Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #26 on OC16 - Kuhina Hawaiian Weddings and Blessings and Dellables

The Pu (conch shell) calls us to the opening of the show and now Kahu Alalani Hill does an oli komo or welcoming chant as the cameras pan the skyline of Iao Valley.  What a magnificent location for such an opening!  Thus, we open the second of our shows featuring Maui’s Wedding Professionals.

At Host, Kahu Kalehua Featheran’s request, Kahu Alalani explains the significance and purpose for the welcoming chant.  Basically, it is to call on the highest power, whatever that name may be to bestow a blessing on all present.  Kahu Kalehua also adds his perspective of how as Polynesians, they believed they had dominion over the land but they didn’t own it, they were caretakers.

Kahu Alalani Hill of Kuhina Hawaiian Weddings and Blessings

For viewers, particularly those who may not be familiar with Hawaiian culture, Kahu Alalani explains the cloth that she wears, called a kihei, as well as the lei Kukui and their symbolism.  She also shows how intricately woven are the ti leaves or Kupe’e around her wrist and the lei po’o or head lei.

Kahu Alalani offers different types of wedding ceremonies and regardless of the couple’s beliefs, she is able to put together a traditional or ancient Hawaiian ceremony for them that respects the cultures of all involved.  She will also involve the ohana into some aspect of the ceremony.  Kuhina Hawaiian Weddings and Blessings is able to help couples and their families with wedding ceremonies, receptions, full service coordination, entertainment and documentation (photography).

Kahu Kalehua’s second guest is Della Peacock of Dellables.  In 1996, Della shares with Kahu Kalehua that she was painting children’s furniture and she loved working with their colors and textures.  She began working with a friend in the floral business, and soon found that she had a passion for working with flowers. #

Della has great business concepts:

· If you do what you love , the money will follow

· She does everything she can to fulfill the bride’s request, but if it can’t be done, she will get creative

· The blooms in her shop are always given great care => so are her customers

· She is inspired by her brides and enjoys meeting with them and getting to know them before creating their unique floral arrangements and bouquets

Della Peacock of Dellables

In keeping with the local traditions, Della will often have the moms, sisters, cousins, aunties all working with her to create the centerpieces and other floral designs for the bride.  How great is that?  And, throughout the interview, viewers will see colorful and unique arrangements that will give them ideas for their own weddings and receptions.

Show times are as follows:
Premier – Friday at 6:30pm (pre-empted by Christmas Mele)
Repeats:
Saturday at 12:30am and 1:30pm (pre-empted by Christmas Mele)
Monday at 5pm
Tuesday at 6am and 2pm
Friday at 9am                           

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #25 on OC16 - Hawaiian Island Wedding Planners and Ghiselani Designer Wedding Cakes (Maui Edition)

Kalehua and “Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals” TV show, is proud to partner with Masako Formals and Island Wedding Gallery and it’s Vendors with an exciting strategic plan to promote and increase business activity for both local and destination weddings through television, radio, and print both locally and the mainland (west coast) for 2011 with a reach of 450,000 homes on OC16 to start and 2.4 million homes on the mainland, plus a lot more!! This will be huge!! Contact Kalehua for more information!! (808) 554-9215 Mahalo to all who made this TV show a success. Now more and more viewers are watching!!

Maui’s Wedding Pros start airing on our show over the next several weeks!  Plus, our new reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle” scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011. One of our reality couples was able to save over 57% of their entire wedding package, valued at over $17,000, a savings of over $9,500, while the vendors participating get a huge promotional package on OC16, 3-4 weeks in a row, 5-7 times a week and no repeats!!

Wedding couples – save up to 60% off your Entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 80%   off costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Join us! .  If any of your clients would like to participate or perhaps you know of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know!!

With this show, host Kahu Kalehua Featheran and crew introduce wedding professionals from the island of Maui.  Over the next few months, viewers will get to meet wedding pros from the Valley Isle and see some of the scenic sights on Maui.

Tori Rogers of Hawaiian Island Wedding Planners

The first Maui wedding professional is wedding planner Tori Rogers, owner of Hawaiian Island Wedding Planners.  Tori has been visiting the Hawaiian Islands since 1978 and has been in wedding planning since 1998 when she planned her own wedding in 1999.  With a history in event planning, Tori was a natural in this field and she was encouraged by many of the wedding vendors to do this as a profession.  Although she thought it was a crazy idea to do Hawaiian weddings from the mainland, the experience and knowledge of both geographic locations enabled her to have a unique outlook, which has resulted in a successful business for her.

When she works with a wedding couple, Tori begins by asking them for their vision of how they would like their wedding to be.  She then personalizes this vision and incorporates family and friends into it.  One of her questions to the wedding couple is, what are the 5 most important words that describe your wedding and the 3 most important elements (within the budget).  In her experience, she usually finds that family and friends are first, then food and beverage and finally fun (entertainment).  Tori will ensure that the venue will be able to accommodate everyone who is being invited to the wedding and reception and then finds the best vendors who will fit the couple’s personality.  The result – a truly enjoyable and memorable day for the bride and groom!

Marie Audant of Maui Cake Store

Kahu Kalehua’s second guest is Marie Audant of Ghiselani Designer Wedding Cakes (also known as Maui Cake Store).  Marie has a charming French accent, and is originally from Haiti in the Caribbean.  She has lived in Maui for over 20 years as well as lived on Oahu for a short time.

Marie’s cakes are made from scratch, following old family recipes.  She can bake cakes for clients who have special dietary requests such as vegan cakes or cakes with no sugar for diabetics.  Her signature cake is a Chocolate Decadence cake made from 3 types of chocolate and 3 different types of filling.  Marie also arranges for cake tasting with her couples and offers 36 different flavors.  Just hearing her describe the cake makes you hungry for a slice.  And speaking of slice, Marie’s cakes are so moist that a slice of cake will stand on it’s own and not crumble as other cakes may.

Marie’s most beautiful wedding memory is the marriage of Jaret Wright, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.  And for a local couple, Junior and Rona’s 600 guests enjoyed a satellite layout of 12 cakes with a castle on the top of a cake.  When you visit Marie’s website, you can see photos of the many and varied type of cake designs – all original and beautifully done!

