HONOLULU (KHON2) — Once inside the lantern request tent, you could practically feel the reflection of thousands of people — their feelings being transcribed into words before the Shinnyo Lantern Floating on Monday, May 27.
Countless people waited in line for a lantern to write messages to their loved ones or affirmations for their biggest wishes before the start of the annual Memorial Day ceremony. The first person to start the line was a man from Hilo who waited since 10 p.m. the night prior, per organizers.
“I’m thanking her for being my lifetime partner and I know that from wherever she is, she is still guiding me and being with me,” stated Dalixa Soto, a lantern floating ceremony attendee.
Some eventgoers have participated in the float since the very beginning. Keith and Junko Snyder sang in the choir during the very first lantern floating ceremony in Kihei Lagoon, according to the couple.
“I wrote about love, universal peace for everybody, and peace for the world. The thing that I think is most important is that we all realize we’re all one family,” said Keith.
Others echo the ceremony’s theme, ‘Many Rivers, One Ocean,’ in their thoughts.
“Knowing that you’re not just on your own and there are other people out there going through the experience with you – it just brings that sense of closure and oneness,” stated the Ronquillo family, guests of the lantern ceremony.
Organizers stated about six thousand lanterns would be handed out by the evening.
“They stand in line, they stand in the sun, but when they get inside, they’re happy,” said Lantern Request Tent Chief Organizer, Janice Takahashi.
By sunset, thousands of lanterns will light up the shore in remembrance and celebration. The Shinnyo Lantern Floating will begin at 6:30 p.m. from 7:30 p.m.