Family of fallen Maui soldier finds healing through lantern floating

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Each year, thousands flock to Ala Moana Beach on Memorial Day for the annual Shinnyo Lantern Floating to remember loved ones who are no longer with us.

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Army Spc. Kevin Wessel of Maui will be among the thousands remembered at this year’s event. He was killed more than 20 years ago in Baghdad when a car bomb detonated while he was out on patrol.

His dad, Paul Wessel, said, “He was 20 years old when we lost him, but he had been in the country, in Iraq, for about four months, just slightly shy of four months, when they encountered — the Army calls it a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, which basically is a suicide car bomb.”

Spc. Wessel’s death devastated the entire family. But in the midst of their pain, they found comfort in his commitment to serving his country.

“He was just completely in love with being a soldier, completely in love with our country. And he really, really loved his fellow soldiers,” Paul Wessel said.

Still, the void left by his loss was at times overwhelming. As they searched for ways to grieve, the family discovered the Shinnyo Lantern Floating observance at Ala Moana Beach.

There, they found a renewed sense of hope and a restored appreciation for the things that once brought them joy.

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“It actually starts even before the release,” Paul Wessel explained. “When we were at the table writing down these messages, that in itself, it’s a release of some of the emotions, and it culminates when we release the lantern and watch it go out to sea.”

Each lantern carries a message — a story, a memory and expressions of love and hope. As it is cast out to sea, the intent is to send that message to a loved one in the hereafter.

“It almost seems like we’re just talking story with him. Kind of bring him up to speed on, you know, what his friends are doing, what his fellow soldiers that he knew were doing, and what we’ve been doing,” Paul Wessel said.

The release of the lanterns allowed the Wessels to begin their healing journey. The family now encourages others to do the same, no matter what their faith may be.

“It’s sad because it represents, you know, your loved one leaving, but at the same time it’s happy because if it really is how they say it is, those messages that we’ve written down are going to get to them,” Paul Wessel said.

This year’s Shinnyo Lantern Floating observance will take place Monday, May 25.

Organizers expect about 6,000 lanterns and messages to be released from the shoreline at sunset.

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