An afternoon highlighted by taiko drums and haiku readings helped ring in the spring season at last month's Cherry Blossom Festival. The annual "Dr. Nadine Ishitani Hata Memorial Cherry Blossom Festival" brought the college and community together to celebrate spring and friendship. Named after El Camino's former vice president of academic affairs who passed away in 2005, Dr. Hata was instrumental in bringing the cherry trees to campus 22 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. This year, a plaque was dedicated among the trees to honor American Honda, in memory of Dr. Hata and the donation of the cherry trees. Many thanks to the performers from Mujo Dream Flight and our own talented students who shared their original poetry.