Kuhina Religious Wedding Ceremony/Vows

Kuhina Religious Wedding Ceremony/Vows By Kahu Alalani Hill

Aloha________ Aloha Kakou. We are gathered here today in this sacred space before Akua (God), {friends and family is present} to join this kane (man) and this wahine (women) in holy matrimony. {If applicable} A: and so I ask; who gives this woman to be wed to this man? Father: I do (or Ohana); We do} Today we share the Blessing and Joy of ________ & ________ As they come to each other with vows of Love and Partnership.

Upon Request: Pu - Conch shell blown in the beginning then followed by Hawaiian chant

Lei exchange

I would like to begin with a very special tradition to us in Hawaii, That tradition is the Hawaiian lei exchange. In the ancient language of Hawaii, the Lei has always symbolized an extension of Love, acceptance and welcome. A Lei that is closed is a never-ending circle and is called a Lei Mana which means surrounding Power. The understanding that God surround your life with his power and continuous love. The reminder that the first lei your parents ever wore was your arms around there neck. This is extended into this exchange. The open Lei symbolized the giving of your love and reminds us of how you extend your arms in love. These Leis symbolize the sealing of this moment in this place for all time. When I give these leis to you, I welcome you to each other and to some of the concepts held sacred in these Islands. The Lei exchange joins 'Ohana. Ohana is two individual families coming together to make one stronger family. 'Ohana joins families and cultures and respect for Religious beliefs in Lokahi (Unity), sharing of involvement and responsibility, through support and solidarity. It is love, loyalty, and forgiveness (Ho'opono pono). These gifts are from the 'aina (land). They were gathered and stung together with aloha. They represent from today how you will weave your own lei of aloha with your experiences together. They reflect the temporal and to embrace and live fully in each moment to malama (care for) and nurture each other each day, each month, each year you live, so this union will last a life time. Malama is a word I want you to remember. Because these flowers or this day will not last. Malama (take care) of each other with each breath you take. Express your love or now and share with your partner any words from your heart to be sealed in this moment. Welcome your beloved unto your spirit & into your Family by giving a lei and Honi (kiss with nose), to share the Ha the Alo-ha. This is to share the breath of life. If there are any leis to be given to family are friend's bride and groom offer them now and welcome them to the family.

The Scripture reading: (I Corinthians 13)

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right, Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Therefore, faiths, hope, love, abide these three, but the greatest of these is love.

Upon Request: Personal vows, song or hula will be here

Union Prayer

Note: This prayer was taught to Rev. Alalani by her Kumu Hula. It is Kapu for anyone else to use without permission. Na Pule Kakou (Let us Pray) E Ko makou, Makua I Loko O Ka lani~ eia ke Kane, eia ka Wahine~ E Nana Mai IA Oukou ika Lani~ E Ho'opili mai~i'a Olua~ E Oluolu au e Ho'opilipa'a Olua ~ Me Ke Koi'ini~ Koho'ohihi Mana'o, Ko Ho'opulama ia Olua~ I ka wa Mamua A I ka wa I Hala~ E Ho'omana mai au me ke Akua Our Father who art in Heaven, here is the Man and here is the Woman. Look down from Heaven to bind these two. I am Pleased to enforce, to activate the setting and the entwinement of these two, with a desire that comes only from God. The desire that they have for one another, that they both cherish. In this time to come forward and the time that has passed, I am empowered by God in this moment, That God alone has shown. In his name, in the name of the Trinity, The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. I ka Manawapono, Heinoa no Akua, Iesu Kristo, A me ka Uhane Hemolele- AMENE- Amama Ua Noa. The Prayer is freed

