Lantern Floating Hawaii 2012

Photos from the 14th Annual Lantern Floating Hawai‘i ceremony, May 28, 2012. The Toro Nagashi, “lantern offerings on water,” ceremony is a Buddhist rite to pay respect to ancestors and offer comfort to spirits of the deceased. Candle-lit lanterns carry prayers for those who have sacrificed their lives in war, for victims of water-related accidents, natural disasters, famine and disease, as well as loved ones who have passed away. The Shinnyo-en Buddhist order established the first Lantern Floating Hawai‘i in 1999. Shinnyo-en Hawai‘i makes over 3,000 lanterns available for people to write messages in honor of loved ones. Read the blog post.

Musical entertainment and hula performances were part of the program. The fantastic Raiatea Helm and the Brothers Cazimero performed. Because the whole event was being televised, there was usually a camera of some type between us and the singers. We got better shots of the dancers, since they appeared on stage to the sides. © 2012 Sugar + Shake

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Musical entertainment and hula performances were part of the program. The fantastic Raiatea Helm and the Brothers Cazimero performed. Because the whole event was being televised, there was usually a camera of some type between us and the singers. We got better shots of the dancers, since they appeared on stage to the sides. © 2012 Sugar + Shake