Four reasons that will make a difference to
your wedding video
1) Image Sense Hawaii provides film-style camera operators:
Shooting weddings in Hawaii requires skillful camera operators. Often
times, you shoot a beach wedding against the background of a bright sky
or a beautiful sunset. Experience is the key to managing exposure so that
faces are well lit (instead of dark against the bright background) and the
stunning reds and oranges of the sunset sky are properly captured. It also
requires an artistic eye to make the best decisions that will favor the skin
tones of bride, groom and family.
Our cameramen and editors are not just videographers, but filmmakers.
They are trained to operate cameras, to look for the best lighting, the
best angle, the best composition and the best camera movement that will
capture the emotion of every moment of your wedding day in Hawaii.
Most of our staff has worked in Hollywood and with independent films,
learning and collaborating with some of the most talented people in the
film industry.
This is a trademark of Image Sense Hawaii. We are filmmakers that make
cinema-styled wedding videos in Hawaii. Many wedding videographers
place their cameras on tripods away from the ceremony and they only
capture the same angle for 30 minutes. That approach will make your
wedding video look like a surveillance video instead of the work of art
that your wedding day should be.
Our cameramen are always looking for the best angle and the best
position. We are deliberate in placing our cameras and move to capture
the best moments of your wedding day.
3
2) Capturing film-style sound: The things you never
hear about sound in weddings.
Capturing excellent sound in a wedding ceremony and reception are a key
ingredient of producing a first-rate wedding video.
Most couples that come to get married in Hawaii select a beach location.
The magnificent Pacific Ocean and the unique position of Hawaii create
some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. Who wouldn’t want to
have such a backdrop on your wedding day?
However, that beautiful backdrop creates some significant sound
problems for the wedding videographer. The soothing ocean breeze, the
calming sound of the waves crashing on the shoreline could become a
significant problem for a wedding videographer in Hawaii if you are not
prepared and accustomed to deal with it.
Sometimes, the breeze becomes wind and the waves crash in force
against the water's edge. You can never predict when this is going to
happen. If the wedding videographer is not ready to deal with it, your
wedding video could become just a slide show without any of the
meaningful words said by friends and family or the romantic wedding
vows exchanged by the couple.
At Image Sense Hawaii, we use the right kind of microphone for every
occasion and circumstance that your wedding day might have. We also
work in placing wireless microphones on the minister and groom to
capture every word said. We use ambience mikes to capture other sounds
relevant to the ceremony.
At the end, the sound comes together in the final sound mix. Every word,
music and meaningful sound is selected and placed at the right level so
you will hear the minister, bride and groom vows, reactions, and music.
And still, in the background you will hear the sweet whisper of the ocean.
Often times we receive calls or emails from the mother of the bride
saying: “When I was in the ceremony, I had to lean forward to hear the
minister or the wedding vows over the sound of the waves. But, when I
4
watched the video that Image Sense Hawaii produced, I could hear
everything clearly”.
This is accomplished by utilizing the same techniques that you use in
films to capture, mix and create the sound. We keep sound elements
separated so levels can be set on a process called audio sweetening. We
use multiple cameras with multiple mikes so that each mike is
concentrated on a different part of the ceremony.
3) Respecting wedding protocol.
Have you ever been to a wedding where an amateur videographer or
photographer was always in your way? This important aspect is often
ignored when selecting your wedding videographer.
Our company respects the rules set by the family and the resort or
location chosen for the wedding. We respect protocol; we keep close
communication with the wedding coordinators about what to do and what
not to do, where our cameras can go and where they can’t. If we find a
problem that might affect the quality of our work, we communicate ahead
of time and try to resolve it before the ceremony starts.
We pay attention to what our cameramen wear, where they get
stationed, and how they move through the wedding. We remain
unobtrusive and inconspicuous. We do our best to keep tripods and
equipment out of sight and out of the guests’ way. Most importantly, we
are always open to talk with you, change our ways, and adapt so your
ceremony and reception will not be anything that you don’t want it to be.
4) Image Sense Hawaii provides experienced camera
operators and editors:
How do you recognize an inexperienced wedding videographer?
There are two common characteristics to newcomers in the business of
making wedding videos. The first one is an unusually low price for the
amount of services offered. For every hour shot on your wedding day a
professional editor will have to invest 4 to 8 hours of digitizing footage,
5
editing, and mastering your wedding day DVD. If the deal is too good to
be true, you are probably paying the difference some other way or you
will not receive the professional service you deserve.
The second characteristic of new wedding videographers is that they will
make a big deal about their equipment. They will talk about their HD
digital camera, computerized editing equipment, etc. However, those are
the minimum requirements of any professional. Think about it: would you
hire a pianist because of the quality of the piano he is playing? If he is a
professional, he will only play on an excellent instrument.
In the same way that you judge music by the ability of the musician, you
should check the work of the videographer you are hiring. The ability to
frame, select an angle, manage lighting and exposure, and create graceful
camera movements, will make a tremendous difference in the quality of
your wedding video.
Image Sense Hawaii will spend time discussing your expectations,
envisioning your artistic and creative choices, understanding what is
important to you. We will not confuse you with technical jargon about
pixels and image resolution.
We will work on advising you about the most favorable set up of your
wedding at your particular beach or resort since we have probably already
shot multiple weddings at the same location.
For our company, each wedding video is a unique film that we produce.
We would like to know your family and ensure everyone gets to be in the
wedding video and be a part of the memory that we are creating.

