60th Cherry Blossom Festival Contestant
Kristin Amanda Rie Alm
Parent’s Name: Robert and Cynthia Alm
High School: Roosevelt High School, 2005
College: University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2009 and 2011
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Travel Industry Management, 2009; Master of Human Resource Management, 2011.
Occupation: Human Resources Coordinator
Ambition: To have a positive impact and give back to the community both personally and professionally.
Interests: Spending time with family and friends, Dancing Hula, Traveling, and Baking.
The New Year celebration is the tradition that I value the most. This tradition represents the passing of an old year and the fresh start of a new year. My family cooks Japanese food for New Year’s Day. In the morning, we make ozoni (for strength and prosperity) and serve tea with umeboshi (for good health).
We also cook traditional food such as kuromame (for good health and success), konbumaki (for happiness) and lotus root (representing the wheel of life). New Year’s Day is a time to gather with aunties, uncles and cousins to re-connect and celebrate the New Year. I value the Japanese tradition of celebrating the New Year because the celebration brings my family together and offers me a chance to reflect on all that my grandparents have passed down to us.