Click here to learn 4 reasons that will make a difference on your wedding video

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

In the Hawaiian language and traditional history, kona means leeward or dry side of the island, opposing to ko olau which means windward or the wet side of the island. In the times of Ancient Hawaii, Kona was the name of the leeward district on each major island. In Hawai i, the Pacific anticyclonebrings moist prevailing windsfrom the north east to the Hawaiian islands, resulting in rain when the winds contact the windward landmass of the islands - the winds then lose their moisture andmove on to the leeward (or kona) side of the island. When this pattern reverses, it could produce a Kona rain storm from the West. Kona has cognates with the same signification in other Polynesian languages. In Tongan, the similar cognate would be tonga; for windward, the associated cognate would be tokelau.

Every year in October Kona receives the world-famous Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kailua-Kona. The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Parkis the place where Cpt James Cook was assasinated in 1779. Puuhonua o omnaunau National Historical Park and Honokohau Settlement and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park are in Kona.

The volcanic slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the Kona district provide an ideal microclimate for growing the wrold famous Kona coffee. Kona coffee is considered one of the top premium specialty coffees of the world and is grown right here in Kailua Kona in the big Island of Hawaii.

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: State Hawaii, County Hawaii
Kailua Kona Area: 39.8 sq mi (103.0 km2)
 
Kailua Kona Population (2000)
Kailua Kona Time zone Hawaii-Aleutian (UTC-10)
KAILUA KONA ZIP code     96740
KAILUA Kona Area code(s) 808

Kailua Konais a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States, in the North Kona District of the Island of Hawaii. It is the center of the tourist industry on West Hawaii. Its USPS post office is designated "Kailua-Kona" to make it differente from the larger Kailuapost office located on windward Oahu. However, it's ususally referred to as "Kona" in everyday speech. Many location names in the Hawaiian Islands are repeated on several islands trhoughout Hawaii. The city is served by the Kona International Airport.

The Kailua Kona community was established by King Kamehameha I. He was the originally chief of Kona and Kailua Kona was the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Hawaii. The town then functioned as a retreat of the Hawaiian royal family. Up until the late 1900's, Kailua Kona was in principle a small fishing village.

Geography
Kailua-Kona from Holualoa

Kailua Kona is located in the Big Island of Hawaii. There are no major rivers or water streams in Kailua or on the Kona side of Hawaii.

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

Climate

The coldest month in Kona is February. Mornings are typically clear

Average seasonal temperatures: Kailua-Kona 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 sparing the town from wind and rain.
 Kona from southern shore

Attractions and events

Kona is the site of the annual Ironman World Championship triathlon and the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.
Kailua Bay Alii Drive, Kailua's oceanfront downtown street, starts at Kailua Pier; here are some landmarks heading South. Kailua Pier is the starting and finishing point for the world-famous Ironman World Championship triathlon. North of the pier is the Kamakahonu royal residence and Ahu'ena Heiau. Another royal residence is Hulihe'e Palace, used by members of the Hawaiian royal family until 1914. The Historic Kona Inn and Churches on the drive include Mokuaikaua Church, Hawaii's first Christian church built in 1820, and Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Parks include Magic Sands or White Sands Beach and Kahaluu Bay.

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.

Other points of interest:     
    * Kona Hawaii Temple,
   Media Kailua-Kona is served by West Hawaii Today.   

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

Click here to learn some photography tips for your wedding day in Hawaii

Photography tips for your Hawaii Wedding
How many weddings have you been to? How many weddings have
you seen the photographer with the Bride and Groom for the entire day? Do you
think your wedding photographer has seen a lot and
knows what works best? Of course they do.
I'm sure you already know that choosing the right wedding
photographer is almost as important as choosing the right groom.
Well… maybe not that important. There are many things that you
can prepare ahead of time to ensure that your wedding photos and your Hawaii wedding
are the best they could 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 operates. You will get some great photos during those sessions and your wedding photos will look more natural. Arranging a pre-wedding photo shoot is perhaps one of the most significant things you can do to improve your wedding pictures. Think about it, your wedding photographer will be get to know you. The time you spend with your photographer in front of
the camera will also help you inmesnsely.
Try to get to know your wedding photographer. Have fun
and let your photographer use his creativity. Let's face it; those
"magazine bride photos" that you love do not
happen without preparation. They are well planned, rehearsed, and
the photo that ended up being printed was probably picked
from thousands of photos. The more time you spend with your
photographer, the more likely it is that the special moment that only happens once will be captured.

Work on the Pose
Any good wedding photographer will help you pose you in an attractive and elegant position. There are many little tricks your photographer may suggest to you.
Hair and Makeup
Your wedding day is not the right time to try out new makeup
and hairstyles techniques. If you plan a hair and make up session, your photographer may be available to take some formals on this day too. Those photos of the bride getting ready made a great memory of your wedding day in Hawaii.

