I went through a lot of trouble to light some air lanterns, like the ones in the movie “Tangled,” during the Christmas holidays. I was really excited about lighting some lanterns I got as an early Christmas present from my friend, until I found out it's illegal to light air lanterns and set them off in Hawaii.
"What a bummer! It's not like there are other states close by where I could go to light the lanterns. I live on an island thousands of miles away from the closest state. So, I was stuck.
"Christmas break was coming up, and I didn't have a plans to go home to the mainland because it is so expensive to travel. However, not all things go to as planned, and in this case it worked to my advantage. My sister got her mission call to serve as a missionary for the LDS Church and would leave on Jan. 20.
"That meant if I didn’t go home for Christmas, I wouldn't see her for almost two years. It also meant I had the opportunity to light my lanterns in a state where it is legal.
"After breaking my bank account on a plane ticket, I was set to go home for the holidays. Immediately, I went on Google and searched the air lantern policy for the state of Louisiana, where my family lives. My eyes beamed with excitement. I felt them grow wider and wider as I typed the words on the screen.
"When suddenly, I read the words "illegal to light air lanterns in the state of Louisiana." My eyes deflated like a balloon along with my heart. But I didn’t give up.I searched the state of Mississippi, and it too was illegal to light the lanterns there. I searched Alabama, but it is illegal there as well.
"Finally I checked Texas and then those magic words came on the screen. "Texas fire marshals have tried to outlaw air balloons but no laws have been officially signed.
"I've never read anything so magical. I was so excited. I decided to call my mom to let her know she would be driving me to Texas to light air lanterns. But then I thought about it and decided it would be a better idea to tell her in person so she wouldn't say no. Yea. That was a more full proof plan.
"I was all packed and ready to go home for the break. How exciting! I get to be with my family, spend time with my sister before she leaves for 18 months, and fulfill my dream of lighting air lanterns. I got home and prepared to tell my mom the news.
"I would have an awesome presentation and show her the lanterns in person. When she saw them, I thought she couldn't say no. I went to get them out of my bags. I looked and looked but nothing. Then I remembered. I forgot to put them in my bags when I was packing.