14th Annual Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony

On Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, more than 40,000residents and visitors from various cultures and traditions are expected to participate in the13th Annual Lantern Floating Hawaii. Three thousand candle-lit lanterns will be cast afloatfrom Magic Island in remembrance of loved ones who have passed, or as symbolic prayer fora harmonious and peaceful future. The ceremony will also recognize those who have passeddue to various causes afflicting humanity throughout the world. The theme of LanternFloating Hawaii is “Many Rivers, One Ocean.”The 90-minute ceremony and program will commence at 6:30 p.m. with special performancesby Shinnyo Taiko, HAPA, the Ai Family, Halau Hula O Kamuela, and Shinnyo-en ShomyoChoir. Also included throughout the program are videos that explain the lantern floatingtradition in Japan and offer personal reflections of the experience. At 7 p.m., Her HolinessKeishu Shinso Ito, Head of Shinnyo-en, will address the crowd with a speech, followed bythe lighting of the Light of Harmony. After the lighting of the Light of Harmony, the lanternswill be launched onto the waters of Magic Island by participants of the program and thegeneral public. At the conclusion of the ceremony, as in past years, all lanterns are collectedfrom the ocean and recycled for use in the upcoming years.