Props
Give you photographer the elements he needs to be creative. When requesting 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 an extra copy of your wedding invitation that he can incorporate into the detail
photos of your big day. Photos of the wedding rings with flowers,
invitation, your shoes and garter, etc, can really add to your
album.

The Bouquet

Remember, your wedding day is all about you so keep your bouquet down at waist level so it won't cover your wedding dress.

Many times
busy backgrounds in your photos distract the attention away from the bride in the photo. Keep backgrounds as simple as possible. Interesting and creative
angles are what keeps the images of a professional photographer
from looking like common ones. Everyone knows what a
wedding looks like from 5 feet away. You may see your photographer
lying on the ground or climbing trees. Don'tworry. That's why he gets paid well for finding those unique angles.

Lighting
Ifyour wedding is outdoors, the best light happens 1-2 hours before sunset. Hawaii sunsets are espectacular therefore is a must to reserve time for your wedding pictures during sunset time. Since natural light will look much
better in your photos, try to plan your wedding when the room will
be the brightest if your wedding ceremony will happen inside a church or a building. A photographers will always try to avoid fluorescent lights. They make you look green so avoid them if you can.

Wedding Timeline
With so much going on during your ceremony and reception its
important to have a timeline of your wedding day in Hawaii prepared so nothing is left to chance. Collaborate with your photographer ahead of time, by planning the
timeline together so enough time will be allocated for the wedding pictures. He will probably give you some great ideas. After all a photographer have usually seen hundreds of weddings before. A photographer can also help you to improve the wedding timeline
and make sure you getall the photo moments you want.

Even brides looking for a photojournalistic style of wedding
photography still want to include some formal photos of the family and the wedding party .

Depending on the size of your wedding, formal photos can turn into an hour or two of wrangling everyone together.

The best way to take your formal wedding pictures is to start with the biggest group. Let's get everyone on the wedding for the big group photo. Then the smaller groups (Usually each family, or people from work, etc). You can then release a number of people to go to the reception location and get started with cocktails while you stay with the photographer close family and the wedding party.

Once you do close family, you send them to the reception and let the photographer work with bride, groom and wedding party.

Finally, when the wedding party photos are done, leave some time for those romantic photos of bride and groom by themselves.

Think about how are you going to utilize the photos after the
wedding. It might seem like a good idea to have multiple variation of
siblings, parents, grandparents, cousins, co workers, etc. but in my opin ion, the most important phots are the photos for the wedding album. The less time your photographer
uses on posed group shots, the more time the photographer will have available for capturing
those precious candid and romantic moments.

Don't forget that you also have the reception for friends and extended family to take photos when you go table by table. Your photographer will use that time to take candid photos that will perhaps look a lot better than the possed one.

Family Pictures
Make a list of the must have group photos you want before your
wedding day. Give it to your photographer so he can plan his work.

Have a great communication with your wedding photographer
Have an open and honest discussion about your expectations for your wedding day and let the
photographer tell you what can be done.
You are not just renting wedding cameras but hiring a talented artist who will capture the moments of your wedding day in Hawaii that will be precious memories for ever.
Single Use Cameras
A good idea as an add-on but don't think of it as a replacement of your professional wedding photographer. Your photography is best left to professionals.

Kona or KOA may refer to:

    * Kona District, Hawaii, on the western coast of the island of Hawaii 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 Hawaii
    * Kona Bicycle Company
    * Kona Brewing Company
    * Kona International Airport in Kailua-Kona, Hawaªi
    * Kona storm, a weather event in Hawaªi
    * 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 hawaii, a town in Guinea

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

A wedding in Hawaii is a special event and in Image Sense Hawaii we try to create unforgettable memories of your wedding day. Kailua Kona, Hawaii is a unique place for a wedding. It has the ocean, the breeze the sunset… everything for a wedding in paradise. As a wedding photographer you have the opportunity to take photos that can capture the emotion of the moment. Photography captures one instant that freezes everything to create that memory. Your wedding day is perhaps one of the most unique moments of your life and the photos and the video that we create capture through videography and photography a one of its kind memory. We provide one photographer or various photographers as well as one videographer with two cameras or two videographers with three cameras. We can also offer live online streaming of your wedding ceremony in Hawaii. We service Kailua Kona, Hilo, Waikoloa, Keauhou as well as Honolulu in Oahu, Maui and the other islands. When bride and groom plan their wedding in Hawaii they have to decide what is perhaps one of the most important aspects of the wedding ceremony and wedding reception: who will be the photographer and the videographer to capture their wedding day in Hawaii. A photographer is an essential part of creating your memories. A photographer that is flexible, a photographer that is creative, a photographer that will find your best angle, a photographer that will be alert to capture all the details of your wedding day in Hawaii. Summarizing: a photographer that will document your wedding in Hawaii without you worrying about it. Wedding videography is important as well. A wedding videographer is not just someone that has a fancy camera. A good wedding videographer is the one that can create a documentary of your wedding day in Hawaii. Video is image but is also sound. In Kailua Kona, Hawaii or in Hilo, Hawaii the ocean surrounds most wedding locations. Hawaii weddings are always outside and the ocean breeze is always a guest in your wedding. It is critical for the sound of your wedding ceremony that the proper microphone is utilized. At Image Sense Hawaii we use wireless microphones that capture the best possible sound during your wedding ceremony and wedding reception. During the wedding ceremony we place a wireless mike in the minister and another in the groom. The mikes are hidden in the clothing so neither the videographer or the photographer will be bothered by them when taking photos or video. If the photographer or the videographer sees the mike in their photos or video then it ruins the look of your wedding photos and your wedding video.

