Letter: Show more respect at lantern ceremony

As usual, the Shinnyo-en floating lantern festival was a beautiful and moving event. In the past, however, the majority of festival attendees were fairly silent. Participants watched in awe and with respect and kept conversation to a whisper.

This year many people showed no respect to Her Holiness Shinso Ito, or talked and laughed while the opening oli was being chanted. I saw many people more interested in getting their Instagram selfies than appreciating the true meaning of this festival.

I held my tongue and concentrated on why I was there, to say aloha to my loved ones who have passed. In the end, that’s all that matters. See you next year.

Jonathan Higa

Pearl City

EXPRESS YOURSELF

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.

>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.

>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813

>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter