After Hawai'i veterans and deceased military people are honored at war memorials and cemeteries on Memorial Day, tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park for the 11th Annual Lantern Floating Ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

Pre-ceremony activities begin at 1 p.m., when a limited number of lanterns will be given to the public to join the 2,000 candlelit lanterns that will be floated offshore in a Buddhist tradition originating from Japan. Remembrances and prayers can be offered to loved ones by placing their names on a lantern.
The Shinnyo-en’s spiritual head, Keishu Shinso, will lead the ceremony to remember those who gave their lives in conflict, honor ancestors and comfort the spirits of deceased loved ones. The ceremony is intended to be a time to reflect and pray for a peaceful and harmonious future as the lanterns float toward the reef at sunset. They will be collected later and cleaned and rebuilt for use next year.
The ceremony, which symbolizes the wish for peaceful coexistence, is open to everyone.
For more information, and to add online messages to honor loved ones, visit www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com. The event will air live on KGMB starting at 6 p.m.

ON PBS HAWAI'I

On Sunday, PBS Hawai'i will honor those who served with the “National Memorial Day Concert” at 7 p.m., followed by the film “Fighting for Life” at 9.
The annual concert includes readings from actors and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
“Fighting for Life” features footage from Iraq, and from U.S. military medical facilities. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye talks about his own experiences and the need for specialized training for those caring for the injured. ￿

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS

Events are scheduled tomorrow and Monday to honor Hawai'i’s veterans and deceased military people:
Natatorium Memorial Day Ceremony
• 10 a.m. tomorrow
• Waikïkï Natatorium War Memorial, diamondhead end of Waikïkï Beach
60th Annual Honolulu Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony
• 8:30 a.m. Monday
• National Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl
Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony
• 1 p.m. Monday
• Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery, Käne'ohe
Lantern Floating Ceremony
• 6:30 p.m. Monday
• Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park