Unusual Places to get Married on Hawai’i Island
In our ongoing series featuring unusual places to get married on Hawai‘i Island, we take a look at botanical gardens and waterfall sites that are perfect for that special ceremony. These unique wedding locations range from state parks such as Rainbow Falls to private vacation rentals and tropical botanical gardens.
Waterfalls
Rainbow Falls, Hilo
Perhaps no other waterfall is more identified with Hilo than Rainbow Falls. Located within Wailuku River State Park, the 80-foot Rainbow Falls is just a quick drive from downtown Hilo. The viewing area for the waterfall is wheelchair accessible and there’s a small adjoining green lawn next to the parking lot. To get married here, you’ll need to request a permit from the Hawai‘i State Parks District at least 45 days before your wedding date.
A detailed permit request letter must be sent by the wedding couple to the Hawai‘i Parks District Superintendent, Mr. Dean Takebayashi, providing the date, beginning and end times, number of attendees, and a detailed description of the event (see sidebar for a full list of items needed in the request letter).
Private Kohala Waterfall
If you’re looking for a private, secluded waterfall in which to hold your ceremony, Hawai‘i Forest and Trail offers their waterfall tours in North Kohala. They can also arrange for waterfall wedding locations in North Kohala and Hilo, as well.
“We set up a tent, provide the catering, and can handle weddings from 10 to 200 guests,” says Jason Cohn, marketing manager for Hawai‘i Forest and Trail.
“Our North Kohala waterfall is near the rim of Pololū Valley. It’s not a named waterfall, but we refer to it as, ‘Wedding Falls.’ We can do a lot of cool stuff. We did three weddings there last year, as well as a lot of special events and luncheons,” says Jason. He is pretty knowledgeable about Hawai‘i Forest and Trail’s wedding services, since he and his fiancé, Domino Gourley, got married at the Kohala waterfall site last May, surrounded by 200 relatives and friends.
“We also have access to a great property at OK Farms that has a wonderful waterfall,” says Jason. “We’re able to set up events at OK Farms and also use an inn on a separate nearby property.”
The Falls at Reed’s Island, Hilo
Just downstream from Rainbow Falls, the Wailuku River provides more, yet smaller waterfalls, such as the ones situated in the backyard of The Falls at Reed’s Island, a
vacation rental situated within a historic Hilo neighborhood.
“The Wailuku River runs along the north side of the property,” says owner Jack Stevenson who, along with his wife Jane, has operated the vacation rental for 13 years. “At one end of the property, we have a 25-foot waterfall with 750 feet of riverfront along the side yard.”
Boasting a large, landscaped back lawn, the Falls at Reed’s Island enables you to have your ceremony and reception all in one place, with the added benefit of staying in the three bedroom house to get prepared ahead of time (as well as a mini honeymoon afterwards). It’s important to point out that, because this location is in a quiet, residential neighborhood, weddings are limited to 25 guests.
The Falls provides round tables, folding chairs, and linens for your event. Jack says there is no event fee for the property, however, a four-night minimum stay is required for all weddings. A $650 reservation deposit is also required to hold
your specific date, along with a $2,000 security deposit prior to the wedding. The Falls at Reed’s Island handles more than 10 weddings a year, so it’s best to check early in the planning process to see if the dates you want are available.
Gardens
Queen Lili‘uokalani Gardens, Hilo
Long considered the crown jewel of Hilo, it’s no surprise that Queen Lili‘uokalani Gardens is an ideal and popular wedding location. In fact, in an annual newspaper survey conducted last year, this county park was named the number one place to get married in East Hawai‘i. Stroll through these picturesque grounds overlooking Hilo Bay, and it’s easy to see why.
Created a century ago as a tribute to Hawai‘i’s first Japanese immigrants, the 30-acre park provides plenty of areas in which to get married, with its pagodas, rock gardens, statuary, stands of bamboo, a tea house, and bridges built over fishponds which dot the landscape. There’s even a small, covered pavilion that can be reserved through the Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation Department on a first come, first served basis for $25. Bear in mind, county officials do not allow you to bring any tables, chairs, balloons, or arches to the pavilion.
In order to get married anywhere within Queen Lili‘uokalani Gardens, you’ll need to fill out a special request form from the Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation. County staff will need the date, time, and size of your wedding to make sure there are no scheduling conflicts with other events, since this is such a desirable wedding venue.
