about

About the Festival

In 1953, a small group of courageous and dedicated individuals organized the first Cherry Blossom Festival in Hawaii. These individuals were the founding fathers of the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce (HJJCC), who each invested $1,000 of their own money to create the Festival, which has become one of the most recognized ethnic Festivals in the state.

This year, the HJJCC is proud to present the 57th Cherry Blossom Festival. While times have changed, the purpose of the Festival continues to be the perpetuation of Japanese culture, and to enrich the lives of young women of Japanese ancestry. It is with great pleasure and a strong sense of tradition that we present this year's Festival.

This is more than just a Festival, it is an opportunity that allows people to grow through their experiences, learn about and celebrate their culture, and create lifetime memories. The theme for this year's Festival is "Perpetuating Our Traditions." Within the Cherry Blossom Festival, traditions have been passed down for 57 years. Because of the generosity of our sponsors, award donors, instructors, and volunteers, the Cherry Blossom Festival will continue to flourish as a venue to perpetuate the passing of the traditions for generations to come.

In the months ahead, the festival will include many activities and events, such as the Public Appearances of the Queen Contestants at our local shopping centers, the Heritage Fair with its demonstrations and exhibitions of Japanese arts, and the Festival Ball at the Sheraton Waikiki, where a new Cherry Blossom Festival Queen and Court will be selected. We invite you to join us at all of our events!