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Updated Oct 14, 2024The Oli Aloha Chant Is a Sacred Start to Hawaiian Wedding Ceremonies
Let aloha lead the way.
If you're hoping to give a nod to Hawaiian heritage or celebrate your special day on the islands and honor Hawaii's culture, you're likely hoping to incorporate the Oli Aloha chant into your ceremony. Or perhaps you have just attended a wedding on the islands—or are about to—and would love to know more about the beautiful moment that takes place at the beginning of a wedding celebration in Hawaii.
The Oli Aloha chant is central to celebrations in Hawaii, as it beckons in a sacred and beautiful moment for the couple and guests to observe. It is one of many Hawaiian wedding traditions celebrated on the islands.
We spoke with Cherise Vonae Shulman, the owner and lead planner of The Perfect Wedding Maui, to get a local's understanding of this Hawaiian blessing for a wedding. Born in Oahu and now living in Maui, she has a deep understanding and love for the island and its heritage that she brings to the weddings she plans. From the history and translation to the Oli Aloha meaning and how to incorporate it into your wedding ceremony script, here's what you need to know about one of the most beautiful Hawaiian wedding sayings.
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In this article: Oli Aloha Chant | Oli Aloha Meaning | Oli Aloha History | When the Oli Aloha Takes Place | Who Says the Oli Aloha Chant?
What's the Oli Aloha Chant?
The Oli Aloha chant is a Hawaiian blessing performed at the beginning of a wedding to welcome guests, acknowledge the anticipation of the ceremony, and celebrate the impending union of the to-be-weds. In the words of Shulman, who has over 25 years of experience with Hawaii wedding planning, the Oli Aloha chant can "transform a moment into something sacred."
The chant is performed in Hawaiian, and is as follows:
Onaona i ka hala me ka lehua
He hale lehua nö ia na ka noe
E kaÿu nö ia e ÿanoÿi nei
E liÿa nei hoÿi o ka hiki mai
A hiki mai nö ÿoe
A hiki pü nö me ke aloha
Aloha ë … Aloha ë … Aloha ë.
What Does Oli Aloha Mean?
Shulman shares that the Oli Aloha "encompasses the aloha spirit of love, peace, compassion and respect. It is a greeting and honors the sacredness of the moment at hand." While it cannot be translated into English without losing its beauty and much of the cultural meaning, a rough Oli Aloha chant translation is:
This is the sight for which I have longed.
Your arrival fills me with eagerness.
Now that you have come, love has come with you.
Aloha and welcome.
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What's the Oli Aloha History?
Before the 1820s, the Hawaiian language was strictly oral. Shulman shares that, before written language was developed, "Hawaiians preserved history, genealogy and spiritual teachings through Oli or chants. These were often composed with hidden meaning layered in poetic metaphors. You'll see this same style of metaphorical writing in Hawaiian songs today. Chants are believed to carry spiritual energy. Performing an Oli is a ceremonial offering—a form of gift given through voice."
We do not know precisely when the Oli Aloha chant was first performed. However, similar to other wedding blessings and Hawaiian wedding quotes, it is deeply sacred and infuses a wedding ceremony with a sense of awe and a profound respect for the land, culture and kingdom.
When Does Oli Aloha Take Place in a Traditional Ceremony Script?
"As a melodic offering, the Oli Aloha opens the wedding ceremony with reverence and grace," Shulman says. "It typically takes place just after the couple meets at the altar. The Oli Aloha is often followed by blowing a pu (conch shell) signaling to the land, the community and the ancestors that a sacred and special moment is about to begin."
When planning your wedding ceremony, it is vital to understand how each piece fits into the flow of the ceremony. As the Oli Aloha chant is a sacred and welcoming experience, it cannot be shifted around in the ceremony without taking away from its intent.
To find wedding officiants and other experts to assist in making your traditional Hawaiian wedding ceremony script exactly what you want, head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace, where you can filter vendors based on location, religion and ceremony type.
Who Says the Oli Aloha Chant?
A kahu, or Hawaiian officiant, typically performs the Oli Aloha chant. An authentic kahu will have a prepared wedding officiant script that couples can work with to ensure it respects both Hawaii's heritage and their personal preferences. If couples would like, they may choose to ask someone other than the kahu to perform the chant. Either way, it should be someone who has a deep understanding of Hawaiian culture and chants.
For couples who are planning a wedding and hoping to acknowledge various cultures, we highly encourage to-be-weds to seek multicultural wedding advice to ensure their day is as respectful as it is beautiful.