Show times are as follows:
Premier – Friday at 6:30pm
Repeats:
Saturday at 12:30am and 1:30pm
Monday at 5pm
Tuesday at 6am and 2pm
Friday at 9am

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #24 on OC16 - Patrick Ching Arts Naturally Hawaiian (Kauai) and Wellnessbridge (Oahu)

Want to be on the show, let me know

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors.

Kaua’i and Maui’s Wedding Pros will be airing on our show over the next several weeks!  Plus, our brand new reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle” scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow One of our reality couples was able to save over 57% of their entire wedding package, valued at over $17,000, a savings of over $9,500, while the vendors participating get a huge promotional package on OC16, 3 weeks in a row, 5 time a week and no repeats!!

Wedding couples – save up to 60% off your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 80%   off costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Join us! .  If any of your clients would like to participate or perhaps you know of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know!!

This show combines the last of the Kauai guests with a guest from Oahu.  Host Kahu Kalehua Featheran first greets old friend and alumni of Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, Patrick Ching.  

Patrick Ching - Naturally Hawaiian

With his Naturally Hawaiian Gallery in Waimanalo, Oahu and Patrick Ching Arts Naturally Hawaiian in Princeville on Kauai (between Lapperts and Foodland), Patrick finds himself frequently traveling between the islands.  In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Patrick was a ranger at the Kilauea Lighthouse on Kauai and observed how much the people of Kauai appreciated their wildlife.  As an artist with that same appreciation for wildlife, he creates wonderful paintings of birds, sea animals, livestock and also scenes of familiar and favorite places that are commissioned by his clients.

Patrick also teaches art classes throughout the Hawaiian Islands and around the world.  His ideas are sent in a flash from God and sometimes the inspiration may be stored in his mind for years until it’s ready to be put onto canvas.  In Hanalei Revisited, Patrick’s premonition actually came true.  This painting is about the Hawaiian Nene Goose.  Once found on all the islands, this bird became nearly extinct, with only a few survivors on the Big lsland.  In the 1980-90’s, the Nene was re-introduced to Kauai and because there are no mongooses on this island, the birds did well and are now thriving.

Waimanalo Promise is a painting that is a favorite of Kahu Kalehua.  It was commissioned by a client to commemorate the location where he proposed to his girlfriend.  Na Pali Sunset was painted for a couple who spent their honeymoon in this scenic area.  For brides and grooms who are looking for a unique way to remember a proposal, marriage or honeymoon site, why not gift your significant other with an original painting from Patrick Ching?

Brandy Sinoto of Wellnessbridge

Brandy Sinoto is Kahu Kalehua’s second guest.  She owns a business called Wellnessbridge, with offices in Kukui Plaza.  A student of holistic health, Brandy helps people to lose weight quickly, easily and holistically.  While the usual recommendation for losing weight involves dieting, exercising, and other methods, Brandy puts everything together to bring about a change in lifestyle.

Briefly summarized, people have an automatic and manual way to remove calories from the body.  Exercise is the manual way.  Metabolism is the automatic way but in many people, this way has “fallen asleep”.  Brandy’s method wakes up the metabolism from day one.  Her clients lose 1 to 2 pounds per day with a client losing as much as 90 pounds in 9 months.  When her clients drop their weight, she then works with them on toning.  Brandy receives calls from brides and grooms who are looking to lose some weight for their special day and she is happy to help them.

There are several ways to contact Brandy.  You can go to her website and watch a video of her and then call the phone number listed or you can click on the “Free Consult”  button to receive a free consultation after answering a few questions online.  You can also find her on Facebook as well as visit her in the Kukui Plaza building.

Show times are as follows:   
          Premier – Friday at 6:30pm
          Repeats:
                   Saturday at 12:30am and 1:30pm
                   Monday at 5pm
                   Tuesday at 6am and 2pm
                   Friday at 9am

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #23 on OC16 - Orchid Alley and Plantation Gardens Restaurant

Want to be on the show, let me know

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors.

Kaua’i and Maui’s Wedding Pros will be airing on our show over the next several weeks!  Plus, our brand new reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle” scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow One of our reality couples was able to save over 57% of their entire wedding package, valued at over $17,000, a savings of over $9,500, while the vendors participating get a huge promotional package on OC16, 3 weeks in a row, 5 time a week and no repeats!!

Wedding couples – save up to 60% off your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 80%   off costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Join us! .  If any of your clients would like to participate or perhaps you know of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know!!

Continuing with the Kauai wedding professionals interviews, host Kahu Kalehua Featheran talks stories with Brad Zacek of Orchid Alley and Mona Gonzaludo of Plantation Gardens Restaurant.

One of the many beautiful orchids at Orchid Alley

Located in Kapaa, customers actually walk down a narrow walkway or Alley to get to Orchid Alley and once they get there, orchids of many different varieties and colors greet them.  Owners, Fely and Neill Sams bought the business 17 years ago from a retiring orchid vendor and today, their orchids are prize winners at the Farm Fair on Kauai.  Viewers enjoy photos of some of the many orchid plants that are available at Orchid Alley during the interview.

Brad, who came to a friend’s wedding in the year 2000 met the Sams when he came in to purchase some orchid plants to take home to New York.  He realized how much in demand these plants were when he sold out the 20 that he shipped home in just 30 minutes.  Fast forward and the present time finds Brad on staff at Orchid Alley as the designer for this thriving business.  With a degree in horticulture and landscape design, Brad takes his 20 years of experience in the business to create masterpieces with orchids as well as other flowers.

Since the business is also a state and federally certified nursery, Orchid Alley can ship the plants or blooms to the mainland and other destinations as well.  Whether the orchid plants become centerpieces, gifts to family and friends, or if the orchid flowers are used for the bride’s bouquet, corsages or other floral pieces, she is in good hands with the good people at Orchid Alley.

Mona Gonzaludo of Plantation Gardens Restaurant

Kahu Kalehua moves to the town of Poipu for his second interview with Mona Gonzaludo of Plantation Gardens Restaurant.  Located on the old Koloa Sugar Mill’s manager’s residence, this venue retains the olu or comfortable feel of the old plantation days.  This venue can hold up to 50 guests seated for the ceremony and 130 to 300 guests for the reception, depending on whether the guests are seated or standing.

Mona will work with a couple with as little as 3 months notice.  She will also recommend wedding professionals if the couple would like some assistance, or she will work with whoever the wedding couple has retained.  Knowing that each couple has their own vision of their dream wedding, Mona is flexible and accommodating in working with the brides and grooms.

