In addition, shoppers

enjoy a food selection of gourmet

products including boutique cheeses and

condiments, plus typical snacks.

So-shin Kai Koto

Based in Hilo, So-shin Kai is a group of koto

students under the instruction of Darin Miyashiro

that performs at the Waimea Cherry Blossom

Heritage Festival. Last year, the group wowed

attendees with a performance in the atrium at

Waimea Center. Check the QR code for the 2024

Festival Activity Lineup in this booklet for this

year’s times and locations.

The koto is an ancient Japanese zither-type

instrument with 13 strings and moveable bridges.

It measures up to six feet long and a foot wide and

is played with picks, called tsume. Said to “represent a dragon,” the koto is related to the

Chinese guzheng and Korean gayageum. The national instrument of Japan, the koto has

been played for over 1,000 years there. Since the Meiji Era (1868-1912), many new koto

pieces have been composed. Koto music often expresses meaningful Japanese customs or

seasons, including the sakura or cherry blossom season.

Waimea Bon-yu Kai Bonsai Club

In 2024, the Waimea Bon-yu Kai Bonsai Club will be entering its 68th

year as an active bonsai club. Waimea Bon-yu Kai continues to be an

active group in the community and has participated in every Cherry

Blossom Festival held in Waimea. The late Isami Ishihara of Waimea was

a founding club member as well as the planter of the original cherry trees

in Church Row Park.

“In bonsai, the main thing is the Three

Point Rule,” Mr. Ishihara once shared. He described it as the

bonsai having a triangular shape with the top apex, or point,

actually at the top. “You also see this in Japanese flower

arranging,” he added. The triangle’s points are called “heaven,

man and earth,” he continued. “The bottom is earth, the

foundation; it is strong.”

During the festival, visit the Bonsai Club booths in Church

Row Park and talk story with the members. There will be

bonsai plants on display, bonsai for sale, and an ongoing clinic

and demonstrations to discuss and work on any bonsai

you may have.

To learn more, the club invites the public to attend one of its monthly meetings offered 1 p.m.

to 3 p.m. every fourth Sunday of the month, except December, at the Waimea Community

Center. For more information, email WaimeaBonsai@gmail.com

Kamuela Hongwanji Mission

Kamuela Hongwanji Mission is located

at 65-1110 Mamalahoa Highway fronting

Waimea’s Historic Church Row Park.

Established in 1954, the temple was

originally called Waimea Hongwanji. The

name was changed to Kamuela Hongwanji

Mission in 1969, so as not to confuse it

with Waimea Hongwanji on Kaua‘i.

The temple is a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist

Temple and is one of 33 temples in Hawai‘i

associated with Honpa Hongwanji Mission

of Hawai‘i in Honolulu. It also maintains

close ties with the Nishi Hongwanji head

temple in Kyoto, Japan. Rev. Masanari

Yamagishi is the resident minister of

Kamuela Hongwanji and also serves as the

minister for Honoka’a, Kohala and Pa’auilo

Hongwanji.

For this year’s festival, Kamuela Hongwanji

will host its temple open house with Rev.

Masanari Yamagishi. He will explain Shin

Buddhism rituals and chanting to visitors.

Guests are invited to sign the guest book.

Kamuela Hongwanji will offer a concession

stand with Asian foods such as nishime

bento, chichi mochi, Okinawan andagi and

more. Plus, the temple’s social hall will be

hosting several cooking demonstrations

by guest chefs from island restaurants,

along with fruit/vegetable carving

demonstrations and more activities.

Waimea Lions Club

The motto of the Lions

Club is “We Serve” and the

men and women of the

Waimea Lions have been

honoring that ideal since

1955. Caring for the 75-

some cherry trees at the

county’s Church Row Park

is the club’s largest service

project according to Lions Club Immediate

Past President James McDonough. In fact, the

non-profit was involved with the planting of

the park’s first trees in 1972 as a community

beautification project.

During the festival, the Waimea Lions offers a

large photo display of past festivals at Church

Row Park and serves as the official Lost and

Found station. In 2024, the club will be selling

two designs of festival t-shirts for both youth

and adults. Choose from an all white shirt with

a multi-colored design or a new black shirt

with a white design. Adult unisex shirts are

available in S, M, L, XL and XXL while they last.

