A Beautiful Hawaiian Tradition: Memorial Day Lantern Floating at Ala Moana Beach Park
Every Memorial Day, thousands of people gather along the shores of Ala Moana Beach Park for one of Hawaiʻi’s most moving and meaningful traditions: the Lantern Floating Ceremony hosted by the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Order.
Now celebrating its 28th year, this beloved annual event has become a powerful symbol of remembrance, healing, and hope. Each year, more than 6,000 lanterns are released into the calm waters of Ala Moana Beach, carrying handwritten messages, prayers, and heartfelt memories from people honoring loved ones who have passed away.
As the sun begins to set and the sky fills with warm colors, the beach transforms into a place of reflection. Families, friends, and visitors from around the world gather to remember parents, grandparents, children, spouses, military service members, and cherished friends. Some lanterns carry messages of gratitude. Others contain prayers for peace, forgiveness, or healing. Together, they create a breathtaking display of light stretching across the lagoon.
While Memorial Day is traditionally associated with honoring military personnel who gave their lives in service to the United States, the Lantern Floating Ceremony has evolved into a broader celebration of remembrance. It offers an opportunity for anyone who has experienced loss to honor those they love in a meaningful and personal way.
The event’s mission is beautifully captured by Reverend Clayton Taniyama of the Shinyo-En Buddhist Society, who spoke about the impact the ceremony has on participants on KHO2 New Now. As he shared, her holiness visited the Arizona Memorial and felt that there was a lot fo healing to be done here on Oahu. As the event took hold, Reverend Taniyama feels that each year the event is welcomed by Taiko drumming and hula and now is a mainstay for the healing and unity that was intended. “…there’s many people who have found that healing and peace that he wished for…”. For many, the ceremony provides comfort, closure, and a sense of connection that extends beyond grief.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Lantern Floating Ceremony is its accessibility. The event is open to the public and welcomes people of all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs. Whether attending for the first time or returning as part of an annual family tradition, participants are united by a shared desire to remember, honor, and celebrate the lives of those who came before them.
The visual experience itself is unforgettable. As darkness settles over the shoreline, thousands of glowing lanterns drift peacefully across the water. Their reflections shimmer against the gentle waves, creating a scene that is both solemn and beautiful. It serves as a reminder that while loved ones may no longer be physically present, their memories continue to illuminate our lives.
For residents and visitors alike, attending the Lantern Floating Ceremony offers a unique glimpse into Hawaiʻi’s spirit of aloha, compassion, and community. It is a celebration not only of remembrance but also of gratitude for the people who shaped our lives and the memories that continue to guide us.
As each lantern floats out to sea, carrying messages of love and remembrance, participants leave with something equally meaningful: a renewed sense of peace, connection, and hope. The Lantern Floating Ceremony provides the community a glowing light of remembrance the opportunity to pause, reflect, and honor the enduring bonds that connect us to those we hold dear. “Let us remember that every light on the water is a reflection of the light within us—capable of healing, inspiring, and illuminating the path forward.” – Photo & statement credit Shinnyo-En