If the couple would also like accommodations for themselves or their guests, they can also call the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation.  The Plantation Gardens Restaurant is located within this resort property.

Show times are as follows:   
          Premier – Friday at 6:30pm
          Repeats:
                   Saturday at 12:30am and 1:30pm
                   Monday at 5pm
                   Tuesday at 6am and 2pm
                   Friday at 9am

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #22 on OC16 - 22 Degrees North Restaurant and Keoni's Limo

Want to be on the show, let me know

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors.

Kaua’i and Maui’s Wedding Pros will be airing on our show over the next several weeks!  Plus, our brand new reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle” scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow One of our reality couples was able to save over 57% of their entire wedding package, valued at over $17,000, a savings of over $9,500, while the vendors participating get a huge promotional package on OC16, 3 weeks in a row, 5 time a week and no repeats!!

Wedding couples – save up to 60% off your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 80%   off costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Join us! .  If any of your clients would like to participate or perhaps you know of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know!!

Todd Oldham – 22 Degrees North Restaurant

On this second show featuring Kauai wedding professionals, host Kahu Kalehua Featheran greets Todd Oldham of 22 Degrees North Restaurant and John Jacoby and Aquarius Kalama of Keoni’s Limo.

Kahu Kalehua’s first guest is Todd Oldham, General Manager of the 36-acre Kilohana Plantation in Lihue.  Owned by the Gaylord Wilcox family, this plantation was once 22,000 acres and it maintains the ambiance of the easy going lifestyle of old Kauai.  It features eateries, artisan galleries and many more shops of interest.

22 Degrees North Restaurant is a 100% farm to table establishment on Kilohana Plantation.  The menu is Farmhouse Eclectic – 20% of the produce is grown on the property with the remaining produce and all of the protein (except for chicken) grown on Kauai.  Additionally, Todd explains that the President of the Company was born in Alaska and grew up at a time and in a place where nothing was wasted.  So, the wine bottles, for example, are cut and shaped into water glasses; leftover clean cardboard are die cut into coasters – this is one company who not only talks about going green but actually lives it.

For weddings, there is an on-staff wedding coordinator who can help couples plan their wedding ceremony and reception for 2 up to 950 guests.  They can pick from several scenic venues for their ceremony and them enjoy a fabulous wedding reception with appetizing and beautifully presented food.  Whether you’re a wedding couple or not, plan to visit Kilohana Plantation when you’re visiting Kauai and check out the many shops and sites there.

John Jacoby and Aquarius Kalama – Keoni’s Limo

The next time you want luxury transportation to LAX as well as a pick up at Lihue Airport, call Keoni’s Limo.  Ten years in business at Van Nuys Airport, John Jacoby, owner of Keoni’s Limo is now developing his business in Kauai.  He knows the business well, having worked as a driver himself.  In addition to the stretch limos, Keoni (the Hawaiian version of John), also has Lincoln town cars and SUVs in his fleet.

Joining Kahu Kalehua and Keoni in the interview is Aquarius Kalama.  Born in Hana, Maui, Aquarius has lived on Kauai for 20 years and is a new driver and on-site manager for Keoni’s Limo.  As a local resident, Aquarius is knowledgeable about the islands and enjoys teaching his passengers about Hawaii.

Keoni’s Limo features a Red Carpet Package for wedding couples, which include champagne service and a “Just Married” sign.  And, be sure to watch this show to find out how Keoni handles couples who don’t want to see each other before their wedding ceremony…

Show times are as follows:   
          Premier – Friday at 6:30pm
          Repeats:
                   Saturday at 12:30am and 1:30pm
                   Monday at 5pm
                   Tuesday at 6am and 2pm
                   Friday at 9am

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #21 on OC16 - Charity V Photography and Alana's Island Events

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!!

Mahalo to the isle of Maui and the Maui Wedding Association!! Maui’s Wedding Pros will be airing on our show over the next 2 months along with our Kaua’i Ohana!!, plus another brand new reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle”.  It is scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow.  If any of your clients or you knows of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know (see below in pink for more info).

Wedding couples – save up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 90% of costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16. Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes.  Join us!

Starting with this show and continuing for the next 3 to 4 weeks, Host Kahu Kalehua Featheran and the film crew travel to Kauai to chat with wedding professionals on the beautiful garden isle.  Each island has its own unique characteristic and Kauai is well known for its many scenic and natural settings and the site for the Kauai interviews are no exception

Charity Vasquez – Charity V Photography

Kahu Kalehua opens the show with Charity Vazquez of Charity V Photography.  Charity has been doing photography professionally for only 3 years, but her photographs are so unique and outstanding that you would think she’d been doing it for years.  She got into this field because she was frustrated when looking for someone to take photos of her family; there was no one she felt comfortable with.  For this reason, clients who hire her will find that Charity strives to show the wedding couple for who they are, their spirit and so when they look back on the photos many years later, they will still feel the emotions of their wedding day.  To do this, Charity will meet personally with the couple and go through a client questionnaire with them, as well as interview and get to know them.  As she says when looking for a photographer, the couple needs to love the style of the photographer and be able to get along with them since this person is going to be spending a lot of time with them on their special day.  Even with destination couples, Charity will arrange a phone meeting with the couple.  Charity’s approach to pricing is also personalized.  When she meets with the couple and gets to know them, she will design a package just for them.

Amazingly, when Charity does wedding photography for a couple, she will post 10 to 20 edited photos by the next day on her blog; a “sneak peek” for the couple, their family and friends.  Then in 4 to 6 weeks, she will have the rest of the edited photos on-line for the couple to view and make their selection from, and then she will send a completed CD of the photos.

Kahu Kalehua thanked Charity, as well as next guest, Alana Brun and Patrick Ching for their hospitality while on Kauai.

Alana Brun – Alana’s Island Events

Alana Brun of Alana’s Island Events is Kahu Kalehua’s second guest.  Alana contacted Kalehua, gathered a group of wedding professionals together for the filming and handled all of the paperwork involved in the filming process.  A mahalo to Alana for her support and help from Kahu Kalehua!!!

