Congratulations 50th Cherry Blossom Queen and Court!

Queen Lisa Akiko Lokelani Okinaga
(pictured with Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono and Festival Chairwoman Sharene Urakami)

(From left to right) Princess and Miss Popularity Nina Hashimoto, Princess Michele Nakata, Queen Lisa Okinaga, 1st Princess Katie Young, Princess Charlene Sakuma, and Miss Congeniality Nicole Kuwahara

Queen Lisa Akiko Okinaga	1st Princess Katie Matsuko Young	Princess/Miss Popularity Nina Masami Hashimoto
Princess Michele Aki Nakata	Princess Charlene Kaoru Sakuma	Miss Congeniality Nicole Rae Kuwahara

The fifteen Queen Contestants during the Eastern / Kimono Phase.

49th Queen, Catherine Toth and Queen Lisa Okinaga hug during the passing of the "Queen's Scepter."

The 49th Queen and Court in smiles after bidding a touching farewell.

The Cherry Blossom Festival enters its golden anniversary as one of Hawaii's oldest ethnic festivals, celebrating our rich Japanese American culture and heritage. The theme of the 50th Cherry Blossom Festival is "Reflections from the Past... Visions for the Future." This theme was chosen to insure that we never forget the challenges and triumphs of the past, and be ever aware that change must be embraced in order to move the Festival forward into the next century and beyond.

With the generosity of our sponsors, award donors and dedicated members, we are pleased to present to you the various events of this year's festival, the 50th Cherry Blossom Queen, court and the 15 queen contestants.

Please take time to surf our site and find out more about the festival. Visit us regularly as we cover the festival events and the latest news happening with the festival.

In the spotlight:

Festival Ball

The fifteen queen contestants' Festival experience will come to a culmination at the 50th Cherry Blossom Festival Ball. On this exciting evening, the young ladies will have a chance to show their friends and family the result of all their hard work over the course of six months. They will be demonstrating their speaking ability while displaying authentic silk furisode kimonos, flown in especially for the Cherry Blossom Festival. The Festival Ball will also feature live performances and the last official appearance of the 49th Cherry Blossom Festival Queen, Catherine Toth and her Court. Before the night is over, a panel of distinguished judges will select the new Cherry Blossom Festival Queen, First Princess and three Princesses. Miss Popularity and Miss Congeniality will also be selected as members of the 50th Cherry Blossom Festival Court. This year's Festival Ball will be held at the luxurious Sheraton Waikiki Hotel Hawaii Ballroom. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $65.00 for this gala event and dinner. We'll see you at the event that promises excitement and anticipation! Click here to download the Festival Ball order form (In PDF) This document requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have it already installed, you can download it Free from Adobe.