A University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 alumna is the 70th queen. Shari Michiko Nishijima, a 2019 graduate in and , was crowned at the festival’s annual ball on March 19.
“It was completely surreal,” Nishijima said. “I was surrounded by 13 incredible women who have supported me throughout this journey and inspire me with their bravery and eloquence, so to be selected as the queen for the 70th Cherry Blossom Festival was an incredible honor.”
The festival ball capped off several months of cultural and professional development classes, including instruction in taiko (Japanese percussion), tea ceremony, Japanese cuisine, Japanese business etiquette and public speaking. Nishijima and the other contestants also participated in several public appearances.
“I’m really going to remember all of the classes and the ability to connect with my culture on a deeper level,” Nishijima said. “I also think that the bonds I was able to create with these women will carry me throughout the rest of my life.”
Joining Nishijima on the court are First Princess Maile Makamae Kawasaki, Princesses Taeler Kealohilani Akana, Tamlyn Mika Sasaki and Jordyn Yukino Valdez, Miss Congeniality Danielle Emi Au and Miss Popularity Tari-Lynn Yasuko Manin.
- Sasaki is currently a medical student at the after earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
- Au earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补’s in 2018.
- Manin earned her bachelor’s degree of business administration in accounting and management information systems from 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补’s in 2019.
The theme of this year’s festival was chōwa (a reminder to live and work in harmony). The event was hosted by the . Visit the for more information.
- Related 东精影业 News stories: Cherry Blossom queens Brianne Yamada (2021), Jewel Mahoe (2020) and Lauren Sugai (2019) also 东精影业 grads.
More about Nishijima
Nishijima is originally from Pleasanton, California and came to Hawaiʻi to attend 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补, where her older sister also attended and graduated. She wanted to be close to family while also experiencing living in a new place.
Aside from her academic work at 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补, Nishijima served as vice president of the Public Relations Student Society of America 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 chapter and was a color guard member in the . Nishijima also worked as a student publications assistant in the Shidler College of Business and interned at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol for two legislative sessions. Immediately after graduation, Nishijima worked as a full-time legislative office manager at the state Capitol and now works as a program manager for the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi.
“I really credit my time at 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 for helping me build a sense of community and networking to be able to call Hawaiʻi my home now,” Nishijima said. “Studying political science in Hawaiʻi has made me realize how much community means to me, and being able to work in state government and wanting to make Hawaiʻi a better place for all is really what inspired me to stay here and to continue that into the Cherry Blossom Festival—supporting Hawaiʻi’s Japanese American community.”
Nishijima’s active involvement at 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补 is an example of 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补’s goals of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.
—By Marc Arakaki