KONA DISTRICT, HAWAII

Kona is the name of a moku or district on the Big Island of Hawaiªi in the State of Hawaii. In the current system of administration of Hawaii County, the moku of Kona is divided into North Kona District (Kona  Akau) and South Kona District (Kona Hema). The term "Kona" is sometimes used to refer to its largest town, Kailua-Kona. Other towns in Kona include Kealakekua, Keauhou, Holualoa, Homnaunau and Honalo.

In the Hawaiian language, kona means leeward or dry side of the island, as opposed to ko olau which means windward or the wet side of the island. In the times of Ancient Hawaiªi, Kona was the name of the leeward district on each major island. In Hawai i, the Pacific anticyclone provides moist prevailing northeasterly winds to the Hawaiian islands, resulting in rain when the winds contact the windward landmass of the islands - the winds subsequently lose their moisture and travel on to the leeward (or kona) side of the island. When this pattern reverses, it can produce a Kona storm from the West. Kona has cognates with the same meaning in other Polynesian languages. In Tongan, the equivalent cognate would be tonga; for windward, the associated cognate would be tokelau.

Kona is the home of the world-famous Ironman World Championship Triathlon which is held each year in October in Kailua-Kona. The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park marks the place where Captain James Cook was killed in 1779. Puªuhonua o omnaunau National Historical Park and Honokohau Settlement and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park are in Kona.

 Kailua, Hawaii County, HawaiI From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 (Redirected from Kailua-Kona)
 For the town in Oahu, see Kailua, Honolulu County, Hawaii.
Kailua, Hawaii
Kailua-Kona
Location in Hawaii County and the state of Hawaii
Country             United States
State    Hawaii
County             Hawaii
Kona Area
 - Total             39.8 sq mi (103.0 km2)
 - Land             39.8 sq mi (103.0 km2)
 - Water             0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Kona Population (2000)
 - Total             9,870
 - Density             278/sq mi (107.3/km2)
Kona Time zone             Hawaii-Aleutian (UTC-10)
KONA ZIP code     96740
Kona Area code(s)             808

Kailua is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaiªi County, Hawaiªi, United States, in the North Kona District of the Island of Hawaiªi. The population was 9,870 at the 2000 census. It is the center of commerce and of the tourist industry on West Hawaiªi. Its post office is designated "Kailua-Kona" to differentiate it from the larger Kailua located on windward Oªahu, although it is sometimes referred to as "Kona" in everyday speech. Many place names in the Hawaiian Islands are repeated on several islands, and the two Kailuas are a major confusing conflict in this regard. The city is served by Kona International Airport, located in the adjacent Kalaoa CDP.[1] Kailua-Kona was the closest major settlement to the epicenter of the 2006 Hawaiªi Earthquake.
Contents

