ABOUT THE CHERRY TREE PROJECT
The goal of planting Japanese cherry trees on the Berkeley campus is to commemorate the Japanese American alumni. Covering decades of time, the Japanese American graduates have contributed to all sectors of our society, and as a legacy and continuing recognition of the Japanese American in the University of California system, the flowering cherry tree was selected.

The flowering cherry tree, Sakura, with its delicate blossoms, is celebrated throughout Japan, in Washington D.C. and many other cities in the United States, and is part of the Japanese culture and heritage with a spirit of unity.
THE BEGINNING
Several years ago, at the California Japanese American Alumni Associated (CJAAA) dinner following the Big Game, George Matsumoto suggested planting a row of flowering Japanese cherry trees along Crescent Drive at the west entrance of the University of California campus. No action was taken by the CJAAA.
In 2008, during a meeting of the Cal Nisei "Lunchers", a group composed of senior and super senior alumni, who are members of the California Japanese American Alumni Association, the late Bill Fujita ('39) reintroduced the planting of the cherry trees, and proposed that the CJAAA donate the long considered landscape project that will serve as a legacy of the attendance and presence of Japanese American students, past, present, and future at UC Berkeley. Although the group felt that it was a very worthwhile project, no action was taken to proceed.

In 2009, at the Lunchers' meeting, the group again discussed the planting of cherry trees on the Berkeley campus. Since it was a landscape project, Asa Hanamoto and Kaz Abey, retired landscape architects, and Harold Kobayashi, principal with the firm of Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey (RHAA), volunteered as a "subcommittee" to help with the project.

A decision was made to contact Jim Horner, Campus Landscape Architect - UC Berkeley-Capital Projects, and a meeting was arranged to review potential tree planting sites.
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In July 2009, Harold Kobayashi, Bill Fujita, George Matsumoto, Asa Hanamoto, and Kaz Abey joined Jim Horner and reviewed the following sites: Alumni House Garden, Central Open Space Pathways, The Crescent, Faculty Glade, Mining Circle, and the West Gate to West Circle. The group felt that the West Gate to West Circle, a 220 foot by 18 foot grass median, would be the most ideal location. This prominent location with a row of flowering cherry trees would be a beautiful asset to the campus entrance.
Harold Kobayashi prepared a series of conceptual tree planting plans for the median area, including the island by the gate house. Cross sections of the median were drawn showing a slight mound and two rows of trees along with pictures of trees, ground cover plantings, and cost estimate. These drawings were submitted to Jim Horner for his review and comments. Jim felt that it had a good chance of being accepted, however an initial review by Vice Chancellor Denton would be required with a presentation to the UC Design Review Committee.

Neal Taniguchi, then president of the CJAAA, was contacted to arrange for a meeting to review the conceptual drawings and to see how the CJAAA could help and organize a fundraising campaign with a goal to raise $250,000. Due to time constraints of the CJAAA Board members, a meeting was never scheduled, and the Lunchers were informed that the CJAAA could not take the lead in the this project.

Since the CJAAA scheduled a 2010 Big Game Scholarship Luncheon, an article titled "UC Berkeley Cherry Tree Project" was written and included in the CJAAA newsletter asking for help in the fundraising efforts. Although many said they could help, no one volunteered to organize the fundraising campaign.
A meeting was then scheduled with Jim Horner regarding the legal issues and he informed the subcommittee that the University, through the Office of Capitol Projects, will handle all contracts with a design firm and construction contractor. He also said that the UCB Foundation could collect, acknowledge, and manage all donations.

Once these important issues were resolved, a meeting was scheduled with Cordy Hill and Tara McIntire of RHAA to prepare preliminary landscape drawings necessary for UC approval. The drawings included a landscape plan of the trees, a perspective sketch, and cross sections. A preliminary cost estimate was prepared (see above).
On May 11, 2011, Jim Horner presented the Cherry Tree Project to the UC Design Review Committee with drawings projected on a large screen. Asa Hanamoto explained the background of the project and the legacy of the Japanese American Alumni to honor their accomplishments and contributions to our nation and society. The design review committee had several favorable comments.

