Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May which results into a long three-day weekend in Hawaii, full of holiday picnics and family time on the beach. But it's also time to remember the servicemen and women of the U.S. armed forces, and Hawaii offers plenty of opportunities to do that.
Hawaii Memorial Day Parade in Honolulu (May 26, 2025)
The major highlight of the holiday is the Hawaii Memorial Day Parade in Honolulu. Marching, military bands, scouts, military units, and veterans march from Fort DeRussey, Waikiki, down Kalakaua Avenue, then Monsarrat Avenue to the Waikiki Shell. The parade starts at 5 p.m. with a memorial ceremony and is followed by an evening concert afterward.
Memorial Day at the Natatorium (May 26, 2024)
The official ceremony is held at the Waikiki Natatorium, honoring over the million of fallen military members who died from the American Revolution to Afganistan and Iraq. The service takes place at Hawaii’s official World War I monument. The ceremony features a military color guard and rifle unit, performing a 21-gun salute. Veterans organizations include a Rolling Thunder motorcycle group. The event, which usually starts at 10 am, also includes hula performances, distinguished speakers, bagpipes, and a bugle call.
Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (May 27, 2024)
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific also hosts a ceremony with a cannon salute, a U.S. Air Force and Hawaii Air National Guard flyover, and music from the Royal Hawaiian Band. The locals have a tradition of placing a fresh flower lei on each grave at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Pūowaina (Punchbowl). The ceremony starts at 8:30 am.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii at Ala Moana Beach Park (May 27, 2024)
Finally, Oahu's southern shore hosts the beautiful Shinnyo Lantern Floating held every year on Memorial Day. The unique ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park runs from 6:30 to 7:30 pm and attracts more than 40,000 participants every year. Shinnyo-en is a school of Buddhism, founded in Japan in the 1930s. The founder of Shinnyo-en visited Hawaii, in particular, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Pūowaina (Punchbowl). He was inspired to hold a lantern floating in commemoration of fallen heroes.
Shower of Flowers at the Makawao Veterans Cemetery, Maui County (May 27, 2024)
Maui holds one of the most significant Memorial Day ceremonies in the state. The program features Blue Hawaiian Helicopters drop 10,000 rose petals over the veterans’ graves at Makawao Veterans Cemetery. A spectacular tribute called Shower of Flowers is organized by the Maui County Veterans Council. The memorial service starts at 8:30 a.m. on Monday by the Vietnam War Monument and at the Makawao Veterans Cemetery. The program includes marching bands, firefighters, reading of the names, and dove release as a sign of peace.
