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Hawaii Care Choices will host the 21st Annual Celebration of Life Lantern Floating Event from 3 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, at Reeds Bay Beach Park in Hilo.

As the Big Island’s largest lantern floating event, this deeply meaningful gathering provides a space for remembrance and healing, attracting more than 2,500 attendees annually.

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The event remains free and open to the public.

The program will begin with a traditional bon dance, led by the Hilo Bon Dance Club and Tsukikage Odori Kai Dancers, marking the first bon dance of the Obon season to honor those who have passed.

Attendees will experience a moving tribute featuring multi-faith prayers, hula performances and live music, culminating in the lantern release at sunset.

Families will have the opportunity to personalize and decorate luminaries, which will be released into the serene waters of Reeds Bay as a symbolic farewell to their loved ones.

Event highlights: Luminary decorating tents, food trucks, special event T-shirts, hula halau and live music performances, multi-faith blessings and prayers, and the lantern floating ceremony at sunset.

Free parking will be available at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, with continuous shuttle services running to and from Reeds Bay between 2:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Personalized luminaries will be available for purchase online until Friday, May 23, and at the event while supplies last.

All proceeds will support hospice families and community members receiving bereavement care through Hawaii Care Choices.

Hawaii Care Choices, formerly Hospice of Hilo, invites the community to come together in this day of remembrance, unity and aloha.

For more information, please visit www.hawaiicarechoices.org/celebrationoflife or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Hawaii Care Choices is a Medicare/Medicaid-certified, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality, compassionate and specialized care for seniors and individuals with serious or life-limiting illnesses.