Celebration of Life--2012
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A free community event filled with food, fun and most importantly, friends....Hope to See You There.
Celebration of Life 2011
Reverently and majestically the first luminary, filled with loving thoughts for past Hospice of Hilo patients and the victims of the Japan Tsunami, floated out into the Wailoa River. In the background the sound of the Puna Men’s Chorus serenaded the special luminary as it navigated its way to the middle of the river. All day long, the air held its breath as the sky blanketed itself in overcast gray, in what seemed like anticipation of the dance of the luminaries. Finally, a breeze came over the river, as if the sky had decided to exhale an awestruck “ahhh” as the procession of hundreds of luminaries followed into the lengthening shadows of dusk. Out over the Hamakua Coast the west moving sun cast a light peach colored hue that pierced through the solemn cloud cover.
Love, light and laughter came together on May 14, 2011 at the Wailoa State Park all in the name of celebrating life. The 7th Annual Celebration of Life event cast a wide net, bringing together many members of the community.
“Really special,” was how Chesha Weaver described being able to launch a luminary in memory of her loved one.
It was magical to see how each individual was able to take ordinary items and make them extraordinary. With crayons, markers, butterfly cutouts, glue and glitter, adults and children gathered around the luminary craft table to express their thoughts and memories for their loved ones.
At 4:00 p.m. walkers of all ages and dogs of all breeds were abuzz with laughter and lively conversations under the starting banner for the 2.25-mile Walk to Remember. Birds sang in the distance and the resident ducks and geese called salutations to walkers as they made their way through the park and over the scenic bridges. For some the walk was a great opportunity to get in a brisk run, for others it was a chance to stroll, chat and reminisce and for a few the walk was a meditative pilgrimage. For all, it was a way to pull tight the strings that hold the fabric of our community together and support Hospice of Hilo in its mission to provide compassionate end-of-life care.
As the sun began to set, luminaries to be launched by volunteers were gathered together on tables and lit up to glow against the cooling sky. Individuals that decided to launch their own luminaries began to line up along the river’s edge, carefully holding their lit dedications to their loved ones. As if by magic, individuals disappeared into the darkness of the early evening and what was left was the appearance of a string of lights mysteriously floating in air.
Those wishing to watch the luminaries made their way to the river’s edge. For some it was a joyous recollection of a loved one as they recognized their luminary whimsically skating over the water. For others it was quiet, cleansing tears.
As the luminaries lit the night, children played on the lawn and danced to the music. They were a great reminder that the whole day and evening was a Celebration of Life. There was a celebration of loved ones passed and a celebration of life as it moves forward.
Mahalo for Celebrating Life.
Thank You to our Generous 2011 Corporate Sponsors:
A Special Mahalo for your Kind Support:
Aiona Car Sales
Akaka Falls Lions Club
Bayside Chevron
Big Island Candies
Big Island Weekly
Blane's Drive Inn
Boy Scout Troop 78
Bromeliads Hawaii, LLC
Cathy Hough
Char Shigemura, County of Hawaii
Coco-Cola Bottling Company
Cronies Bar and Grill
Dean Ishimoto
Derek Kurisu-Living in Paradise
DLNR, Division of State Parks
Down to Earth
Encore Restaurant/Kuhio Grille
Floral Resources Hawai`i, Inc.
Frank’s Foods, Inc.
Freddy's Restaurant & Drive Inn
Green Point Nurseries, Inc.
Hamakua Springs Country Farms
Hawaii Island Gourmet/Atebara Chips
Hawaii County Fire Department
Hospice of Hilo Volunteers
Dr. Kalena Silva
Hilo Daijingu
Hilo Products, Inc.
Hilo High School Leo Club
Hilo Lunch Shop
Hilo Rice Mill Co., Ltd
Hospice of Hilo Volunteers
J.E. Orozco
Jeff Ikeda
Karen Moriuchi
Kiwanis Club of East Hawaii
Kozmic Cones
Kuhio Grille/Encore Restaurant
KTA Superstores
Love’s Bakery
Myrtle Miyamura
Paradise Beverages
Pacific Floral Exchange Inc.
Puna Men’s Chorus
S. Tokunaga Store
Suisan Company Inc.
Stan A. Kinoshita & Associates, Inc.
Starbuck’s Coffee
Tag It Signs
TD Food Group, Inc.
Waiakea High School Key Club
Waiakea High School Leo Club
Yokoyama Sisters
Vizion 20/20
It was a beautiful event---thank you for being an important part of its success.
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