Nani Mau Gardens, Hilo
In 1972, Makato Nitahara created a 20-acre tropical garden out of a former papaya patch, calling it Nani Mau, which means “forever beautiful”. This site has been a popular wedding venue ever since. In 2012, a new owner took over Nani Mau and has spent the past few years upgrading the facilities for future generations.
Nani Mau offers a variety of amenities that make it ideal for weddings. Acres of tropical gardens provide several sites to choose from, including a white orchid pavilion, a bell tower, a bridge, a waterfall, a bamboo area, and a lookout at the top of a small hill.
This property is distinct in that it offers five different indoor facilities for receptions that can accommodate up to 299 guests. Plus, there’s plenty of parking. The facility offers customized menus, as well as wedding cakes. They also have coordinators on staff to handle all your event needs.
Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden, Pāpa‘ikou
Tucked amidst the shoreline of Onomea Bay (seven miles north of Hilo along Old Māmalahoa Highway), lies a botanical garden wrapped in legend and beauty. Located on the 4-Mile Scenic Drive, the Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden encompasses 17 acres which are open to the public and features more than
2,000 tropical plants from around the world. Here you’ll find a wide array of plants and flowers, as well as tree stands, streams, waterfalls, and even an orchid garden. Stroll down to the ocean, where you’ll find a paved circular area for ceremonies overlooking Onomea Bay.
“People fall in love with the place and want to get married someplace special,” says David Tan, Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden executive director.
Even more romantic—legend swirls around the twin rock formations protruding out into the bay called, “the Lovers of Kahali‘i.” The story is told of two lovers who were turned into stone pillars to protect the village of Kahali’i from potential invasions from the sea.
Open to the public since 1984, David says the facility has been offering weddings for the past 10 years. As a non-profit nature preserve, the Garden typically handles only a few events a year and is meant for smaller parties. “We are for small wedding ceremonies only—30 people max,” says David. “We’ll set up a tent and pews in our paved wedding site right on the ocean.”
All weddings at the Garden are subject to a $3,000 event fee, regardless of the number of guests. The Garden offers a comprehensive package, including a minister to perform the ceremony, leis for the bride and groom, a wedding cake, a musician, and more, which runs about $3,500.
Botanical World Adventures, Hakalau
Along the Hāmākua Coast in Hakalau, Botanical World Adventures provides both waterfall and garden venues for your nuptials.
“We have four locations you can get married at on site,” says Walter Bono, director of marketing for Botanical World Adventures. “Kamae‘e waterfall, an orchard, a rainforest trail, and a large, open space we call, ‘the living room.’ They’re all unique and all unusual.”
Kamae‘e waterfall is about a mile uphill from the main botanical garden and can accommodate 75-100 guests. At an elevation of 600 feet, the venue site is a grassy area overlooking the picturesque waterfall, with panoramic views of the countryside. Walter points out that Botanical World Adventures only provides the venue site, and couples are responsible for providing everything from tents to music to food and portable bathrooms.
One of the ways Botanical World Adventures is unique is that it can accommodate large wedding parties—up to 300 guests in its avocado grove and arboretum settings.
As a botanical garden, the facility offers tropical touches to your wedding.
“We can provide the flowers,” says Walter, “we can even grow certain flowers like orchids, if given enough time. For instance, if someone wants a certain orchid, we could grow that orchid, enabling the bride to have a bouquet that’s really unique.”
Botanical World also rents out a two-bedroom, three-bathroom home across the street from the botanical gardens that bridal parties can use.
“If they rent the vacation house, they have three bathrooms for the bride and groom to get ready, as well as for guests to use,” says Walter. He adds that couples can also use the home as a reception site if they want.
In addition to weddings, Botanical World Adventures offers zip line excursions, a garden maze, and Segway off-road tours. Prices for holding your wedding here start at $2,500. Rental of the adjacent Botanical World Garden Home is around $200 per day.
Pua Mau Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Kawaihae
Pua Mau Arboretum and Botanical Garden is unique because it’s located on the northwest side of Hawai‘i Island within Kohala Estates, near Kawaihae. Pua Mau means, “everflowering,” and this non-profit botanical garden is dedicated to preserving plant life found in Hawai‘i’s arid environments. The garden has an aviary with peacocks, as well unique statuary placed throughout the grounds.”
