Annual Floating Lantern Festival

Each Memorial Day thousands of floating lanterns are set off from canoes at Ala Moana Beach Park. The festival has its origins in Japan, where lanterns are used to honor ancestors and remember loved ones. This free event attracts about 40,000 spectators and it’s best to arrive early for a good view.

The official Floating Lantern Hawaii website is here: www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com

lanternfloatinghawaii’s *stunning* Flickr slideshow is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37175635@N08/show/

Kay’s photos from 2009:

My photos from 2008:

Tip: I hear you can get a unique perspective from atop Punchbowl, the National Cemetary of the Pacific or from one of the many high-rises in the Ala Moana area.