I was told by a friend in passing while at work that there was some lantern ceremony happening at the beach. I was awestruck when I discovered the grandeur of the event as I read more about it. Unaware about it’s history, I discovered that this ceremony is held on Memorial Day every year (since 1999), and as quoted on the website…

Lantern Floating Hawaii is a ceremony where all can come together for a personal and collective moment of remembrance, reflection, and offering gratitude to those who have gone before us. (more here)

While I had intended to go and take a few cool pictures, I found myself lost in deep thought as I remembered loved ones I have lost. It’s beautiful how each culture brings remembrance into the folds (Día de Muertos from Tucson 2014), and I’ll be here next year to send off my own candled boat.









Just as the ceremony began, the sun peaked through the clouds and shined a beam right into the crowd and the incoming boats (to start off the ceremony).





















The ceremony begins as people launch their lanterns into the water.









This one really got me. I couldn’t take a picture for a bit after seeing it.





















Photos taken with my Canon 60d (24mm 2.8)