60th Cherry Blossom Festival Contestant
Heather Leilani Chiyono Smith
Parents: Kendrick and Laura Smith
High School: Kalani High School, 2004
College: University of Hawai’i at Manoa
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Mathematics, with a certificate in Women’s Studies, 2009; Masters in Educational Psychology, expected in 2012
Occupation: Graduate Student; Law School Admissions and Web Coordinator; and Part-Time Afterschool Care Teacher’s Aide
Ambition: To find my true passion
Hobbies: Swimming with my two golden retrievers, Mika and Maya; being bitten by the travel bug; capturing life’s special moments with my camera
When I watch my mom prepare the traditional nishime I learn something new every year. She carefully ties konbu knots, slices bamboo shoots, and chops shitake mushrooms. My favorite dish is the fresh onaga she prepares in ginger soy sauce.
My family makes fresh mochi for the ozoni soup and the kagamimochi display. I am not allowed to leave the table until I finish all of the soup to ensure strength and prosperity.
The first year I helped mold the mochi, I danced around because it burned my fingers (atsui!). My mom and uncle shaped the mochi like professionals and laughed as I tried my best. My uncle would comment, “What kind of Japanese are you?”
The preparation of these traditional Japanese foods brings our family together. No matter what challenges we encounter during the year, we all know the new year will be a fresh start.