Blowing of the Pu or Conch Shell

Gloria Patri sung in Hawaiian

The Sharing of Aloha

Aloha (Bride) and (Groom) and welcome. Aloha, what a beautiful word. When we think of Hawaii, we think of Aloha. It is a feeling, a spirit, a greeting, and it does mean love but the literal translation is to give and share the sacred breath of life. HA" is the breath. These islands are named for that breath of life as well. "HA" breath "Wai" Water and "i'i " Spirit. So to greet someone with aloha is to greet them with that essence of life - our breath. It is such a deeply personal, spiritual, and intimate greeting. I know of no other like it.

Let us share the aloha now by taking a moment to breathe deeply together and say "Aloha.". Besides sharing the aloha with each other it is relaxing, cleansing and calming. Be aware of the tropical breezes, for the Hawaiians believe that carried on the wind at a wedding are the spirits of absent loved ones. This includes your ancestors, invited by the blowing of the conch shell, as well as your friends and family in this world and with Our Father in Heaven. Feel their presence bless you as we share an aloha breath. for love knows no boundaries of time and space. It is a voice or a song inside the heart that never stops singing.

Almighty God, Divine Power of the Universe, we call upon your presence to bless (Bride) and (Groom) as they join their lives in Holy Matrimony. Smile on them today and always. Be with them in their times of joy and of need. Give them patience and understanding to deal with the challenges of life. Fill their hearts with compassion for each other and for others. Bless their home and all who enter it. May they walk in the light of your love from this day forward. No ka mea, Nou ke aupuni, a me ka mana, a me ka ho'onani ia a mau loa aku, he inoa no Jesu Kristo, in Jesus" name we pray Amene.

In the Hawaiian tradition, it is customary to exchange leis as a symbol of respect for one another. The gift of a lei is a gift of life, meant to be passed on. May you continue to give each other gifts of life. As you see, the lei is a circle which has no beginning and no end, like your love for each other. It symbolizes eternity as promised by our Lord, Jesus Christ.. You were born to be together and today that promise is fulfilled. As you look at each individual flower on the lei, you see that each one retains its individual beauty. So it is with you. You become something greater when you join with another in love, but you retain your individual qualities; those qualities that your partner fell in love with. "Whenever two or more are gathered in His name, there is love." A lei is always given with a kiss. At least one. You see, in Hawaii, we don t wait until the end to kiss. Anytime you feel so moved to share a kiss, please do so. As you place your lei upon your beloved you are bestowing honor and respect. At this time I will sing a short song about the power of the lei to constantly attract, as you are powerfully attracted to each other.

One short verse of Lei Pikake sung A Capella as the couple exchanges leis.

Today, ________, you take the most important step of your lives, to join together as husband and wife in these beautiful surroundings you have chosen for yourselves. Today, you make a statement to each other. "I have chosen you, above all others, to be my best friend and partner for life." Today, you affirm your faith in God and each other. Today, you make a promise to be true for now and for all time. And so I ask you:

(Groom), do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and respect (Bride) all the days of your life? I do

(Bride), do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and respect (Groom) all the days of your life? I do

It is the greatest desire of all humankind to love and be loved. How fortunate you are to have found each other. Is it part of God's plan for the two of you. You are two unique individuals. Rejoice in your similarities and embrace your differences. Enjoy your times together and let your love bring you comfort when you are apart, for love knows no boundaries of time and space. It is a voice inside the heart that never stops singing.

The Apostle Paul s letter to the Corinthians contains some of the most beautiful words ever written about love:

If I have not love, then I am nothing... Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful. Love is not ill-mannered, or selfish, or irritable; love makes no record of wrongs, love rejoices not with evil but rejoices in truth. It's faith, hope, and patience never fail. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love is eternal... These three remain; faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.

With all my heart and without reservation, I, Groom/Bride give myself completely to you, Bride/Groom as your Husband/Wife. From this day forward we will walk together; in sunshine, in rain, in laughter, in tears, for the rest of our years. Grow old along with me. You have my faith and my trust. For now and for always I will be by your side; my best friend, my true love, my life. I love you.

These rings you have chosen, which I now hold in my hand, are circular. The circle has long been a symbol of God. Without beginning or end and with no point of weakness, the circle is a reminder of infinite possibilities. The rings are an outward sign of your inward commitment the depth of which is known only to God and the two of you. May they serve to remind you of the eternal relationship you have with Jesus and each other and may you always be inspired by love's infinite possibilities. I have placed these rings in a Koa bowl in salt water. Koa is among the strongest and most precious of the Hawaiian woods. It signifies the strength, integrity, and durability of your marriage and the strength of God's love for us. The salt water is a cleansing, a Baptism, a washing away of any hindrance to your relationship from the past; both your separate pasts and your shared past. It symbolizes a fresh, clean beginning of your married lives together; a blank canvas to paint the beautiful artwork of your lives. Following the ceremony, you will both, each with a hand on the bowl, toss the water back to the sea as a symbolic release and letting go.

E Ke Akua, E Iesu Kristo, E Ka Uhane Hemolele, Bless these rings and those who wear them. May they be eternally surrounded by Divine Love and Light. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Ho'onani I ka Makua mau. Ke keiki me Ka Uhane no. Ke Akua mau ho'o maika'i pu. Ko keia ao. Ko kela ao.

(Groom/Bride)please place the ring on the fourth finger of (Bride's/Groom's) left hand and look into her/his eyes as you repeat after me:

(Bride) and (Groom) as of this moment your lives are joined. You are one in the eyes of the Lord and the eyes of the law. Love starts when another's needs are more important than one s own. Always place each other first, but not at the expense of yourself, for a healthy tree stands not in another's shadow. Be like the coconut tree. It survives the strongest of storms because it can bend where the rigid trees fall. Be willing to bend with the winds of life. Be willing to bend with each other. Remain strong in yourself but remember that the greatest gift is to give to others and the greatest gift of a;; is the gift of love. Out of love, God sent to us the very greatest gift, that of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Aloha Ke Akua - God of Love. Presence of all love and light. Although we are aware that you are ever present, we ask to be ever aware of your presence , most especially at this moment. Bless the union of these two lives as they walk, together, down life's pathways. Direct them in the ways of righteousness and benevolence that they may spread their joy to all they meet. May they truly know unconditional love and share the simple comfort that silence brings, where understanding needs no words. Mahalo for the magic of this moment. He Inoa no Jesu Kristo, In Jesus' Name we pray.

And now by the power vested in me as a Minister in the state of Hawaii, it is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal your vows with a kiss.

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