TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN CEREMONY

Greeting / Welcoming Words

E Komo Mai! (Welcome) On behalf of BRIDE and GROOM, I would like to welcome you to this joyous celebration.

The Hawaiian term for marriage is “ho’ao”(hoh-oww) which quite literally and romantically means to “stay until the dawn”. And in the ho’ao the lei symbolizes “aloha”, which can mean love, compassion, respect and admiration.

Lei Exchange

In Hawaii, in the memory of the Islands and their wedding ceremony, the lei has been a traditional makana... a gift... exchanged between the Bride and Groom.

Lei aloha, or necklaces of love, are offered and accepted as open-heartedly as they give of their beauty. And, as your aloha for one another, these leis embrace you thoughts, your senses and your hearts.

GROOM and BRIDE, please repeat after me, in Hawaiian:

Lei no, au ko, aloha.
Please wear my love like a beautiful lei.

To symbolize their “aloha”, GROOM and BRIDE will exchange leis to demonstrate their love and devotion to one another. GROOM and BRIDE, please place the lei around the neck of your beloved. It is customary to give a kiss on each cheek.

Remember, BRIDE and GROOM, when two people promise with Aloha in their hearts to share the adventure of life, it is a beautiful moment that they and all of us who are present today will always remember.

Hawaiian Wedding Blessing (optional)

Na Hawai'i 'olua e ho'olu mai.
May Hawaii bring you comfort.

Na Hawai'i lokomaika'i mai ia 'olua.
May Hawaii be kind to you.

Na Hawai'i maliu mai ia 'olua, a e ha'awi mai i aloha.
May Hawaii look upon you with favor, and grant you aloha.

Wedding Vows

GROOM and BRIDE, you are entering into marriage because you want to be together. You are marrying because you know you will grow more in happiness and Aloha more fully as life-mates. You will belong entirely to each other, one in mind, one in heart, and in all things. No greater blessing of happiness can come to you than to have this devoted Aloha, which you now publicly avow. Keep this understanding of your marriage alive in the days ahead. May your Aloha continuously grow truer and more wonderful with each day you enjoy together.

As you now take your eternal vows, please face each other and join hands.

Do you GROOM, take BRIDE, to be your wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, in health, to cherish with devoted love and faithfulness 'till death do you part. (I do)

Do you BRIDE, take, GROOM to be your husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, in health, to cherish with devoted love and faithfulness 'till death do you part. (I do)

Exchange of Wedding Rings

Do you have the rings?

GROOM and BRIDE, you have chosen these rings as a symbol of your eternal Aloha for one another and commitment to your marriage. These rings represent the ties that bind you together as husband and wife. They are an endless circle representing your marriage union which shall be eternal and pure as these rings.

The Kahuna Pule (officiant) puts the rings in the Koa bowl, dips a Ti leaf in the bowl, sprinkles the rings three times and chants:

I have placed these rings in a Koa bowl, in salt water. Koa is the strongest and most precious of the Hawaiian woods. It signifies the strength, integrity, and durability of your marriage and the strength of the Divine's love for us. The salt water is a cleansing... a washing back into the Pacific of any hindrance to your relationship from the past; both your separate pasts and your shared past.

In Hawaiian, this is called Ho’oponopono… reconciliation, a letting-go by grace and Aloha. It symbolizes a fresh, clean beginning of your married lives, as husband and wife; a blank canvas upon which to paint the beautiful artwork of your lives. The Ti leaf represents prosperity, health and blessing of body, mind and spirit.

Ei-Ah Eha-No. Ka Malohia. Oh-Na-Lani. Mea A-Ku A-Pau. May peace from above rest upon you and remain with you, now and forever.

E Ke Akua, E Ka Uhane Hemolele. Bless these rings and those who wear them. May they be eternally surrounded by divine love and light.

GROOM, please remove the ring from the Koa bowl and place it on BRIDE's left hand and repeat after me:

With this ring, I wed you, BRIDE, for today, for tomorrow, and for all the years to come. Please wear it as a sign of my love and a notice to all the world that you have chosen me to be your husband.

BRIDE, please remove the ring from the Koa bowl and place it on GROOM's left hand and repeat after me:

With this ring, I wed you, GROOM, for today, for tomorrow, and for all the years to come. Please wear it as a sign of my love and a notice to all the world that you have chosen me to be your wife.

Let these rings serve as the symbol of your continued love and commitment to each other and may they also serve as a sign of your continued happiness and joy.

Tiki Lighting Ceremony (optional)

The traditional Hawaiian flame ceremony symbolizes the joining of aloha. Today, BRIDE and GROOM, you are making a commitment of your eternal aloha for one another.

As you each hold your tiki the two distinct flames represent your lives up to this moment; individual and unique. As you light the center tiki together your two flames join as one and shine bright just as your lives are about to.

GROOM and BRIDE, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives as well as give you courage and reassurance in your eternal love for one another.

Aloha Aku No, Aloha Mai No
[a-low-ha ah-koo no, a-low-ha my-ee no]

Male Ana E Pili Mai Aloha Kaua
[ma-lay ah-na aye pea-lee my-ee a-low-ha ka-oo-ah]

No Keia La, No Keia Po, A Mau Loa
[no kay-ee-ah la, no kay-ee-ah po, a ma-oo low-ah]

Nau ko`u aloha No Kau a Kau
[na-oo ko-oo a-low-ha no ka-oo ah ka-oo]

I give my love to you, you give your love to me
We two will cling to love in marriage
From this day, from this night, forever more
My love is yours for eternity

Pronouncement as Husband and Wife

BRIDE and GROOM, you have pledged your eternal Aloha to one another and your commitment to live together faithfully in lawful wedlock. By the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of California, I am delighted to pronounce you husband and wife.

GROOM, you may kiss your Bride!

After the kiss, GROOM and BRIDE turn to face their guests.

With honor, I proudly announce for the first time Mr. & Mrs. GROOM and BRIDE!