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| The lanterns |
Memorial Day
in America is celebrated to remember and honor the fallen heroes, who have
sacrificed their lives in line of duty. Hawai’I has largest ethnically diverse
population and have adopted the tradition of Memorial Day into its culture, as
a day to honor and remember the loved ones.
It’s a norm in Hawaii to remember the fallen heroes, others family
members and friends by floating lanterns into ocean.
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| Many Rivers, One Ocean |
Honolulu is
among the top 10 destinations for this upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
The first
lantern floating in Hawaii was held at Ke'ehi Lagoon on the south shore of
O'ahu in 1999, but was moved to Ala Moana Beach in 2002, where it is observed
every year since. The first ceremony was officiated and inaugurated by Her
Holiness Shinso Ito, Head Priest of Shinnyo-en.
Over 6000
lanterns are given out starting at 10 AM till 4 PM so that people have ample
time to write the messages and prepare the lanterns. The lines start forming at 4AM as soon as the park opens.
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| People waiting in lines to get the lanterns. |
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| A mile long line for the lanterns. |
The
preparation of this grand ceremony begins a month before the actual day at the Ala
Moana Beach Park.
Dozens of
volunteers from schools and community groups spent this Saturday assembling
many of the more than 6,500 lanterns that will be set afloat at Ala Moana Beach
Park.
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| There is a separate line for special needs people |
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| People camping at the park |
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| The large screen |
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| People enjoying at the beach |
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| The large stage |
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| The large screen |
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| Chairs for the special guests. |
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| Area cordoned off for the public |
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| Preparation in progress |
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| View from the magic island |
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| A large crane at site |
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| Children enjoy the day on the beach |
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| Restrooms |
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| People camping |
A large
stage to conduct the ceremony is erected in the park along with many large
screens to carry out live streaming of the ceremony. An area of the park is
cordon off for the public so that preparation can go smoothly for the ceremony.
Basic amenities
like restrooms, drinking water and first-aid are provided at the park, so that
people can spend the whole day at the park. People start camping at the park
from 4AM to secure a good spot. It’s a day for cooking, eating, and spending
time with family and friends on the beach.
It is estimated
that about 50,000 people will be on the beach, joined by thousands around the
world via live streaming and telecast.
The ceremony
opens with the sounding of the pū, or Hawaiian conch shell, which sanctifies
the area and marks the commencement of the ceremony, followed by Japanese
taiko. Prayers and messages of remembrance are hand-written on paper and fixed
onto floating lanterns. The lanterns are released into the water as a symbolic
gesture. They are collected afterwards from the sea by volunteers, refurbished
and stored for next year.
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| Canoes,for collecting the lanterns back |
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| Canoes,for collecting the lanterns back |
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