HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Cherry Blossom Festival crowned it’s 71st Cherry Blossom Festival Queen on Friday.
Punahou School graduate Samantha Marumoto was crowned as queen at the annual Festival Ball and coronation ceremony at Sheraton Waikiki along with her court.
Judges choose the Queen, First Princess, and three Princesses based on their efforts in perpetuating Japanese culture, commitment to education and passion for
community service.
Marumoto was up against 14 other contestants and they all underwent seven months of cultural and professional development classes.
“It feels just amazing! It’s such an honor. I love all of my fellow Contestants so
much and definitely wouldn’t have been able to do this experience without them,” said Marumoto. “They’ve been an outstanding support system. Just having them beside me has been the best part!”
Marumoto is the daughter of Jay Marumoto and Amber Marumoto.
After she graduated from Punahou School and she continued her education at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. At UCLA she received a Bachelor of Arts in History and at USC she received a Master in Studies of Law and a Business Law Certificate.
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Marumoto is currently a realtor and in her free time, she enjoys making photo books and exercising.
