HAWAIIAN MARRIAGE CEREMONY

By Rev. Rodney Shim

Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono"

(The life of the land is preserved in righteousness)

OPENING PRAYER:

Ho'onani kia makua mau,

Ke Keiki me kauhone no,

Ke Akua mau Ho'omaikai pu,

Ko keia ao, Ko kela ao. Amene.

WELCOME:

Aloha ahiahi kahou apau loa (Friends, we are assembled here) in the presence of God to unite this kane (man) and this wahine (woman) in holy marriage, eia ma kau ina ke Akua (which is instituted by God), and to be held in honor among all people. Those who are blessed by God, and enter into this pili aloha (relationship) must be devoted to Me Kealoha (love), to bear with each other's nawaliwali (weaknesses), to comfort each other in time of kaumaha (sorrow) with aiaio puuwai (true heart), to provide for each other, and to encourage each other with understanding throughout their lives as heirs to mahana o keola, a mekealoha (the gift of life and love).

THE CHARGE TO THE COUPLE:

Minister: Do you realize the enormity of what you are about to undertake with these vows? The decision to marry, made in the context of human uncertainty, requires tremendous mana'oi'o (faith): mana'oi'o in yourselves as individuals and in the strength of your pili aloha (relationship); mana'oi'o that you will be able in your couplehood to deal with whatever the ka mua ho'opa'a (future holds).

Minister: __________, will you have this woman to be your wife, and will you pledge your faithfulness to her in all aloha (love), tenderness and honor, in all duty and service, and cherish her in accordance with God in the holy bond of marriage?

Groom: I will.

Minister: __________, will you have this man to be your husband, and will you pledge your faithfulness to him in all aloha (love), tenderness and honor, in all duty and service, and cherish him in accordance with God in the holy bond of marriage?

Bride: I will

VOWS:

Groom: I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wedded wife, and I promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful husband, in prosperity or need, in joy or sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.

Bride: I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wedded husband, and I promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful wife, in prosperity or need, in joy or sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.

RINGS:

(Rings shall be given to the minister.)

Groom: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed.

Bride: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed.

Minister: By giving and receiving of these rings, an emblem of

purity and endless devotion, you do each the other wed, and these marriage vows you do here and now forever seal.

MINISTER'S BLESSING:

Na is hoi oka mea a Ke Akua i hoopili pu iho ai,

mai noho a hookaawale ai Ke Kanaka.

(What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.)

PRAYER OF BENEDICTION:

I mau aku ka lo komaikai o ka haku o Iesu Kristo,

me ke aloha o ke Akua,

a me ka launa pu ana oka uhane

he molele me oukou a pau. Amene.

(The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God and the communion of the

Holy Spirit, be with you always. Amen.

II. Cor. 13:14

Ceremony performed by: Rev. Rodney Shim