The community was established by King Kamehameha I to be his seat of government (he was originally the chief of Kona before consolidating rule of the archipelago), and the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Hawaiªi. (The capital was later moved to Lhain, then, to Honolulu.) Royal fishponds at Kaloko-HonokoMahau National Historical Park were the hub of unified Hawaiian culture. The town then functioned as a retreat of the Hawaiian royal family. Up until the late 1900 s, Kailua-Kona was primarily a small fishing village.[2] More recently, this region has undergone a real estate and construction boom fueled by tourism and investment.
Geography
Kailua-Kona from Holualoa

Kailua Kona is located at 19∞39 20 3N 155∞59 239 3W? / ?19.65∞N 155.99417∞W? / 19.65; -155.99417 (19.649973, -155.994028),[3] along the shoreline of Kailua Bay and up the southern slope of Hualalai volcano. There are no major rivers or streams in Kailua or on the Kona side of Hawaii.[4]

The Kailua-Kona postal code is 96740. Other communities located in this zip code include: Kalaoa, Kealakehe, Kahalu ªu, and Keauhou.
Climate

The coldest month in Kona is February and the average high in February is 82∞F (28∞C) while the average low is 67∞F (19∞C). August is the warmest month and the average high is 88∞F (31∞C) while the average low is 74∞F (23∞C). Humidity is generally between 50% and 80%. The temperature change between night and day is greater than the temperature change between winter and summer. Mornings are typically clear while thermal clouds created in the day raise the temperature during the day.[4]

Average seasonal temperatures: Kailua-Kona see Climate chart

Vog can cover parts of the Kona coast from time to time depending on the activity of the Kilauea and the island winds. Kailua-Kona is located on the leeward side of the Hualalai Volcano sheltering the town from wind and rain.[2]
 Kona from southern shore

Attractions and events

Kona is the site of the annual Ironman World Championship triathlon and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.

Kona coffee is the variety of Coffea arabica cultivated on the slopes of Mount Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts.
Kailua Bay

Aliªi Drive (shown above), Kailua's oceanfront downtown street, starts at Kailua Pier; here are some historic places heading South. Kailua Pier is the starting and finishing point for the world-famous Ironman World Championship triathlon and is a great place to watch the sunset.[6] North of the pier is the Kamakahonu royal residence and Ahu ªena Heiau. Another royal residence is Huliheªe Palace, used by members of the Hawaiian royal family until 1914.[7] The Historic Kona Inn and other shops are on the street. Churches on the drive include Mokuaikaua Church, Hawaiªi's first Christian church built in 1820, and Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Parks include La ªaloa Bay (also known as Magic Sands or White Sands Beach) and Kahalu ªu Bay.

Other points of interest:

    * Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens
    * Kona Hawaii Temple, Hawaiªi's 2nd Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
    * University of the Nations campus, one of the largest training centers for Youth With A Mission

Media

Kailua-Kona is served by West Hawaii Today which is owned by the Stephens Media Group.

    * Kona Historical Society web site
    * Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce web site
    * North Kona shoreline access map at Hawaiªi County web site

