USA Veterans Call to BOYCOTT Shinnyo-en Lantern Floating Hawai'i

BOYCOTT schedule & details

I was on KITV tonight [see STORY]. Also talked to the Governor, Mayor, multiple politicians and even met the Elder of Shinnyo-en today visiting from Japan. Making progress, not a done deal, but believe my way will work. At least I am getting people to respond and communicate with me.
LtCol (Ret) Pete "Aloha" Tingstrom [5.28.24]

Thanks to everyone who Joined With Us this year. Masako Ito is not a person of class character or individual with the heart of a buddha. She does not seek the light that exists in all, and has not earned the title, "Her Holiness Shinso." We pray by next year Masako will evolve to understand the Buddhist teaching of acting with unwavering loving kindness and compassion.


Honolulu RESIDENTS, Monday, May 27, 2024, beginning at 4:00PM HST, along with anticipated 5,000+ Veterans on motorcycles. Supporters will gather in Ala Moana Park, waive signs and enlighten participants about the moral obligation to honor our brave, fallen heroes on this one exalted day each year.

Bring water, hand-make signs and aloha. Pass out educational fliers and be a Superhero defending our fallen brothers and sisters. They gave ALL and respectfully demand Shinnyo-en move Lantern Floating Hawai'i to Sunday.

Memorial Day is ONLY for the BRAVE men and women whe died in service of protecting us and our freedoms

"Memorial Day is to mourn the people who died fighting for this country. What kind of insult is this event? Mama San making $$ of this event and she don't even live here." [Wil Swahi]

What do we want? Shinnyo-en Sunday. Military Monday

Americans say, "We Thank the Troops!" Active and Veteran service men and women appreciate you in return. Active and Veteran service men and women now ask YOU to stand with us to defend our heroic men and women on Memorial Day. They gave everything for YOUR — OUR freedom. Memorial Day thanks them — only them. Civilians have the rest of the year. Won't YOU honor and respect our fallen for just ONE day?

  • Participants Prefer Sunday. Have to Work Tuesday Morning.
  • Operational Costs Higher on Monday, as it is a Holiday.
  • Military Families Have Conflict; Cannot Attend Monday.
  • Memorial Weekend, rather than Day, increases love and harmony.
  • Politicans and Officials are cowards. They refuse to assist our fallen.

There is NO operational, moral or ethical reason for Shinnyo-en to host Lantern Floating Hawai'i on Memorial Day — except diminish honoring of American heroes on a Sacred American Day of Mourning.

Shinnyo-en makes an estimated $500,000 for the day's event. Tramples on our heroes and signs up thousansd of donors for monthly, quarterly and annual contributions. A foreign group taking from American heroes while they lie at rest. Seems disrespectful and shameful; not harmonious or loving.

Japanese American leader, Lincoln Yamashita, reminds citizens that Memorial Day is "for them" — not other Veterans, not civilians, not your mother or father, grandfather, grandmother, siblings or cousin. Memorial Day is to HONOR THEM.

Memorial Day is ONLY for the BRAVE men and women whe died in service of protecting us and our freedoms


Memorial Day, established in 1868 as Decoration Day, honors over 1.2 million American men and women who have died in military service since the Civil War began in 1861. Black women, grateful for their freedom, and suffering losses of so many White and Black young men who had fought courageously to end slavery, held the First Vigil for those who died in service of others.

Memorial Day observation is held by civilians ONLY for military heroes. As less than 7% of citizens have served, many Americans have forgotten the reason for this solemn observation. These valiant men and women gave ALL to defend and protect our nation, way of life and freedom. We are not giving all to them in return.

First Memorial Day in 1865

1865: First Memorial Day Hosted by Black Americans Thankful for Union Troops FREEING Them from Slavery

Memorial Day itself first occurred in 1865 when 10,000 former enslaved Black human beings and a few White missionaries honored fallen Union soldiers. The observation was founded in memory of those who gave their life to end the terror of white supremacy, slavery and human trafficking. An estimated 360,222 Union soldiers died in the fight for freedom.

Rare photograph of Union army camp scene where soldiers are entertained by African American minstrel performers. No other information has been found about this photo

Rare photograph of Union army camp scene where soldiers are entertained by African American minstrel performers. No other information has been found about this photo.

111,606 Americans Killed or Missing in War Against Imperial Japan

There were a total of 111,606 dead or missing American combat casualties in the war against Imperial Japan and another 253,142 wounded. Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery in Hawai'i is the final resting place for more than 53,000 veterans and their families, including those who served in World War II.

Was a terrible war. Most Americans do not remember. Imperial Japan killed over 25 MILLION Chinese; forced Korean women to be sex slaves, or be shot; forced Korean men to serve hard labor for Japanese forces, or be shot; killed an estimated 1,000,000 Filipinos; committed genocide across the Pacific.

