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Lantern Floating
(Toro Nagashi)

by ALOHA DEAN

The lantern floating ceremony is a memorial service to honor ancestors. The paper lanterns float on a wood or bamboo base and each lantern carries the name of the person being remembered and can also include a special message for the spirit. One thousand lanterns were set afloat to guide the spirits on a safe journey over the ocean to their spiritual home. The ceremony called Toro Nagashi was held at Ala Moana Beach Park.

Honolulu  May 26th, 2003

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