Any information on Hawaiian wedding traditions I found on the internet.
"Mom please don't cry," the bride to be attempted to calm her mother's tears.
"I can't help it. You look absolutely beautiful," Amelia beamed, "I can't believe my baby girl is getting married."
Amelia stood in the bedroom of the hotel room at Kahala Resort Hotel, as she helped her daughter into her wedding dress.
The bridal party gathered in the common area of the room as they waited for two to emerge. Matron of honor Kono, bridesmaids Catherine, Mary Ann and Grace as well as the flower girl Joan. Each woman wore steel blue chiffon gowns each with differing necklines; a simple flower crown adorned their heads, their hair in simple beach waves.
"C'mon Abbie," an exuberant Catherine spoke, excited to see her cousin.
"We're coming," Abbie yelled through the closed door.
The door opened; out stepped the mother of the bride dressed in a floral halter style gown the same color as the bridesmaids.
Moments later Abbie stepped into view. She wore a white off the shoulder lace mermaid style gown; the back of the dress was open, and a small train gathered on the floor. Her hair swept back in a loose bun a crown of white flowers adorned her head.
"Abbie, you look stunning," beamed Kono.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"Okay okay its present time," Catherine spoke up.
"What? No presents."
"Its your wedding day," Mary added, "You need something old, new, borrowed and blue."
"I have the something borrowed," Kono stepped forward handing her best friend a sterling silver cuff bracelet adorned with three small turtles, "You gave this to me after I busted my knee and I thought my life was over because I couldn't surf anymore. You reminded me that the honu is a sign of luck and that it was my aumakua (guardian sprit) and that one day I would find my way to where I belonged. Today you are where you belong."
Tears welled up in the brides' eyes as she carefully placed the bracelet around her wrist.
"Don't cry yet, there's more. I want you to know I did my research" joked Catherine who pulled out a pair of queen plumeria diamond earrings "The plumeria represents perfection and new beginnings and today you start your new life as a wife."
Catherine took the earrings out of the box and handed them to her cousin and gave her a quick hug.
"Thank you," she smiled as she secured the earrings in her ears.
Mary stepped up next, "I have the something blue but its kind of old and borrowed," she shrugged as she pulled out a small black ring box. She opened it to reveal a simple blue sapphire cocktail ring, "This was my mother's. One of the few things I have of hers. I know she'd want you to have it."
Abbie was in shock as she slipped the ring on her ring finger, "Thank you Mary. This means the world to me."
"I wish she could be here for this," Mary said.
"Me too."
"I have something old," Amelia spoke as she opened a jewelry box to reveal a stunning diamond necklace, "This was your great great grandmothers that she wore on her wedding day and have been worn by every woman in our family on their wedding day, and now its your turn."
"Thanks mom," she gave her a huge embrace.
Amelia then stood behind her daughter and clasped the necklace around her neck.
"Perfect."
There was a knock on the door, "Can I come in?" Joseph spoke through the door.
"Yes dad."
In he walked. When he saw his daughter, his eyes welled up, "You look beautiful my Apikalia"
"Thanks daddy," she smiled as they embraced.
They pulled apart, "Alright are we ready to get this show on the road."
"I've never been more ready," beamed Abbie.
Steve and Abbie chose to have a traditional Hawaiian wedding, as the island and its culture held deep meaning for the couple. They decided to add a few modern twists. An ukulele played as guest took their seats.
Steve in his dress blues walked down the aisle along with the officiant.
While the ukulele continued to play, Kono as the matron of honor walked arm and arm with best man Danny. Next came Chin and Catherine followed by Grover who was arm and arm with Mary and Grace. The two ring bearers; Charlie and JJ then followed. Followed lastly by the flower girl, Joan.
Moments later, Joseph and Abbie appeared; the march down the aisle was relatively short but felt like an eternity. The bride and groom's eyes never left one another's.
Once they reach Steve, Joseph placed Abbie's hand in his and whispered, "Take care of my girl."
