Floating Lanterns

For Memorial Day Brint and I, with our friends CJ and Hillary and their son Landon, went to the 14th annual Lantern Floating ceremony held at Ala Moana Beach. This is known as a Japanese tradition for remembrance of loved ones who have passed away and to honor lives that were lost in war. The Toro Nagashi ceremony happens every Memorial Day here in Hawaii. About 40,000 people pack onto the shore and the park to watch the 3,500 handmade lanterns be released in memories of loved ones.

People were starting their day off at 8am. Setting up their tents and BBQing and enjoying the Holiday.



They started the ceremony at 6pm and had everyone gather on the shore.

 They brought in lanterns on canoes for those people who could not be there to release them themselves.

The first Lanterns were released.



Just got our lantern lit... ready to release it.



 Grandpa & Travis, this is for you! We miss miss you...

It was a fun day and a beautiful ending. The ceremony was awesome! We are so glad we got to go to this. I can't belive we haven't been doing this every year since we've been here.