“If there were no cherry blossoms in this world, how much more tranquil our hearts would be in Spring.”

— Ariwara no Narihira, A.D. 825–880

Heian period poets such as Narihira often lamented the ephemeral nature of sakura (cherry blossoms), which, exhibiting their full glory for only a few weeks, are a reminder that life, too, is temporary. To the samurai, however, the cherry blossom was a key element of bushido, their code of honor, discipline and morality. Rather than clinging to branches until they wither, sakura fall to the ground at the height of their beauty, just as many brave samurai perished in battle in their prime — considered to be an ideal death.

The Japanese have perpetuated hanami (literally, “flower viewing”) for over a thousand years. Associated specifically with sakura, this tradition inspired the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, one of Hawaii island’s biggest annual celebrations. Observing its silver anniversary this year, it showcases the cherry blossom trees in Waimea’s Church Row Park, which date back 65 years.

When Fred Makino, a Honolulu drugstore owner who founded the Japanese-language newspaper Hawaii Hochi, died in 1953, his widow, Michiye, arranged for three cherry blossom trees to be planted in his memory in Waimea (its sunny days and cool nights provide the perfect growing conditions). Information is sketchy and unconfirmed, but one tree reportedly went to a man named Tohachi Hori, and the other two were given to Bunjuro Okada, who ran a nursery in town.

Where Hori planted his tree is unknown. Okada planted one of his trees behind Kamuela Hongwanji Mission, beside Church Row Park, where it still flourishes. He supposedly planted the other tree at home.

Hartwell Carter, manager of Parker Ranch, obtained two grafted sakura trees from Okada for his house’s landscaping. From those trees Isami Ishihara, the ranch’s gardener, propagated seedlings, 20 of which were planted at Church Row Park in 1972 by the Waimea Lions Club.

Three years later the Lions planted 50 more sakura trees in the park to mark Emperor Hirohito’s visit to Waimea and the centennial of Japanese immigrants’ arrival. Over the years some trees died and others were planted; the current total is approximately 75.

Which brings us to the cherry blossom festival. As the story goes, Hawi resident Jimmy Tohara was walking past Church Row Park after a dental appointment in January 1992. It was a gorgeous day: The sky was clear, Maunakea volcano was capped with snow and the sakura trees were in full bloom.

Admiring the trees, Tohara, who had retired as chief plumber at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel the year before, had an aha moment: Why not start a cherry blossom festival in Waimea? Nothing gelled until he called George Yoshida, then-director of the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Yoshida loved the idea. His staff brainstormed, and with support from the community the inaugural Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival took place in February 1994 at Church Row Park with food booths, Japanese-themed entertainment and a pictorial history of the park’s trees mounted by the Lions Club. Four hundred people came.

Roxcie Waltjen, newly hired as a recreation specialist for Parks and Recreation, saw the potential for the event to expand. “Beyond being fun, I knew it was a great opportunity to celebrate Waimea’s Japanese heritage and educate visitors about it,” she said. “Many Japanese people settled in Waimea as immigrant sugar plantation workers and ranch hands, and their descendants are still part of the community.”

Later promoted to culture and education administrator, Waltjen spearheaded the festival until last year when she became director of Parks and Recreation. Thanks to her vision and leadership, the festival now draws 60,000 people and boasts live entertainment, food booths, craft sales, a quilt show and more at nine venues along the 1.5-mile stretch of Waimea.

Highlights at Church Row Park will include origami classes, bonsai displays and demonstrations, and train rides for young children.

At Parker Ranch Center there will be a bon dance, and, with the help of festivalgoers, 500 pounds of steamed rice will be pounded into mochi, which symbolizes harmony, longevity and family unity. Kamuela Liquors will host a sake tasting, and the Urasenke Hilo Association will demonstrate chanoyu, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, at Puuopelu.

“For 24 years I was in charge of coordinating and implementing an event that features dozens of diversions and involves hundreds of people,” Waltjen said. “This year my assistants have taken on those responsibilities, so I’m going to come and enjoy the whole festival for the very first time!”

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ABOUT HANAMI

Hanami, or cherry-blossom viewing, dates back to the Heian period (A.D. 794-1185) when Emperor Saga, who reigned from 809 to 823, hosted parties to view blossoming sakura in the imperial court in Kyoto, complete with feasts and poetry readings about the delicate pink flowers. Sakura were regarded as a metaphor for life — beautiful but fleeting. Initially reserved for the aristocracy, by the Edo period (1603-1868), such fetes also became popular among commoners.

The celebratory mood of hanami in Japan continues to this day, with crowds gathered under cherry blossom trees in parks and gardens from morning through night. Enjoy refreshments, music, singing and camaraderie in the pretty setting.

Sakura start blooming in March in Okinawa, in the south, then continues up the Japanese archipelago to make a final appearance in northernmost Hokkaido in early May. The flowers usually last no longer than two weeks.

The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., commemorates the gift of 3,000 sakura trees that then-Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki presented to the city in 1912, as a gesture of friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States. The number of trees has since grown to 3,750.

This year’s festival in the capital will run from March 20 through April 15. Visitors can enjoy a parade, fireworks show, cultural performances, cherry blossom-focused tours and more. Call 877-44-BLOOM (25666) or check out nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.