Kimberly Kimiko Takata was crowned the 63rd Cherry Blossom Festival queen March 22 at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Thirteen contestants vied in this year’s pageant, sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
The event was the culmination of seven months of cultural and professional development classes that included Japanese history, tea ceremony, calligraphy, taiko, aikido, bon odori, public speaking and interview training. The court was selected by a panel of judges based on their dedication to perpetuating Japanese culture, commitment to education and passion for community service.
Takata, a business analyst, is a 2007 graduate of Punahou School who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in public health from Oregon State University and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, respectively.
Rosalei Teruko Chinen was named first princess and Miss Congeniality, and Heather Rie Miura was chosen Miss Popularity for her fundraising efforts on behalf of the Cherry Blossom Festival. The other court princesses are Jessica Naomi Kaleikaimana Kaneshiro, Celina Kiyomi Quach and Kyla Miyuki Teramoto.
Miura also was named winner of the $5,000 Violet Niimi Oishi Scholarship, named for the very first Cherry Blossom Festival queen and a career educator.
Hawaiian music, culture celebrated
The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo celebrates the Merrie Monarch Festival this week with a showcase of musical performances and cultural presentations.
On Tuesday the center presents "Wiwo ‘Ole: A Contemporary Hawaiian Hula Drama" in honor of Joseph Nawahi at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Hula Preservation Society is offering presentations on two revered legends of hula — the late hula master ‘Iolani Luahine and the late Aunty Nona Beamer.
The "Aunty ‘Io" program at 10 a.m. Wednesday includes digitally preserved film and video, with two of her students, Queenie Ventura Dowsett and Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, as special guests.
The presentation on Beamer, who dedicated her life to teaching and sharing Hawaiian culture through mele, chant and hula, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday. Guests include Beamer’s hanai children, Maile Loo and Kaliko Trapp, and Calvin Hoe.
The Lim ‘Ohana will perform Wednesday, Waipuna on Thursday, and Kuana Torres Kahele and Sean Na‘auao on Friday.
Tickets are $10 ($8 for members) with advance purchase. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $15. Visit imiloahawaii.org or call 969-9703.
