Wedding traditions of Hawaii
Hawaiian weddings carry the shell, the chant and the lei, and are kept alive by Native Hawaiian families.
In Native Hawaiian ceremony a kahu, a spiritual guide, leads the couple. The oli, a chant, calls on ancestors, and a conch shell announces the ceremony.
A wedding here
A lei of maile, a fragrant leaf, is exchanged between the couple, since the open lei is a mark of honour. The couple may sip from a shared cup of water.
Some cautions
Not every beach or site is open for weddings, and some places are sacred to Native Hawaiians. Planners advise asking permission and working with a Hawaiian practitioner for a cultural ceremony.
Wedding customs of Hawaii
Also part of it, and being written: Lei (Garland of flowers.), Hawaiian wedding (Customs.), Maile (A fragrant leaf.), Hula (A dance sometimes performed.).
A wedding trail idea for Hawaii
- Maui A popular island for beach ceremonies.
- Kauai A quieter island with garden venues.
- Hawaii Island A place for volcano views.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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