22nd Annual Celebration of Life

The 2026 Celebration of Life marks its 22nd year as a free, community-wide lantern floating memorial at Reeds Bay Beach Park in Hilo, Hawai‘i. Each year, more than 2,000 participants gather to honor loved ones who have passed. Rooted in Native Hawaiian practices such as oli, pule, mele, and hula, and enriched with multicultural traditions including the Japanese Bon dance, the event proudly opens the Bon dance season for the Hawai‘i Island community.

Led by respected kumu (teachers), faith leaders, and local dance groups, the evening blends ceremony, reflection, and festivity. It offers a meaningful space for remembrance, collective healing, and unity. More than a memorial, the Celebration of Life is a powerful reminder of community strength, resilience, and aloha as we honor those who continue to live on in our hearts.