As usual, the Shinnyo-en floating lantern festival was a beautiful and moving event. In the past, however, the majority of festival attendees were fairly silent. Participants watched in awe and with respect and kept conversation to a whisper.

This year many people showed no respect to Her Holiness Shinso Ito, or talked and laughed while the opening oli was being chanted. I saw many people more interested in getting their Instagram selfies than appreciating the true meaning of this festival.

I held my tongue and concentrated on why I was there, to say aloha to my loved ones who have passed. In the end, that’s all that matters. See you next year.

Jonathan Higa

Pearl City

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