Hawaiian Renewal of Vows Ceremony

Officiant: Rev. Dard Aller
(20 minutes)

Congratulations on your  Renewal of Vows on The Big Island of Hawaii.  The following ceremony combines both traditional aspects of a renewal ceremony with several Hawaiian elements that honor your love and the beauty of the island.

Music

Processional

Congratulations, Groom and Bride, as you celebrate ________ years of marriage.  To do so you have chosen one of the most beautiful places in the world, but we are celebrating a different kind of beauty today ~ your love ~ so joyous and deep that we gather together to witness and honor your marriage. 

Lei Exchange

A Hawaiian renewal often begins with the exchange of Leis. We do this for several different reasons.  One is that the Lei is an unbroken circle, like the rings that will soon be blessed and exchanged, representing the eternal commitment and devotion of your hearts to each other, your deep aloha.

Also, each individual flower that is woven into the Lei loses none of its’ individual beauty when it forms the circle. Its’ beauty is enhanced. This represents a double blessing in your marriage.  On the one hand is the circle as a symbol of your unity.  But at the same time you do not compromise or lose any of your individual identity and unique beauty.  In fact, because of the nurturing care and support of your relationship, you grow even more fully into that special individual with whom your partner fell in love.

Dard hands a Lei to Groom.

(Groom), please place this Lei around the neck of your bride, and as you do so please give her a kiss.

We like to point out that in a Hawaiian renewal ceremony you kiss right away.

And likewise, (Bride), place this Lei around the neck of your beloved with a kiss. 

The Hawaiians have always had a deep sensitivity to the sacredness of special times and places.  This is true of you as well.  You could have chosen anywhere in the world to experience a renewal blessing, but you were guided to be here today.  This becomes a sacred place because of your vows and ring blessing, most importantly because of the love in your hearts for each other.  At the end of this service I will use a lava rock and Ti leaf to perform a Hawaiian blessing that commemorates this place, this precious moment and sacred union. 

There is additional significance.  We see only the surface of the A’ina.  It is below, unseen, where the depth of the land abides.  So also, many see and respect the outer expression of your love for each other.  But only the two of you know the true and unseen depth of you inner union where you have been so enriched and strengthened by one another’s love. 

This can also be compared to the beauty of the Pacific Ocean surrounding us here on the Big Island, which you have chosen as the backdrop to your ceremony.  We see constant changes on the surface of the sea with wind, weather and waves.  Below, and unseen, there is great depth and abundant life. You face constant change in the outer circumstances of your life, and to meet these challenges you will be drawing from within yourself and your partner that rich and powerful inner spiritual strength the Hawaiians call Mana.  Allow your partner to be true to that inner life purpose and power. And we are confident that the best Mana guidance you ever had you demonstrated ______ years ago when you chose each other as life partners.

And if we speak of a’ina and the sea, let’s include as well the beauty of the mountains that surround us; the Kohalas to the North of us, with Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea to the east and Hualalai, Kilauea, to the South. Even Haleakala of Maui is often visible to the West. Telescopes are looking outward and upward, making new discoveries every day.  Your marriage is not only about inner depth and strength.  It is also a looking outward to the accomplishment of hopes, dreams and aspirations.  One of those dreams was fulfilled at your wedding and is being honored at this very moment.  Continue to reach out, not only for your own personal satisfaction but for the uplifting of your Ohana, that circle of family, friends and community that will be enriched by your love and care.

There is a tradition here in Hawaii about the Ohana. When the wind stirs at a wedding, it is the presence of absent loved ones and ancestors who surround you at this moment with their love, support and blessing. 

Continue to celebrate your love. May these Leis be an occasional reminder to you of a healthy relationship, the giving and receiving of a gift from the heart. Sometimes the simple gift of a flower speaks deeper than words about the heart's desire for your relationship to blossom, to be fragrant and to grow.

Vows

(Groom), do you take (Bride) once again to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forth, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, treasuring her in your heart as the special gift that she is to you, striving to do all that you can to make her to feel happy and secure, treating her with understanding, kindness and respect for all the days before you?

I do.

(Bride), do you take (Groom) once again to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forth, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, treasuring him in your heart as the special gift that he is to you, striving to do all that you can to make him to feel happy and secure, treating him with understanding, kindness and respect for all the days before you?

I do.

Rings

Are there rings to commemorate these vows and your love?

Dard hands a Koa bowl to (Groom).

A few moments before this service I dipped this Koa wood bowl into the Pacific Ocean in order to perform a Hawaiian blessing over these rings.  We use Koa because it is one of the most treasured and valuable hard woods on the Island, used over the centuries to build the outrigger canoes, tools and utensils. It has come to represent integrity and strength, foundational qualities of your relationship.  Marriage is more than just the beautiful passion and tender emotion of love.  It is a foundational covenant based on faith, hope and love. 

The Ti leaf represents prosperity, health and blessing of body, mind and spirit.

Dard dips a Ti leaf in the bowl, sprinkles the rings three times and chants:

Ei-Ah Eha-No.  Ka Malohia  Oh-Na-Lani.  Mea A-Ku A-Pau.

“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.  In Hawaiian this is called  Ho’oponopono, being made whole, so that the second aspect of the water might be deeply and joyously true for the two of you today.  It represents a brand new beginning in the renewal of your love as husband and wife.

(Groom), as you take this ring and place it upon your bride’s finger,

please repeat after me:

(Bride), with this ring as a symbol of my eternal love and my devotion to you,  I thee wed again.

And likewise (handing the ring to Bride)

(Groom), with this ring as a symbol of my eternal love and my devotion to you, I thee wed again.  

Hawaiian Wedding Song (or selected music)

Ti leaf and Lava Rock

As I mentioned at the beginning of the service, I now take this lava rock and Ti leaf to perform the final blessing.  The rock represents the moment and place of your marriage and this commemoration - made sacred by your love.  Wrapped in the leaf it is a traditional Hawaiian offering, prayer and blessing.  You are to place it wherever you choose on the island before you leave. It remains here.  Your rings are with you everywhere you go, a reminder of your marriage and love. The rock marks your entrance into a promised land, that of marriage, full of rich promise and unlimited potential.  May the joy of your many years together far exceed even your greatest expectation.

Pronunciation

We have had a very special honor here today to witness your love and aloha; your exchange of leis, vows, and rings.  And now it is an honor for me on behalf of all your Ohana of family and friends to congratulate you on ___________ years of love and many more years of blessing.

Would you like to seal your vows with a kiss?

Kiss

Ho’o-na-ni ka Ma-kua mau. 

Presentation

Recessional

Reception and signing of Renewal Certificate.

________________________________________________

Changes or additions are welcome. Information about my background can be found at http://www.beachweddingshawaii.com. For any questions or comments please e-mail me at hidard@gmail.com or call my cell (808) 936-4657.

Mahalo,

Rev. Dard Aller