Hawai’i Care Choices proudly presents the 20th Annual Celebration of Life on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at Reeds Bay Beach Park in Hilo from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This is Big Island's largest lantern floating event, attracting over 3500 attendees. The event is free and open to the public. The Hilo Bon Dance Club and Tsukikage Odori Kai Dancers will return to open the Celebration of Life with the FIRST Bon Dance of the Obon Season to remember those who have passed on.
This year there will be a special ceremony of remembrance dedicated —in the spirit of solidarity —to those on Maui who experienced extreme loss during the 2023 Wildfires. An epic “paddle out” ceremony of our ocean communities, including canoe paddlers, fishermen, divers, surfers, and paddle boarders into Reed’s Bay to send heartfelt blessings, prayers of support, strength, and healing for all who grieve and strive to rebuild on Maui. It will be a definitive presentation of unity and aloha as all come together at Reeds Bay.
Hand-decorated and personalized luminaries by family members will be released into Reed’s Bay at sunset. Luminary decorating tents will be open from noon to 6 pm.
The best food trucks, pop-up eateries, shave ice, and Andagi donuts will be available. New to the event will be our Pop-Up Mākeke tent, offering locally made baked goods, bentos, keiki meals, and event shirts starting at noon.
Free parking will be available at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium with continuous shuttles to Reeds Bay from 11 am to 6 pm. Return shuttles will begin at 7:30 pm after the lanterns have been released into Reeds Bay.
The event program will open at 3:30 pm with fun, family-friendly, and easy-to-follow Bon dance for all ages to enjoy! Exquisite music and hula halau performances will follow with multi-faith prayers leading to the highly anticipated lantern release at sunset.
Luminaries will be available online from 4/26 to 5/25 and at the event until supplies last. All proceeds will support hospice families and community members receiving bereavement care.
Mark your calendars to join us on Sunday 5/26/2023. For more information, please check out our website https://www.hawaiicarechoices.org/celebrationoflife, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also email us at care@hawaiicarechoices.org.