May 29, 2012, Honolulu, HI — Shinnyo-en Buddhists hosted the 14th annual Lantern Floating Hawai’i ceremony on Memorial Day Monday May 28, 2012. Lantern Floating Hawai’i 2012 culminated the day-long public celebrations of one of the largest Memorial Day observances in the U.S.A. at the Ala Moana Beach Park near downtown Honolulu. Organizers reported an estimated attendance of more than 45,000 at this year’s event.
Lantern Floating Hawai’i, while sponsored by a Buddhist organization, is a non-denominational, secular observance that is free and open to the public. Lantern Floating Hawai’i has been conducted annually on Memorial Day in Honolulu since 1999, when it was first brought to Honolulu because of Hawai’i’s unique geographical, historic, cultural and demographic profile. The beautiful ceremony is designed to help us remember and honor all those who have served and those we have lost, and to renew our compassionate commitment to all people as we go forward in our lives.