In the business for many years, Alana emphasized the importance of the couple having a wedding planner to help them with their wedding plans.  Although most couples know about the big picture items, Alana will help them with all of the details so that their wedding day will go smoothly, with the least amount of stress and tension.  Her goal is to ensure that the bride and groom as well as their parents enjoy the wedding day and her role is often to act as a buffer between the couple and their family members when planning becomes challenging.

In answer to Kahu Kalehua’s questions, Alana says that the most popular question from a wedding couple is about the budget.  She helps the couple out by making a list of all the things they want to have for their wedding and then pricing everything for them.  Then, they sit together and ensure that the important items are included in their plans and if there’s room in the budget, then they can add the extra things.  Alana loves it when the couple tells her what they want and then leaves it up to her to make it happen.

Show times are as follows:    Friday at 3:30pm (just for this week)
Repeats: Monday at 5:00pm
Tuesday at 6:00am & 2:00pm
Friday at 9:00am

Want to be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #20 on OC16 - Paradise Pastries and Masako Formals & Island Wedding Gallery

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!!

Mahalo to the isle of Maui and the Maui Wedding Association!! Maui’s Wedding Pros will be airing on our show over the next 2 months along with our Kaua’i Ohana!!, plus another brand new reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle”.  It is scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow.  If any of your clients or you knows of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know (see below in pink for more info).

Wedding couples – save up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 90% of costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Hopefully, you’ve seen our show and see the quality and value in it.  Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes. Join us!

Tucked away in a business building just off of King Street and Kalakaua Avenue is the offices and bakery of Paradise Pastries.  Host Kahu Kalehua Featheran is welcomed by owner Charity Schoenfeld and her husband Kekoa (off camera).  Originally from Ohio, Charity came to Hawaii for college and although her major was in anthropology, her love for baking and cake decorating soon found her entering culinary school, developing her decorating skills and now co-owning this business, along with a friend.

Charity Schoenfeld of Paradise Pastries

Charity welcomes local clients on an appointment only basis and also does a lot of business with destination couples on the phone and on the internet.  For couples who have enough time to come in and meet with Charity, they can also participate in a cake tasting and have the opportunity for a free consultation.  In this age of computers, she said it’s quite common to get a photo of a cake design that the couple likes and to send contracts to the couple by email.  Some of the typical questions asked by couples are how far in advance to place the cake order ir what type of cake to order for an indoor or outdoor wedding (frosting vs fondant).  The largest cake that Paradise Pastries provided to a couple was a 7 or 8 tiered cake; they have also made a 24 tier wedding cake that was spread out and connected by bridges.

Paradise Pastries’ signature cake is a coconut and lilikoi cake – sounds delicious just thinking about it!  Charity can also provide cupcakes on a tiered stand, or a vegan cake, decorated cookies or chocolates – just part of the flexibility and talents of these wedding professionals.

Be sure to stay tuned to the end of this show, because you can see Charity decorating a simple but beautiful wedding cake!

The second interview is a repeat showing for Masako Formals.  During the editing process, an error was made on the phone number and Kahu Kalehua Featheran felt it only appropriate to air this show again with the corrected information.

Kumiko Agnes Okimoto and Gail Kaneshiro

In business for 33 years, Masako Formals is a well known wedding professional in the Asian bridal market.  Under the guidance of Gail Kaneshiro, who has an extensive background and years of experience in local and destination wedding planning, Masako Formals is expanding to include their Island Wedding Gallery, a one stop wedding resource for wedding couples.

Kahu Kalehua talks stories with owner Kumiko Agnes Okimoto, owner of Masako Formals and Gail Kaneshiro, manager of the Island Wedding Gallery.  Gail has brought together top notch wedding professionals, who believe in providing quality service and a memorable wedding experience for wedding couples.  From bridal gowns and tuxedos to wedding planners, photographers, caterers, florists and musicians, the Island Wedding Gallery can help wedding couples with all of their wedding resources.  As Gail shares information about the Island Wedding Gallery, viewers watch videos of brides in their wedding gowns, being helped by Pauline of Masako Formals.

There is a small but beautifully decorated Plumeria Chapel in the Masako Formals building and our cameras have some great shots of the Chapel.  Kahu Kalehua suggests this as an option if a couple is thinking of a simple ceremony with some photos, both at the Chapel and on the beach.

Masako Formals also offers a kimono service.  For brides who would like to honor their Japanese heritage, they can change out of their bridal gown and into a kimono for the reception and have photos taken in their kimono.  Kumiko is available to help the bride get properly dressed in a kimono…just one of the many services provided by Masako Formals and Island Wedding Gallery.  And, if you’re wondering, who is Masako and how did the business get their name, tune in to the show and hear Kumiko explain the origins of this name.

Show times are as follows:    Friday at 9:00pm (just for this week)
Repeats: Monday at 5:00pm                                                                  
Tuesday at 6:00am & 2:00pm
Friday at 9:00am

Want to be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #19 on OC16 - Weddings By Kalehua!!

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!!

Mahalo to the isle of Maui and the Maui Wedding Association!! Approx 40 Wedding Pros will be airing on our show over the next 2 months along with our Kaua’i Ohana!!, plus our THIRD couple for another brand new reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle”.  It is scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow.  If any of your clients or you knows of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know (see below in pink for more info).

Wedding couples – save up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 90% of costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Hopefully, you’ve seen our show and see the quality and value in it.  Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes.  Join us.

As the camera opens on the first scene of Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals Show #19, we see what appears to be a young Kalehua Featheran rehearsing his introduction.  Fast forward 31 years after commercial break and we see Kahu Kalehua Featheran, as a guest rather than the host of this week’s Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals.  And, who is the mystery guest host?  Tune in and find out!

On the air since January 2010 as host of Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals and on OC16 since July 2010, we hear Kahu Kalehua frequently asking his guests to “tell us a little bit about yourself to start” at the beginning of their interviews…and this interview also begins with Kahu Kalehua talking about his growing up days in Kailua, his family, and his entertainment career.