The ceremony started with a traditional Hawaiian chant by the officiant, "Onaona I ka hala, E ka lehua, E hale lehua oia n aka noe O ka'u no ia, e ano'i nei, Ea li'a nei, ho'I o ka hiki mai, A hiki mai no ou kou, a hiki pu no me ke Aloha e Aloha e."
"At this time, I would like to have you present to each other these leis. In Hawaii we exchange leis as a symbol of our love. The beautifully crafted lei with its hand-picked flowers and twine, carefully bonded together with love, is a reflection of your love and Aloha for another. As you exchange these leis you will begin to weave your lei in life together with love. And now with loving aloha please present your leis to one another with a smile and a kiss upon each other's' cheeks."
Danny handed Steve Abbie's white flower lei while Kono handed Abbie her groom's lei which is covered in green leaves.
The leis are exchanged, and they kiss one another on their cheeks before continuing.
"Aloha, we are gathered here today to celebrate and dedicate the joy and deep meaning of the union of Steven and Abigail in this sacred commitment. The essence of this covenant is the acceptance of each other as lover, companion and friend. It is therefore a decision not to be entered into lightly, rather undertaken with great consideration and respect for each other. This ceremony can set the tone for your entire life together. It is the visible symbol of the ongoing wedding process in which the two of you grow in love and union. It represents the welding of two souls as one. It is also a demonstration of the bonding which will strengthen and free you to grow in your unique way but yet still together."
"And now Steve and Abigail have chosen to write their own vows"
Abbie began, "When I was little I was your typical girl. Always believed in fairytales and that one day I would find my prince charming. As I grew up those fairytales began to fade, and I gave up on finding my happily ever after. Then you happened and I started to believe again" the smile on her face grew, "You are the prince charming I dreamed as a little girl. Of course, tall dark and handsome. You are funny and kind. Loyal and protective. I find new things to love about you everyday. You are the best father our little boy could ask. I know our story is a little backwards, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Aloha ia oe' I love you. E hoomau maua Kealoha May our love last forever."
The smile never left the groom's face as he began his vows, "Marriage was never in the cards for me. I spent most of my life thinking I would never find the woman I would want to spend the rest of my life with. Then the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen walked into 5-0 headquarters. I think deep down I knew that day you and I were meant to be something special. We spend too damn long dancing around our feelings. And when we finally stopped dancing, I finally felt complete. You were the missing piece I had no idea was missing," he paused trying to contain his emotions. "The day you had our son I didn't think I could love you more and then I saw you walk down the aisle today and you took my breath away. You are my ohana. My E'ku'u'aloha. My love.
"And now Steven do you take Abigail to be your wife? Do you promise to love honor and cherish her in sickness and in health in adversity and prosperity and to be true and loyal to her so as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"And do you Abigail take Steven to be your husband? Do you promise to love honor and cherish him in sickness and in health in adversity and prosperity and to be true and loyal to him so as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"May I have the rings?" the officiant asks.
Danny removes them from his suit pocket and handed them to the officiant who then places them in a Hawaiian wood bowl that he hands to Abbie. Steve is handed a conch shell filled with ocean water. The officiant blesses the rings as he dips a tea leaf in the water, "Ei Ah Eha No. Ka Malohia o Na Lani. Mea A ku a pau. May peace from above rest upon you and remain with you now and forever.
He takes Abbie's ring out of the bowl and hands it to Steve, "Steven place this ring on Abigail's finger and repeat after me. With this I ring I thee wed."
"With this ring I thee wed."
He repeats the action with Steve's ring, "Now Abigail repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed."
"With this ring I thee wed."
"By the power vested in me by the state of Hawaii, it is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
Abbie and Steve embrace in a passionate kiss as those gathered to witness the ceremony cheered.
"Its my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time Commander and Mrs. Steve McGarrett."
The reception began as Jerry stood up on stage, tapping the microphone to get the attention of the crowd, "Steve and Abbie asked me to sing their first song. So, uh here it goes."
