The 16th annual Cherry Blossom Festival was hosted on the Library Lawn on March 31.

The event is not only a celebration of cherry blossoms or the spring season itself, but also a memorial for the festival’s founder, Nadine Ishitani Hata, former vice president of academic affairs, who died in 2005.

Donald Hata, the honored guest of the festival and husband of Hata, spoke about the life of his late wife and how she was instrumental in bringing the cherry blossom trees to El Camino 16 years ago.

“The cherry blossom trees is a symbol of hope. A hope that students can look to a better future,” Hata said.

The event is usually hosted in between the Shops and Communications buildings, but due to construction was relocated to the Library Lawn.

The event had authentic Japanese food, students recited their original haikus and performers from the Taiko Center of Los Angeles conducted two taiko drum performances.

This event is open to the public and hosted every spring semester.