_{Lantern Floating Hawaii}

The 15th Annual Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony will take place next Monday, Memorial Day, May 27, 2013. More than 3,000 candle-lit lanterns bearing individual and community remembrances and prayers will illuminate the ocean off of Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park.

The event brings together more than 40,000 Hawaii residents and visitors from around the world and from various cultures and traditions who cast afloat lanterns at sunset in remembrance of loved ones who have passed, or as symbolic prayer for a harmonious and peaceful future. The ceremony will also recognize those who have passed due to various causes afflicting humanity throughout the world. The theme of Lantern Floating Hawaii is "Many Rivers, One Ocean."

I attended the 2010 event. Taking away all of the pageantry, pomp and circumstance which was so beautiful, Lantern Floating Hawaii is ultimately about the people who get a lantern, write their special messages to deceased love ones, prayers to their God, hopes for the world and much more, and then place it in the water for the tide to take out to sea.

It is very much like lighting a candle in a Roman Catholic Church or writing a prayer on a piece of paper and then burning it as you watch the smoke rise to the heavens. What you ultimately take from it is up to you. It comes down to faith. For some the event was just fun, for some symbolic, but, for far more, something very spiritual as you could clearly see in their tears.

Find out more about this year's Lantern Floating Hawaii.

View a gallery of 12 photos taken at Lantern Floating Hawaii 2010.

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_{Sunrise at Taylor Camp, Kauai}

On an early pre-dawn morning in September, I joined Brian Ross, owner of Photo Safari Hawaii, climbed into his 4x4 SUV and departed on one of the most fun and indeed educational experiences I've had in Hawaii.

Over the course of the morning we ventured to a remote beach where over 40 years ago a group of hippies once had a thriving tree-house community. On that beach I learned a new and, I believe, better way to take photographs. We continued our journey at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge lookout and then made our way down into Hanalei Valley where we stopped at the taro fields to put some of what I had learned into action (or rather, more precisely, photos.)

I hope you enjoy my review of Photo Safari Hawaii on Kauai and my gallery of 24 photos taken on my photo eco-tour and photography workshop.

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"NBC's TODAY," more popularly known as the Today Show will be broadcasting live from Waikiki next Monday from 1:00-4:00 a.m. Hawaii time (7:00-11:00 a.m. eastern). The broadcast will be the first broadcast in their week-long "TODAY's Great American Adventure" series.

The broadcast from Waikiki will take place on Waikiki Beach fronting The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort which is serving as the host hotel for the NBC broadcast.

The great news is that the public is invited to attend the live broadcast, so if your plans have you in Waikiki next Sunday night/Monday morning, you can see all of the show's regular broadcast team in person.

While, The Royal Hawaiian will be closed for access during the broadcast except for registered guests, spectators may walk through the public beach access located between The Royal Hawaiian and Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. Parking in the Sheraton Waikiki parking lot will be available, however, normal parking rates will apply as The Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikiki will not validate tickets for attendance at this event.

An advance team for NBC is already in Hawaii doing filming on neighbor islands for pieces that will be shown throughout the show.

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If you're a fan of Hawaiian music and your plans are taking you to Honolulu this summer, you will want to be sure to attend one of the bi-weekly "Ke Kani O Ke Kai" (The Sound of the Ocean) Summer Concerts at the Waikiki Aquarium at 2777 Kalakaua Avenue in Kapiolani Park.

In what has become a highlight of the summer season, the Waikiki Aquarium will once again host five concerts on their oceanside lawn featuring some of Hawaii's top performers. The doors will open for each concert at 5:30 p.m. with the concert starting at 7:00 p.m. allowing those attending to spend some time exploring the wonderful galleries and exhibits offered at the Aquarium.

This year's lineup of artists is one of the best ever:

Thursday, June 13, 2013 - John Cruz and Nathan Aweau (food by Kani Ka Pila Grille)
Thursday, June 27, 2013 - Halau I Ka Wekiu and KUmZ (food by Hog Island BBQ)
Thursday, July 11, 2013 - Mark Yamanaka and Darren Benitez (food by The Grove)
Thursday, July 25, 2013 - Amy Hanaialii and Hi'ikua (food by Coco'z Catering & Takeout)
Thursday, August 8, 2013 - Makaha Sons (food by The Counter)

Each concert costs $45 for adults, $15 for children ages 7 to 12 and free for children under 6. Special rates of $25 and $10 are offered for Friends of Waikiki Aquarium members. If you'll be lucky enough to be on Oahu all summer, you can buy a single adult admission to all five concerts for $185 ($60 for children.) Food and beverages will be available for sale. No outside food or beverages will be allowed. Be sure to bring a low sand chair or beach mat. The concerts are held rain or shine and no refunds are available. Space is limited to 650, so make your reservations in advance online.

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