Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai’i returns to Moana Beach this Memorial Day, May 26
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai’i is the largest Memorial Day event in the U.S. honoring fallen service members and loved ones with 6,000 candle-lit lanterns bearing remembrances, prayers, and affirmations
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I – Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i, the annual Memorial Day ceremony that brings together communities from around the world in honor of fallen service members and loved ones, announced its return to Ala Moana Beach on Monday, May 26, 2025. Celebrating its 27th year with the theme of Many Rivers, One Ocean, the ceremony is the largest Memorial Day event in the U.S. and hopes to connect the community by offering a space, physical and emotional, for residents and visitors to experience a sense of comfort, connection, and healing.
“Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i invites individuals, families, and communities of every background to unite in a shared spirit of gratitude, reflection, and hope,” said Rev. Craig Yamamoto, community relations liaison of Shinnyo-en Hawaii. “We are honored to continue this meaningful tradition, fostering connection where renewal and unity embrace all.”
Individual lanterns will be available on a first-come, first served basis at Ala Moana Beach on May 26, with no pre-reservation option. A total of 6,000 candle-lit lanterns bearing remembrances, prayers and affirmations to perpetuate the goodness of those being remembered will be set afloat at Ala Moana Beach at sunset. Lanterns are collected at the end of the ceremony by volunteers to be refurbished for next year. Those interested in volunteering can visit LanternFloatingHawaii.com for more information.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i is a free event officiated by Shinnyo-en, an international Buddhist community with Japanese roots, and presented by its locally-based, social-contributing arm Nā Lei Aloha Foundation. The annual ceremony draws people from various ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds in a gathering that aims to create a moment of collective remembrance, harmony and international friendship. The ceremony will also be broadcast on KHON2 and streamed on Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@shinnyolanternfloatinghawa7517. More details will be available soon.
For more information on the event, visit LanternFloatingHawaii.com, e-mail info@naleialoha.org or call (808) 942-1848, ext. 2. For more information about Shinnyo-en visit Shinnyoen.org.
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