As the interview progresses, we hear Kahu Kalehua’s stories and opinions about:

His extensive background in the entertainment industry as a musician, singer, and entertainer

How this entertainment background lead to and now blends in with his work as a Kahu or minister and organist at Aloha Ke Akua Chapel in Kahaluu as well as weddings all throughout the Hawaiian Islands

The process where an individual may be ordained as a minister and how he helps them to obtain their authorization to perform marriages in the Hawaiian Islands

Hear Kahu Kalehua’s opinions about gay/lesbian marriages and commitment ceremonies

Some of the information that he covers with couples who engage him as the minister for their wedding ceremonies

One of the last interview questions that is posed to Kahu Kalehua is how does he counsel people who are thinking about divorce.  His answer, especially because of who the mystery guest host is, becomes a very personal conversation which Kahu Kalehua shares with his viewers.

As a mahalo to the viewing audience who have supported his show for so many months, Kahu Kalehua is offering a special 2 video camera, along with 2 videographers, including editing and  (1) DVD valued @ $1000.00 for up to 65% or more off?!!! – to get the details of this exceptional offer, tune in and then call in to reserve a date.

Kahu Kalehua also thanks Stuart Kalehua Featheran Jr (videographer), Sam Owens of Samowens Unlimited (videographer and editor), Ricardo Shima (editor), Wally Honma and Eileen Abe, all of whom participate in getting each week’s show ready for airing.  Finally a big mahalo to everyone at OC16 for their support and the opportunity to air Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals on OC16.

Show times are as follows:    Friday at 4:00pm
Repeats: Monday at 5:00pm
Tuesday at 6:00am & 2:00pm
Friday at 9:00am

Want to be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #18 on OC16 - Kalena Paty Photography and Yummy Cake Delights !!

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!!
This month we are filming on Maui, plus our second couple for the reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle”.  It scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow.  If any of your clients or you know of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know (see below in pink for more info).

Here’s what our show can do for you.

Wedding couples – save up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 90% of costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Hopefully, you’ve seen our show and see the quality and value in it.  Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes.  Join us!

We are proud to sponsor our third professional on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, Kalena Paty Photography for the month of October.  We are pleased to sponsor them with $6,700.00 worth of advertising on our television show on OC16 and will continue to support other companies or individuals by offering them sponsorships too!!

Show times are as follows: Fridays at 6:30pm
   Repeats: Mondays at 5:00pm
     Tuesdays at 6:00am & 2:00pm
      Fridays at 9:00am

Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals Show #18 – Kalena Paty Photography and Yummy Cake Delights

Kalena Paty of Kalena Paty Photography

Host Kahu Kalehua Featheran and first guest, Kalena Paty are seen sitting in front of a surreal backdrop of Kaneohe Bay…the water looks as though it’s been photo-shopped into the video, but it is the real ocean!  Kalena Paty was one of Kahu Kalehua’s first guest on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals.  Back then, in addition to her photography business, the HWP cameras got a tour of her family’s Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Outlet on the windward side of the island.  Recently, Kalena was named an Elliot Scholar by Pacific University, her alma mater.  This honor means that Kalena will be a speaker at Pacific University, sharing with students, what it takes to succeed in photography.  Congratulations Kalena!

Kalena’s photography style is photo-journalistic.  She tries to capture the candid moments of her subjects, whether it be a wedding, birthday party or any special event.  In fact, Kahu Kalehua’s grandson celebrated a first birthday party recently and Kalena was there to record the moments.  He observed that as she circulated among the guests to get their photos, that she had a friendly and warm way of interacting with all of the people, setting them at ease and getting a great shot of them as a result.

Rather than offer different packages, Kalena prefers to customize a package for each client.  She asks questions like how long would they require a photographer’s services, how many locations are involved, would they want more than one photographer or if there are any special moments or needs.  While charging much less than other photographers, she still provides a quality session and quality work.  Her reasoning is that she asks herself, “what would I be able to pay for a photographer” and she doesn’t feel her clients should be struggling financially to get their photographs taken.  She will work with each client to give them quality photography that also works within their budget.

Kathryn Pajela of Yummy Cake Delights

Bubbly Kathryn Pajela, proprietor of Yummy Cake Delights is Kahu Kalehua’s second guest wedding professional.  From when she was very young, Kathryn always loved baking and in time, she found her way into cake decorating.  The end result?  She creates extravagant cakes and cupcake towers for her clients – both wedding couples and those celebrating other occasions.

Her signature cake is a vintage vanilla with vanilla cream icing – sounds yummy just thinking about it.  Clients may order a different flavor in each level of a multi-tiered cake.  Or, if they’re really on a budget, they can order a single layer cake, or a multi-tiered cake with some of the layers being “dummy cakes”.  Kathryn asks that orders be placed 6 to 12 months in advance, so there is ample time to work with the client, design and then create a unique and beautiful cake for them.

Kathry’s bakery is in the Pacific Gateway Center, but she meets with clients at the Wedding Café.  As a special for Hawaii’s Wedding Professional viewers, she will offer a 10% discount off of any cake if the client mentions Kahu Kalehua’s show when ordering.  Mahalo Kathryn for the great offer

Want to be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #17 on OC16 - Hale Koa Hotel and Windward Jewelers

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!!

This month we are filming on Maui, plus our second couple for the reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle”.  It scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow.  If any of your clients or you know of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know (see below in pink for more info).

Here’s what our show can do for you.

Wedding couples – save up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 90% of costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Hopefully, you’ve seen our show and see the quality and value in it.  Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes.  Join us!

We are proud to sponsor our third professional on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, Kalena Paty Photography for the month of October.  We are pleased to sponsor them with $6,700.00 worth of advertising on our television show on OC16 and will continue to support other companies or individuals by offering them sponsorships too!!

Dora Young and Lucy Lau of Hale Koa Hotel

Host Kahu Kalehua Featheran dispels the myth that the Hale Koa Hotel facilities are only for members of the military.  Marketing Coordinator Lucy Lau explains that the use of the hotel facilities are for the military and their families, but she also adds that 1 out of 2 households in Hawaii could use the services of the Hale Koa Hotel because they can be sponsored by an eligible active or retired military personnel or Department of Defense member.  How great is that?

The Hale Koa Hotel is at the gateway of Waikiki and offers lots of parking.  Catering Manager Dora Young talks about the 3 venues for wedding ceremonies while viewers can see photos of the locations - the Maile Tower Gazebo is available for small, short, informal ceremonies and the Luau Gardens and Maile Gardens are for more formal and elaborate ceremonies.  The latter two locations require that the couple also cater their reception at the Hale Koa Hotel.  Menu prices and wedding services can be found by going to the Hale Koa Hotel website and clicking on the Catering tab.

