56th Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry Blossom Festival General Chair: David Kaneko
Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce President: Justin George
56th Cherry Blossom Festival Court
Miss Congeniality Keri Haitsuka, Princess Dawn Yonamine, 1st Princess Ashley Kaneshiro, Queen Trisha Tamaru, Princess Liann Unebasami, Princess Stacey Fukuda and Miss Popularity Jamie Lyn Migita
57th Cherry Blossom Festival Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Awardee
Keri Haitsuka
"As a second grade student at Heeia Elementary School, I aspired to become an elementary school teacher. Since then, I have returned to my alma mater to teach first grade in my very own classroom. As an educator, I strongly believe in being a life-long learner and empowering students to become life-long learners as well. Although I thought my dream had truly been fulfilled, my passion for education did not end there. The Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship Award has given me the opportunity to continue my education. I intend to attain my Masters of Education Degree in Curriculum Studies at the University of Hawaii. I now live each day knowing that dreams are possible. With Dr. Scott Oishi's tremendous generosity and continued support of the Cherry Blossom Festival, I am excited to continue living out my dream."