Photography tips for your Hawaii Wedding
How many weddings have you been to? How many weddings have
you photographed the Bride and Groom for the entire day? Do you
think over the years your wedding photographer has seen a lot and
knows what will work, what won't, and what you should watch out
for? Of course they do. Here you'll find a wide variety of tips, advice
and ideas that can make your day go from good to great!
I'm sure you already know that choosing the right wedding
photographer is just as important as choosing the right groom.
Well… maybe not that important. There are many things that you
can do to ensure that your wedding photos and your Hawaii wedding
are as good as they can be.
Arrange a Pre-Wedding Shoot
Consider an engagement photo session or bridal portrait session
before the wedding. This will make you feel more comfortable with
the photographer and how he works. You will get some great photos
during the session and your wedding photos will look more natural
Arranging a pre-wedding photo shoot is perhaps one of the best
things you can do to improve your wedding pictures. Think about it,
your wedding photographer will be very comfortable on his end of
the camera. The time you spend with your photographer in front of
the camera will help you become more comfortable being the
subject.
Try to get to know your wedding photographer. Have fun. Be crazy
and let your photographer be creative. Let's face it; those
"magazine bride photos" that you have been looking at do not
happen all by themselves. They are well planned, rehearsed, and
the photo that you finally see in the magazine was probably picked
from hundreds of photos. The more time you spend with your
photographer, the more likely it is that he will capture that one
special moment that only happens once.
3
Work on the Pose
"Chin up, a little to the left, shoulders back, stand on one foot, hold
your breath...hang on, don't move." Any good wedding photographer
should be able to pose you in an elegant and attractive position. Do
you know the reason for all these the contortions? By lifting your
chin you banish the double chin.
Holding your elbows away from your body reduces the apparent
width of your torso and accentuates the bosom. Shifting your weight
to your rear foot cocks your hips into a position that gives you a
sexy curviness. There are many other little tricks your photographer
may teach you. Just listen and he will not lead you astray.
Hair and Makeup
Your wedding day is not the right time to experiment with makeup
and hairstyles. Be sure to plan a separate day to have a hair and
makeup "dress rehearsal". If you plan to wear a headpiece, use this
time to make sure that it will fit with your hairstyle. If you plan it
right, your photographer may be available to take some formals on
this day too.
Props
Give you photographer the tools he needs to be creative. When
ordering flowers for the wedding, be sure to order an extra single
rose, boutonniere, ribbon or other inexpensive items that the
photographer can use in your photos. Don't forget to have a copy of
your wedding invitation that he can incorporate into the detail
shots of your big day. Photos of wedding rings with flowers,
invitation, maybe even your shoes and garter can really add to your
album.
The Bouquet
How should you hold a bouquet? In a single word...DOWN!! Never
hide your thousand-dollar dress with a hundred dollar bouquet. If
you are a five-foot bride, do not order a 3 foot cascading bouquet.
It's going to be a long day. By the end of the day, you will be
wishing that your bouquet was smaller, lighter, more durable, and
4
maybe even artificial. And if it's too big you may even injure your
guests during the bouquet toss.
Backgrounds and Angles
Remember, your wedding day is all about you. Many times
complicated backgrounds in your photos distract the viewer's
attention away from the bride and will take away from your
photographs. Keep backgrounds as simple as possible. Interesting
angles are what keeps the images of a professional photographer
from looking like the images of "Uncle Joe". Everyone knows what a
wedding looks like from 5 feet 6. You may see your photographer
lying on the ground or climbing trees. Don't laugh at him. That's why
he gets paid well for doing a great job.
Lighting
When choosing your venue and time of day, keep lighting in mind. If
your wedding is outdoors, the best light happens 1-2 hours before
sunset. If your wedding is indoors, try to avoid buildings with high
dark ceilings and few windows. Since natural light will look much
better in your photos, try to plan your wedding when the room will
be the brightest. By the way, photographers hate fluorescent lights.
They make you look green.
Wedding Timeline
With so much going on during your ceremony and reception its
important to have a timeline prepared so nothing is left to chance.
Work with your photographer ahead of time, either planning the
timeline together or sharing the details of the day with them. Here
you'll find some great ideas and advice from our wedding
photographer members on how to improve the wedding timeline
and make sure you get the photo moments you don't want to miss.
How Many Posed Pictures Should I Take?
Even brides looking for a photojournalistic style of wedding
photography still want to include some posed family and wedding
party shots.
5
One of the questions I am asked most frequently is "how many
posed pictures should I do?"
When determining the flow and number of posed pictures, keep in
mind that everything tends to take longer that you think it would.
Depending on the size of your wedding party and family, a few
quick poses can turn into an hour or two of wrangling everyone
together. To assist, make sure that everyone involved in group
posed shots is aware of the details of the photo session - where,
when and how long has been allocated.
Think about what you are going to do with the photos after the
wedding. It might seem like a good idea to have every variation of
siblings, parents, grandparents, etc. but which photos are you really
going to look at down the road? The less time your photographer
spends on posed group shots, the more time available for capturing
candid moments of celebration.
Family Pictures
Compile a list of the group photos you want long before your
wedding day. Share the list with your photographer ahead of time.
Also appoint a bridesmaid or relative to help wrangle the groups
and put faces with names.
Often it helps to start with large groups and move to small, so the
majority of the people can be released quickly to go to the
reception
Improving Communication With Your Wedding Photographer
The best way to avoid problems down the road is to have an open
and honest discussion about your expectations in your wedding
photographer and their expectations in you. To do this you need to
establish a great relationship and communication with each other.
Your not just renting wedding cameras and equipment! Your hiring a
talented artist who will capture the moments you'll treasure
forever.
6
Single Use Cameras
Lots of people use them and they seldom work. You may get a few
good photos here and there but don't expect too much. You'll
probably get a whole camera full of photos of Cousin Skip's
girlfriend that you hardly know. Your three year old niece will
probably take a lot of pictures of people's belly buttons. And if
anyone gets tipsy at the reception you may get a lot of photos of
the ground, shoes, or eyeballs (from holding the camera
backwards). Your photography is best left to professionals.
Congratulations on your big day. Now let's make those memories
last!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Look up kona in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Kona or KONA may refer to:

