Hawaiian (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) Wedding Vows
You already know about Hawaii’s jaw-dropping natural beauty, the laid-back charm of the “Aloha” spirit, and those sunsets from Waikiki that make even your phone camera give up and say, “No filter needed”. It’s no wonder Hawaii is a dream wedding destination.
But here’s the twist: many couples fly all the way there... only to pick a wedding package they could have had at the local golf club back home. So, some rethink things: stay home, save a fortune, reduce the carbon footprint, and simply throw a Hawaiian-style wedding in their own backyard — plastic leis optional.
One way to add a genuinely memorable touch is to say your vows in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language. Below are the traditional wedding vows in Hawaiian — beautiful, poetic, and deeply meaningful.
Of course, practising the pronunciation ahead of time will make a world of difference on the big day. (And repeating them in front of the mirror builds muscle memory and relationship maturity at the same time — bonus!) The more you rehearse, the more these sacred promises will sink deep into your hearts, and stay there long after the last slice of pineapple cake is gone.
That said, whether you master the language like a pro or nervously mispronounce half of it and still win everyone’s hearts, the most important thing is that you and your guests understand what you’re saying. Because when it comes to wedding vows, meaning matters more than flawless diction — even in paradise.
To help everyone follow along, the English translation of the vows should be included in your printed programme. (Feel free to nod knowingly.)
Wedding vows in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
i loaʻa a paʻa mai kēia lā aku;
no ka maikai, no ka ino,
no ka waiwai, no ka poe ilihune,
ma ka mai a me ke ola kino,
e aloha ai a e malama,
a hiki i ka wa e kaawale ai ka make;
e like me ke kanawai hemolele o ke Akua.
I ke alo o ke Akua ke hoohiki nei au.
to be my wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part;
according to God’s holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.
i loaʻa a paʻa mai kēia lā aku;
no ka maikai, no ka ino,
no ka waiwai, no ka poe ilihune,
ma ka mai a me ke ola kino,
e aloha ai a e malama,
a hiki i ka wa e kaawale ai ka make;
e like me ke kanawai hemolele o ke Akua.
I ke alo o ke Akua ke hoohiki nei au.
to be my husband,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part;
according to God’s holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.
