Unusual Wedding Locations: Ranches

Hawai‘i Island is unique in its rich paniolo (cowboy) history and nowhere is that more evident than in North Kohala. The first paniolos on island date back to 1833, when three vaqueros—Spanish/Mexican cowboys—arrived at Kawaihae Harbor to teach Hawaiians how to rope and herd cattle and ride mounted horses. Today, many of the ranches that dot the lush beautiful hillsides from Kohala to Ka‘ū do more than raise cattle. They offer unique—and gorgeous—sites to hold a wedding. Whether small or large, these venues aren’t just for cowboys, they’re picture-perfect sites for rustic and relaxed weddings.

In each issue of Ke Ola’s Hawai’i Island Weddings magazine, we take a look at different unusual locations to hold your wedding. In this issue, we explore the various ranch locations across the island, from the breathtaking panoramic views of Kahua Ranch high atop Kohala Mountain Road, to Puakea Ranch along the North Kohala coast, to Kahuku Ranch, standing atop the 1,400-foot pali (cliffs) overlooking South Point.

Hawai‘i Island is home to 472 ranches—more than 66 percent of all ranches in the state—and produces more than 70 percent of all cattle in the state. Now, we don’t have space to cover every single ranch (and not every ranch is a wedding venue), so here is a sampling of beautiful ranch locations on island. If you know of other ranches that offer weddings—let us know! We love to hear about the many varied and wondrous unusual wedding locations found on our island home.

North Kohala: Kahua Ranch
Kahua Ranch is an 8,500-acre property nestled among the expansive rolling hills of North Kohala at an elevation of 3,200 feet on Kohala Mountain Road. The scenic countryside views here are simply breathtaking. While ranching activities date back nearly a century, modern day Kahua Ranch Ltd. was formed in the 1980s when Kahua Ranch Ltd. and neighboring Ponoholo Ranch Ltd. each became separate ranches, although they still work together on operations. In addition, Kahua Ranch Ltd. owns Kahuku Ranch in Ka‘ū, which also offers weddings.

With Mother Nature providing a stunning backdrop of rolling hills and sunset views, Kahua Ranch has extensive, yet rustic, facilities to handle both large and small weddings. For years the ranch has regularly offered a cowboy BBQ during which people can play games on the green lawns, such as badminton, try their hand at using a lasso, toast marshmallows, or brand a wooden board, so there’s plenty to keep your guests occupied during cocktail hour or in between the ceremony and the reception. They also have an indoor bar area within one of the barns and a covered dining area where you can enjoy a gorgeous sunset and dancing after a delicious meal.

When Dawn Kanealii Kleinfelder and her husband Matt decided to get married, the Kurtistown couple chose Kahua Ranch.

“Matt and I were looking for a venue that was outdoors,” says Dawn. “Our vision for the wedding was rustic, romantic, whimsical and country.” She says after the couple arrived, “we saw the beautiful rolling hills of green grass and a view of the ocean from all angles,” and decided then to have our wedding there.

Dawn, who owns Liko Lehua Café, and her husband, a solar installation supervisor, did all the catering, plus made all their own floral arrangements and table decorations for the wedding and reception that included 250 guests. They also catered their rehearsal dinner, which was held at Kahua, too.

“We planned much of the event ourselves, so the need for a hotel-type venue was simply not necessary.”

“The venue offers country-style receptions with outdoor fireplaces, large lānai, BBQ, and cottages to get ready in with a gorgeous view. Don’t expect the Hilton—I am not using rustic loosely.”

“Kahua Ranch offers rustic charm and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean with rolling hills of Kohala. Any time of day is perfect for a ceremony. Mornings are misty with dewy grass. Afternoons are sunny with beautiful breezes sweeping down the mountain cooling off your guests. Afternoons have the perfect sunsets and we were lucky enough to be greeted with a full moon. To be able to marry your love surrounded by family and friends nestled in the “egg” of Kohala is quite enticing.”

North Kohala: Puakea Ranch
Located along the North Kohala coastline, just off Akoni Pule Highway, Puakea Ranch encompasses 40 acres of lush green hills and rugged sea cliffs. Steeped in history dating back hundreds of years, owner Christie Cash and her husband have painstakingly restored the ranch during the past decade (see Ke Ola March–April 2015 issue for a feature on the restoration of Puakea Ranch).

What makes Puakea Ranch unique is that it offers four different restored two- and three-bedroom cottages set amidst the grounds. Each cottage pays homage to the ranch’s rich paniolo (cowboy) history, yet has modern kitchen conveniences and other amenities. For instance, the “James Cottage” features a large lānai, plunge pool, and waterfall, while the “Miles Away Cottage” features a custom-made two-person Japanese soaking tub.

The cottages enable wedding couples to have friends and family all gathered in one place, for a memorable weekend or destination wedding in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.

