The newly opened Kahawai Chapel, located on the ground floor of Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort, takes it name from the waters of Kawehewehe, a sacred site known for healing.
"With its location above the freshwater springs of Kawehewehe and its view of the vast Pacific, Kahawai Chapel is more than a wedding venue – it's a spiritual connection to Hawai‘i’s living history," said Luana Maitland, area director of cultural experiences at Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort, in a statement. “The name Kahawai, meaning 'stream' in Hawaiian, evokes the life-giving flow of water and spirit that weaves through every ceremony here.”
Maitland named the chapel, which opened at 2169 Kālia Road on June 1, following a renovation for an undisclosed cost by Outrigger Resorts & Hotels. An opening reception was held June 19. Currently, it has two staff members.
“We wanted to be the first in Hawaiʻi to share the charm of Kahawai Chapel with everyone, so we decided to open it as soon as construction was completed,” said Takeshi Miyamoto, chapel general manager. “Unlike other chapels, we incorporate elements of Hawaiian ceremonies, which we call, Aloha Ceremonies. And we want to make it an even more special place for couples, their families and their guests, whether they are visiting Hawaiʻi for the first time or many times.”
Miyamoto is employed by Tsukaki Lognote Hawaiʻi Ltd., which partnered with Outrigger to operate the chapel. Parent company Tsukaki Lognote Japan Co. operates a wide range of businesses including special events, real estate, and clothing and manufacturing, she said.
“We are a Japanese company … we want to provide a one-of-a-kind wedding ceremony that can only be done at Kahawai Chapel, while fully understanding what our customers want,” Miyamoto said. “We wanted to value our collaboration with Outrigger Reef, which values Hawaiian traditions, culture and ʻohana. I want people who have their wedding here to experience the charm of Hawaiʻi and to fall in love with Hawaiʻi even more.”
Kahawai Chapel’s “Aloha Ceremony” is led by a Kahu, or minister, with offerings such as chants, mele and ti leaf lei binding ceremony.
Long-term, Miyamoto aims "to increase awareness so that Kahawai Chapel is recognized when people think of Hawaiʻi and [to] develop it into a chapel where weddings are held every day."
MKC Hawaiʻi and G70 Design designed the 4,000-square-foot space, including the chapel, guest room and bridal suites. It fits 40 seated guests and is available to book daily.
For more information, go to websites for U.S. or Japan.
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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
