Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii

The Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi Reflection Videos are now available to watch. Beautifully filmed, thoughtfully edited, and expertly produced by veteran videographer Bill Paris of Crew Hawaii Television, who has documented the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi for us for more than 15 years, the video collection captures the reflections of distinguished guests who participated in …

Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi 2026 Reflection Videos Now Available! Read More »

Contributed by Renée Dorn and Karen Osmanski , Community Character Coalition of Elk Grove, IL and Josh Gezahegn, The Volunteer Center-South Bay, Harbor, Long Beach, CA Standing on Ala Moana Beach as thousands gathered for the 2026 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii was both humbling and inspiring. As guests of Shinnyo-en Foundation, we joined people from …

Carrying Light Forward: A Journey of Peacebuilding and Connection Read More »

We’re thrilled to share a beautiful new video of the 2025 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii. If you haven’t yet, we invite you to read a deeply reflective article on our website, co-written by Amy Meuers and Jane Walker — two long-time supporters of peacebuilding through their work. Amy is CEO of the National Youth Leadership …

Exciting Announcement: The 2025 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii Video! Read More »

A collaborative reflection by Jane Walker, the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution and Amy Meuers, the National Youth Leadership Council The Shinnyo Lantern Floating Ceremony in Hawaii draws thousands to Ala Moana Beach each year. The event honors those who have passed, offering a collective moment for reflection, remembrance, and hope. This year, …

Between Fire and Water: A Path to Peace Read More »

Contributed by Francis Bencik, Julie Hurst, Cesar Barragan, and Ryan Kusumoto As a Grants Manager at Shinnyo-en Foundation, I am deeply honored to witness the profound impact of the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony. Held annually on Memorial Day at Ala Moana Beach Park, this event serves as a communal experience of remembrance and healing. …

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: Reflections from the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony Read More »

Contributed by Don Han, Director of Community Partnerships, Groundswell, and Gene Roehlkepartain, Senior Scholar, Search Institute On the surface, we are two very different people with two very different backgrounds. Yet we find ourselves to be more alike than it might seem. Don began his life in a Laotian, Theravāda Buddhist family. When the government …

Different Pasts, Shared Purpose – Coming Together for Healing and Hope through the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii Read More »

Contributed by Qalvy Grainzvolt, Shinnyo-en New York Temple Attending the 2019 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii, a special Memorial Day ceremony held in Hawaii over the last 20 years, I have been a witness to myriad special moments each and every time.  In the past, I have attended it as a member of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist …

An Ocean of Stories: Reflection on the 2019 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony Read More »

Contributed by Dr. Nina LeNoir, Chapman University Six American educators gathered as guests of Shinnyo-en Foundation to take part in a very special time in Honolulu, HI. It began on Saturday evening with a lovely dinner, a chance to meet and learn about each other and what brought us together to take part in this …

Memorial Day Weekend, 2018 Read More »

Every year on Memorial Day, the Shinnyo-en Buddhist Order presides over the Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony on the shore of Oahu. People of all faiths, backgrounds and beliefs are invited to come together for a personal and collective time of remembrance and reflection, and to offer gratitude to those who have passed. It is a …

Lantern Floating Hawaii 2017 Read More »