Kona general info

GENERAL INFORMATION: KONA HAWAII, BIG ISLAND
Driving Hawaii's Big Island
Couples, friends and family members will find adventure around every curve of Hawaii's Big Island. Create lasting memories while cruising around from Kailua-Kona to Hilo. Drive through Keahou, Waikoloa, Captain Cook, Waimea, Waipio Valley and the Volcano’s National Park. Romantic couples ignite the flames of passion by exploring the island's secret beaches and hidden
waterfalls. Coast through oceanside scenic routes and enjoy star treatment befitting any romantic vacation.
In fact, an island tour offers great views of four of the five volcanoes that make up Hawaii's Big Island.
While driving north from Kehou through Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa, and on to Waimea, a clear morning
sky reveals the formidable heights of Mount Hualalai, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Kohala Mountains.
Independent travelers driving SUVs can even make a trek up to Mauna Kea and visit the Visitor
Information Station in the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy located at 9,000 feet above sea
level. Then head for the top of the world's highest dormant volcano and its world class observatories, with 13 telescopes operated by nine countries. Be sure to set aside an entire day for this trek.
While driving Hawaii's Big Island, why not practice speaking Hawaiian? The Hawaiian language remains alive through the names of important historic places and street names. Just remember that vowels
predominantly fill the language. Try heiau (hay-ee-ow, ancient Hawaiian temple) or Puuhonua o Honaunau
(pooh-ooh ho knew ah oh Ho now now, Place of Refuge). By the time you reach Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park you'll be correcting each other on the right way to pronounce Hawaii's most active volcano, Kilauea (kee-la-way-ah).
Hawaii's Big Island offers several free driving tour brochures to highlight an around-the-island excursion.
Enjoy the ease of using the Hilo-Hamakua Heritage Coast brochure, Heritage and Culture on Hawaii's Big
Island brochure, Guide to Kona Heritage Stores brochure, and the Volcano Heritage Corridor brochure.
These make it easier to explore places of interest.
To get a free copy of the Hilo-Hamakua Heritage Coast brochure, Heritage and Culture on Hawaii's Big
Island brochure, and the Volcano Heritage Corridor brochure visit www.hawaii-culture.com. And to get
free copies of the four agricultural tourism brochures visit www.hawaiiagtourism.com.
For a free Guide to Kona Heritage Stores brochure call the Kona Historical Society at (808) 323-3222. And for a free Kona Coffee Country Driving Tour Brochure visit www.konacoffeefest.com.
The Island of Hawai'i is sometimes called the Orchid Isle or the
Volcano Isle, but to its residents it's always "the Big Island of
Hawaii." A Big Island vacation excites the senses and inspires the
adventurer. You can hike into a volcano crater, catch marlin
weighing hundreds of pounds, stare into the heavens from the
snow-capped summit of Mauna Ke'a, and relax, swim, kayak, and
snorkel at a black sand, white sand, or even green sand beach.
The Big Island has the world's most active volcano: Kilauea has
been spewing lava since January 3, 1983.
The Big Island of Hawaii is divided in half by three volcanoes,
Hualalai, Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa. To the east is the Hilo side
which is the windward side of the island, and to the west is the
Kona side which is the leeward side of the island.
Kona is famous for sportfishing, snorkeling, sunsets and coffee. It
means “leeward” in Hawaiian. The northern portion of the Kona
side of the Big Island is also known as the Kohala district. The
weather and ocean conditions can be vastly different on each
side of the island depending on the time of year and the
predominant trade winds. The Big Island is large and diverse,
boasting 11 of the world's 13 climate zones. Because the
mountains block the northeasterly trade winds, the Kona side of
the island gets very little rain and enjoys more than 300 days of
sunshine a year. Check out our detailed Big Island Travel
Planner section with articles and resources to help you plan your
next Hawaiian vacation.
Kailua-Kona is tourist hub with a small-town feeling. Although
abuzz with visitors, cruise passengers, and tourists from all over the world, Kailua-Kona is not thought of as a large city. In fact,
you won't find the shore lined with high-rise hotels and many of
the nearby beaches are still only sparsely populated. Visitors will
stay busy exploring the stores, attractions, and activities, but it is
still a sleepy town with the bars and restaurants closing around
9:00PM each evening.
Ali'i Drive
Ali'i Drive is the oceanfront main thoroughfare, weaving from