In November 2011, Cordy Hill and other partners of Royston, Hanamoto, Alley, & Abey, a Mill Valley landscape architectural firm, agreed to donate their services to the Cherry Tree Project, in recognition of past partners, Asa Hanamoto, Kaz, Abey, and Harold Kobayashi, with hope that their donation will jump-start a successful project.
(click to see more)
In January 2011, the Lunchers continued their discussion on the process of implementing the CTP and the need to establish a fundraising committee. Potential candidates were named and contacted without success. Besides fundraising efforts, other important issues were raised, such as legal contracts with professional firms and construction contractors. Jesse Ante, new president of the CJAAA, informed the Lunchers that the CJAAA could not enter into any contracts for the project.
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
CHERRY TREE PROJECT PLAQUE
With the "approval" of the project, the Lunchers continued discussion on raising funds. After attempting to establish a fundraising committee, the project stalled for several months due to lack of volunteers. The Lunchers still felt very strongly of the project and decided to proceed without a committee. Since the CJAAA had a membership of over 700 members and the Japanese American Women Alumnae of UC Berkeley (JAWAUCB), with their support and membership of over 400 members, plus listing of several Japanese American in the California Alumni Association membership directory, it was decided that several members could be reached to support the CTP fundraising efforts. The Lunchers were then informed that use of information contained in the California Alumni Association Directory was strictly prohibited.
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In November of 2011, Asa Hanamoto and Kaz Abey met with Andy Fukutome of Fukutome Design for preparation of a donation form and fundraising package. The UC Foundation assigned a fund number #U1037 and the address of University Relations-Gift Administration where tax deductible donations could be mailed. The campaign goal was set at $350,000. The covering letter asked for support of the CTP, explained the review and approval process, the project description, and any surplus of remaining funds to be donated to the Japanese American Alumni Association Scholarship Fund or equivalent entity designated by the donor. Because of the time constraints to have the field grown trees planted during the dormant stage (November - December), a deadline of March 31, 2012 was set. Two-thousand donation forms and envelopes were printed in December 2011. With an enthusiastic gathering hosted by Jean Abey, 11 supporters stuffed envelopes and the first mailing of over 1,000 donation forms was made on the 5th of January.

In the meantime, members of the JAWAUCB Board of Directors had questions regarding the wording in the cover letter pertaining to the "surplus or remaining funds to be donated to the California Japanese American Alumni Association Scholarship Fund or equivalent acceptable entity designed by the donor." Danny Estropia, from the Office of University Relations-Fund Administration, clarified that the Japanese American Women Alumnae Scholarship of UC Berkeley Fund #06329 would qualify as an "equivalent acceptable entity." However, determining the amount at the end of the project, that is the balance of a specific gift or gift(s), is very difficult because all gifts are pooled together for expenditures. If the project does not proceed due to lack of funds, then individual donations from members of JAWAUCB could designate on an attached form that the JAWAUCB Student Scholarship Fund receive designated donations.

He suggested the easiest way to resolve the surplus funds would be to split the remaining balance on an arbitrary amount or percentage as agreed by the CJAAA and JAWAUCB. It was agreed that the surplus fund, following completion of the project, be split on a percentage basis with 75% donated to the CJAAA Scholarship Fund and 25% to the JAWAUCB Scholarship Fund. Hosted by Mary Tomita, a group of 4, stuffed envelopes and a mailing of over 400 donation forms from the JAWAUCB membership list was made on the 7th of February.

Melanie Keiholtz, Gift Planning Officer, University of California Berkeley, University Relations, was very helpful in providing periodic reports on the progress and total donations. In December, a separate $10,000 donation was made to CJAAA as "seed money" to cover fundraising expenses and other costs. When Melanie reported that over $200,000 had been received, the decision was made to proceed with the preparation of landscape plans and specifications.
The installation of a stone-mounted bronze plaque was proposed for the Cherry Tree Project to identify and recognize the legacy of the persons or Japanese ancestry who attended the University of California. A group composed of members of the CJAAA Board and George Matsumoto, Ted Ono, Frank Inami, Chizu Liyama, Asa Hanamoto, Sara Ishikawa, Mas Riusaki, and Kaz Abey were asked to present their "wording" for the plaque.

Jim Horner advised that the plaque wording will require approval by the UCB Chancellors and that the wording should be simple and short.

Eight different interesting and heartfelt wordings were submitted, which were distributed to the group and to Jim Horner for review and preference. Following several edits, the following wording was submitted to Jim Horner for UC approval:
On April 2, a kick-off meeting was held at the office of RHAA. Present at this meeting were Tara McIntire, Jim Horner, Harold Kobayashi, Asa Hanamoto, Mas Riusaki, and Kaz Abey.

