For nearly 20 years, lanterns have lit up East Hawaii waters as community members remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.
Hawaii Care Choices’ 20th Celebration of Life event will be returning to Reeds Bay in Hilo from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The annual event invites the Hawaii Island community to purchase luminaries, decorate them in honor of their loved ones, and release them together into the water as a way to face their grief while remembering the people they have lost.
“There is something so important about letting go and knowing that there is no controlling grief. It is not linear, but more like a rollercoaster where you don’t know when it will affect you again,” said Lani Weigert, engagement marketing director with Hawaii Care Choices. “The physical part of letting go of the lantern into the bay can help people let go of that grief and realize that they can continue on, even when it’s hard to see beyond the pain.”
Weigert expects 3,500 to 4,000 people to attend the event, and about 1,000 lanterns are expected to illuminate the bay.
“Grief is not a journey people normally do by themselves, so at this event, standing shoulder to shoulder, we hope people see that they are not alone,” Weigert said. “It’s an honor for us to put on this event for the well-being of the community since grief is tied to mental health and when we feel isolated in that grief, we forget to reach out.”
A special paddle-out ceremony, E Ola Maui — Tribute to Maui, will open the Celebration of Life beginning at 12 p.m. at Reeds Bay. Led by kahu Kaunaloa Boshard from Kamehameha Schools Hawaii, the ocean prayer will be dedicated to those on Maui who experienced extreme loss during last year’s wildfires.
Hawaii Care Choices has sent luminaries to communities on Maui to decorate for loved ones, and if they are sent back in time, they will be included with the others floating on the bay Sunday night.
The rest of the program will begin with opening remarks at 3:30 p.m., followed by the first bon dance of the Obon season at 3:50. The Hilo Bon Dance Club and Tsukikage Odori Kai Dancers Taiko Drums are returning to lead the family-friendly bon dance, which is traditionally done to celebrate life and honor those who have passed on.
“We are very honored by the Hongwanji churches and temples that they allow us to host the first bon dance to open the season on the island,” Weigert said. “The dances are easy to follow for people of all ages and is a great way to encourage physical engagement and movement as a form of healing.”
Live performances from Ben Ka‘ili and Friends, with Hula Halau o Kawananakoa and Kumu Meleana Manuel and Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa, will follow the bon dance until 6:25 p.m. when remarks will be made by Mayor Mitch Roth and County Council members.
Before the luminaries are released at 7:05 p.m., there will be multifaith blessings from the Rev. Yuki Fujimori, kumu Lehua Veincent, Deacon Charley Mapa and rabbi Rachel Short, followed by opening protocol by Manuel and Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa.
Kupuna will be first to release their luminaries on Reeds Bay before everyone else joins with their hand-decorated, personalized luminaries.
“Even with so much available during the day, there is nothing like the last 20 minutes of the event when everyone is standing at the bay ready to release their luminaries,” Weigert said. “We’re planning to see about 1,000 luminaries floating on Reeds Bay, which will be lit by fishing glow sticks donated by S. Tokunaga Store.”
According to Weigert, all the luminaries will be gathered by volunteers from the Youth Challenge Academy and taken to shore before going to one of the Hongwanjis for ceremonial burning. Nothing will be left in the water.
Luminaries will be available for $25 online until Saturday or at the event as supplies last. All proceeds will support hospice families and community members receiving bereavement care. Luminary decorating tents will be open throughout the event from noon to 6 p.m.
For those interested in decorating them beforehand, luminaries will be available at pop-up shops at KTA Puainako and Malama Market Pahoa until Saturday. KTA’s pop-up will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Malama Market’s pop-up will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Free parking will be available at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, with free shuttle service by the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council to and from Reeds Bay from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shuttle transportation will pause for the final portion of the event before starting again at 7:30 p.m. after the luminaries are released.
Along with nine of Hawaii Island’s food trucks will be the new addition of a Pop-Up Makeke tent, which will offer locally-made baked goods, Andagi donuts, bentos, keiki meals and event shirts beginning at noon.
“The Makeke tent will have products from community members, organizations and businesses that support this event, because we wanted to make sure we showed our support for them, too,” Weigert said. “We are definitely not able to do this without all the help from our wonderful sponsors, donors and community volunteers. It truly takes a village.”
“We’re so honored that the (Celebration of Life) continues to grow and people are beginning to recognize the work we’re doing at Hawaii Care Choices goes beyond hospice and expands to taking care of the survivors of those who pass,” Weigert continued.
For more information about Hawaii Care Choices’ 20th Celebration of Life and to purchase luminaries, visit hawaiicarechoices.org/celebrationoflife.