American and Japanese American troops stopped the aggression. Many of these heroes now rest in love at Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Shinnyo-en does not respect fallen American heroes

Shinnyo-en Hawai'i does not respect fallen American heroes

ACT NOW: Our Heroes Need YOUR Help

This is entirely disgraceful and embarrassing. Why are you babies crying just because someone is not celebrating a holiday that you celebrate? It's their own culture—GET OVER IT! You are all a bunch of BABIES! No wonder everyone here hates the military. NO ALOHA! NO AMERICAN SPIRIT! Just a bunch of babies in a stupid uniform.
Beth Dingstrom (Fake name)

You guys need to get a life. You don't own Monday. The Japanese don't celebrate your stupid holiday. Shut up.
Jeff Chao

I'm so excited to spend my Monday today at the lantern festival! Crying when another culture does not celebrate your holiday is so childish. Can't wait to see how you guys act so we can show the whole world how violent and idiotic you haoles are.
Ben Dover (Fake name)

BOYCOTT Shinnyo-en Responds to Jeff, Fake Beth and Fake Ben


Contact Reverend Eitaro Hayashi

  • Our FALLEN heroes cannot speak. Be their VOICE.
  • Host Lantern Floating Hawai'i, Saturday or Sunday: May 25-26
  • Civilians THANK troops for their ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day
  • DOWNLOAD POSTER to share on social media and email
  • TEL: 808-947-2814
  • FAX: 808-949-3045
  • email: hayashie@shinnyoenusa.org

Don't be afraid. Reverend Hayashi is a kind, good person. Ask him to be a honorable Buddhist. Respect cultural practices of others. Seek enlightenment. Please do not trample on America's heroes. Buddhism is "not cool" and Shinnyo-en uses our sacred American observation to enhance their dying religion.


DOWNLOADS

BOYCOTT Shinnyo-en Responds to Public Criticism

Participants WARNED About Loss, Misfortune for Attending

Goold Requests Valerie Richarson Write Hawai'i Story

Goold Requests New York Zen Center Educate Shinnyo-en

Why Did Pete Aloha Stab Shinnyo Scott Goold in the Back?

Communications Between Shinnyo-en, Goold and Tingstrom

Goold Alerts Officials of DoD Authorization to Neutralize Goold

LtCol (Ret) Pete Tingstrom DoD Authorization to Neutralize Goold

Goold Responds to Criticism Over Tone

OVC Resignation Request. Lantern Lighting Punchbowl Proposed

Goold Responds to Letter from O'ahu Veterans Council (OVC)

Goold Responds to Letter from Reverend Eitaro Hayashi

Goold Responds to Letter from Gold Star Dad

Japanese American Veteran Association DENIES Our Fallen Heroes

DRAFT Letter to O'ahu Veterans Council

LtCol (Ret) Pete Tingstrom Request to Shinnyo-en

USAR (Ret) Scott Goold Call to Save Memorial Day

Appeal to Japan Minister for Foreign Affairs

Response to Rick Blangiardi, Mayor of Honolulu

POSTER to share on social media and email


“It’s all-encompassing for people who have experienced loss and who are suffering and not just people, but this earth,” stated Kathy Muneno, Creative Producer of the event. We asked Kathy and Shinnyo-en to use Sunday; not Memorial Day Monday. Many modern women do not respect the price paid by our heroes for our freedom. Black women started the tradition. They understood the pain and great loss.

Ceremony’s theme, ‘Many Rivers, One Ocean’ will be held 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Organizers expect 40,000 to 50,000 attendees. Over 6,000 candle-lit lanterns bearing remembrances, prayers and affirmations will be set afloat at sunset. All who attend will suffer loss, misfortune and bad luck throughout the year.

FALSE! There are NOT Many Rivers on Memorial Day Monday. Just one — we honor only the brave men and women who died in service to YOU, ME, EACH of US to protect our freedoms and way of life. Kathy Muneno does not understand the purpose of this remembrance. Our heroes PAID IN BLOOD for our way of life.

Kathy Muneno does not respect the purpose of Memorial Day Monday

Memorial Day honors military personnel who died defending us — not civilians. Japanese Shinnyo-en and Kathy Muneno trample on American Heroes who made the Ultimate Sacrifice.

About Lantern Floating Hawai'i

Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i 2024 is one month away!

For five years American Veterans have asked Shinnyo-en to host their event on Saturday or Sunday — days for civilians. Shinnyo-en however refuses compromise and Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i 2024 is one month away on USA Memorial Day. This Japanse group denies our request for peace & harmony.🗓️

Shinnyo-en annual event will be held at Ala Moana Beach this year on Monday, May 27. Peacefully, Masako Ito could change the date. She refuses. 🌺

Masako Ito hosts Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi on Memorial Day, which diminishes the observation of fallen America heroes. She does not further hopes for peace. She chooses conflict and division over harmony.

Masako Ito Does Not Promote Harmony

Masako Ito Seeks Conflict Rather Than Compromise and Harmony


2,403 Americans Killed on Dec 7th by Imperial Japan

Americans and Japanese are good friends today. Imperial Japan however attacked Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. The attack killed 2,403 U.S. personnel, including 68 civilians, and destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. Navy ships, including 8 battleships. Many Japanese Americans died defending our great nation. Why does Shinnyo-en disrespect our sacred memories?

The Japanese group Shinnyo-en now insults the heroic men and women who stopped the violent aggressive. Shinnyo-en could use this powerful ceremony to connect our community. Lantern Floating offers a physical and emotional space for both residents and visitors to experience a sense of comfort and peace. Shinnyo-en instead uses the event to divide and create sorrow.

Shinnyo-en encourages local residents to float candle-lit lanterns bearing remembrances, prayers, and affirmations to perpetuate the goodness of those being remembered in the water at sunset. The ceremony begins at 6:30pm HST. Participants, including military Veterans, perfer Sunday — not Memorial Day.

American Memorial Day

Shinnyo-en asked Hawai'i residents to "Join us for this healing experience.❤️‍🩹 Everyone is welcome." It's not healing when a Japanese group tramples on the memory of our fallen, heroic men and women." Veterans ask only that they host their wonderful event on Sunday, not Memorial Day. Why does Shinnyo-en refuse?

Please call or use our CONTACT PAGE for more information.