The Waimea Lions is also involved with

the local Blood Bank Canteen, and when

the Boy Scout Makahiki is held locally the

Lions provide a volunteer snack shop with

all proceeds going to the local BSA district.

In addition, the club is involved with vision

screening in schools, collecting used

eyeglasses and participating in the annual

Project Vision Van campaign to offer free adult

vision screening. Most recently, the club is

involved in hearing screening for school kids.

While many of the organization’s original

members have lost their vim and vigor for

active service, the Waimea Lions boasts newly

inducted members and welcomes additional

members interested in community service. For

info, contact McDonough at

jimbo5441@aol.com

and follow WaimeaLionsClubDistrict50 on

facebook.

Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library

Thelma Parker Memorial Library first opened its doors in Waimea in 1951 on land donated

to the County of Hawai‘i by the world-famous Parker Ranch and its owner, Richard Palmer

Kaleioku Smart. Smart named the library after his mother, Annie Thelma Kahiluonapua‘api‘ilani

Parker. In 1978, the State of Hawai‘i opened a new and larger Thelma Parker Memorial Public

and School Library (TPMPSL) near its original location and is located at 67-1209 Mamalahoa

Highway.

The popular library continues to serve patrons—residents and visitors alike—from a wide

geographic area. TPMPSL has the longest name of all 51 libraries in the Hawai‘i State Public

Library System and is the sole state library without a location name. The facility boasts being

the only library in the state selected (in 2017) to be part of the NASA@My Library initiative to

promote STEM learning in the community. E komo mai!

Waimea’s Historic Corner—at the crossroads

of Hwys. 19 and 190 and on the corner of

Mamalahoa Hwy. and Lindsey Rd.—will have a

number of activities during this year’s festival.

Almost 100 years ago, the Historic Corner

served as Waimea’s civic center. It’s hard to

imagine the small buildings on the Historic

Corner housed the tax assessor’s office, the

courthouse, the library, the gym, and the

firehouse.

The Waimea Senior Club

(Lily

Yoshimatsu Senior Center) currently uses

the former district courthouse and the fire

chief’s residence has been converted to the

site for the

Hawaii County Elderly Activities

Nutrition Program

The

Waimea Preservation Association

(WPA)

is a local nonprofit focused on “Heritage,

Community, and Prosperity.” WPA is a

community resource center located in the tiny,

former territorial Tax Office Building. Current

projects include care of historic Minuke ‘Ole

Park behind Parker Ranch Center, support

for Waimea Chess Club and headquarters for

the Friendly Fridge food distribution serving

the needy. WPA also collaborates with other

organizations, such as the Rotary Club of

North Hawai‘i, with its Peace Pole project and

insurance coverage for community events

like Waimea’s Christmas Twilight Parade. Join

WPA during the Cherry Blossom Festival for

an open house and a chess fair on the big

20-foot-square chess board at the corner.

Since the 1980s, the

Waimea Arts Council

(WAC) has occupied the former bunkhouse for

Waimea’s firemen and the garage that housed

the fire truck. North Hawai‘i’s oldest arts

organization was founded in 1974 to stimulate

and encourage the growth of arts. Through

its various programs and events, the council

brings people together and fosters a sense of

community through the arts. WAC is one of

the founding groups that started the Cherry

Blossom Festival 31 years ago.

The Waimea Arts Council also operates the

on-site

Firehouse Gallery

, a venue for local

artists to display and sell their work. The

artists donate a percentage of their sales to

support community arts programs. The gallery

is sponsoring the 31st annual “Cherry Blossom

and Plein-Air Art Exhibition” during February.

Artists will have originals and prints available

for sale, including the 2024 festival poster.

The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday

through Sunday and “whenever the flags are

flying!” Learn more at

www.WaimeaArtsCouncil.org

Waimea’s Historic Corner

“Cherry Blossom Days” by Kea‘au Resident

is 2024 Official Festival Art

A painting titled “Cherry Blossom Days” by Patti Pease Johnson is the official art for the 2024

Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. The painting was selected from a field of 11 entries by

the festival’s community planning committee.