    * Kona District, Hawaii, on the western coast of the island of Hawaiªi Kona means Leeward in Hawaiian. In Ancient Hawaii each island had a  Kona  district.
    * KONA-FM, a radio station
    * KONA (AM), a radio station
    * Kona, Monarch of Monster Isle, a 1960s comic book character
    * Kona coffee, a product of the Kona District in Hawaiªi
    * Kona Bicycle Company
    * Kona Brewing Company
    * Kona International Airport in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiªi
    * Kona storm, a weather event in Hawaiªi
    * Colossae or Kona, an ancient city of Phrygia
    * Winona Municipal Airport's ICAO identifier
    * Kona Department, a department in Mouhoun Province, Burkina Faso
    * Kona Town, an album by the band Pepper (band)
    * an alternative spelling of Kona h, a town in Guinea

    * Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, sometimes called Kona Town
    * Ironman World Championship, a triathlon held in the Kona District of Hawaiªi

MARRIAGE LICENSE:
If you are planning to marry in Hawaii whether in Kailua-Kona in the Big Island or in
any of the neighbor islands (Maui, Oahu or Kauai) you will need to secure a marriage
license. This must be done in person when you arrive in Hawaii. The good news is that
it's very simple to get a marriage license in Hawaii. Marriage licenses are $60, and you
need to show photo identification. There are no blood tests, waiting period or residency
requirements. You must be over 16 or older, and if under 18, you need parental consent.
The license is then valid for any marriage ceremony held within 30 days of issuance.
Many couples plan their own weddings, or have friends who live in the islands help them
out ahead of time. Perhaps the best option is to ask the many ministers available for
weddings in Kailua-Kona. Here are some resources to help you get started.
Obtaining a Hawaii Marriage License_The State of Hawaii provides detailed
information on how to obtain a marriage license on each of the islands of Hawaii.
Wedding on the Beach
A beach where couples frequently get married at is Anaehoomalu
Bay Beach - a wonderful crescent-shaped bay adjacent several
large resorts, including the Hilton Waikoloa Village. This beach is
a long stretch of sand surrounded by tall palm trees. At the
outer edges of the beach you can find a quiet and private
moment for a couple to celebrate their wedding. We often see
wedding photographers setting up along the southern edge of
this beach with long strands of ceremonial leis at their side. The
sunsets here are absolutely incredible and any wedding photo
shoot will be priceless here!
Some of the austere, yet incredibly beautiful beaches where you
might consider a wedding - if you are not interested in the luxury
resort treatment or if you want to plan the entire event yourself
are:
Waialea Beach - a wonderful Kohala white-sand beach in a
narrow, shaded cove just south of Hapuna Beach. If you didn't
have a map, you wouldn't find this beach!
Holoholokai Beach Park - this Kohala beach is actually located on
the grounds of the Mauna Lani Resort, but has easy public access
and there is never a crowd here and the scenery is gorgeous.
Kikaua Point Beach - this Kohala beach is off-the-beaten track,
although the entrance is via a golf resort (public beach access).
The beach itself stretches around a natural point surrounded by
tall trees - easy to find a private nook here to have a wedding
ceremony!
Want a memorable, unique, and adventurous wedding? Consider
having your wedding on a Volcano? The Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park offers its own serene beauty and offers a uniquely-
Big Island backdrop to your ceremony. Or perhaps you might
find a white-sand beach too trite - think about having your
wedding at the Punaluu Black Sand Beach in the Puna district.
Planning Factors_Here are a few other things to note when
planning a wedding on the Big Island. If inviting guests, make
sure you give them plenty of lead-time to get their plane tickets.
Unlike travel within the mainland, plane tickets to Hawaii can
vary greatly in price and are best booked well in advance. Get
exotic when choosing your flowers! The Big Island is home to
many beautiful and aromatic flowers that you don't normally see
on the mainland such as the wonderful plumeria, dozens of
orchids, and many hibiscus species. Although the lei is a
traditional Hawaiian floral arrangement, many do not know that
leis come in many different sizes and shapes too. Dress up or
