May 24, 2026.

First time attending Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi? Here’s all the details you need to know.

Getting here. If you are driving to Ala Moana Beach, please note that the park’s regular stalls fill up quickly, but we have other easy options for you to park for the ceremony. See this page for all the details on how to park for the event.

You may also choose to get dropped off or use rideshare to get to the beach, but please be aware that right after the ceremony, cellular reception can be weak due to the crowds.

If you require accessibility accommodations, check out our accessibility info.

Receive a free lantern. If you would like to float a lantern yourself, come to the Lantern Request Tent to pick up an Individual Lantern. It comes disassembled in a carrying tote.  See the map above for the location of the tent. It’s by the L&L BBQ on the Diamond Head, Magic Island side of the beach.

Lanterns are available for free to everyone, first-come first-served, while supplies last.

The line is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A long line tends to form before we open, but once we open the line goes fast, and there tends to be a shorter wait, or almost no wait, in the middle of the day.

Military may access a special dedicated line with ID.

One per family or group, please. There are three blank sides on the lantern, so you may write multiple remembrances on each lantern. Your kōkua ensures all families get a chance to remember their loved ones.

Take a look at this page for other details on how to receive a lantern.

Assemble and decorate your lantern. We’ll have tables and chairs, with pens and tape, for you to put together your lantern and write your messages. Or you may choose to take your lantern and find a spot on the beach to create your remembrances.

Each panel is 5.5” by 5.5”.  Feel free to bring photos and images to attach to the lanterns as well.  But for environmental and fire hazard reasons, please do not attach any other objects nor lei on the lanterns.  Thank you for keeping in mind our oceans and the safety of our canoe crew volunteers who retrieve your lanterns.

Additional details on the lanterns are here, including a helpful video with tips for making sure your lantern stays sturdy.

Can’t float a lantern? Write a Collective Remembrance Lantern message. If you’d rather not float your own lantern, or are unable to pick up a free Individual Lantern, you can still honor your loved ones on a Collective Remembrance Lantern.

Visit the Collective Remembrance tent from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s right next to the Lantern Request Tent, see the map. You’ll be able to handwrite a message that we’ll place on a lantern for you.

Our canoe crew volunteers will take the Collective Remembrances into the water during the ceremony and set them afloat for you.

Learn more about writing a Collective Remembrance message.

Participate in the ceremony and float your lantern. The ceremony starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. Volunteers will be on the beach to light your lanterns and guide you as to when you may release your lantern.

Take your time to take in the moment and honor your loved ones, and remember that everyone on the beach is here for the same reason: we’re all honoring–and missing–people we loved.

Not able to make it out to Ala Moana Beach? No problem. The ceremony will be live on air on KHON2 TV, on our official YouTube channel as well as on this website. Watch the livestream or relive the ceremony online on our webpage.

Mahalo for being a part of the 2026 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi ceremony!