East Hawaiʻi families grieve together during the 19th Annual Celebration of Life in Hilo

More than 1,000 lighted lanterns floated in Reeds Bay Beach Park in Hilo Sunday evening for the 19th Annual Celebration of Life ceremony.

Each lantern was uniquely designed and decorated to honor and recognize a loved one who had died.

The moment offered the East Hawaiʻi community an opportunity to grieve and heal as one, said Amy Lee, advancement manager for the nonprofit Hawai’i Care Choices that hosted the event.

“Just to be able to come here and commemorate or honor their loved ones as a community reminds them that they are not alone and that they are able to mourn and heal together as an Ohana, as East Hawai’i,” she said.

Apalogie Makaokalani Labrador was at the event to mourn the loss of her father, Pernell Cruz, who passed in 2017. She said he went through Hawai’i Care Choices for hospice when he needed help.

“One thing I remember about my dad is that he loved football,” she said. “He was a 49ers fan all the way!”

Memories were shared amongst attendees who enjoyed Hawaiian music, local food vendors, hula and hearing from special guest speakers, including Mayor Mitch Roth and Sen. Lorraine Inouye.

Sunday’s celebration also marked the beginning of the 2023 Obon season for the island. Obon, typically celebrated in the fall in Japan, is a Buddhist tradition that honors the spirits of one’s ancestors. The dance was led by Hilo’s Bon Dance Club from the Meishon Temple, and it was the first time they performed since COVID-19.

After the dancing and music, the hundreds of participants headed to Reeds Bay in the rain with their lanterns and watched peacefully as they entered the water just before sunset.

Along with the putting together the touching gathering, the 40-year-old organization, formerly Hospice of Hilo, also offers families palliative care, hospice care and bereavement services. Bereavement care is free to the public, representatives said.

Justin Texeira, of Hilo, was cleaning up after event and began to reflect on his years of service in hospice care for the organization.

Texeira said in his role as a certified nephrology nurse, he works with about six to seven patients a day, and has assisted about 60 patients over the years during their final hours.

He said the job isn’t always easy, but rewarding.

“All I can say is love is a circle. You have to love somebody and have empathy. I love my patients, and I cry every single time,” he said.

What keeps him going is making sure his patients are treated with the care they deserve.

“That’s my goal – is to be your best friend. Everything you don’t have, that’s what I’m going to be,” he said.

If you are interested in learning more about Hawai’i Care Choices visit www.hawaiicarechoices.org.