Culturally rich Hawaiian vow renewal program keeps romance alive and well on the beach.
HONOLULU, OAHU, HAWAII – Fifty years after falling in love, couples are heading for Hawaii to re affirm their romance, sometimes as a duo, but increasingly, together with their children and even grandchildren. And, they keep adding pages to Luana Maitland’s memory book.
Maitland is the events and activities manager at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach in Waikiki, Hawaii. One of her responsibilities includes the hotel’s popular Hawaiian Vow Renewal Ceremony program, a free activity for it’s guests and guests staying at its sister property, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. Since the program’s inception, more than 4,000 vows have been exchanged on the sands of famed Waikiki Beach, in front of the Outrigger Reef.
„We talk with our guests on a regular basis,“ Maitland said. „I heard many, many stories of how couples would’ve liked to have gotten married in Hawaii on the beach, but weren’t able to because their families wanted the wedding to take place back home, or because they couldn’t afford a trip to Hawaii back then. Some of them have waited 50 years to take their first romantic trip to Hawaii.“
Maitland consulted with the hotel’s Hawaiian cultural advisor, and together with a team of employees, introduced the Hawaiian Vow Renewal Ceremony, a non-denominational ceremony on the sands of Waikiki Beach in which couples recite their vows in the Hawaiian language and are honored by a Hawaiian kahu (priest) with chanting, traditional hula dance and song. Each ceremony is open to a limited number of couples in order to retain a sense of intimacy.
Kimberly Agas, Outrigger’s vice president of operations overseeing both the Outrigger Reef and Outrigger Waikiki hotels, credits the Vow Renewal Ceremony’s popularity to its location and the authenticity of the cultural experience, both of which are hallmarks of Outrigger’s beachfront properties.
„Outrigger Reef and Outrigger Waikiki sit directly on the sands of Waikiki Beach,“ Agas said. „For couples, it’s more than just a beautiful place; it’s Waikiki Beach, legendary as one of the most romantic places on earth. „We also take great pride in our commitment to celebrating and sharing our islands‘ history and heritage. The Hawaiian Vow Renewal Ceremony was
developed with the guidance of a Hawaiian cultural expert, and draws upon an ancient custom called ho’ao pa’a, in which a man and woman formed a lasting union together. So in addition to being romantic, our ceremony is also a culturally rich experience, which is something we want all of our guests to enjoy when they stay with us.“
One of Maitland’s favorite vow renewals took place this summer: a pair of parents and four of their grown children, plus spouses, who renewed their vows on Waikiki Beach as a group, witnessed by their grandchildren. The family vow renewal was in celebration of marriages ranging from 4 to 39 years.
Another fond memory involved a visiting youth baseball team staying at the hotel. „One of the coaches wanted to surprise his wife at our vow renewal,“ Maitland recalls. „She was the team mother and chaperone. The entire team served as their witness, and presented the couple with a tiki to commemorate the event.“
Outrigger’s Hawaiian Vow Renewal Ceremony is open to registered guests of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and Outrigger Reef on the Beach, and takes place every Tuesday and Friday at 8:00 a.m. Couples must sign up at their respective hotel’s concierge desk by 3:00 p.m. the day before. A commemorative certificate to remember the day is presented to each couple at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The Outrigger Reef on the Beach is located directly on Waikiki Beach, in an area the ancient Hawaiians called Kawehewehe (Healing Waters). In addition to its popular Hawaiian Vow Renewal Ceremony, the 858-room property offers a wide range of restaurants, shops and services including a 5,000-square-foot
day spa and twice-weekly complimentary Hawaiian-style exercise program on the beach. Amenities include baggage services (fees apply) and an on-site Hawaiian Airlines check-in kiosk.
The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach is a deluxe and gracious Hawaiian hotel located directly on the sands of world-famous Waikiki Beach. The 525-room property features the rooftop Waikiki Plantation Spa; three restaurants including the famed Duke’s Canoe Club, Chuck’s Steakhouse and Hula Grill Waikiki; the Society of Seven cabaret show, shops, meeting rooms, self-service business center and exceptional displays of Hawaiian artifacts
and artwork. Guests are welcome to enjoy such on-property amenities as free high-speed Internet access, free long-distance domestic telephone calls, baggage services (fees apply), and Hawaiian Airlines check-in kiosk.
For reservations or information, call toll free 800-OUTRIGGER
(1-800-688-7444) within the United States, Guam and Canada. Outrigger’s toll-free number is available internationally via AT&T’s Direct 800 Service. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 (long distance charges apply). Or, visit www.outriggerwaikiki.com or www.outriggerreef.com
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About Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is a family-owned and operated company deeply committed to providing authentic island hospitality in premiere destinations
throughout the Pacific. Each Outrigger property embraces the local culture to create a true sense of place for guests. Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and OHANA Hotels & Resorts are divisions of Outrigger Enterprises, Inc., Hawaii’s largest locally owned hospitality-company and one of the fastest-growing hotel companies in the Pacific managing over 50 properties with more than 12,000 rooms in Hawaii, Australia, Micronesia, Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand. For reservations or information, call your preferred travel professional or Outrigger Hotels & Resorts toll-free at 1-800-OUTRIGGER
(688-7444) within the U.S., Guam and Canada. Elsewhere call 303 369 7777. For online information or reservations, Internet users can log onto www.outrigger.com. For information on Waikiki Beach Walk, log on at www.waikikibeachwalk.com.