Kailua Pier all the way south to Keauhou Bay. It is a splendid
mix of curio stores, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, art galleries, and
souvenir stands. All of this on the picturesque Kona coast, where
you will find the most remarkable sunsets in the backdrop of azure-blue waters. Check out our Ali'i Drive page for more detailed
information, attractions, and photos.
Kona Accomodations
Kailua-Kona is generally regarded as the tourist district and
hotels here are not as extravagant as they are along the Kohala
Coast. You can find bargains on hotel rooms and vacation
rentals - rates as cheap as $78 per night. Check out our Kona
Hotels Finder for a focused search of Kona Hotels, sorted by
price. We also offer an extensive listing of over 100 Big Island
vacation rentals, most are near Kailua-Kona. From economic
beachfront one bedrooms, to large condos for multiple families.
Kailua Pier
Kona is home to the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
and Ironman Triathlon World Championship. The Ironman
Championships first event is the 2.4 mile swim which begins at
the Kailua Pier and stretches out into the bay.
Ocean activities, tours, and dinner cruises depart from Kailua
Pier. Unlike piers in other cities, the waters alongside Kailua Pier
are pristine, clear, and inviting. In fact you will often see people
swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking right next to the pier. A
fitness-oriented town, you will find many people of all ages
jogging or swimming as early as sunrise.
Restaurants
From the casual and economical deli or lunch-counter meals, to
the most exquisite in fine dining, you will find a menu that will
please any palate. Kona restaurants are a unique mix of
traditional Hawaiian, Pan-Asian cuisine, seafood, and a motley of
other ethnic blends. Check out our Kailua-Kona Restaurants
guide. Of course, don't forget the one of a kind Hawaiian Luau -
an experience you will never forget!
Shopping
On the Big Island, don't expect to find any sprawling shopping
malls. Chain boutiques and sprawling shopping malls are
nowhere to be seen on the Big Island. Instead, you will find
groups of eclectic shops, outdoor scenic shopping venues, and
open-air markets. Find bargains and the best shopping venues in
our Big Island Shopping Guide. Don't know what to buy? Check
out our Hawaiian Souvenirs Guide.
Kailua-Kona is the hub for your Hawaii activities. The boating,
sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and deep-sea fishing in Kona
are among the best anywhere. You'll see dive flags sprinkled
throughout town, marking the dozens of dive stores. Here you
will find an assortment of full-service outfitters for snorkeling,
SCUBA diving, biking, and hiking. Browse our Kona Snorkeling
Guide for details and underwater photos. Check out our new Big
Island Travel Planner with articles and resources to help you plan
your next Hawaiian vacation. Sign up in advance and save
money - check out our Kona Activities Guide.
Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo flows down the lower slopes of Mauna Kea. The town
straddles a tranquil river with waterfalls and lush vegetation.
Historic Downtown Hilo is alive and bustling. More laid back from
the hustle of more touristy Hawaii, one can find great bargains in
this quaint town. Its diverse shopping opportunities, small scale,
and friendliness makes Hilo an enchanting town to visit and
explore. Hilo's scenic bayfront is lined with renovated storefronts
dating back to the early 1900s. Downtown attractions include:
Hawaii Coral Reef Discovery Center (808) 933-8195, Lyman
Museum and Mission Home (808) 935-5021, and the Pacific
Tsunami Museum (808) 935-0926.
With lots of rain, you will find Hilo exceptionally green and
fertile. The stoic banyan trees dominate much of Hilo's
waterfront. On Banyan Drive you will find the tranquil Queen
Liliuokalani Gardens and across a footbridge in the bay is
Coconut Island, both wonderful places to visit and enjoy their
beauty. For suggestions on where to eat, check out our Hilo
Restaurants Guide. Check out our new Big Island Travel Planner
with articles and resources to help you plan your next Hawaiian
vacation. Only have one day to see Hilo? Check out our Hilo & Volcano Itinerary for a one-day trip schedule.

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.
Siintt Petter's Church, Big Island 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. Kiakaua Point Beach Park,, Big Island
Located just north of Kona, Kikaua Point Beach Park is becoming one of the mostpopular Big Island wedding locations. This luscious beach park is surrounded bylava 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.
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. 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