In preparation for my upcoming excursion to the Hawaiian Islands, I am beginning the “aloha spirit” right her at Full Circle Eventi! I will be sharing many beautiful images from Hawai’i over the next few days, but in honor of tradition Tuesday, let talk about Hawaiian wedding customs. As with many other cultures, there are many we can discuss, but I will stick with three for this time around. The Koa wood and Ti leaf ring blessing, the Ti Leaf and Lava Rock Ceremony, and the Hawaiian Wedding song.
Koa Bowl and Ti Leaf Blessing of Rings
This ceremony commemorates these vows and your love?
The Dard (officiant) hands a Koa bowl to (Groom). A few moments before the service, the Dard dips the Koa wood bowl into the Pacific Ocean in order to perform a Hawaiian blessing over the rings. Koa, which is the hardest of our Hawaiian woods, has been used over the centuries to build the outrigger canoes, tools and utensils. Koa is a treasured and valuable hardwood that represents integrity and strength, which are foundational qualities of a marriage. The Ti leaf represents prosperity, health and blessing of body, mind and spirit. The officiant begins by dipping a Koa wood bowl into a body of water. The leaf is dipped into the bowl, and the water is sprinkled three times over the rings while the following chant is recited: “Ei-Ah Eha-No. Ka Malohia Oh-Na-Lani. Mea A-Ku A-Pau,” means: “May peace from above rest upon you and remain with you now and forever.”
The water has a double significance. One is a washing back into the Pacific, as it were, symbolically, of any hindrance to relationship, disappointment or hurt from the past. In Hawaiian this is called Ho’oponopono or reconciliation, a letting go by grace and aloha so that the second aspect of the water may be profoundly true for the two of you today: it represents a brand new beginning as husband and wife.
Ti leaf and Lava Rock
The Dard again, takes a lava rock and Ti leaf to perform the final blessing. The lava rock is symbolic of the moment you made a lifetime commitment to one another. It is wrapped in a Ti leaf and left at the ceremony cite as an offering, prayer and blessing which remains steadfast at the place of your marriage, marking the birth of your union, while your rings are a symbol of that commitment that travel with you wherever you go. The rock marks the entrance into a promised land, that of marriage, full of rich promise and unlimited potential.
Hawaiian Wedding Song
Perhaps one of the most touching elements of the ceremony, or more easily adapted into the reception is the Hula to the Hawaiian Wedding Song. The Hawaiian Wedding Song, Ke Kali Nei Au, is usually played during the ceremony, although it would work nicely as the first dance at your reception as well. It was originally written in Hawaiian in1926 by Charles King, and has been translated into English and covered by several artists; most notably Elvis Presley in the movie, Blue Hawaii. But instead of trying to describe it, I found a beautiful demonstration of a bride who learned the hula just to dance for her husband as a surprise on their wedding day.
Adding Spice to your life,
Lia
PS. If you are interested in learning the Hawaiian Wedding song to dance for your husband and are in the Metro Detroit area reach out to Auntie Fran of Polynesian Fantasy Dancers. She is a wonderful teacher!