Bridal Questions

Hi:
My daughter is getting married Aug 8, 2009 at a private home on Sunset Beach. We are having both the wedding and reception on the beach in front of the house. She wants to be married at Sunset but are thinking of a wedding at 5:00-6;00PM with reception following. We are looking at having approximately 60 guests. We need help with the following:
caterer - we are thinking of a buffet menu offering some Hawaiian dishes as she is marrying a native Oahu guy who loves his poi, kalbi ribs and kahlua pig, as well as Salmon etc
Bakery - they want to serve cupcakes instead of cake, and also have cheesecake and maybe other desserts
Florist - we need help with the bouquets, and they want a petal aisle to a bamboo arch on the beach.
Wedding Officant - They will need help finding a minister and planning the ceremony (I don't think they know yet what type of ceremony they want, so will need help with that0
Music - They would like Hawaiian music before the ceremony, during a cocktail hour (while they are having pics taken) and during dinner. They would also like to have hula dancers after dinner.
Tents, tables chairs, linens etc - We would like the reception to be under a tent, with coordinating linen etc.
Reception florals and accents - we would want simple tablepieces - we have seen tall glass vases wrapped with bamboo with orchids, lilies or other such flowers. She wants lots of candles, and paper lanterns inside the tent. White lights as well?
Photographer - we would like suggestions here.
Our budget - well we aren't sure where to start, so need help with what things really cost , then go from there.
We will be taking care of the liquor and bartender, but not the catering staff. We will also provide the leis for our guests as Rodney's family still lives on the island and are doing this for the wedding.
We would like a day of wedding coordinator there.
We plan on coming to Hawaii to plan November 3-9, and would like to meet wih a selected planner at that time to cement the details for the wedding. We would appreciate a proposal and any ideas and suggestions from you. I know I haven't listed all that a wedding entails, but hope this is a start. Thanks
Susan Braithwaite Mother of the Bride
Bride and Groom:
rod and cam

Dance the Hawaiian Hula

Hawaii is very famous around the globe for its hula dance. When people daydream about the Hawaiian Islands, there is no doubt that their minds would also drift towards this renowned dance. Tourists could also learn how to do the hula, particularly during luaus. The hula is a form of dance that is accompanied either by a song or a chant. It was the Polynesians, which are acknowledged as the original Hawaiian settlers, who developed the hula in the islands. The song or chant that goes with the hula is called the mele and what the hula dancers actually do is to dramatize or interpret the mele.

  There are various styles of the hula dance, but they are usually split into just two broad groups, which are kahiko and auana. Kahiko is what the locals call the ancient hula, which was performed prior to Hawaii’s encounters with the West. The kahiko is tied in with chants as well as some traditional instruments. The hula kahiko is presented these days by dancing gracefully to Hawaii’s historical chants. Plenty of hula kahiko are exemplified by the dancers’ traditional costumes, by their solemn looks, as well as by showing respect for their religious roots.

  Auana is the hula dance that evolved during the both the 19th and 20th centuries, when Hawaii is already under the Western influence. This type of hula is accompanied with a song in addition to musical instruments influenced by the West like the double bass, the ukulele and of course, the guitar. The contemporary hula came up from the modification of ancient hula dance and mele that were tweaked using Western influences. The main influences of this modern hula were musical harmony as well as the Christian value of morality. Nevertheless, the hula auana continues to convey or comment on a particular story, but these stories may contain some events that happened since the 1800s. A different matter that changed is the costumes of the lady dancers became less revealing.

 But nowadays, it seems that two more hula categories are materializing, namely monarchy and ai kahiko. The monarchy style contains the hula dances that were created and choreographed back in the 19th century. The ai kahiko form, that when translated means “in the ancient style,” are the hula dances written during both the 20th and 21st centuries that stick to the stylistic methods of the kahiko form.

 The hula is taught in dance schools that are called the hālau. The hula teacher is called the kumu hula and kumu, when translated, stands for the source of knowledge. The hula dance is a complicated and challenging art form. There are countless hand motions that are used in order to represent several facets of nature. Some examples of this are the basic Hula as well as the Coconut Tree motions, or a few basic leg movements like the Ami, Kaholo and Ka'o.

