33rd Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Returns Feb. 7 With Free Events

The 33rd Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival returns Saturday, Feb. 7, with free, family-friendly programming across Waimea (Kamuela) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., anchored at Church Row Park and Parker Ranch sites, including Parker Ranch Center and Parker Ranch Historic Homes. Produced by Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation’s Culture and Education Section and described as a community-wide effort by businesses and volunteers, the festival marks the blooming of the town’s historic cherry trees and highlights sustained local stewardship of public landscape and cultural programming.

Festival organizers say the event "marks the blooming of the cherry trees at Church Row Park and celebrates the Japanese tradition of hanami, which translates to 'cherry blossom viewing party.'" This year’s honorees are Fred and Nancy Nonaka; GoHawaii describes the pair as "the festival power couple," noting Fred helped plant and care for the Church Row Park trees for decades while Nancy helped drive cultural demonstrations at the adjacent Kamuela Hongwanji Mission.

Activities and demonstrations will be scattered across multiple sites. Church Row Park hosts a Historical Cherry Tree Display by the Waimea Lions’ Club, which will operate the festival’s official Lost and Found station and sell festival t-shirts. The park entertainment lineup lists Halau Manaola, Ryukukoku Matsuri Daiko Taiko, a Chinese lion dance by Majesty, Kealakehe Intermediate Polynesian Dance Group and Puna Taiko, the latter scheduled 9:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mochi pounding, sake tasting, traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, bon dance and chef cooking demonstrations are scheduled at various venues.

Kahilu Theatre will present an Annual Juried Contemporary Art Exhibit and a live Asian dance and music program titled "Sakura Beauty and Spirit" from 2:00–3:00 p.m. Waimea Historic Corner features the Firehouse Gallery’s 33rd Annual Cherry Blossom Exhibition, "Big Island Blooms"; originals and prints will be for sale and the 2026 festival posters, signed by photographer Barbara Schaefer, will be $10. At Kamuela Hardwoods visitors can join the First Saturday Artisan’s Hui, take showroom tours of island woods or participate in a woodworking workshop, "Make a charcuterie board," 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for a $45 fee. Mana Christian ‘Ohana will host the Kravin’ Munchies Craft Fair and quilt display and an adjacent vehicle display by IK Dealer Group.

Organizers will run a free shuttle between Parker Ranch Historic Homes, Parker Ranch Center, Church Row Park and Pukalani Stables. Parking is available at Parker Ranch Center, the soccer field across Church Row Park, Kamuela Hardwoods and along Pukalani Street. For updates and questions, the festival Facebook page WaimeaCherryBlossomHeritageFestival and phone 808-961-8706 are listed as contacts; hashtags for social posts include #WaimeaCBF and #thinkpink and participants are encouraged to tag @ParkerRanchCenter at the selfie station.

Beyond celebration, the festival illustrates local civic engagement and the county’s role in sustaining public culture and green infrastructure. Volunteers, service clubs and small businesses provide labor, programming and fundraising that keep the event running and preserve the trees that shape Waimea’s public realm. Residents should expect road and parking changes around Church Row Park and Parker Ranch sites on Feb. 7 and can use the free shuttle to move between venues.