Lantern Floating Festival, Honolulu, Hawaii

  40,000 people gathered in Ala Moana Beach park this memorial day for one of the most moving and peaceful celebrations I have ever witnessed. The Lantern Floating festival here in Oahu, HI has become a major attraction. Over 6,000 paper lanterns were created and then just after sunset people made their way down to the water where they set their lanterns afloat.

  The lanterns were covered with the names of lost loved ones; grandparents, parents, siblings, friends, even pets. Messages to the deceased filled the empty spaces on the lanterns. Not wanting to litter the ocean with debris, even degradable debris, all the lanterns were corralled at the mouth of the bay. The floating lanterns of the flying kind were outlawed, although I saw a few lifting off after most people had already finished and turned towards the parking lots. One of my favorite images of the night was two people lighting up one of these flying lanterns and watching the concentration as their faces were lit up only by the lantern.

  I was unprepared for the sheer amount of people that showed up and the massive stage and presentation that preceded the actual floating of lanterns. I was also amazed by the calmness and closeness that a gathering this large could emanate. It is human nature to veer towards the mob mentality when in huge groups. It is nice to see that it is not always the case. Running into friends on the beach was also a huge surprise with the size of the crowd. If you ever happen to be in Oahu during memorial day, this is a can't miss.