dress down. In Hawaii simple linen white outfits, barefoot on the
sandy beach, is still very elegant and romantic. Want a truly
memorable and unique experience? Why not get married on a
black sand beach - such as Punalu'u Beach Park? Take
advantage of the stunning beauty of the Big Island, get married
there!
WEDDING LOCATIONS: HAWAII, THE BIG ISLAND
KAILUA-KONA:
WAIOKOLOA:
HILTON WAIKOLOA
MARRIOTT:
MAUNA LANI BAY HOTEL
FAIRMONT ORCHID AT MAUNA LANI
KEAHOU:
KIAKAUA POINT:
Big Island Wedding Locations
Royal Kona Resort
Overlooking beautiful Kailua Bay, this Oceanfront Resort features stunning vistas that
provide the ideal setting for tha...
Kona Village Resort
On the Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island, Kona Village Resort embraces the essence
of aloha and is the ideal oceanfron...
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is a perfect setting for your Hawaiian wedding. The
spectacular resort scenery, including go...
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Facing ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay on the scenic Kohala coast, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort
& Spa fuses upscale amenities.
Saiintt Peetteerr''ss Churrcch,, Biig IIsslland
The "Little Blue Church" is located on famous Ali'i Drive in downtown Kona, and
is situated right off the beach in Keauhou. This picture perfect Catholic church is
surrounded by flowering foliage and the sparkle of the Pacific Ocean. The etched
glass windows will add to the romance as the glow of the sun shines through
during your Hawaii sunset wedding. With only a few dozen pews, this serene
Hawaii location is ideal for a small, intimate wedding. Built in 1889, Saint Peter's
Church is one of the most photographed sites on the Big Island.
Kiikaua Poiintt Beeacch Parrk,, Biig IIsslland
Located just north of Kona, Kikaua Point Beach Park is becoming one of the most
popular Big Island wedding locations. This luscious beach park is surrounded by
lava rocks, white sand, green trees, and the turquoise ocean. Choose between a
ceremony beneath the trees on the small green lawn, or on the crescent-shaped
sandy beach with views of Maui and Mauna Kea. Consult with a Hawaii wedding
consultant before you plan a wedding at the Kikaua Point Beach Park; permits and
reservations are required and Kikaua Point Beach Park books up fast.
Pu''uhonua o Honaunau,, Biig IIsslland
The Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is located in South Kona and
offers a serene setting for a small Hawaii beach wedding. Dramatic colors from
the black lava rock, white sand, green palm trees, and turquoise ocean is a
wedding photographers dream. Also, Green sea turtles love to sun bathe on these
beaches and will be a likely guest at your ceremony. The Pu'uhonua o Honaunau
National Historical Park is also known as the Place of Refuge: the sacred grounds
where royal Hawaiians once resided and offered refuge to those that broke a kapu
(ancient Hawaiian law). Incorporate Hawaiian history into your Hawaii wedding
for a truly Hawaiian experience.
A Hawaii wedding is a dream-come-true for many brides, but there are numerous
choices and challenges that come with having a destination wedding. Such
challenges are: time-zone differences, catering, local permits and laws, local
culture and courtesies, choosing the perfect location, and much more. A Hawaii
wedding coordinator is your professional in the wedding industry and will
eliminate many of the challenges and stress by being you on-location advocate.
Your Hawaii wedding coordinator will help you plan, scout for vendors, handle
meetings, and coordinate the details. He/she knows the venues, the providers,
procedures - and the local pitfalls to avoid.
The Ceremony
Before choosing a wedding coordinator or officiate, consider the type of
wedding you want. Do you want a traditional ceremony? Or a Hawaiian
ceremony? A blend of the two or something unique? Just as with getting
married anywhere else in the United States, it's all up to you and your
fiance.
Many like to include both traditional and Hawaiian elements. This may be
religious or non-religious. Often in this type of wedding the officiate will speak of
the beauty of Hawaii – its waters, mountains and flowers, plus how they
symbolize your love and marriage. Sometimes the ceremony will be announced
with the blowing of a conch shell, and there will be a lei exchange between bride
and groom. The officiate will talk about the lei and how it encircles in never