One of only three locations on Hawai‘i Island to receive the 2015 Wedding Spot Award for Best Wedding Venue in Hawai‘i, Puakea Ranch can hold weddings and receptions for up to 400 people. Here the services are outdoors, including the ceremony and reception. Dining under the canopy of an old tree twinkling with lights is truly magical.

Waimea: Anna Ranch Heritage Center
Located in Waimea on Kawaihae Road, Anna Ranch Heritage Center is named after Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske, a remarkable and accomplished pā‘ū rider, cowgirl, humanitarian, and community leader. Anna’s ranch house, built more than 100 years ago, is nestled next to Wai‘auia River at the base of Hoku‘ula—a landmark hill in Waimea.

After Anna passed away in 1995, the property was turned into a Heritage Center showcasing the paniolo heritage of the region and Anna’s family. It’s listed on both the Hawai‘i State and National Registers of Historic Places. The property features the main 14-room historic ranch house; Anna Hall, which can seat 70 people and has a full kitchen complete with wireless internet; as well as several outbuildings, including a barn featuring an array of western antiques.

What makes Anna Ranch unique from other ranch wedding locations is that it is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Center is open year round for tours and educational activities, where people can learn about blacksmithing and saddle making.

It also offers flexibility in indoor or outdoor settings with lawn seating for up to 300 people. The spacious and meticulously maintained grounds feature a variety of flowers and trees. There’s plenty of space for an outdoor ceremony along the river or in the orange tree grove, with the reception on another lawn. Or a wedding couple can have an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception in Anna Hall, which offers stunning views of Kohala’s rolling hills.

That’s what Waimea residents Porsha and Justin Santana decided to do when they held their wedding at Anna Ranch in October 2014. The couple, who have been sweethearts since junior high school, selected Anna Ranch because of its location.

“We both grew up in Waimea and met here,” says Porsha, and “it made sense to be in Waimea. [Anna Ranch] was the perfect backdrop for our wedding. It’s the perfect little spot and tied it all together.”

The couple worked with their wedding coordinator at Vintage and Lace, as well as Maka Wiggins, programs manager at Anna Ranch, to plan their big day.

“We got married on the back lawn overlooking the stream and used Anna Hall for the reception and used the paniolo barn for the bar. We also used the hall to get ready. It was really convenient.”

Anna Ranch was one of only three Hawai‘i Island venues to receive the 2015 Wedding Spot Award for Best Wedding Venue in Hawai‘i and also won the 2015 Wedding Wire Award for People’s Choice, which is based solely on customers’ testimonies.

Waimea: Pukalani Stables
It doesn’t get more cowboy than the Paniolo Heritage Center located in the heart of Waimea at Pukalani Stables. Home to the Paniolo Heritage Museum and a weekly farmers market, Pukalani Stables is managed by the Paniolo Preservation Society. The facility provides a western-themed locale, with a large courtyard and an enclosed event hall that holds up to 200 people.

Like other wedding venues the island over, Saturdays are the most popular day for weddings at the stables, says booking agent Marci Yardley.

“Most people get married on the weekend,” adds Marci, who says local couples comprise the majority of weddings at the venue. Because the facilities are used for a variety of community events, Marci encourages prospective wedding couples to check Pukalani Stables’ calendar on their website to see if a particular date is available.

“For weddings, people are calling at least four to six months in advance.” Depending on the size of the wedding party, the facility can accommodate both ceremony and reception, (there’s even a wooden stage that can be used during the wedding). However, Marci says couples tend to get married in a nearby church and hold their reception at the stables.

“A lot of time, they’ll do a BBQ style reception, since folks can bring in BBQ grills. Or if they want Hawaiian food they bring in a caterer. They can even bring in a tent if they want.”

Ka‘ū: Kahuku Ranch
Situated in Ka‘ū, overlooking the majestic cliffs of Pali O Mamalu and Pali O Kulani along the coastline, Kahuku Ranch offers absolutely spectacular views. In addition to being a wedding venue, this 646-acre working ranch is also a successful vacation rental business. Because of its rural location in the southernmost part of the island, a wedding at Kahuku Ranch feels as if you are truly secluded amidst the wide-open ranchlands.

Like Puakea Ranch, Kahuku Ranch offers four cottages to accommodate overnight wedding guests, although these “cottages” are quite large and can sleep 7 to 14 people each. The cottages come complete with kitchens and the Koa House, so named because it is built out of solid koa, has a fireplace.

Because the cottages require a minimum three-night stay, this location is ideal for a weekend destination wedding. The views are absolutely incredible. The main ranch house overlooks the 1,400-foot pali (cliffs) with the ocean in the distance.

There’s plenty of pasture space for an outdoor ceremony as well as reception. ❖

Contact Anna Ranch Heritage Center
Contact Kahua Ranch Ltd
Contact Kahuku Ranch
Contact Paniolo Heritage Center at Pukalani Stables
Contact Puakea Ranch

Contact writer Denise Laitinen