  There also exist other exotic dances that originate from the other Polynesian islands like Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga and New Zealand or Aotearoa. But then, the hula dance is still unique to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and no other dance form could ever come close to its exquisiteness. Kauai wedding specialist

Shopping - Kaua‘i

Shopping - Kaua‘i

Hanalei | Kapa‘a | Lihu‘e | Po‘ipu

HANALEI
CHING YOUNG VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER
More than 40 specialty shops and restaurants.
Where: 5190 Kuhio Hwy.
Hours: Most merchants open 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Info: (808) 826-7222

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KAPA‘A
KAUA‘I VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER
More than 35 shops and restaurants amidst flowing waterfalls and a tropical garden. See a Wyland wall mural and cultural and historical displays depicting Kaua‘i's history.
Where: 4-831 Kuhio Hwy.
Hours: Most merchants open 9 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m.
Info: (808) 822-4904

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LIHU‘E
ANCHOR COVE SHOPPING CENTER
Shop and dine right on the beach.
Where: 3416 Rice Street, Nawiliwili Harbor
Hours: Most shops open 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Info: (808) 246-0634

COCONUT MARKETPLACE
More than 70 restaurants and shops, plus a twin movie theater.
Where: 4-484 Kuhio Hwy.
Hours: Retail merchants open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Restaurants open 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Info: (808) 822-3641

KUKUI MARKETPLACE
Kaua‘i's largest mall, featuring Kmart, Borders Books and Music, Longs Drug and more.
Where: 3-2600 Kaumualii Hwy.
Hours: Most merchants open 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Longs and Star Market open later.
Info: (808) 245-7784

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PO‘IPU
PO‘IPU SHOPPING VILLAGE
Po'ipu's only shopping center, featuring more than 25 shops and restaurants. Free Tahitian dance shows twice weekly.
Where: 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive
Hours: Merchants open 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday
Info: (808) 742-2831

Oahu P a r k s & N a t u r e

P a r k s & N a t u r e


ALA WAI CANAL
While you wouldn't want to take a dip in the dubious waters of the Ala Wai, the 1.4-mile paved path alongside the canal is perfect for a scenic walk or jog. From February through September you can pull up a piece of grass in Ala Wai Park and watch the canoe paddlers practice, on weekday evenings and weekend days.
Where: Along Ala Wai Boulevard, mountain side of Waikiki

BEACHES Hawaii Vacation
All beaches in Hawai‘i are open to the public. Water temperatures reach 78 degrees in the summer and 74 degrees in the winter. Pay close attention to posted warnings; the shore break on many beaches (especially the North Shore during the winter) is dangerous to even experienced swimmers. Visit our beach section.

THE BLOW HOLE (HALONA LOOKOUT)
This natural ocean geyser is caused by breaking surf being forced through an L-shaped lava tube, exploding upward from the pressure. Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr shared a famous beach kiss ("From Here to Eternity") in the small cove next to the Blow Hole.
Where: About 2 miles past Hanauma Bay on Kalaniana‘ole Highway (East coast of O‘ahu)

CHINAMAN'S HAT
If you decide to wade out to this small island (500 yards offshore), wear old sneakers or reef walkers to protect your feet from the sharp coral. Be respectful to the droves of birds that call the island home. Though it's also known as Mokoli‘i ("small reptile"), one look at this conical island will explain how it got its more common name.
Where: North Kane‘ohe Bay (windward side), off-shore from Kualoa Regional Park

HIKING
You can pick up hiking maps from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Forestry and Wildlife office). The office has seven sectional maps of hiking trails on O‘ahu. Also visit our camping section.
Where: 1151 Punchbowl St., Kalanimoku Bldg., Room 131, Honolulu
Hours: 7:45 a.m.-4:40 p.m., Monday-Friday (except holidays)
Info: (808) 587-0166

MAKAPU‘U LIGHTHOUSE ACCESS ROAD
A moderate hike with spectacular ocean views. The lighthouse uses prism glass in its lamp and has been functioning for more than 100 years. The bunkers near the top were constructed during World War II and are referred to in James Jones' novel, "From Here to Eternity." Offshore is Rabbit Island. Although it is shaped like a rabbit, the island is so named because a rancher released rabbits there to breed in the 1880s.
Where: Overlooks Makapu‘u Beach Park on O‘ahu's easternmost point

