Aloha! Welcome to Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi. I offer my wholehearted thanks to our invited guests, to our volunteers and staff, and to all who are attending here at Ala Moana Beach and remotely from around the world.

On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the military fallen of Hawaii and the United States. We offer prayers to all we have lost to conflict and catastrophe, with a wish that our positive actions reach those we love and miss.

The founder of Shinnyo-en, Master Shinjo Ito, taught us to never underestimate the power of prayer. Our prayers are an expression of all that is naturally good within us, and our collective prayer is intangible yet impactful. As we offer our thanks and honor those who came before us, we reaffirm the connection of our lives to theirs. Uniting in our positive wish that peace and harmony will be realized for those in the present, our efforts will pave the way for a better future for all.

I feel very grateful for having learned of the wisdom of aloha through having its warmth shared with me over the years.

Aloha comes from within, encouraging us to unveil our light to illuminate the world around us.

It helps us set aside differences to engage in dialogue and act with sincerity and care. This allows each of us to see, hear, and value the other.

With the wisdom of aloha, I see a world where all people can live in peace and express their care for each other without limits.

The inner light revealed through expressing aloha is what we call shinnyo. Each lantern, unique and beautiful, graces the surface of the ocean. Swayed by the gentle rhythm of the waves, they illuminate the darkness of the night safely in spite of facing the unpredictable waters and wind. Fire and water, inherently opposing elements, neither consume the lanterns nor drown them, but together create something beautiful, glowing with their harmonious presence.

We each carry within us something unique and beautiful, just like that light. We must not lose sight of our light in the face of hardship or despair. With all the pain and confusion in the world, we must be unfailing in our determination to reveal our hope-filled light.

I will now conduct a rite so that the countless lights of shinnyo kindled here in Hawaii will be carried across oceans throughout the world to bring warmth, healing, and happiness to all lives and souls.