Guam Nikkei Association to hold 12th Annual Lantern Floating Ceremony

The Guam Nikkei Association is inviting the community to attend the 12th annual Guam Nikkei Association Lantern Floating Ceremony on Saturday, to honor loved ones who have died and promote values of love, harmony, understanding and inafamaolek.

The ceremony will take place at Governor Joseph Memorial Beach Park or Ypao Beach and will include personal reflections from individuals who have experienced loss and their journey toward healing, resilience and remembrance. It will also feature the lighting and release of several hundred proa-shaped lanterns onto the waters of Tumon Bay.

“The Lantern Floating Ceremony is a powerful expression of remembrance and unity,” GNA President David Okada said. “It provides a space for our community to come together in healing, to honor those we have lost, and to reflect on the values that connect us—compassion, resilience, and inafamaolek. Each lantern carries a story, and together, they illuminate the strength and spirit of our island.”

Each lantern will be personalized during the event with messages, names or artwork dedicated to those they wish to honor. According to Guam Nikkei Association, each lantern "symbolizes remembrance, enduring love and the lasting light of those who remain in our hearts."

The event will begin at 2 p.m. on Sept. 19, with the lantern floating ceremony will start at 5:30 p.m. with the sunset.

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