At-a-Glance: Kahawai Chapel Wedding Ceremony & Design
Hosting your wedding ceremony at Kahawai Chapel offers an intimate destination experience on Waikiki Beach. The venue’s mid-century coastal architecture deliberately integrates local culture, providing couples with a structured, weather-sheltered sanctuary situated precisely where fresh mountain spring water intersects the Pacific shoreline.
- Ceremony Setting: Exchange your vows at the breathtaking threshold where cool, fresh mountain springs gently flow into the warm coastal sands of the Pacific, beautifully symbolizing your two separate paths merging into one endless journey together.
- A Sacred Sanctuary: This breathtaking architectural masterpiece is designed to frame panoramic, endless ocean views while honoring the rich, living heritage of Hawaii, wrapping your timeless commitments in a setting of pure, unforgettable romance.
- An Intimate Haven: The chapel’s elegant design gently softens the wild rhythm of the ocean waves, cocooning your sacred vows in a peaceful, quiet sanctuary so every whispered promise is felt and heard with perfect clarity.
- A Sheltered Paradise: This exquisite sanctuary wraps you in full, luxurious comfort away from the coastal trade winds, keeping your veil and decor perfectly in place while offering the breathtaking, uninterrupted ocean views of an exclusive private venue.
Booking your wedding at Kahawai Chapel with Rev. James Chun and his team is about more than just a pretty view—it is a deeply personal, stress-free experience rich with Hawaiian history. To make your planning completely seamless, our package comes complete with an in-office marriage license agent to issue your official license before the wedding, saving you from wasting your precious vacation time waiting at a government office.
When you stand at the altar with James, you aren’t just saying vows in a beautiful room. You are connecting your marriage to a truly sacred place. The chapel sits right over the historic Kawehewehe Stream, which is fed by fresh mountain springs. For generations, Hawaiian royalty came to these exact waters to wash away their heavy burdens and find healing. Today, that same energy represents a beautiful, fresh start for your new life together.
This fresh water also creates a stunning natural view. Because the mountain water keeps coral from growing near the beach, it leaves a perfectly clear, bright blue path in the sand that points straight out to the deep ocean. To make sure you remember these views forever, your package also includes a full 90-minute professional photo session.
As your officiant, James uses his decades of experience on Oahu to weave this breathtaking background into your unique love story. Together, he and his team will create a private, intimate space where your two separate paths beautifully become one.
Kahawai Package
Complete Chapel Ceremony Package
$2,800 +tax
A 50%, $1,400 non-refundable booking fee is required to secure your date (fully deducted from the final package fee).
what’s Inclusioned
- 90-Minute Use: Access to chapel facilities for ceremony & photos.
- Licensed Officiant: Customized ceremony guided by Rev. James Chun.
- 90-Min Photography: Full-session professional photography on location.
- Commemorative Certificate: A beautiful keepsake certificate of your marriage.
- Guest Limit (Max 50): Firm limit encompassing couple, guests, & vendors.
admin service included
- Private Agent Meeting: In-office meeting with our marriage agent to secure your license (bypass state government offices).
- State Registration: Official marriage registration processed with the State of Hawaii after the wedding.
Premium Add-On Options
In-Room Professional Hair & Makeup Stylist – arrives directly to your room
$450
Ukulele Player (for ceremony)
$350
Videography
$700
The Artistry and Symbolism of the Space
When you travel across the ocean to get married, your venue should instantly make you and your guests feel the magic of the islands while giving you a picture-perfect, luxury setting for your photos.
Located right next to the resort’s A‘o Cultural Center, Kahawai Chapel is the perfect mix of modern luxury and real Hawaiian culture. Here, your family can easily dive into beautiful island traditions like hula dancing and lei-making.
Inside the spacious, fully air-conditioned chapel, a gorgeous white wooden ceiling and clean, elegant lines lead your eyes straight to a massive, floor-to-ceiling glass wall. It frames a stunning, uninterrupted view of the bright blue ocean, giving you the gorgeous outdoor backdrop you have always dreamed of—without having to worry about the tropical wind or weather ruining your hair, veil, or photos.
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The Cinematic Wedding Aisle: Walking down the nearly 26-foot-long aisle is like walking through a beautiful story. The floor is designed with flowing lines and shifting colors that look just like a mountain stream rushing into the sea. It creates a stunning view for your walk to the altar and perfectly symbols the start of your new journey together.
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The Polynesian Outrigger Chandelier: Hanging directly above the altar is a custom chandelier shaped like a traditional outrigger canoe. It honors the brave voyaging history of the Pacific. Just like a real canoe needs perfect balance between its sides to sail the ocean, this beautiful piece represents the balance and partnership you will share in your marriage.
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An Elite Oceanfront Guest Lounge for Your ‘Ohana: Your guests are welcomed as true ‘ohana (family), not just spectators. The peaceful guest lounge features vintage photos of Waikiki and warm Hawaiian proverbs like “The stars shine on everyone” and “A stranger only for one day.” This private, cozy space gives you a stress-free area to get ready before the ceremony, and later hosts a relaxing “Lino Hour” where you can hang out and celebrate with your guests the moment you step away from the altar.