What of Marriage

And it was asked of the student "What of Marriage?" and the Kumu replied "You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore," Yes and you shall be together even in the silent memory of GOD. But, let there be spaces in your togetherness-and let the winds of heaven dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bondage of love; let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your Souls. Give one another of your bread. Sing and dance together and be joyous- but let each of you be alone- even as the strings of the harp are alone, though they quiver with the same music. Give of your hearts- but not into each other's keeping- for only the hand of God within you, can contain your heart. Stand together- yet not to near for the pillars of the Temple stand apart, and the niu (palm tree) and Kiawe grow not in each other's shadow. Upon request: [Ope'a binding w/Kaula & Oil] To Hamo, (be Anointed) with Holy 'Aila (oil) is to call forth the joining of your flames, so they may come together as one. So you may face the world Stronger and more enriched by this enlightening. This oil represents that your path be lit with protection and guidance as you walk upon it, and that great Happiness is set before you. The hand that is offered by each of you is an extension of your Love and a mutual commitment of the giving and receiving of yourselves and your Light. Please open your right hands to me [OIL]. Now join your palms together. (Ope'a) Rev. steps behind bride and groom asking them to raise their right hands. Rev. asks: Do you promise to love, honor and cherish taking care of your partner as well as taking care of yourselves throughout this marriage? Answer "We do" Let us move to your statements of confirmation, answering I do with your deepest insight and fullest sincerity. Rev. joins right hands together and wraps them in sacred cordage. If you look deep into your beloveds eyes and into there heart, you will see your love living there. It is these eyes that you gaze into now that will be your strength, comfort and inspiration in the time ahead. Do you _____(Groom) take _____(Bride) to be your lawfully wedded wife. Pledging all of your tomorrows, staying only unto her. To offer your love from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in Health as long as you both shall live? "I do" Do you _____(Bride) take _____(Groom) to be your lawfully wedded husband. Pledging all of your tomorrows, staying only unto him. To offer your love from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live? "I do"

Ho'opono pono (upon request only)

This process allows you to release the past through forgiveness so that you may fully live in the present. This will take an additional 3 minutes or so in the ceremony. Once strengthened by your past, You are free in this eternal moment to move forward totally in Male 'ana (marriage)

Rings and Objections

Objections are offered only upon request. If there is anyone who knows any reason why these two should not wed, speak now or forever hold your peace. Rev. asks for the rings. These rings symbolize permanence and a never-ending circle. Though they are small. They are the biggest symbols you have probably ever had. As these rings are continuous, so may be your love and devotion. PRAYER: Akua (God), Jesus Christ my lord in heaven the Holy Spirit and all that is good and true. I ask that you Ho'omaika'i (Bless) These rings with Alohaaaaa (your long descending breath) Protect them and keep them only unto each other when they are apart. Fill these circles with a band of light from your 3-fold flame and join there flames in one light now! Let the light in these rings always guide them safely back to one another. Also Mahalo for encircling them in your Golden ray, connecting their lives into one continuous flow (Nalu), forever taking them closer to bliss. I Bless these bands in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit amen. I ask you now to place your partner's ring on their finger cherishing this touch and exchange. Knowing also, from this day forth you will touch and inspire other lives with your Love and Joy. (Groom) _____, as you place this ring on____ finger-repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed and become your husband. With this symbol of my life, I join my life with yours. Then Rev. directs (Bride) to repeat the same promise and vow. Saying I become your wife in exchange for husband.

Prayer and Prouncement

Na Pule Kakou. Let us Pray... (Rev. joins hands with Bride and Groom and all bow heads.) E Na Ke Akua Mauna Lani, Mauna Loa we are most Grateful to you and all that is good and true for witnessing and blessing this union here today. We thank this space we stand in, the good spirits and ancestors of this land. We thank you for the light and mana (spiritual energy) that has flowed into _______&________ your children this day. We say Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much). I ask you now to light a flame in the celestial heavens that shall burn forever and all eternity. All honor glory, praises, and thanksgiving to you God. [If couple requests we will say the Lords prayer together and finish prayer) In Jesus name we pray {Ua Mau closing in Hawaiian} let us say together AMEN So with the Power vested in me by God and by the State of Hawaii- I pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss your Bride.

Kuhina Religious Wedding Ceremony/Vows