HONOLULU -- Tens of thousands gathered at Ala Moana Beach Park to honor the fallen during the annual Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony held May 25, 2015.
This event offers its attendees a way to honor their loved ones.
“I lost my daughter when she was only two years old,” said Lei Xei, an Osaka, Japan native. “I have (been coming) to this event for the last two years (because) it helps me accept that she has found peace and is no longer hurting. Being surrounded by people also dealing with similar situation makes me realize I’m not alone.”
The ceremony was officiated by Her Holiness Shinso Ito, the head priest of Shinnyo-en and presented by Na Lei Aloha Foundation. The lantern floating tradition originated in Japan. At the end of summer, lanterns were released to conclude the Obon season, during which the Japanese people honored their ancestors. Beginning in 1999, the lantern floating ceremony coincided with the American traditions of honoring the fallen on Memorial Day. Now the event not only honors the military, but all lost loved ones. The cross-cultural ceremony has spread throughout the world; In 2015 there will be Shinnyo-en lantern floating ceremonies in New York City, Taiwan, Berlin and Yamanashi, Japan.
“This event brings together so many different people from such a large span of cultures, with one thing in common — we lost someone important to us,” Xei said. “It’s wonderful that other places around the world are taking on the same tradition. I hope to eventually visit the one in New York because that is where (my daughter’s) father is from.”
This year’s theme was “Many Rivers, One Ocean.” The 6,000 candle-lit lanterns symbolize a vow to work collectively toward a harmonious and peaceful future. After the ceremony, the lanterns are collected and cleaned, to be used again for the following year.
“Although the world may never find peace, I have found comfort in the fact that my baby girl has,” Xei said.