It’s Time for the 30th Annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival

These rains may not be April showers, but they sure have brought the flowers; Waimea’s 30th annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is coming up this Saturday, February 4! Join in for free multicultural performances, demonstrations, crafters and artisans, and food vendors. From 9am to 3pm, look for the pink banners identifying Cherry Blossom Festival venues throughout Waimea.

2023 marks the 70-year anniversary of the cherry blossomʻs introduction to Hawaiʻi. The first tree was planted in Wahiawa in 1953 to symbolize the friendship between Japan and Hawaiʻi. As these trees in Wahiawa took root, the seeds were later gifted to Lions Club Waimea, who planted the iconic cherry blossom trees along Church Row Park.

In Hawaiʻi, cherry blossoms tend to bloom in early February. The return of cherry blossoms signals spring, as the weather begins to warm and the Island shrugs off the winter chill. Similar to the Japanese tradition of hanami (花見, “flower viewing”), the festival brings crowds eager to appreciate the short-lived beauty of the cherry blossom, or sakura (桜).

Waimea-Wide Cherry Blossom Festival Events

This long-awaited festival will be taking place all across Waimea. Roberts Hawaii will be offering a free shuttle transport between the three central hubs: Parker Ranch Center, Pukalani Stables, and Church Row Park. Parking is available near all locations, and walking is highly encouraged.

Festival organizers promise a day full of Japanese and multicultural live performances, as well as colorful craft fairs and hands-on demonstrations exploring bonsai, origami, a traditional tea ceremony, and mochi pounding. Check out the map below to see which venues are offering certain events and activities. Additionally, the Parker Ranch Historic Homes will be open for a free self-guided tour.

Festival Chef Demos

For Big Island foodies, there are an array of chef demos throughout the event, with celebrity chef Alan Wong headlining the food portion of the event at 1pm at Pukalani Stables. Additional chef demos include:

• Kamuela Hongwanji Chef Demos:
10am Shiono
11am Chef Junior Ulep of The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort‘s Meridia
12pm Chef Allen Hess of FORC

• Pukalani Stables Chef Demos:
10:30am Jason Kanekoa of Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
11:30am-1pm Pukalani vendors demo crepes, falafel, Ukrainian and Filipino food
1pm Hawaii Celebrity Chef Alan Wong

Limited Edition Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Deals

Aloha Grown: Cherry Blossom Design

Score some cherry blossom swag from Aloha Grown. This limited edition run is only available in Waimea or online. Shop now.

Hawaiʻi Soap Company: Waimea Cherry Blossom Handmade Soap

Hawaiʻi Soap Company will be in the Kahilu Town Hall. All artisan soaps are handmade.

Sandwich Isle Bread Company: Cherry Blossom Treats

Find these cherry blossom sweets at Sandwich Isle Bread Company this week only: mooncakes, macarons, cupcakes, and cookies.

Want to explore more of Hawai’i’s fauna? Learn more about and visit native plants (including a spot right in the middle of Waimea): HOLOHOLO LĀʻAU KAMAʻĀINA – WHERE TO SEE NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANTS ON THE BIG ISLAND.

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