Commander’s Message:
Commander’s Message
Aloha Fellow Patriots,
Memorial Day Weekend is a time of remembrance for Servicemembers past and present who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation. It is our duty to ensure that they are not forgotten. Let us be worthy of the price they paid for the freedoms we enjoy.
On behalf of AMVETS, American Veterans Department of Hawaii, have a Safe and meaningful Memorial Day Weekend, Everyone! A Big Mahalo to all our volunteers participating in the numerous Memorial Day ceremonies around the Nation.
With great appreciation,
Commander Donovan A. Lazarus, AMVETS Department of Hawaii
World War One Memorial Day Ceremony
2815 Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki, Hawaii 96815
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day Eve Candlelight Ceremony
2199 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
2199 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Honolulu Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony
In honor of those who made the final full measure of devotion while serving in the Armed Forces for the United States of America, the City and County of Honolulu is honored to present the 70th Annual Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (“Punchbowl”), or Puowaina in Hawaiian.
This year we are privileged to host Admiral John M. Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations at the remembrance ceremony. Along with being the Navy’s highest ranking officer, Admiral Richardson has a long career in the armed services, including commanding the USS Honolulu while stationed on Oahu. He currently serves on the Joint Chiefs of Staff; is a naval aide to the President; prospective commanding officer instructor for Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; assistant deputy director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff; director of Strategy and Policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command; and in numerous other advisory capacities.
Admiral Richardson will provide remarks at this annual ceremony, scheduled to begin promptly at 0830 hours. on Monday, May 27th. The ceremony is free and open to the public, and features several ceremonial presentations and tributes. Those include: speeches, color guard, presentation of wreaths, firearm salute, aircraft flyover, playing of taps, and performances from the Royal Hawaiian Band and Sounds of Aloha Chorus.
45 Kamehameha Hwy, #349, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony
The Honorable David Y. Ige, Governor of the State of Hawaii, will be holding the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27th, 2019, starting at 1300 hours, at the Hawaii State Veterans’ Cemetery 45-349 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii.
Flower shower, floating lanterns and other events to commemorate our fallen heroes
Memorial Day Lantern Ceremony
The ceremony will be broadcast live on Hawai‘i News Now KGMB from 1830-1930 hours, and will also be streaming live on this website from 1830-1930 hours. HST (UTC-10).
Held annually on Memorial Day on Oʻahu’s south shore, Lantern Floating Hawaii brings together over 40,000 people on the beach, joined by thousands around the world via live streaming and telecast for an evening of honoring loved ones and generating collective hope toward the future.
Lantern Floating Hawaii is a ceremony where all can come together for a personal and collective moment of remembrance, reflection, and offering gratitude to those who have gone before us. It is a chance to be surrounded by the love, understanding, and support of others – even strangers. We are strengthened as a community as we reach out to support others and build understanding of our common values and experiences.
History
Memorial Day in America is a day when people remember and honor those who have fallen in service to their country. In Hawai‘i, with its diverse population, traditions become easily adopted and assimilated into its rich cultural fabric. It is the norm for people in Hawai‘i, on Memorial Day, to place flowers and offerings on gravesites of loved ones who served their country as well as those of others who have passed away.
With the wish of creating cultural harmony and understanding, Her Holiness Shinso Ito, Head Priest of Shinnyo-en, officiated the inaugural Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony on Memorial Day, 1999. For the first three years, the event was held at Ke’ehi Lagoon on the south shore of O’ahu. In 2002, the ceremony was moved a few miles down the coast to Ala Moana Beach where it has been observed every year since.
How to Participate:
Whether you reside in Hawaiʻi or on the other side of the world…
Whether you will be joining us at the beach or will be viewing from home…
Whether you would like to personally float a lantern or would prefer to have your remembrances included on a lantern that can be floated for you…
There is a way for you to participate. Here is how…
Personally float a lantern: http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/page/personal_lantern
Collective remembrance lantern: http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/page/collective_lantern
Submit online: http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/remembrancesManager
Official Website: http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/