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!!