MANOA FALLS
A popular rain forest hike, easy to moderate depending on how muddy the trail is. The mile-long trail ends in a freshwater pool and waterfall.
Where: End of Manoa Road in Manoa Valley

MOANALUA GARDENS
This 26-acre urban park on the Damon Estate is open to the public and perfect for picnicking, with aged monkeypod trees shading the vast green lawns. The grounds boast two streams, a taro patch, a carp pond, and a group of ancient petroglyphs. Admission is free.
Where: A few miles northwest of Honolulu, just off the Moanalua Freeway; take the Tripler Army Hospital exit
Hours: Opens, 9 a.m., mostly on weekends
Info: (808) 833-1944 to arrange self-guided walk; (808) 839-5334 for free guided walks

NU‘UANU PALI LOOKOUT
Photo by HVCB
The Pali (meaning "cliff" in Hawaiian) rises 1,186 feet above sea level, offering a panoramic view of windward O‘ahu. Keep a tight hold on hats (and small children), as it gets very windy up there.
This is the spot where King Kamehameha the Great drove opposing armies over steep cliffs (to their deaths) in the Nu'uanu Pali Battle for the island of O'ahu. This secured a victory in his quest to unite all of Hawai'i.
Where: Up Highway 61 (Pali Highway); look for the turnoff toward the top

QUEEN KAPI‘OLANI PARK
Named after Queen Kapi‘olani, wife of King David Kalakaua, the park boasts jogging paths, bike paths, and a whole lot of open space for recreational pursuits. The Royal Hawaiian Band plays at the bandstand every Sunday, 2-4 p.m.
Where: Diamond Head end of Kalakaua Avenue

SUNSET AT KUHIO BEACH
At sunset every evening, enjoy a torch-lighting ceremony and hula dance by the statue of legendary beach boy Duke Kahanamoku.
Where: Along the beach near the intersection of Kalakaua and Kapahulu avenues, Waikiki

WAIKIKI BEACH
Photo by HVCB/Jack Hollingsworth
All the free entertainment you could ask for on this two-mile stretch of sand. Start at the Hale Koa Hotel and make your way to the Natatorium War Memorial (the largest saltwater pool in the United States), or do it in reverse. An especially nice walk at sunset, as the tiki torches outside the hotels are lit and evening entertainment begins to warm up.

WHALE WATCHING
While whale-watching tours are memorable, many visitors don't realize that these gentle behemoths can often be seen at play from the shore, even without binoculars. Look for them between December and April, when they're most active. Note: drive carefully on this narrow road and look for a safe place to pull over before you let your eyes wander to the sea.
Where: Along Kalaniana‘ole Highway (east coast of O'ahu)

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R e c r e a t i o n


FLY BOYS (AND GALS)
On any day of the week, come by and watch all the pretty birds in the sky: biplanes, gliders, hang-gliders, ultra-lights and skydivers use this place as a playground. Skydivers land at the west end of the airstrip; gliders, planes and hang-gliders take off from the east end (toward Ka‘ena Point).
Where: Dillingham Airstrip, Mokule‘ia (North Shore)

SURFING COMPETITIONS
Waves can reach up to 30 feet during the winter months -- not good for swimming, but ideal for watching the best surfers in the world. Expect national TV crews, promotional tents and an air of excitement when a tourney is on. Events depend on wave size and other conditions that change on a daily basis.
Where: North Shore (from Hale‘iwa to Sunset Beach) and West O‘ahu (Makaha Beach)
When: The Triple Crown (Pipeline Masters, Hawaiian Pro and World Cup of Surfing) is held between mid-November and mid-December on the North Shore. Buffalo's Big Board surfing classic runs December through February at Makaha Beach. Makaha World Surfing Championships starts mid-February at Makaha Beach. Bodyboarding competitions at the Banzai Pipeline (North Shore) take place in January.

