Q: We want an outdoor wedding in November or December.
What kind of weather conditions should we expect?

A: October through January are considered Hawai`i's "winter " season. Rain ranging from brief, sudden or light showers (blessing from Heaven) to winter thunderstorms lasting a few days occur during these months. O`ahu also has a drier side (Honolulu, Kahala, Pearl City, Waikiki and all "leeward" coast locations and a wetter side (Kailua, Kane`ohe and the entire "windward" coast.)

Q: What things should we think about when considering an outdoor location like a beach or park?

A: Permit requirements if any; wind, rain and shelter; optimal lighting conditions for photography; ease of access and egress for quests and vendors; parking needs, spatial requirements to accommodate quests comfortably; electrical outlets for microphones, speakers or catering needs; restroom facilities, drinking water and telephone in case of an emergency. If this is a public area, consider the likelihood of disturbance by users such as joggers. Is the area more crowded at certain times than others?

Unlike a church which is specifically arranged to accommodate the physical needs of a wedding ceremony (pews, isle, alter) and which has a definite sense of place and spirituality, outdoor settings are like a blank slate with few physical clues as to such things as where to seat guests, how your bridal party should be positioned, how and where should the procession start and end, what music should accompany the ceremony , where will the musician(s) should stand, where will you sign the documents immediately following the ceremony, where should the reception table be and more.

Kahu listens to what you envision for your ceremony and then offers his suggestions and guidance and this "shared vision" becomes a reality that is unique to each couple. Having produced many cultural events in his long career, Kahu uses this special "creative" skill when helping couples plan their weddings. Upon looking at any site, Kahu can immediately see the whole "picture" down to every detail. He is easily able to create a sense of place, an aura of spirituality , and more, in any setting.

Q: We don't have a big budget and we're thinking of getting married at a beach park that doesn't charge anything. Are there such places?

A: There are many beautiful locations around O`ahu to choose from. Some sites are free while others require fees generally ranging from $100 to over $1,000. which are usually paid directly to the owners or managers of the sites. Some locations are under the auspices of the state or county parks departments. We advise that you check to see if there are any permit requirements.

Q: We've seen lots of wedding websites that offer Hawaiian weddings but they seem to be very commercial. We aren't overly spiritual but wish to have a sense of Hawaiian spirituality and a real Hawaiian wedding if there's such a thing, and are having a hard time making a comparison.

A: When selecting the person that will have the very important responsibility of joining you in matrimony please consider this: As a Hawaiian ministry , it is important to honor, respect and maintain our cultural integrity. We wish to share it in an authentic manner to further cultural understanding and appreciation among people around the world.

Kahu does not consider his work a commercial endeavor. What he shares is genuine and it comes from a strong spiritual foundation of family and generations of cultural knowledge. Kahu offers you the firm hands of experience and a sincere heart of aloha.

Kahu Silva's credentials, ministry activities, press releases, photos, may be of help in your decision-making.

Q: Can you explain some of authentic Hawaiian wedding customs you mention?

A: There are several customs practiced by Kahu Silva but one of the most meaningful and often used is the offering of special ancient Hawaiian blessings and prayer chants during various portions of the ceremony.

Kahu was trained by Hawai`i's most highly regarded chant masters and is himself respected as a master in this classical traditional art of oli and its many styles and purposes. Hawaiian chant in its many forms has always been vital to the Hawaiian civilization. Until the introduction of a written language by the missionaries in the 1800's, Hawaiian society practiced an oral tradition often through long complicated and complex chants that were memorized. Among other functions, this served the important purpose of preserving and perpetuating all knowledge and family genealogy .

We are not aware of any other minister in the islands who incorporates these little known ancient chants or original personalized prayers in the style and manner which Kahu Silva does. Upon special request, Kahu can also create an original prayer chant for the couple.

Q: A related question: My friend takes hula and he has offered to chant for our wedding.

A: We advise that he/she speak and understand the Hawaiian language, is properly trained in this tradition, in it's various styles, and is able to to perform an oli that is significant and appropriate to marriage. Hula students are usually taught oli that are significant to the hula honoring Hawaii's monarchs, chiefs, heros, hula deities, praising nature, beautiful places or telling stories of love, romance, travels and adventure.

Q: We want a Hawaiian wedding and attended one where the reverend wore a loin cloth which was quite revealing. We could tell the couple and their families were surprised and uncomfortable and want to make sure of what to expect.

A: Kahu offers the bridal couple the opportunity to select the attire according to their preferences. He can dress in the traditional Christian robe with a Hawaiian print stole for formal weddings. Or, he can wear the traditional attire worn by a kahuna (ancient Hawaiian priest or master of a special skill) which is called a kihei (best compared to a Roman toga) and worn over a long sleeve dress shirt. Additional customary adornments such as a feather head lei, maile or other leis are also worn. Examples of kihei in addition to the combinations and colors of various traditional Hawaiian or Christian attire that Kahu uses can be seen throughout the website.

Q: What kind of leis are usually used for a Hawaiian wedding?

A: Traditionally, grooms wear the fragrant leaf called maile which can be worn alone or woven with ilima. Brides customarily wear pikake (white jasmine) which can also be entwined with maile. Many examples can be seen in our wedding albums in this website.

Q: How long is your ceremony?

A: Approximately 20 minutes for the vows and 10 minutes for the signing of the legal marriage certificate and the keepsake certificate with your 2 chosen witnesses.

Q: We don't want a ceremony that is overly spiritual.

A: Kahu is flexible and has a certain amount of latitude in reasonably modifying the ceremony to further customize and personalize it according to both the bride and groom's spiritual, non-spiritual, ethnic or other preferences. Extensive changes to the ceremony are negotiable and require a bit more advance planning. The personal meeting is valuable in learning what the couple desires so that he can create the most meaningful experience possible.

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