A two-story visitor center with a wrap-around lānai provides plenty of space for a reception and can accommodate up to 250 people.
“Couples have to make their own arrangements if they want to have a reception here,” says Irina Place, manager of Pua Mau. She explains that some wedding couples cater the event themselves while others bring in caterers from nearby restaurants or resorts.
“We’ve had weddings with 300 people and weddings with 15 people,” says Irina, adding the facility is suited better for smaller affairs. Ceremony sites at Pua Mau include their “Magic Circle,” a large circle of megalithic stones that are aligned with the points of a compass.
Pua Mau’s northwesterly location means it offers 180-degree ocean and sunset views. In the winter months, there is the added benefit of whale watching from the visitor center’s lānai.
“We have spectacular sunset weddings here,” says Irina. Pua Mau’s visitor center is available for evening events from 4pm to 11pm for a rental fee of $1,500, plus a $200 refundable deposit. The daytime rental fee for less than 30 people is $150 per hour between 9am and 4pm, plus a $200 refundable deposit.
Location resources
Rainbow Falls at Wailuku River State Park
Wedding couples wanting to get married at Rainbow Falls must request a permit from the State Parks Hawai‘i Island District office at least 45 days prior to their wedding. Request letters must be submitted by the bride or groom and sent to:
Mr. Dean Takebayashi
Hawaii Parks District Superintendent
Division of State Parks
75 Aupuni St., Rm. 204, Hilo, HI 96720
808.961.9540
dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/
Permit request letters must include:
Your First and Last Name
Postal Mailing Address
Email Address
Day Telephone Number
Name of Park Requested to Use
Date Requested (Up to a year in advance from date of letter)
Start and End Time of the gathering (To include setup/cleanup)
Attached Map of park area with indication of area for use
Number of persons expected to be in attendance (high count)
Detailed Description of the event
List of any Equipment to be set up for use
Hawai‘i Forest and Trail
73-5593 A Olowalu St., Kailua-Kona, HI, 96740
Toll Free phone: 800.464.1993
Contact: Jason Cohn, Marketing Manager
The Falls at Reed’s Island
286 Ka‘iulani St, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: 808.635.3649
Contact: Jack & Jane Stevenson, owners
Queen Lili‘uokalani Gardens
County of Hawai‘i Parks and Recreation Department
101 Pauahi St., Suite #6, Hilo, HI, 96720
Phone: 808.961.8311
hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation
Nani Mau Gardens
421 Makalika St, Hilo, HI, 96720
Phone: 808.959.3500
Contact: Neal Tsunezumi, Special Events/
Operations Manager
Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Old Māmalahoa Highway (Onomea Scenic Drive), Pāpa‘ikou, HI, 96781
Mailing address; P.O. Box 80,
Pāpa‘ikou, HI 96781
Phone: 808.964.5233
Contact: David Tan, Executive Director
Botanical World Adventures
Mile Marker 16 on Highway 19
31-240 Old Māmalahoa Highway,
Hakalau, HI, 96710
Mailing address: P.O. Box 174, Hakalau, HI 96710
Toll free phone: 888.947.4753
Contact: Walter Bono, Director of Marketing
Pua Mau Arboretum & Botanical Garden
10 Ala Kahua Dr., Kawaihae, HI, 96743
Mailing address: P.O. Box 44555,
Kawaihae, HI, 96743
Phone 808.882.0888
Contact: Irina Place, Manager
Denise Laitinen
Hailing from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Denise has called Hawai’i home since moving to these islands in 1994. With a writing career spanning more than two decades, Denise is a regular contributor to Ke Ola publications and her work appears frequently in newspapers, magazines, and websites around the country. Passionate about sharing the stories of the people and history that make Hawai’i so unique, Denise’s motto is, “because people’s stories deserve to be told.” Denise is also a sought-after social media instructor who provides social media training for government officials, corporate leaders, and small business owners. Active in the community, Denise was nominated as Hawai‘i County Woman of the Year in 2009 and has served as president of the Big Island Press Club, as well as on the board of directors for the Social Media Club Hawaii. An ardent pet lover, she lives on the slopes of an active volcano in lower Puna with her cats and dogs.