For couples who need guidance, the Hale Koa Hotel works with a number of local wedding professionals and can refer you to some of their preferred vendors, but the bride and groom can also use any vendor of their choosing.  Dora will ask the couple for a date, the number of guests expected and whether they want to do only the ceremony, or both the ceremony and reception.  From there, she can make recommendations and also work with the couple’s budget.  The one great benefit of holding your wedding and reception at the Hale Koa Hotel is that they are a federal facility with tax exempt status so couples need not pay the Hawaii general excise tax…which can be a great savings for couples just starting out in married life.

Hella Allerstorfer-Meek of Windward Jewelers 

For his second guest, Kahu Kalehua chats with Hella Allerstorfer-Meek, award winning designer and goldsmith for Windward Jewelers.  Windward Jewelers began their business in 1954.  Hella’s Dad, Herman Meek bought the company in 1966 (44 years ago) and Hella came into the business in 1980.  This family’s business spans 3 generations as Hella’s daughter,

Amber is also studying jewelry design and entomology.  Viewers see some of the beautiful and unique designs created by Windward Jewelers as the interview progresses.

As designers, Windward Jewelers are able to create unique wedding rings for brides and grooms.  For those who aren’t sure where to start, Hella will ask the bride to think about what really excited her about a particular ring she saw and what it looked like and they can start from there…or the couple can view designs and styles at the store and suggest changes that they would like to see for their own rings.  The Lanikai Collection is an original design of Windward Jewelers and is particularly meaningful to couples who decide to get married on the beach at Lanikai.  To help the newlyweds, Windward Jewelers offer layaway plans and this information is available on their website.

Windward Jewelers is also pleased to introduce their Red Box brand.  These diamonds are conflict free (they are not mined in countries where there are conflicts), they can be traded up for a larger diamond, they have an inscription which matches the certificate and thy com with a one year free loss protection.

Show times are as follows:    Fridays at 6:30pm

Repeats:                                   Saturdays at 1:30pm
                                                  Mondays at 5:00pm
                                                  Tuesdays at 6:00am & 2:00pm
                                                   Fridays at 9:00am

Wanna be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #16 on OC16 - Masako Formals and Island Wedding Gallery and Koolau Ballrooms and Conference Center

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!
This month we are filming on Maui, plus our second couple for the reality show called “Down the Aisle on an Isle”.  It is scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow.  If any of your clients or you,knows of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know (see below in pink for more info).

Here’s what our show can do for you.

Wedding couples – save up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 90% of costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Hopefully, you’ve seen our show and see the quality and value in it.  Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes.  Join us!

We are proud to sponsor our third professional on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, Kalena Paty Photography for the month of October.  We are pleased to sponsor them with $6,700.00 worth of advertising on our television show on OC16 and will continue to support other companies or individuals by offering them sponsorships too!!

Kumiko Agnes Okimoto and Gail Kaneshiro

In business for 33 years, Masako Formals is a well known wedding professional in the Asian bridal market.  Under the guidance of Gail Kaneshiro, who has an extensive background and years of experience in local and destination wedding planning, Masako Formals is expanding to include their Island Wedding Gallery, a one stop wedding resource for wedding couples.

In this first interview, host Kahu Kalehua Featheran talks stories with owner Kumiko Agnes Okimoto, owner of Masako Formals and Gail Kaneshiro, manager of the Island Wedding Gallery.  Gail has brought together top notch wedding professionals, who believe in providing quality service and a memorable wedding experience for wedding couples.  From bridal gowns and tuxedos to wedding planners, photographers, caterers, florists and musicians, the Island Wedding Gallery can help wedding couples with all of their wedding resources.  As Gail shares information about the Island Wedding Gallery, viewers watch videos of brides in their wedding gowns, being helped by Pauline of Masako Formals.

There is a small but beautifully decorated Plumeria Chapel in the Masako Formals building and our cameras have some great shots of the Chapel.  Kahu Kalehua suggests this as an option if a couple is thinking of a simple ceremony with some photos, both at the Chapel and on the beach.

Masako Formals also offers a kimono service.  For brides who would like to honor their Japanese heritage, they can change out of their bridal gown and into a kimono for the reception and have photos taken in their kimono.  Kumiko is available to help the bride get properly dressed in a kimono…just one of the many services provided by Masako Formals and Island Wedding Gallery.  And, if you’re wondering, who is Masako and how did the business get their name, tune in to the show and hear Kumiko explain the origins of this name.

Debra Bohol and Steven Nagamine

Fore…Kahu Kalehua’s second guests are Debra Bohol and Steven Nagamine of Koolau Ballroom and Conference Center and we open this segment at the Vista (aka the 18th hole at Koolau Golf Club).  Debra and Steve are both Event Services Managers and they work with clients from their first appointment through the day of the event.

Koolau’s magnificent Glass Ballroom holds 250 guests and their Grand Ballroom accommodates from 550 to 600 guests.  Away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, Koolau Ballroom has lots of parking and is convenient for people from Honolulu, Windward and Leeward (via H3) areas.  In addition to the Vista, wedding ceremonies can also be held at the Outdoor Garden or the Indoor Waterfall areas, all beautiful backdrops for weddings.  Viewers will see segments from several different wedding ceremonies recently held at Koolau Ballrooms.

As far as menu, award winning Executive Chef Jim Gillespie offers a variety of menus ranging from Prime Rib to Euro-Asian cuisine.  Their various packages also provides a wedding cake, ice carvings and many other special touches to create a most memorable atmosphere for the wedding ceremony and reception. 

Show times are as follows:    Fridays at 6:30pm
Repeats:                                   Saturdays at 1:30pm
                                                  Mondays at 5:00pm
                                                  Tuesdays at 6:00am & 2:00pm
                                                   Fridays at 9:00am

Wanna be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #15 on OC16 - Hawaiianpix Digital Photographic Service and Royal Weddings by Lavender

We are proud to sponsor our third professional on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, Kalena Paty Photography for the month of October.  We are pleased to sponsor them with $6,700.00 worth of advertising on our television show on OC16 and will continue to support other companies or individuals by offering them sponsorships too!!

