The inaugural Southeast Asian Floating Lantern Festival begins at noon today at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park, featuring food, cultural dances, music and a Thai kick-boxing demonstration.

Donations for lanterns — upon which rest hopes and wishes, sadness or sins — will be donated to the American Red Cross' hurricane and disaster relief fund for Katrina and Wilma victims. The lanterns will be set afloat at about 6:15 p.m.

Admission is free, and all are invited.