TENNIS
There are 181 free courts on the island, at 47 different locations. Courts operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Info: Reservations: (808) 971-7150

The Big Island

Say Aloha to Hawaii’s Captivating Big Island for your Hawaii vacation

 The Big Island in Hawaii is most people’s ideal vacation spot and for Hawaii weddings. Why not, right? It is the perfect place to relax and have fun with friends and families. It offers luxurious beaches, glistening waterfalls and stunning natural attractions that made it one of the top tourist destinations.

   The Big Island’s name is really Hawaii but since it tends to be confused with the name of its state, Hawaii the island was dubbed as the Big Island. This place is more than a million years old and is considered as the youngest among all of the Hawaiian Islands.

   The Hilo Panaewa Zoo is one of Big Island’s attractions and tourists would definitely enjoy themselves here. This authentic tropical rainforest zoo is the only one of its kind in the whole United States. This is where one can find the white Bengal Tiger named Namaste as well as over 80 various animal species like Nene, an endangered Hawaiian State Bird. Tourists may also have a picnic here under the 100 different kinds of Palm as well as stroll with the colorful peacocks in their botanical garden, or what they call the zoo grounds.

   The Ahalanui Pool is another must-see site in the Big Island. These are an infinity pool and a spa in the ocean. There is a manmade sea-wall that separates this magnificent ocean pool from the other parts of the sparkling Pacific Ocean. However, what is incredible here is there is a kind of magic that is experienced underneath the surface of the pool. When the Kapoho Volcano erupted in 1960, it resulted in the creation of a natural phenomenon. This ocean pool became naturally heated to around 90o Fahrenheit, which makes their guests liken their experience here more to a heated spa than just a normal dip in the ocean.

   Coffee lovers out there would love to drop by the Holualoa Coffee Farm in Big Island. The Kona coffee is renowned for its extraordinary taste and tourists would get to enjoy a fantastic sightseeing and enlightening tour of this coffee plantation. Guests of the coffee farm would see and learn about the process of making coffee, starting from the tree, how to roast the coffee beans, up to the part where it is ready to serve in a cup.

   For those travelers who want to soak up some Hawaiian culture, be sure to visit the Lapakahi State Historical Park. This park has 262 acres that houses a partly restored coastal town that has daily activities for tourists such as storytelling and even reenactments of what life was like for the early Hawaiians.

   Active tourists would definitely delight in visiting the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. This is home to an underwater park, and it features the monument of Captain James Cook together with the Hikiau Heiau, a temple dedicated to Lono the Fertility God. This park offers hiking, horseback riding and kayaking. Other sports to enjoy; here are scuba diving and snorkeling. A magnificent glass-bottom boat cruise is also offered in this park.

   Akaka Falls State Park is where tourists would find two sparkling waterfalls. Travelers can feast their eyes on the magnificent Kahuna Falls and the equally majestic Akaka Falls, which is 442 feet high.

   These are just some of the Big Island’s attractive places. Truly, this vast island is a place in Hawaii where one can just kick back and engage in different activities. There is certainly no reason for a traveler to be idle when visiting the Big Island. This one enchanting site would surely earn itself a spot as huge as its name in tourists’ hearts.

 Article by Kauai wedding coordinator

Pianist in Hawaii

Create a sophisticated atmosphere with a piano at your reception!

Have you considered what kind of background music you want during your wedding breakfast? Having a piano accompaniment can enhance your day and impress your guests. Here are our top ten tips for you to consider:

1. Have background piano music to entertain your guests during their meal

2. Soft romantic accompaniment will enhance the ambience of the day

3. Two hours of music while you relax and enjoy yourselves

4. A wide variety of tunes and songs are available to suit your mood or theme

5. Special tunes played for the newly married couple

6. Requests accepted to play your or your guests’ choice of music

7. Talented guests are encouraged to show off their vocal skills

8. No clock watching – we’re there for YOU!

9. Our fees are excellent value for accompaniment services

10. A deposit secures these services for your special day

Wow your guests with the elegance of a piano accompaniment as they enjoy themselves at your reception. Discuss your requirements and special requests with Donald who can accommodate his services to suit your wedding arrangements. He is available to travel anywhere in the UK to be at your reception.

Remember to contact Donald as soon as possible to secure your wedding day with him, as he does get quite booked up. Call him on 0151 722 6984 now or visit his website Hawaii music to find out more. You certainly won’t be disappointed!