Hawaii’s annual Lantern Floating ceremony at Ala Moana Beach is probably among the largest Memorial Day events in the state. More than 40,000 people gather along Oahu’s south shore to remember a loved one who has passed.
They do this by sending out to sea illuminated lanterns with handwritten messages on them, and as you can imagine, there are thousands upon thousands of them that drift away every year. Those very moments of release are believed to be a time of peace, harmony and warmth for everyone.
Although a Japanese Buddhist tradition, the ceremony embraces the island’s persity with opened arms. Even those who aren’t in the islands during this event (or choose to avoid the crowds) will also be able to release a floating lantern.
Here’s how:
- Visit your local Shinnyo-en temple to write remembrances on the specially prepared paper. Those will be placed on a collective remembrance lantern and floated during the ceremony. For more info: www.shinnyoenusa.net
- Visit the Remembrance page (http://lanternfloatinghawaii.com/remembrancesManager) and submit your messages to a loved one. These will also be placed on a lantern and floated during the ceremony.
LANTERN FLOATING HAWAII CEREMONY • Memorial Day at sunset • Ala Moana Beach • www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com
