The last event of May celebrations for the HI ALS Community is a reflective ceremony honoring those who have died with ALS since 1998 when names of the dead were collected. The ceremony begins with an ‘Oli, seeking blessings and assistance from the Hawaiian universe as our community rededicates itself to the cause of pALS and their families.
Each death is remembered through the Hawaiian practice of lei-making: as each name is called, a member of the community comes up to the front, pick an orchid, and gives it to the lei-stringers at the front table. When all names are called, the lei is draped over an empty wheelchair, symbolizing the dead. A potluck dinner is shared, after which the lei is offered to the statue of Fr. Damien in the front of the State Capitol.
The public is welcome to attend and to bring a dish to share.
Names of pALS who have died with ALS, with the “lei of remembrance” draped over an empty wheelchair honoring our dead.