Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival

WAIMEA, HAWAI‘I ISLAND—The free 33rd Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is Saturday, Feb. 7 with a full lineup of hands-on Japanese and multi-cultural activities and performances. Headquartered from Church Row Park and Parker Ranch Center, the multi-venue event is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and celebrates the parkʻs annual blooming of historic cherry trees. 

The 2026 festival honors Hawai‘i Island natives and long-time Waimea residents Fred and Nancy Nonaka. The festival power couple worked behind the scenes with each of them playing a dominant role— Fred with the planting and care of the many Church Row Park cherry trees while Nancy served as the spark plug behind the many cultural demonstrations and hands-on activities offered at the Kamuela Hongwanji Mission adjacent to Church Row Park.

A native of Umauma on the Hamakua Coast, Fred earned an agriculture degree from UH-Manoa and is a retired landscape contractor, owning Fred’s Nursery in Waimea for over 50 years. In addition to caring for the 75-some cherry trees all these years—the 89-year-old Living Treasure of Hawai‘i is still involved with pruning duties.

Serving for many years as the liaison between the festival and the Kamuela Hongwanji, Nancy has since retired. During her tenure, she oversaw the mission’s varied offerings in the on-site social hall that have evolved through the years: origami, calligraphy, sumi-e (black ink painting), mukimono (decorative vegetable carving) and the selling of handmade crafts such as soda can lanterns, blooming cherry blossom branches, plus plants and Oriental antiques. The location has also offered an abundance of primarily Asian foods prepared by church members, including the favorite warm Okinawan andagi, which is deep fried in a large wok during the festival. 

In addition to activities at the Kamuela Hongwanji, the festival offers hands-on mochi pounding, sake tasting, bon dancing, traditional tea ceremonies, broke da’ mouth food prepared by local organizations, chef cooking demos, loads of craft vendors and viewing of the blooming cherry trees. Visit bonsai, quilt, local art and Japanese collectible displays while performances can be enjoyed by festival goers at multiple venues.

Roberts Hawaii will provide free transportation shuttles between Church Row Park and other venues, though walking is encouraged. Venues are identified by pink festival banners.

The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is annually produced by the Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Education Section. The event is a community-wide effort by a dedicated team of businesses and volunteers. For info, 808-961-8706; find updates on facebook: WaimeaCherryBlossomHeritageFestival. #WaimeaCBF #thinkpink