Studded with tropical beaches and stunning cliffsides and stocked with a variety of romantic retreats, Hawaii has traditionally been a top wedding and honeymoon destination.
The Islands have always been an "aspirational" destination for many travelers, according to Jack Richards, president and CEO of tour operator Pleasant Holidays, who added that weddings and honeymoons are always an opportune time to splurge on one's aspirations.
Demand remains strong as the number of visitors traveling to Hawaii for their honeymoon or wedding remained steady from 2015 to 2016, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Pleasant Holidays has seen more interest, Richards said, with 2016 outpacing 2015 and a large bump in bookings and passengers for the first three months of 2017. "A lot of people are more comfortable keeping their destination wedding or honeymoon within the U.S.," Richards said regarding Hawaii's appeal. "And, more prevalently in the last three to four years, various issues have arisen internationally that make people look to staying domestic. When you add in the welcoming, aloha spirit of Hawaii and the geographic proximity, it's a very, very attractive destination."
As far as specific islands, Oahu and Maui dominate the wedding and honeymoon sectors, according to Richards. "Maui is more secluded and less crowded than Oahu," Richards said. "Maui has more upscale and luxury options. … It will always be a top honeymoon and wedding destination."
With developments such as Disney's Aulani and the Four Seasons Ko Olina, Richards said, Oahu is making some headway in the market, and some business has shifted to Oahu as the island has introduced more luxury properties.
Honeymooners are keen on splurging on that extra touch of luxury and choosing the right Hawaiian adventure, Richards said. Almost any activity in Hawaii can be found in a "romantic" version, from the obvious things like massages, helicopter rides, sunset cruises and evening stargazing, to the more extreme options, such as zipline tours, mountain biking and underwater photography tours. Options abound, as well, for weddings, with more resorts and locations deploying their cultural program directors to add distinct Hawaiian touches to the ceremony and reception.
"Many couples traveling to the Islands for a destination wedding are familiar with Hawaii, so naturally there is an interest in incorporating local culture into the ceremony, whether it's locally sourced food, island-style music or fresh flowers," said Robyn Basso, senior director of travel industry partnerships for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. "While Hawaii's hotels and resorts present beautiful indoor and outdoor venues for the special occasion, those opting for more unique venues are looking to local attractions as potential wedding locations."
Agents really come in handy for destination weddings, Richards said, as their experience and knowledge can help take some of the stress out of planning such an important, large event from afar.
In addition to resorts and other properties offering special packages and deals, there are many tourist service providers that offer special deals for honeymooners and weddings. Island Air, for example, offers a 10% discount on interisland flights for wedding parties and their guests.
Here's a selection of new wedding programs focused on Hawaiian cultural elements and a few targeting small, hassle-free events.
The Sheraton Maui Resort offers an oceanview location for wedding ceremonies.
Hanalei Colony Resort: The resort on Kauai's north shore has launched a package for a maximum of 20 guests, including a beachside ceremony, locally made leis and bouquets for the bridal couple, live Hawaiian music, hula dancers, a fire-knife dancer and a luau buffet. The starting price is $8,000 and includes a wedding photographer and videographer and four nights' accommodations for the wedding couple.
Turtle Bay Resort: If eloping is an option, why not make it an ultraprivate ceremony? Guests of Turtle Bay can arrange a private helicopter tour, starting at $249 a person, through Paradise Helicopters, of Oahu's north shore at sunset. There is an option for a drop-off at a private, picturesque hilltop location — perfect for a proposal, an especially intimate wedding or for honeymooners seeking a memorable experience.
Aqua Kauai Beach Resort: This property on Kauai's eastern shore recently redid its rooms and public spaces, and rolled out wedding packages to go along with the upgrades. The hotel's new Alii Maleana (Hawaiian Royal Wedding) package starts at $4,895 and includes an oceanfront lawn ceremony, seating for 25 guests, an officiant, live music, florals and a wedding cake. "We believe guests who choose to get married in Hawaii have an appreciation for our unique culture and history, and we wanted to give them an option to have that experience as part of their big day," said Kauai Beach Resort general manager Grant James, and that includes traditional Hawaiian chants (or oli).
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai: This luxury resort on Hawaii Island's Kona-Kohala Coast boasts seven pools, a spa, beach access and an array of guest activities to choose from. The most popular wedding package, Waters of Hualalai, which starts at $16,250, focuses on Hawaiian cultural elements, including a Hawaiian officiant, a conch shell blower, a hula dancer and a Hawaiian music duo.
Sheraton Kauai Resort: This resort on Kauai's southern coast recently unveiled a wedding venue on the property, RumFire Point. The site is in the middle of Poipu Beach and offers a 180-degree view of the coastline. The venue can accommodate up to 75 guests, and the resort offers two comprehensive ceremony packages starting at $3,750.
Sheraton Maui Resort: The 23-acre resort on Kaanapali Beach has introduced an Easy Breezy "I Do" wedding package, designed for couples who want to accentuate the romance and reduce the stress. The program allows for a maximum of 20 guests and includes the ceremony and reception, an officiant, a conch blower, shell leis for every guest, a solo musician for the ceremony and photography for one hour. The package costs $5,500, plus $89 per person for the reception.
Travaasa Hana: This Maui resort sits on 70 oceanfront acres and recently underwent a $12 million renovation. Its wedding planner works with Maui and Hana vendors, and it offers numerous Hawaiian elements as additions, including flower crowns, a conch blower, flower leis for guests, ukulele musicians and hula dancers. The packages start at $2,500 with a $100 food and drink minimum per guest.