Jerry Omo

Against the background of Waialae Beach, Kahu Kalehua Featheran welcomes Jerry Omo of Hawaiianpix Digital Photographic Service as his first guest.  Jerry started 8 years ago, primarily photographing weddings, but has since grown his business to also process and print photos for himself and for 40 other photographers from the islands and the mainland as well.  The ability to process and print typically results in a quicker turnaround time for prints and albums to be completed and this is a great service for newlyweds who are anxious to see their wedding day photos.

Jerry calls his photographic style contemporary classic and he explains what this means during the interview.  Although he suggests doing the formal photos ahead of the wedding ceremony, when hair, make up, dress and flowers are fresh and new, he also respects the wishes of the traditional couples who choose not to see one another before the ceremony.

Photographic packages are available on Jerry’s website, and he is available for in person or phone consultations with couples.  Jerry also mentioned that his wife retired from the Air Force after 21 plus years of service and so Hawaiianpix also offers a 10% discount to military personnel.  Mahalo Hawaiianpix for this offer!

Kahu Kalehua’s second guests are Darcie Wharton and Gabe Gongob of Royal Weddings by Lavender.  A multi-faceted company, Darcie and Gabe offer services in wedding coordination, DJ and sound, candy bars, favors and invitations.  As the first wedding coordinator for the upcoming 2011 Hawaii’s Wedding Professional’s reality wedding mini-series, Kahu Kalehua and the HWP cameras are following Darcie as she works with one of her couples who are getting married early next year.  Some of Darcie’s many responsibilities as a wedding coordinator is to meet with the couples, help them with their needs, including working out a realistic budget and pulling everything together for them to have a memorable wedding day.  To do this, Darcie meets with her clients and goes through a series of questions to better understand and help them with their wedding plans.

Gabe Gongob and Darcie Wharton

Gabe has been a DJ for 18 years and has a library of thousands of songs of all different types.  With his many years of experience, Gabe is able to read the crowd and provide just the type of music that would get them tapping their feet and up on the dance floor.

In this day of single parent families and people working multiple jobs just to make ends meet, a wedding coordinator often takes the place of or relieves some of the work that would ordinarily be handled by family members.  Also, because Royal Weddings by Lavender can provide so many different services, Darcie and Gabe offer discounts at each spot.  For example, if a couple retains Darcie as their coordinator and Gabe as the DJ, there is a discount extended.  With the ordering of invitations from Darcie or a candy buffet, additional discounts are added on, and this is their way of helping the couple to have a wonderful wedding day and get a little break in the cost.  Mahalo Darcie and Gabe!!!

Show times are as follows:    Fridays at 6:30pm
Repeats:                                   Saturdays at 1:30pm
                                                  Mondays at 5:00pm
                                                  Tuesdays at 6:00am & 2:00pm
                                                   Fridays at 9:00am

Wanna be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #14 on OC16 - Eventful Hawaii and Zap Cafe

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!!
We are currently filming our first couple for the reality show scheduled to air on OC16 March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow. Know of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know (see below in pink for more info).

Here’s what our show can do for you.  Wedding couples – save up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 90% of costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Hopefully, you’ve seen our show and see the quality and value in it.  Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes.  Join us!

We are proud to sponsor our third professional on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, Kalena Paty Photography for the month of October.  We are pleased to sponsor them with $6,700.00 worth of advertising on our television show on OC16 and will continue to support other companies or individuals by offering them sponsorships too!!

The gardens at Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill is the backdrop for the first interview on Hawaii’s Wedding Professional’s Episode #14.  Many local residents know this location as Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe.  Host Kahu Kalehua Featheran chats with guest Kehau Volhein, lead wedding coordinator and owner of Eventful Hawaii in the gazebo that overlooks the pond at Haiku Gardens.

Kehau Volhein of Eventful Hawaii

Having begun filming for the upcoming (2011) wedding reality mini series, Kahu Kalehua has quickly come to appreciate the value and key role that a wedding coordinator/planner plays in a successful wedding day for the bride and groom.  From the real challenge of finding ways to create a dream wedding for a couple with limited finances to having a back up plan for inclement weather, Kehau’s experience and resourcefulness takes much of the stress out of the wedding day for the couple.

As an added treat, videographer Sam Owens was able to capture the Blue Angels, who were doing practice runs over Kaneohe on the day this interview was taped.

Kahu Kalehua’s second guest is Sandee Ashby, Chief Operating Office of Zap Café on the corner of McCully and Young Streets.  Sandee comes from a strong restaurant background, having owned Crepe Fever and Mocha Java in the Kakaako area previously and now Zap Café.  The restaurant is situated in the building that was once American Savings Bank.  Sandee retained the bank’s vault and small groups are able to use it as a special events room.  This is a great place to hold wedding showers, rehearsal dinners, as well as baby showers, birthday parties and so on.  An aloha to Celeste and the gang who allowed us to film their surprise baby shower at Zap!

Sandee Ashby of Zap Cafe

The menu at Zap is contemporary and innovative, with an island flair.  There is a signature pasta, that sounds so ono-licious as Sandee describes it that you can almost taste it.  And, a wonderful Chocolate Addict cake that looks so rich and sweet, but when you taste it, it’s just the right sweetness for the finale to a great dinner.

Show times are as follows:    Fridays at 6:30pm
Repeats:                                   Saturday 1:30pm
                                                  Mondays at 5:00pm
                                                  Tuesdays at 6:00am & 2:00pm
                                                  Fridays at 9:00am

Wanna be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #13 on OC16 - Duke's Limousine and Doug Fitch Music

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!!

We just started filming our first couple for the reality show.  It is scheduled to air on OC16 starting March 2011 with bigger surprises to follow.  If you know of any wedding couples who would like to be on the reality show, let me know (see below in pink for more info).

Here’s what our show can do for you.  Wedding couples – save up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses.  Wedding vendors and wedding planners – save up to 90% of costs for television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16.  Hopefully, you’ve seen our show and see the quality and value in it.  Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes.  Join us!

Mahalo Alana Brun of Alana’s Island Events, for helping me to coordinate the guests on Kauai and also mahalo to Charity Vazquez of Charity V Photography.  You guys were a blast!!!  Maui, see you in October and Big Island in November.

