Hawaiian Rainforest Elopement

Although we happily perform weddings and civil unions all over the island, our rainforest pavilion is at the center of our imagination.  It gives us the versatility to offer a romantic experience that derives from the place itself, this ultra green forest on top of Kilauea Volcano.

This is Sara and Jason.  Sara's favorite flowers are hibiscus.  The hibiscus flower is so delicate it begins to wilt almost as soon as it is picked.  Up in the rainforest, there is enough moisture in the air that the flower holds up a bit longer.  We collected the flowers on the woody stems in the morning, and they retained enough hardiness to stand up in the blessing circle for the wedding, and to adorn the plate rail for the celebratory wedding supper.

Sara wished for a brilliant  pink in her lei, to do with her pink sash.  The pink in the lei is pink ginger petals, braided with ti leaves.  Jason's lei is the traditional maile, a fragrant vine.

The guitar player is William Jaiva.  William plays for us and he plays along with the best of the best island musicians in recording sessions and big events.  We are so lucky he enjoys being a part of the rainforest wedding celebrations.  He plays Hawaiian music and sings.  Some of what he does is all Hawaiian mele, some in English so you can appreciate the lyrics if you do not know the Hawaiian.

Jason and Sara chose a private wedding feast with tiki drinks to complete their wedding celebration.  The sea glass chandelier is our newest addition to the pavilion.  It is an old crystal chandelier reworked with copper wrapped sea glass and an assortment of glass and stone beads.  The lights can be made bright or dimmed down to candlelight level.

The wedding couple arrived late after a long flight, and settled into the chalet on the pavilion grounds for the night.  The next day they had a leisurely visit to waterfalls, and came back for their late day wedding.  After their romantic supper, a treehouse honeymoon.  The first day of their married life starts with a transit of Venus.

If you are not familiar with Hawaiian music, there is a lot on YouTube.  Some Hawaiian families like the Beamer ohana, the Kahumoku ohana, Cyril Pahinui and friends and family have brought Hawaiian music to a level where you do not have to show up here to hear it.  Thanks to YouTube and the internet generally this culture is at your fingertips.  Listen if you have a moment, and be transported to our world.  Here's Darlene Ahuna with Akaka Falls.   http://youtu.be/WCoXbcSfhwg  mood music to be certain, and views of our beautiful east Hawaii falls.

Aloha!