12-05-28 Hawaii Floating Lantern Festival - Ala Moana Beach Park

After visiting Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific we headed down to Ala Moana Beach Park and the Hawaii Lantern Floating Festival.  The rest of the photography gang was there holding down a place for us to all gather together.

14th Annual Lantern Floating Hawai'i 2012

Date: Memorial Day, May 28, 2012
Location: Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu

"The beautiful Ala Moana Beach Park has been transformed into a very special place. It’s become a realm of the sacred where we can reach out to family members, friends, and loved ones who have already passed on into the next realm. Together, we remember those who’ve come before us, and have an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the life we have been given. And with that, we can step forward to a future of hope. Whether we’re conscious of it or not, all of us gathered here for this occasion today, from Hawaii and around the world, are connected through the bonds of ohana (family). The light of the lanterns brings us both tranquility and courage. Further, it binds us together as one big family.
" . . . When we respect one another with the spirit of aloha, accepting and embracing our differences, we can create a sense of harmony amid our diversity. Valuing the deep connections we have with each other will make it possible for all to be able to swim in an ocean of joy."
Shinso Ito, Head Priest of Shinnyo-en at Lantern Floating Hawai’i 2012

The fourteenth annual Shinnyo-en-sponsored Lantern Floating Hawai’i was held on Memorial Day at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu. Shinnyo-en deeply appreciated having the Honorable Mayor Peter Carlisle of Honolulu as the Honorary Chairman of the event this year. Over 40,000 Hawai’ians and visitors from all over the world attended the ceremony which began late in the afternoon and extended through till sunset.

Preceding the blessing and the lighting of lanterns, the audience at Ala Moana was welcomed by performances by leading Hawai’ian cultural ensembles –The Brothers Cazimero, Raiatea Helm, and the Halau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea Hawai’ian dance troop as well as by taiko drummers and musicians from Japan.

As befitting what is one of the largest Memorial Day observances in all the United States, this Honolulu ceremony honors all those who have passed on, with particular thought for those who sacrificed their lives in war and who have been victims of natural disasters, famine and disease. While the basic elements of the ceremony are drawn from ancient Asian religious traditions, Shinnyo-en has adapted the ceremony, with their partners in Honolulu, to create a contemporary, interfaith celebration of and thanksgiving for the lives the people who came before us and made our lives easier and richer.

Ran into Jikai, Spenze

And Kenny...

"I see you."

"Okay, we're ready."

The "Pink Hat" society.

"I'm getting pictures of the water."

I guess turnabout it fair play.

Sunset

He consoled her the entire time.

Smart, he's the only one I saw with an underwater housing.

Sky lanterns, also known as Kongming Lantern or Chinese lanterns are airborne paper lanterns that are best known as a tradition found in some Asian cultures.