Memorial Day, which is held the last Monday in May, brings with it opportunities to honor those who have died, particularly in service to the country.
Originally called Decoration Day, the event was planned for spring, to ensure flowers would be available across the country and could be placed on soldiers’ graves, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Here are some of the events coming up for Memorial Day this month, which include opportunities to make lei and attend a floating lantern ceremony.
Thursday, May 21
Donate lei for the graves of service members. Following WWII, Pūowaina, also known as Punchbowl Crater, was designated the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Each year, about 38,000 lei are placed on the graves of the service members laid to rest at the cemetery. To support the cause, drop fresh flowers or lei made of fresh flowers or ti leaf at one of these locations on Thursday, May 21, through Sunday, May 24. Students who graduated are also encouraged to donate their lei at any of these locations. Details.
Friday, May 22
Sew lei for Memorial Day. Want to help create the 38,000 lei placed on the graves of the service members laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific? Join one of these lei-making events across the island from Waiʻane to Waimānalo. There will also be lei making from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, at Kāne‘ohe Community & Senior Center. Free. Details.
Monday, May 25
75th Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and features ceremonial presentations and tributes. There will be an oli, a speech from Mayor Rick Blangiardi, a presentation of wreaths, a firearm salute, a military aircraft flyover, and performances from the Royal Hawaiian Band and Sounds of Aloha Chorus, as well as hula from the 96th Lei Court. The ceremony also features taps. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School, starting at 7 a.m. and a courtesy shuttle will take attendees to the cemetery. Free. Details.
Visit Pearl Harbor. Spend Memorial Day at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, where you can visit the USS Arizona Memorial (reservations recommended, although some standby admission is available) or the USS Missouri Memorial and USS Bowfin submarine. Visitors can also book a tour to Ford Island, where they can visit the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma Memorials. Don’t forget to stop at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, where authentic WWII hangers hold a variety of aircraft and visitors can step into flight simulators. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial’s visitor center is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details.
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony. Join Gov. Josh Green, Maj. General Stephen Logan, and Lt. Col. John Alamodin for the Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony at 1 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi State Veteran’s Cemetery in Kāneʻohe. There will be a musical prelude by the 111th Army Band. Dress code is aloha attire Details.
East End Hot Rod Car Show. Cruise over to the Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center and check out this showcase of classic cars in the parking lot in front of Costco. The event starts at 2 p.m. Free. Details.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi. This Memorial Day ceremony brings thousands to the water’s edge at Ala Moana Beach, where they release floating lanterns into the ocean. The free public event, which includes a ceremony that starts at 6:30 p.m., is officiated by Shinnyo-en, an international Buddhist community with Japanese roots. It is presented by the group’s locally based community support arm Nā Lei Aloha Foundation. Jacob Kam and his mother, Betty Lou Kam, have been volunteers for several years and share what keeps them coming back. Individual lanterns are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. at the Lantern Request Tent at Ala Moana Beach Park. Community members can also add a message to the collective remembrance lantern. Details.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