Keith, Duke, Tanya and Billy of Duke's Limousine

We are proud to sponsor our second professional on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, Dukes Limousine for the month of September.  We are pleased to sponsor them with $6,700.00 worth of advertising on our television show on OC16 and will continue to support other companies or individuals by offering them sponsorships too!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

There is nothing as rewarding to a business than having satisfied and happy customers and because the staff at Duke’s Limousine provides excellent service, they abound with wonderful testimonials from their wedding couples.  In this episode of Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, we open with a testimonial from William and Janelle Montero, a newly married couple who share their wedding day experience in Duke’s Limousines.

Host Kahu Kalehua Featheran finally gets to meet Duke Tiet, President of Duke’s Limousines, as well as his lovely wife, Tanya, who had been a guest on an earlier Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals episode.  Duke shares how he began in 1993 with 2 vehicles and he and his wife as the drivers.  From there, the business has now grown to a fleet of 10 vehicles, ranging from a sedan or SUV to their stretch limos and the triple axel Hummer that is often the vehicle of choice for wedding couples, since it can carry the entire wedding party.

During the interview, viewers get to see the various vehicles in the fleet as well as the inside of the limos.  Tanya adds that couples can be picked up at their home or hotel and driven to a church or outdoor venue, as well as transported to a different location for photo taking…each reservation is tailored to the couple’s itinerary for their special day.

Kahu Kalehua’s second interview opens with Doug Fitch singing Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai, while his beautiful colleague, Noco Ku’uleinani dances hula to this popular upbeat number.  Filmed with Kaneohe Bay in the background, Kalehua and his guests appear to be floating on the water during this segment.  Doug plays traditional Hawaiian music and instrumentals at wedding ceremonies, adding folk music and originals at receptions.  Graceful Noco Ku’uleinani, learned to hula while in Tokyo and has been dancing for 12 years.  She offers to teach hula to the bridal party so they can surprise their guest with a hula at the ceremony or reception; she also does a hula teach during the program, bringing people on stage to teach them a simple dance.

Doug Fitch and Noco Ku'uleinani of Doug Fitch Music

This interview closes out with Doug playing kihoalu or slack key.  He explains that the first cowboys came to Hawaii with their guitars and because the local paniolo did not read the instruction manual, they ingeniously adapted the tuning of the guitar to their native chants, thus the birth of kihoalu.  A composer of original music, Doug shares a final tune with the viewers as Noco Ku’uleinani dances to it.

Oh, and for the first 3 viewers who emails Kahu Kalehua at kale@weddingsbykalehua.com with the one “blooper” he purposely left in during one of the interviews in this show, he will offer to you one of Doug Fitch’s current CD, Paradise on the Ocean.

Show times are as follows:    Fridays at 6:30pm
Repeats:                                   Saturdays at 12:30am & 1:30pm
                                                  Mondays at 5:00pm
                                                  Tuesdays at 6:00am & 2:00pm
                                                   Fridays at 9:00am

Wanna be on the show, let me know!!

Hawaii's Wedding Professionals Episode #12 on OC16 - Mea Pacific Traders and Samowens Unlimited

Aloha wedding couples, wedding planners and other interested vendors!!

Starting October 2010, we will be filming our version of Reality Weddings here in Hawaii and airing it on OC16 starting February 2011 with bigger surprises to follow.  Interested?  Let me know.  I just returned from Kauai and want to thank all of our vendors that came on our show.  I’m sorry we didn’t get to all of you that day but we will be back.  I was really surprised by the turnout.  Mahalo again, Kauai!!!  Maui, see you in October.

Here’s what our show will do for you.  Wedding couples – if you’re interested in saving up to 70% of your entire wedding expenses, then you need to get a hold of me.  Wedding vendors, especially wedding planners – if you would like to save up to 90% of television, live streaming and 24/7 viewing access via OC16, I can help you. Hopefully, you’ve seen our show and see the quality and value in it.  Starting early next year, in addition to OC16 we plan to air the show on the west coast, once a week reaching 2.6 million homes for our destination weddings through ION Media who owns and operates the largest television station group in the US, reaching 98 million homes.  Join us!

We are proud to sponsor our second professional on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals, Dukes Limousine for the month of September.  We are pleased to sponsor them with $6,700.00 worth of advertising on our television show on OC16 and will continue to support other companies or individuals by offering them sponsorships too!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals Show #12 – Mea Pacific Traders and Samowens Unlimited

Maile Thompson, Mea Pacific Traders Unlimited

Viewers of Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals Episode #12 are in for a treat as host, Kahu Kalehua Featheran opens this show by singing a few bars from songs about maile leis…a great lead in to introducing his first guest, Maile Thompson, General Manager of Mea Pacific Traders.  As you might guess by her name, Maile has been around maile leis since birth.  Her parents started a business of importing maile leis from the Cook Islands which are situated in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and New Zealand.



Maile shares the cultural significance of the maile lei, why they are used for significant events such as weddings, who wears them, where do the leis come from and how is the maile grown, and where viewers can find Cook Island maile leis.  Those who may be thinking of wearing maile leis for their wedding may find these answers valuable and interesting, so be sure to tune in and hear what Maile has to share.  As she speaks, viewers will see photos of maile leis being prepared by the people of Cook Island as well as one final charming closing photo.

Kahu Kalehua’s second guest has been involved in every Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals episode…from behind the camera.  He is Sam Owens of Samowens Unlimited and the lead videographer for the show.  Sam also does much of the editing for the interviews as well, but this week, we find him on the other side of the camera.

Sam Owens, Samowens Unlimited

Born in Hawaii and raised in Samoa, Sam has always found an outlet for his creativity in the arts; first as an artist, then as a photographer and now a videographer.  You may have seen Sam’s commercial on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals – he doesn’t say a word but his camera tells the story of what he does.  One of Sam’s recent works is a music video for Pegasis Rising, a former guest on Hawaii’s Wedding Professionals.  He is also developing his photography and videography business and enjoys working with wedding couples on their special day.

A humble and soft spoken person, Sam’s dreams are not only for himself and his family, but also for the children of Samoa.  Sam has had many mentors and friends who have helped him through the years and this is why Sam would someday like share what he has learned with the children of Samoa; paying it forward and sharing with them other perspectives and opening up opportunities for them that they might not have otherwise considered.

Show times are as follows:    Fridays at 6:30pm
Repeats:                                   Saturdays at 12:30am & 1:30pm
                                                  Mondays at 5:00pm
                                                  Tuesdays at 6:00am & 2:00pm
                                                   Fridays at 9:00am

Wanna be on the show, let me know!!