I've always told Art that we should go into town and take part in the Floating Lantern Event at Ala Moana Beach Park. He's always been hesitant because of the crowds and traffic. His cousin, Renee is a member of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Temple that has been active in organizing this event. Although it began as a Buddhist tradition, the event is now embraced by everyone.
I found this explanation for the origins of Lantern Floating on Wikipedia:
Art and I decided that this Memorial Day, we would finally participate.
Sunday was a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning across the islands, the likes of which I've not seen in a long time. It was reported that they might postpone this year's lantern floating.
However, when we woke up the following day, the skies were blue and the winds were calm.
Art and I had to consider the logistics. They were expecting 40,000 people! How would so many people fit on that beach? There would only be 6,000 lanterns.
We left the house at noon, but discovered that we really didn't have to go so early. We were directed to a comfortable area to compose our message.
The lanterns have three sides on which people are able to write messages
of remembrance to or about their loved ones who have passed on.
Art wanted his to be a message to his parents. We would save the third side for his sister in California who called us with the message she wanted written.
We then decided to spend the afternoon at Ala Moana shopping center until it was time to find a space on the beach for the ceremony.
While walking there we saw this bird with a predicament.
He seemed to have caught too big a fish to swallow and struggled to get it in the right position. At one point the fish fell and flopped around the grass.
The bird was finally able to pick up the fish again and swallow it whole in one gulp. I think you can see the fish still in the neck.
We grabbed a quick lunch, ice cream cones and a leisurely couple of hours window shopping before we returned to the beach.
We met Art's cousin, Renee and showed her the t-shirt she gave me that had the Floating Lantern theme, "MANY RIVERS - ONE OCEAN"
We decided not to assemble our lantern boats until it was time to float it.
The beach began filling up quickly with a steady stream of people.
We found a quiet spot in the shade of the first aid tent.
The kanji on Art's t-shirt (that my Aunt in Japan gave him) means "harmony".
It seemed at first that it would rain again but it soon cleared.
While we sat there who should show up but CBS/NBC's Guy Hagi, the local weather forecaster. I couldn't believe it!
I told him it was fun to actually see him in person since I watch him on TV every night!
Here's our lantern boat all assembled. It was very easy.
You can see the candle inside.
On one panel I wrote the names of all the beautiful people who have touched and enriched our lives.
And then the ceremonies began. What fun it was to see this monk taking photos with an iPad!
The blessing was done by the Shinnyo-en head priest, Shinso Ito.
As the sun set, we could see the beach area completely crowded with people.
We had to weave our way to the ocean with our lantern.
Once we got to the water, a volunteer lit our candle.
There were so many people and they were far out in deep water which meant everybody would have to go far to set out their lanterns.
I was wearing capris and since I'm shorter, I would have to wade out almost to my waist to be with Art. My pants was already wet up to the tops of my thighs.
I took his backpack and had him go out to the deep water without me.
The sun had pretty much set by the time Art was able to launch his lantern.
It was beautiful!
Art took this photo of our lantern before heading back to shallow water again.
It was a wonderful experience and the best part was remembering the people who added so much to our lives.
We liked being able to say, "Thank you." We liked being able to say we loved them and hadn't forgotten.
POSTSCRIPT:
This is so exciting! Cloudia of Comfort Spiral just sent this photo to me that she took from her apartment. What a view!
I found this explanation for the origins of Lantern Floating on Wikipedia:
Toro Nagashi is a Japanese ceremony in which participants float paper lanterns (chÅchin) down a river; toro is traditionally another word for lantern, while nagashi means "cruise, flow". This is primarily done on the last evening of the Bon Festival based on the belief that this guides the spirits of the departed back to the other world.
Art and I decided that this Memorial Day, we would finally participate.
Sunday was a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning across the islands, the likes of which I've not seen in a long time. It was reported that they might postpone this year's lantern floating.
However, when we woke up the following day, the skies were blue and the winds were calm.
Art and I had to consider the logistics. They were expecting 40,000 people! How would so many people fit on that beach? There would only be 6,000 lanterns.
We left the house at noon, but discovered that we really didn't have to go so early. We were directed to a comfortable area to compose our message.
Art wanted his to be a message to his parents. We would save the third side for his sister in California who called us with the message she wanted written.
We then decided to spend the afternoon at Ala Moana shopping center until it was time to find a space on the beach for the ceremony.
While walking there we saw this bird with a predicament.
He seemed to have caught too big a fish to swallow and struggled to get it in the right position. At one point the fish fell and flopped around the grass.
The bird was finally able to pick up the fish again and swallow it whole in one gulp. I think you can see the fish still in the neck.
We grabbed a quick lunch, ice cream cones and a leisurely couple of hours window shopping before we returned to the beach.
We met Art's cousin, Renee and showed her the t-shirt she gave me that had the Floating Lantern theme, "MANY RIVERS - ONE OCEAN"
We decided not to assemble our lantern boats until it was time to float it.
We found a quiet spot in the shade of the first aid tent.
The kanji on Art's t-shirt (that my Aunt in Japan gave him) means "harmony".
It seemed at first that it would rain again but it soon cleared.
While we sat there who should show up but CBS/NBC's Guy Hagi, the local weather forecaster. I couldn't believe it!
I told him it was fun to actually see him in person since I watch him on TV every night!
Here's our lantern boat all assembled. It was very easy.
You can see the candle inside.
On one panel I wrote the names of all the beautiful people who have touched and enriched our lives.
And then the ceremonies began. What fun it was to see this monk taking photos with an iPad!
The blessing was done by the Shinnyo-en head priest, Shinso Ito.
As the sun set, we could see the beach area completely crowded with people.
We had to weave our way to the ocean with our lantern.
Once we got to the water, a volunteer lit our candle.
There were so many people and they were far out in deep water which meant everybody would have to go far to set out their lanterns.
I was wearing capris and since I'm shorter, I would have to wade out almost to my waist to be with Art. My pants was already wet up to the tops of my thighs.
I took his backpack and had him go out to the deep water without me.
The sun had pretty much set by the time Art was able to launch his lantern.
It was beautiful!
Art took this photo of our lantern before heading back to shallow water again.
We liked being able to say, "Thank you." We liked being able to say we loved them and hadn't forgotten.
POSTSCRIPT:
This is so exciting! Cloudia of Comfort Spiral just sent this photo to me that she took from her apartment. What a view!
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