The winning art appears on both the cover of the festival’s

souvenir booklet and the 2024 poster. Purchase the poster for

$10 at Waimea’s Firehouse Gallery and the free souvenir booklet

is available at venues throughout the February 3rd festival. In

addition, 8X10 prints of “Cherry Blossom Days” will be sold at the

gallery during the Waimea Art Council’s 31st “Cherry Blossom

Art and Plein-Air Exhibition.” Pease Johnson will be at the gallery

during the festival to sign posters and prints.
A self-taught artist, Pease Johnson claims she’s “exhilarated by

nature’s vivid colors and beauty” while crediting her parents for

instilling an appreciation of nature. “I relish a rock, a leaf or piece of

moss as much as a mountain or the ocean,” she continues. “It’s the

simplistic nature of life I find most intriguing. Flow and contrast,

color and form, intuition and newness are what excites me in creation.”
A Kea‘au resident, Pease Johnson creates and teaches art in three mediums: dye on silk, soft

pastel and watercolor. She has been leading workshops for nearly two decades at various island

locations, including the Volcano Art Center and Hilo’s Wailoa Center.
The Minnesota native says her goal of “Cherry Blossom Days”

was to accentuate the beauty of the tiny cherry blossoms by

“creating a thick, colorful modeling of the petals by using a

palette knife.” As this technique can’t be achieved with the art

mediums she typically uses, Pease Johnson experimented with

a new material—acrylics.
In addition to the Firehouse Gallery in Waimea, find the artist’s

work at Volcano Art Center, Big Island Grown in Honoka‘a, the

Unite Art & Design Shop in Kona and in Hilo at both One Gallery

and Banyan Gallery. For info,

www.pattipeasejohnson.com

“Hanami”

Viewing the Flowers in Springtime

Waimea Cherry Blossom

Heritage Festival

2024

•

Kamuela, Hawaii

Waimea Cherry Blossom

Heritage Festival

2024

•

Kamuela, Hawaii

Original Painting “Cherry Blossom Days” by Patti Pease Johnson

Official Commemorative poster for the 2024 Waimea Heritage Festival, Kamuela, Hawai'i

Produced by and available through the Waimea Arts Council. www.waimeaartscouncil.org

The 17x11” poster is only available at the Firehouse Gallery.
Find them on Facebook: Firehouse Gallery & Waimea Arts Council
808-877-1052 www.WaimeaArtsCouncil.org

Limited Edition only $10

Mahalo!

The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is produced by the Hawai‘i County Parks and
Recreation’s Culture and Education Division. At the helm is event coordinator Morty Carter Jr.

Presented at numerous venues throughout Waimea, the free festival is a community-wide
effort staged by a dedicated team of organizations, individuals and businesses. Mahalo to
those who pitched in to produce the 2024 festival!

• Annu Shionoya—Classic Japanese

Music & Dance

• CJ’s Promotions

• Fern Gavelek Communications

• Hawai‘i County Fire & Police

Departments

• Hawai‘i County Parks & Recreation

Department

• Historic Spencer House

• Holo Holo Ku at Parker Ranch

Homeowners Association

• Islandwide Canopy Tents

• Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii

• KTA Super Stores

• Kamuela Farmers Market

• Kamuela Hongwanji Mission

• Kamuela Liquor Store

• Kathy Sprinkle

• Kohala Mountain Express—Train

Rides

• Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple—

Mochi Pounding

• Holo Holo Ku at Parker Ranch

Homeowners Association

• Parker Ranch Center (M&J Wilkow

Properties, LLC)

• Parker Ranch Historic Homes

• Roberts Hawaii-Free Shuttles

• So-shin Kai Koto

• Thelma Parker Memorial Library

• Urasenke Hilo Association—Tea

Ceremony

• Waimea Arts Council—Firehouse

Gallery

• Waimea Bon-yu Kai Bonsai Club

• Waimea Lions Club

• Waimea Preservation Association

• W. M. Keck Observatory

“Dark Pink Cherry Blossoms“ photo by Barbara Schaefer of Waimea, runner up winner of the Waimea Arts Council’s annual
Cherry Blossom Invitational Contest. This photo and others are available for purchase at the Firehouse Gallery.