Crafting a Meaningful Ceremony with Rev. James Chun
With over twenty years of experience helping couples on Oahu, James Chun has dedicated his career to making wedding vows feel deeply personal and real. He has performed ceremonies at almost every beach and private venue on the island, and he knows that Kahawai Chapel offers a truly rare and quiet space for your wedding day.
The chapel’s design makes the sound inside incredibly clear. This means your guests will easily hear every whispered word of your promises, without any of the busy resort noise or wind getting in the way. It is a peaceful, intimate sanctuary where the focus stays entirely on your love story.
The “Aloha Ceremony” Experience
The chapel staff’s ultimate goal is to offer a deeply distinct experience known as the “Aloha Ceremony,” designed to help you fall in love with the true heart of the islands. As your officiant, James Chun specializes in weaving these beautiful cultural threads into a personalized ceremony that perfectly reflects who you are as a couple:
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The Traditional Lei Exchange: The Traditional Lei Exchange at Kahawai Chapel is a beautiful way to show aloha, respect, and open hearts. With the gorgeous Waikiki surf in the background, James will guide you through sharing fresh, fragrant flower leis. For couples traveling to Hawaii, this sacred moment is the iconic, deeply romantic island memory you have always dreamed of.
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The Unity Sand Ceremony: Because Kahawai Chapel sits at the exact spot where fresh mountain spring water meets the salty ocean, the Unity Sand Ceremony feels incredibly special here. By blending local sands inside this quiet sanctuary, you will create a beautiful, physical keepsake that represents your two families joining together forever.
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The Spritual or Poetic Reading: For couples looking for a deep connection that goes beyond just the beautiful views, James offers a custom spiritual or poetic reading. Created in collaboration with James, this special reading is woven smoothly into your modern ceremony. By using timeless local wisdom, nature metaphors, and universal truths about partnership, it centers everyone’s spirits and leaves you and your guests with an authentic, lasting feeling of island aloha.
Select Your Ceremony Time & Silhouette
Every time slot offers a private 90-minute experience
8:45 AM – Pristine Morning Light: Features crisp, clean morning light that beautifully illuminates the sanctuary for a bright, timeless atmosphere.
10:45 AM – Serene Mid-Morning: Perfect for a relaxed, unhurried pace with fewer crowds around the resort grounds.
12:45 PM – Vibrant Midday Turquoise: Captures the brilliant, saturated turquoise ocean colors casting directly through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Decor & Property Rules
Important Guidelines to Protect the Space
- Fixed Layout (No Decor Changes): The chapel is already beautifully set up with luxury, pre-arranged decor provided entirely by the venue. Because this elegant design is permanent, no changes or alternative decorations are allowed.
- Floral & Decor Restrictions: To keep the chapel in perfect condition, you cannot bring in outside flower arrangements, make any changes to the building setup, or throw loose flower petals inside.
- Drone Ban: Flying aerial drones is strictly banned anywhere on the resort property to follow beach airspace laws and respect guest privacy.
Logistics & Receptions
Arrival Coordination & Dining transitions
Parking Details
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Valet Parking Only: Parking for all guests and vendors is limited to the hotel’s valet service at a rate of $16 per hour (based on availability).
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Arrive Early: Valet lines in Waikiki can get very backed up. We highly recommend that your guests arrive 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled ceremony time so everyone can get parked and seated on time.
Easy Reception Planning
Located right in the heart of Waikiki, the chapel is just a short walk away from amazing, world-class restaurants (like Roy’s Waikiki) and private oceanfront dining rooms. Moving from your wedding ceremony straight to a celebratory dinner is super easy and completely stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, Kawehewehe was a sacred healing spot where Hawaiian royalty and locals came to bathe and wash away their physical and spiritual burdens (“kawehewehe” means “removal”). The fresh mountain spring water that flows into the ocean here actually stops coral from growing. This naturally creates a beautiful, clear, bright blue pathway in the sand right in front of the chapel.
Absolutely! With decades of experience officiating weddings on Oahu, James Chun works closely with each couple to write a custom ceremony script. Whether you want a simple, modern ceremony or one filled with traditional Hawaiian elements like the lei exchange and sand ceremony, James will tailor the words to perfectly match your unique relationship.
No, outside decor is not allowed. To keep the chapel looking perfect, the venue provides all the luxury, pre-arranged floral and decor for you—which actually saves you the extra step and cost of buying them separately! The resort has a strict policy and does not permit outside decorations, physical changes to the space, or throwing any flower petals (real or fake) inside or around the chapel.
Is there self-parking available at the resort for our guests?
No, there is no self-parking. The OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort only offers hotel valet parking, which is currently $16 per hour and depends on availability. Because valet lines in Waikiki can get backed up, we recommend asking your guests to carpool, use rideshare apps (like Uber or Lyft), or look into public parking garages nearby.
No, drones are completely banned at this location. To protect guest privacy and follow safety rules for the active beach airspace, drone photography and video are not allowed anywhere on the chapel or resort grounds.
The lounge features two traditional Hawaiian signs that translate to “The stars shine on everyone” and “A stranger only for one day.” These proverbs represent the true heart of Hawaiian hospitality—welcoming your guests as family (‘ohana) and making sure everyone feels cared for and included from the moment they arrive.