This year's Cherry Blossom Festival could not have happened on a more beautiful day! Fresh snow on Mauna Kea and newly blossoming cherry blossoms welcomed locals and visitors to Waimea's celebrated event. We at Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization gratefully received a wonderful location to set-up our booth this year: on a bright green lawn a few steps away from the main stage. Over 100 or so visitors stopped by the booth to learn about the latest projects we are involved in, including the West Maui Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Our new fire history maps were also a highlight for visitors, many of whom were shocked to see the large number of ignitions on the wet sides of the islands. To top off the day, a plethora of smiling keiki visited the booth to collect Smokey gear, including new Smokey frisbees that were put to use immediately!
Banner photo: Ecstatic future firefighter tosses his new Smokey the Bear frisbee with a friend.