The crowds thickened as we walked closer to Ala Moana Beach, reports later estimated that over 40,000 people were in attendance down the entire length of the beach. The ceremony officially began as the sun set, with Her Holiness Shinso Ito leading the elements below as described on the Lantern Floating Hawaii website:
Pū - The sounding of the pū, or Hawaiian conch shell, sanctifies the area and marks the commencement of the ceremony.
Although we did not arrive in time to assemble personal lanterns, I picked my way through the crowds to the shoreline in time to watch others lovingly release their lanterns into the water. Those who could not make their way to the front of the crowd passed their lanterns forward crowd-surfing style. As I fought my way to waist-level, which is where the very front of the crowd was located in the water, a little boy struggled to float his lantern past the adults standing in front of him. I leaned in and gave his lantern, which had a message written to his grandfather in childish handwriting, a little extra push to the front and asked the couple in front of me to do the same, to shich the little boy smiled happily and hid behind his mother.
The sun set as the lanterns progressed over the waves and past the shoreline. The sight of thousands of twinkling lanterns drifting solemnly out to sea was ... More moving was the extent of human emotion expressed by those in attendance as they mourned, celebrated, and remembered those that they were honoring. I watched a young father with his two little boys release a lantern addressed to their mother (picture below), a family with a lantern dedicated to an infant, and groups of friends paying homage to lost comrades. This ceremony was one of the most moving that I have ever attended. Among a sea of thousands of people I felt a collective sense of grief and understanding - that we were all mourning in our own way and that in our very human conditions we shared the experience of having loved and lost. In the end, I stayed as long as I could, watching the light from the lanterns grow smaller and smaller as they slipped away from us on the shore and the sun set. I felt moved and overwhelmed by being a part of a collective experience that I had previously kept private.
Shinnyo Taiko – The sound of the taiko calls people together. It is offered as a prayer for peace, with hope that people reach out in the spirit of creating harmony to support one another.
Oli - This Hawaiian chant calls the attention of all who are present to prepare their hearts to receive the importance of what will follow.
Entrance of Lanterns – Six large Parent Lanterns carry prayers for all spirits on behalf of all people. Prayers are offered for victims of war, water-related accidents, natural and manmade disasters, famine and disease. Gratitude is offered for all - even endemic, endangered and extinct plant and animal life. These lanterns are floated with the hope of encouraging harmony and peace.
Light of Harmony – Community leaders from various sectors symbolically demonstrate their unified commitment to creating harmony amid diversity.
Purification – Her Holiness Shinso Ito offers a blessing of the ceremonial area, the lanterns, all who are being remembered, and all in attendance prior to the floating of lanterns.
Onjiki – Literally meaning “food and drink,” this ritual offers spiritual nourishment to the souls of those being remembered.
Sange – Since ancient times, flowers have adorned the path of honored ones. The scattering of flowers on the path symbolizes the love and respect that we offer to our loved ones.
Shomyo – A fusion of traditional Buddhist chant and Western choral harmony.
Ringing of the Bell - The crystal clear sound of Her Holiness Shinso Ito's bell focuses everyone's thoughts and prayers and signifies that it is time to float the lanterns.
Floating of Lanterns - Lanterns are placed onto the water with wishes for the peace and happiness of loved ones past and present.
(The above series of photographs and descriptions are from the Lantern Floating Hawaii website. The slideshow below are my own pictures.)
Although we did not arrive in time to assemble personal lanterns, I picked my way through the crowds to the shoreline in time to watch others lovingly release their lanterns into the water. Those who could not make their way to the front of the crowd passed their lanterns forward crowd-surfing style. As I fought my way to waist-level, which is where the very front of the crowd was located in the water, a little boy struggled to float his lantern past the adults standing in front of him. I leaned in and gave his lantern, which had a message written to his grandfather in childish handwriting, a little extra push to the front and asked the couple in front of me to do the same, to shich the little boy smiled happily and hid behind his mother.
The sun set as the lanterns progressed over the waves and past the shoreline. The sight of thousands of twinkling lanterns drifting solemnly out to sea was ... More moving was the extent of human emotion expressed by those in attendance as they mourned, celebrated, and remembered those that they were honoring. I watched a young father with his two little boys release a lantern addressed to their mother (picture below), a family with a lantern dedicated to an infant, and groups of friends paying homage to lost comrades. This ceremony was one of the most moving that I have ever attended. Among a sea of thousands of people I felt a collective sense of grief and understanding - that we were all mourning in our own way and that in our very human conditions we shared the experience of having loved and lost. In the end, I stayed as long as I could, watching the light from the lanterns grow smaller and smaller as they slipped away from us on the shore and the sun set. I felt moved and overwhelmed by being a part of a collective experience that I had previously kept private.
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