ending love. The wedding will be completed with the exchange of rings and vows
and of course the kiss.
To find a coordinator, I would search online along with the name of the
island and maybe also the region or city (Kona's a long way from Hilo). If
you want to marry on the beach, check for coordinators that specialize in
beach weddings on the sand. Some will prefer parks near the ocean to
avoid the beach permit (more on this later), so do read their sites and
ask.
Packages start around $200 for a minister, maybe two leis and some consultation.
The Wedding Performer (Officiate)
As mentioned above, the wedding coordinator will help you find someone
to perform the wedding. If you aren't using a coordinator, you can find an
officiate in various ways. One is to ask the marriage license agent for
recommendations but do so on the phone – don't wait till you get here. 9
Another place to look for marriage performers is to search online. If you wish to
have an officiate with a specific religion perform your wedding ceremony, search
online for places of worship on the island you wish to be married. Be sure that
your marriage performer is licensed by the State of Hawaii.
My Favorites on the Big Island
My favorite area: Tough one on this really big island, but I'll say the
Kohala Coast. This has two of my favorite beaches, Hapuna and the
Mauna Kea Beach, and it's also got my favorite resort, the Hilton
Waikoloa – a beautiful and fun place to visit whether you stay there or
not!
My favorite hotel: This is easy – the Hilton Waikoloa. They've got
Dolphin Quest, a great program for learning about dolphins – and if you
want to spend the bucks, close encounters with them :-) The rooms are
very nice, the pools with their slides and waterfalls are fantastic, there
are several restaurants and lounges, tons to do, and you can ride around
the place on the Disneyland-like free tram and boat shuttles. Also, they
have a pretty lagoon and a cool art collection displayed around the pools,
walkways and gardens.
My favorite luau: Island Breeze. This is held on the historical royal
grounds at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. The pre-luau activities
begin when the royal court paddles in from Kailua Bay and the conch shell
is blow. You can learn fun Hawaiian crafts and get a Hawaiian "tattoo."
The show features various dances of Polynesia, including hula of course,
and concludes with the Samoan fire dance. The menu is traditional
Hawaiian featuring the underground baked pig, fresh catch of the day and
chicken.
My favorite Activity: Reeealy hard to choose just one, but I've narrowed
it down to the Fair Wind Snorkel Cruise at Kealakekua Bay (where I got to
swim with dolphins!) and the lava flow view hike when the lava's pouring
over the cliff into the sea. For up to the minute lava updates, call the
Kalapana Lava Viewing Hotline at (808) 961-8093 or the Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-6000. 5
For more general lava updates see here http://www.hawaii-lisa.com/lavaupdate.html
Best Weather on the Big Island
Like all of Hawaii, the Big Island offers exceptionally good weather,
especially on the west side.
Hawaii has two seasons: summer (May through October) and winter
(November through April), and the temperatures change very little
between these two seasons. Average daytime temperatures at sea level
in the summer are 85°F and in the winter, 78°F. When the sun goes down
temperatures at sea level rarely drop more than 5 to 10 degrees.
The weather does change quite a lot from region to region (the island has
all but two of the world's eco-climates), especially when you travel
upland. Bring a sweater if you go up to Volcano. You can even find snow
here in the winter at the top of Mauna Kea!
Like all of the Hawaiian Islands, the Windward side (here, that is the Hilo
and Puna side) gets most of the rain. Hilo is the rainiest city on Earth in
fact. The Windward side is very lush and tropical, and most of the rain
falls at night and early morning, although sometimes in the winter the
rain will fall for days on end. The Leeward side (Kona and Kohala) is
usually sunny at sea level, and when it rains, it is usually in the late
afternoon. Kohala is desert like in its dryness, which makes for lots of
sunny beach days!
The ocean waters here aren't too cold either. Surface temperatures
average 74° to 77°F in the winter and 78° to 83°F, with the warmer
temperatures found on the Kohala Coast – at Hapuna, you'll feel