May 27, 2008
Memorial Day 2008
Hawaii knows how to do Memorial Day. I bought my poppy from a US Veteran outside the grocery store on Sunday. While I was doing that, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from all over Oahu were gathering in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. They were perpetuating a long tradition by placing American flags and lei on each of the 33,000 service member graves. The photo at left is a screen capture from video on KHNL 8. Take a moment to watch the whole story. A small boy saluting a grave after placing the lei moved me to tears.
Another moving ceremony took place at Ala Moana Beach Park at sunset. More than 1600 memorial lanterns were released into the ocean, each carrying a prayer or sentiment dedicated to the memory of one individual. Springing from Buddhist roots, the event now draws people of all faiths. Lantern Floating Hawaii has co-ordinated this lovely tradition for the last ten years. The photo is theirs. The photo gallery on their website will take your breath away.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
I spent part of Memorial Day at Pokai Bay Beach Park here on the Waianae Coast. Pokai Bay holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I first learned not to fear the ocean, where I first donned a snorkel and began to discover the wonders of the underwater world. The park is a very “local” gathering place. Almost everyone who goes there lives on the Waianae Coast. There is always someone there, no matter what time of the day or night you visit. A few homeless still live there, but most of the folks enjoying the beach or the relaxing with friends are there just taking a break. It can be a scary place when the sun goes down, with drug dealers and gamblers not wanting an audience. It’s pretty wholesome while the sun shines, though. Canoe clubs practice their paddling at Pokai Bay, families picnic and parents teach their keiki to swim and respect the ocean. The breakwater, badly damaged in Hurricane Iniki in 1992, is still a favorite opihi-picking spot and jumping-off point for bold little boys. Their big brothers stroll around strumming on ukeleles while little sisters learn all about rock climbing. Dads shout instructions to keiki washing away the salt - “Stick you head in dere. Get dat sand out da ears!” The lifeguard keeps her eyes on on the water while Tui takes a break from Park Service duties. On this crowded day the fisherfolks moved outside the breakwater to avoid the masses, as did a few teens escaping parental scrutiny. I made a few new friends as was invited to “make plate” by strangers who liked the idea that their photos might appear on skeet’s stuff. It was a fine day to be on the Waianae Coast.
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May 27th, 2008 at 4:54 pm, skeet’s stuff » Tuesday Teaser photo verification Says:
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May 27th, 2008 at 6:25 pm, Whim Says:
Thi picture of the floating lanterns at Ala Moana Beach is simply breathtaking.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:44 am, Holly Says:
Wow! All of those pictures are amazing and well taken. Thanks for sharing.
We don’t do too much around my area for memorial day. The local clubs do a few things but nothing major. I kinda wish they did.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 am, Dave Says:
Oahu cares more about its dead soldiers than the ones that are alive. There are always clashes with the locals and the soldiers.
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:27 am, skeet Says:
The lantern picture is from the website that sponsors the event, Whim. But you’re right - it’s breathtaking!
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 am, skeet Says:
Holly, we do Memorial Day as a pretty big thing. We remember those who died at Pearl Harbor, and the thousands of others who rest here from so amny terrible conflicts over the years. There are many military bases on the island, so there are many service members who ended up here.
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:41 am, skeet Says:
That’s a terribly genrality to brand us all with, Dave. Yes there are clashes between military folks and locals. There are clashes between military and other military, locals and other locals. Human nature is the same here as it is anywhere else. There are more folks here getting along than there are expressing hostility. Pretty amazing when you consider how many cultures make up the local population and that there are a lot of service members mingling with the local population. I’m a haole living amongst the most densly Hawaiian population left in these islands, but with Filipino, Tahitian, Samoan and Japanese neighbors, some military but mostly civilian. Black, white and varying shades of brown, with uniforms or without, we get along just fine. We like and respect each other. I’m sorry if you’ve had a bad experience that has shaped your viewpoint. Check out a real neighborhood like mine and you might see things differently.