Embracing many ways to remember
It was a memorable Memorial Day in Hawaii, in more ways than one.
Thousands across the state honored those who died in uniform, placing flags and flowers at cemeteries and paying tribute to those who served. Memorial Day’s military roots are especially fitting for Hawaii, which hosts all five branches of the armed services and has a long and storied relationship with our nation’s fighting forces.
Of course, Memorial Day also was simply a time to remember loved ones. The Lantern Floating Hawaii event at Ala Moana Beach Park, in the Buddhist tradition, drew 40,000 people and more than 3,000 softly glowing lanterns, carrying messages of love and loss on the ocean.
In Hawaii, both traditions come from our history and culture, and are treasured.
Ocean around us is beauty, beast
It’s a message that never gets old here: Don’t ever take the ocean for granted. It’s not a swimming pool. It’s filled with dangerous creatures and treacherous waves and currents, and it cares not one whit about whether you live or die.
Reminding us of this was the news that Hawaii County has seen more drownings than normal this year — nine so far compared with the same number for all of last year. On Oahu so far this year, there have been 13.
Statewide, the number of drownings is in the same range as last year: 24 so far. Of course, any drowning is bad news, so keep safety in mind when engaging in sea activities.
As Archie Kalepa, Maui County ocean safety operations chief, said, "People come to Hawaii, all they see is beauty. They don’t see the beast hidden in the beauty."
