I've lived in Hawaii all my life, yet it seems like I haven't experienced even close to all of the things that there are to experience on the island. This year was my first time attending the memorial day Lantern Floating Hawaii. It's been going on for 15 years now. I'll admit, my initial want to go was for all the wrong reasons. I couldn't pass up on a lantern festival after seeing Tangled (I had a dream to see the floating lanterns gleam). If you've never been to a floating lantern festival and have an opportunity to go...do it. Go to it and soak in all the knowledge and history and reasoning behind it.
To start the adventure, Aj and I caught the bus down to Ala Moana while listening to Disney Pandora Radio. Thousands of people attend this event each year, so we knew it would be a hassle to even try driving down there. Trying to find parking would just be miserable. The ceremony doesn't start until 6 p.m. so when we got there around 2:00, we had a lot of time to kill. After a stop at Taste Tea, a new bubble (boba) tea place, and a quick wander around the new Disney store, we headed to the beach to find a spot.
To start the adventure, Aj and I caught the bus down to Ala Moana while listening to Disney Pandora Radio. Thousands of people attend this event each year, so we knew it would be a hassle to even try driving down there. Trying to find parking would just be miserable. The ceremony doesn't start until 6 p.m. so when we got there around 2:00, we had a lot of time to kill. After a stop at Taste Tea, a new bubble (boba) tea place, and a quick wander around the new Disney store, we headed to the beach to find a spot.
One of the things that I miss most when I'm on the mainland is, of course, the beach. Being in Arizona, I don't ever see water. I grew up literally surrounded by water, so it's always been something very comforting for me. I never went to the beach much when I was younger but being away from it has made me appreciate it so much. No other beach can compare to those in Hawaii. After a fantastic day at the beach, the ceremony began.
While in my head I just wanted to do something remotely disney for a day, in actuality it was a beautiful ceremony. It had me in tears a few times. For those who need enlightenment (hehe), the ceremony was created by Her Holiness Shinso Ito, head of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Order in Japan. People come and write their messages to all their passed loved ones on the lanterns, then send their love and wishes off with them. Some have a moment of peace and prayers to remember and pay their respect to the dead.
While in my head I just wanted to do something remotely disney for a day, in actuality it was a beautiful ceremony. It had me in tears a few times. For those who need enlightenment (hehe), the ceremony was created by Her Holiness Shinso Ito, head of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Order in Japan. People come and write their messages to all their passed loved ones on the lanterns, then send their love and wishes off with them. Some have a moment of peace and prayers to remember and pay their respect to the dead.
After some speeches from honored guests--including Her Holiness Shinso Ito herself--volunteers came around to light the lanterns and the first groups of people went waist-deep into the water to release their lanterns just as the sun was setting. I loved seeing all of the different lanterns. Some had messages to beloved grandmas and grandpas who had passed. Some had made their own elaborate lanterns at home. Some had brought old pictures to tape on the inside of the lanterns. And most everyone had messages to the dead saying how much they missed them, and wished them a peaceful rest. All kinds of people came and released their lanterns. Old, young, Buddhist, Catholic. The lantern festival wasn't a matter of religion or beliefs. It was a way for everyone to come and have a moment of remembrance.
It was all beautiful, happy and heartbreaking all at the same time. A group of Japanese ladies went last, releasing their intricate lanterns, covered in kanji after majority of the crowd had gone. They stood in the water, hands pressed together crying as they prayed. Then, there were a select few people who released sky lanterns.
It was all beautiful, happy and heartbreaking all at the same time. A group of Japanese ladies went last, releasing their intricate lanterns, covered in kanji after majority of the crowd had gone. They stood in the water, hands pressed together crying as they prayed. Then, there were a select few people who released sky lanterns.
On the horizon, more volunteers waited to collect the lanterns before they could be lost at sea. Attendees were told that their lanterns would be handled with respect, and that they would be refurbished for use during the next year. I hope next summer I'll be able to come back and attend the festival again.