El Camino College Celebrates Spring with Annual Cherry Blossom Festival

All are invited to visit El Camino College for a celebration of spring at the 26th Annual Dr. Nadine Ishitani Hata Memorial Cherry Blossom Festival, set for 1:15-2:15 p.m. March 17 at the Student Services Plaza, 16007 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance.

The festivities will include a performance by Shiho Tendou, a third-generation (3-daime) Tendou-Ryu Japanese dance performer, choreographer, and kimono model based in Los Angeles.  A reading and book signing by Dr. Donald Teruo Hata, along with original haiku poetry readings by El Camino students are also part of the program.

Complimentary ice cream handmade and scooped by Gardena-based Kansha Creamery will be served at this annual cultural celebration that brings the college and community together to commemorate friendship and the arrival of spring.

The festival is named after El Camino’s former vice president of academic affairs, Dr. Nadine Ishitani Hata, who passed away in 2005. An internationally known scholar who was dedicated to academia and community work, Dr. Hata was instrumental in bringing the cherry trees to campus 26 years ago.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. donated the trees as a traditional gesture of friendship, similar to the cherry trees given to the United States by Japan in 1912. American Honda also generously contributed to an endowed scholarship in Dr. Hata’s name in 2006.

The El Camino Community College District encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Monica Delgado at [email protected] as soon as possible, but no later than seven days prior to the event