Borrowing from the Japanese tradition of obon and other religious equivalents, such as All Souls’ Day, Timbers Kaua‘i celebrated its second lantern floating ceremony on Sunday night as the sun set in a blaze of color.
“We are pleased to host our floating lantern ceremony to honor and pay tribute to our beloved ancestors,” said Timbers Kaua‘i General Manager Chris Gampon. “Being a part of the beautiful, ethnically blended community, we hope this event will bring our families closer with appreciation and renewal for our future.”
Cultural practitioner Kalani Flores offered the Hawaiian prayer to set the stage for the prayer, officiated by Bishop Kosen Ishikawa and the Rev. Takaki Tanabe of the Jodo Mission of Hawai‘i, which included a special presentation by a Taiko Kaua‘i ensemble.
“A floating lantern ceremony demonstrates our love and commitment with deep gratitude while bringing inner peace,” a Timbers Kaua‘i flier read. “Originating in Japanese culture, the ceremony is a joyous time to awaken meaningfulness, hope and renewal to create a better future.”
Unlike the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i that attracted more than 45,000 people to the Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu on May 29, the Timbers Kaua‘i lantern floating was a “private” event, with attendance by invitation only.
The included local dignitaries like county Managing Director Michael Dahilig representing Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, state Rep. Luke Evslin and his family, state Rep. Nadine Nakamura, who had her mom bundled against the evening chill and visiting friends from Washington state, Kaua‘i Museum Executive Director Chucky Boy Chock and his wife, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director Sue Kanoho and husband Sol Kanoho, and others.
Words and thoughts stemmed from the Timbers Kaua‘i guests and employees as the raft of toro, or paper lanterns, was moved by a kayak paddler in the Hokuala Lagoon located behind the Maliula Residences.
The next obon event takes place Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, when the Kapa‘a Hongwanji Mission hosts its first bon dance since the pandemic shutdown. Hatsubon, or services for those who passed recently, will start a 6 p.m. on Friday, with bon dancing to start at 7:30 p.m., following the Rev. Mieko Majima meeting and greeting all Buddhas and guests.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