You say you'll be down in five I know that I'll be a mess It's always on a night like tonight I'm speechless And I'm speechless It started when you said, "Hello" You take the breath out of my lungs And I'm speechless And I'm speechless Yeah, baby, mmm I'm speechless I'm speechless Oh, you know it, baby
The smell of your perfume
Is floating down the stairs
You're fixing up your hair
Like you do
The second that I see you
You won't be surprised
It happens every time
It's nothing new
I thank God, you can read my mind
'Cause when you look at me with those eyes
Staring at you standing there in that dress
What it's doing to me ain't a secret
'Cause watching you is all that I can do
You already know that you're my weakness
After all this time I'm just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I'm speechless
Just did something to me
And I've been in a daze
Ever since the day that we met
Can't even fight it
And all of the words, out of my mouth
Without even trying
Staring at you standing there in that dress
What it's doing to me ain't a secret
'Cause watching you is all that I can do
You already know that you're my weakness
After all this time I'm just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I'm speechless
It's always on a night like tonight
I thank God, you can read my mind
'Cause when you look at me with those eyes
You're standing there in that dress
And, girl, it ain't a secret
'Cause watching you is all that I can do
You already know that you're my weakness
After all this time I'm just as nervous
Every time you walk into the room
I'm speechless
The newlyweds never once took their eyes off of each other as they danced. It was as if they were the only two people there.
Kamekona and Flippa had volunteered to DJ, "That was beautiful," Kamakona spoke as he and his cousin wiped tears from their face.
"Now Abbie don't go anywhere. Mr. Morgan it is time for your father daughter dance."
Joseph walked over to his daughter as Daughters by John Mayer began to play.
Iknow a girl
She puts the color inside of my world
But she's just like a maze
Where all of the walls all continually change
And I've done all I can
To stand on her steps with my heart in my hands
Now I'm starting to see
Maybe it's got nothing to do with meFathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters tooOh, you see that skin?
It's the same she's been standing in
Since the day she saw him walking away
Now she's left
Cleaning up the mess he madeSo fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do, yeah
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters tooBoys, you can break
You'll find out how much they can take
Boys will be strong
And boys soldier on
But boys would be gone without warmth from
A woman's good, good heartOn behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the god and the weight of her worldSo fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do, yeah
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
So mothers, be good to your daughters too
To keep in tradition with Hawaiian culture, the couple had chosen two guests to give a banzai toast.
"Everyone please stand," Chin spoke first as he held his glass of champagne, "Shinro shimpu, banzai." Long life and happiness.
Those in attendance respond with "Bonzai."
"Bonzai. Bonzai."
Next up was Joseph, "Raihin Shokun, Banzai," Long life and happiness to all the guests. He repeats the saying three times as the guests once again reply with "Bonzai" each time and then take another sip.
A little while later, Kono tapped her knife on her champagne glass to get the attention of the crowd, "Abbie always talked about finding her soulmate. In her eyes her parents had the perfect marriage and she wanted that for herself. When she and Steve had JJ we all knew they were meant to be. That they were soulmates. The way they spoke about one another, we could all see that there was something special, everyone except the two of them could see it," that got a chuckle out of everyone, "But when they finally got together it was if as the rest of the world didn't exist. I have never seen Steve or Abbie as happy together," Kono raises her glass, "May your new life together continue to be full of the love and happiness you both deserve."
The crowd erupted in applause as Danny stood up to begin his speech. "There's so much I could say about Steve. The first day we met he got me shot and I hit him with a mean right hook. And since then he's been trying to kill me nearly everyday for the past eleven years. I can't drive my own car because he's a control freak. We've been to couple's therapy, which is as fun as it sounds. I even graciously gave him half my liver. But in all seriousness Steve McGarrett is a damn good guy. When he became a father, I thought that was the happiest I had ever seen him. When he told me him and Abbie had finally getting together, that smile, the glint in his eyes hasn't gone away since. Steve and Abbie bring out the best in each other and everyone around them. I am blessed beyond words to call these two my family. Steve McGarrett deserves the best in life and he has that with Abbie. Please join me in raising a glass to Steve and Abbie. Here's to a happy marriage with all the love you both deserve," he raises his champagne glass, "But you still have to share him with me."