Memorial Day at Ala Moana Beach Park featured 6,000 floating lanterns during the 27th annual Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i ceremony on Monday. The event, organized by the international Buddhist community Shinnyo-en and the local nonprofit Nā Lei Aloha Foundation, attracted tens of thousands of attendees, including visitors from around the world. Participants dedicated lanterns to family members, friends, and pets who have passed away, according to Hawaii News Now.
The ceremony’s theme, "Many Rivers, One Ocean," represented the journey of waterborne vessels into the Pacific, as mentioned by KHON2. This year, a dedicated lantern pickup line was established for military personnel and their families. Attendees were asked to use official lanterns designed to contain the candle’s flame and protect the environment. After the event, lanterns were collected for refurbishment and reuse to minimize environmental impact on Hawai‘i’s waters.
Her Holiness Shinso Ito, a leader in the Japanese Buddhist community, led a lantern floating ceremony combining Hawaiian and Japanese traditions. The event was streamed live for remote viewers. KHON2 reported that transportation options included free shuttles and discounted parking available through an app. Cindy Bylsma from Michigan spoke about her late husband, saying, “It’s still deep my heart that I can’t forget him, and I’m gonna continue to love him forever, and I know his spirit is still around,” as per Hawaii News Now. The ceremony took place during sunset in Hawai‘i.
