Lantern Ceremony Honors Victims of Suicide

Photo by Jack Kiyonaga

Under phosphorescent pink skies, community members waded into the waters outside the Molokai Community Health Center, participating in what has become a memorable annual tradition for many. A collaboration between Hospice Maui and the Guzeiji Soto Mission, the lantern ceremony is a way to honor and celebrate those who have passed away.

“My hope is that it helps to bring peace and comfort for those that are mourning,” explained Barbara Helm, a bereavement coordinator for Hospice Maui and one of the founders of the event.

“It’s an opportunity to put some action to some of those feelings we have,” she said. “As a grief counselor I try to give support and provide some tools for people to express their emotions and remember their loved ones in healthy ways.”

For the lantern ceremony, which has its roots in Japanese Buddhist traditions, participants are encouraged to decorate their lanterns with the names of loved ones who have passed away, and thoughts for them. Then, at dusk the lanterns are placed in the ocean.

This year, victims of suicide were especially honored.

“There’s been more than the norm here on Molokai of suicide deaths,” said Helm.

Painful emotions like guilt can make it difficult to talk about subjects like suicide, “but you need to talk about it,” explained Helm, “that’s how we prevent it.”

The lantern ceremony also continues to honor the lives lost on Oct. 28, 1989, on Aloha Island Air flight 1712.

Helm, who lost her daughter Natalie in the tragic accident, shared that she continues to make a lantern for her daughter, as well as her late husband Larry, and two nephews who passed away this year.

No stranger to loss, Helm has dedicated herself to walking alongside those in mourning as a bereavement counselor for the last 25 years. She believes that putting action to these difficult moments and feelings is crucial. Helm suggested shoveling weeds, journaling and volunteering as positive ways to work through these feelings “until you can live with a new normal,” she explained.

The lantern ceremony was also an opportunity for residents to hear more from Hospice Maui about care options on Molokai.

Hospice Maui offers not only hospice care, but also palliative, or quality of life, care, explained Sherylle Mamuad, the nursing manager on Molokai for Hospice Maui.

While hospice care is only for those with a terminal diagnosis of six months or less, palliative care can be used to support people who are still seeking treatments, helping to manage symptoms. Likewise, palliative care is administered at home.

“Palliative care is not something many people know about,” said Mamuad, “so it’s always good to ask to determine if you’re eligible.”