A revised cost estimate was first reviewed with a total project cost of $235,000 (not including donated cost of landscape architectural services). It was felt that there would be adequate funds available and RHAA was directed to proceed with the preparation of plans and specifications required for bidding and construction. The drawings would include:
LANDSCAPE PLANS & SPECIFICATIONS
Title Sheet
Demolition Plan
Layout and Construction Plan
Irrigation Plan
Irrigation Details
On April 2, a kick-off meeting was held at the office of RHAA. Present at this meeting were Tara McIntire, Jim Horner, Harold Kobayashi, Asa Hanamoto, Mas Riusaki, and Kaz Abey. Jim Horner presented the "fast track" schedule of work necessary to complete the planting in November.
During the fundraising phase of the project, Tara McIntire contacted several nurseries for availability of 40 flowering cherry trees - Prunus Yedoenis "Akebono", a tree with a single, light pink or nearly white blossoms, with graceful curving branches. She reported during the kick-off meeting that she is still checking for size of trees and cost of trees field-grown in Oregon.

On April 16, 2011, Jim Horner and Kaz Abey visited EF Nursery in Forest Grove, Oregon about an hour drive west of Portland. The trees were in bloom with trunk sizes of 2.5-inches to 3-inches, caliper measure 12-feet from the ground. Forty trees were tagged to insure availability for planting in November 2011.
Jim Horner presented the "fast track" schedule of work necessary to complete the planting in November.

On June 11, 2012, Harold Kobayashi, Asa Hanamoto, and Kaz Abey visited the yard of American Soils Product in Richmond to select a stone for mounting of the plaque.
A granite stone, 48-feet by 36-feet by 24-feet was found and a $300 deposit was made. RHAA incorporated the installation of the stone in the construction drawings.
LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS
The West Gate Cherry Tree Project is under the management of University of California, Berkeley Capital Projects, Contract Administration with Jim Horner, the University representative. Following review and approval of the landscape drawings and specifications, an announcement for sealed bids for a contract was made. The project included the planting of 40 trees including a two-year maintenance period, with an estimated construction cost of $110,000. A
scheduled for August 23, 2011 and 3 bidders were pre-qualified to bid on the project: Gardner's Guild, Incorporated, Jensen Corporation, and McGuire & Hester. On September 11, 2011, 2 bids were received. Gardner's Guild Incorporated submitted a proposal for $94,803 with a $158 per unit price to plant one surplus tree. McGuire & Hester's proposal was $134,250 with a $2,280 per unit price to plant one surplus tree.

A contract was awarded to Gardner's Guild Incorporated and a notice to proceed was issued on September 15, 2011 to start the construction on October 1, 2012.

The contractor proceeded with the demolition and grading of the site and 40 field grown trees were delivered to the site on November 1, 2011. Due to several rain storms, the project was slightly delayed, but the contractor continued with the work by spreading tarp over the area to keep the soil "workable" in preparation of planting the trees and installation of the sub-surface irrigation system and tree bubblers. Due to poor drainage in the island by the gate house, a subsurface drainage system was installed. The project was completed with the planting of Hypericum ground cover plants (Golden Yellow flowers) and Agapanthus (Bright Blue flowers), staking of the trees and spreading mulch over the entire area. Three surplus trees were planted by the Alumni House.

In November 2011, an acknowledgment letter drafted by Barbara Saito was mailed to all donors and friends of the University Cherry Tree Project by Melanie Keiholtz. The letter thanked and informed the donors that over $250,000 has been raised and planting of the trees was scheduled for November 2011, and a stone-mounted plaque would be installed. Invitations were issued to the dedication ceremony planned for April 6, 2013 at 11 AM.
BRINGING THE CHERRY TREE PROJECT ONLINE
Setting up a Cherry Tree Project website was discussed with CJAAA early in the project. Unfortunately, due to certain problems, the work on the website never proceeded. With the help of Ron Riusaki, a separate website would be prepared for the University of California Cherry Tree Project, with a link to CJAAA.Org. The CTP committee worked with Ron and provided information to help bring understanding, background, and history of the CTP, including recognizing people and events to help build the contents of this website.
FINALLY
Since the beginning, during their quarterly luncheon meetings, the Lunchers have received updates on the project. They made suggestions and had comments, but most importantly supported the CTP. Now, the cherry tree grove is the culmination of a dream of Nisei Alumni who were determined to leave a lasting legacy to honor Japanese American students who attended the University of California.
CONCEPTUAL AND PRELIMINARY PROJECTIONS
Planting Plan
Planting Details
mandatory pre-bid conference was
