Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu)

We love consciously showing people the island! Listen and learn before you visit. The forced annexation of the Kingdom of Hawai’i occurred in 1959. E’s kūpuna along with 95% of Hawaiians signed petitions against the annexation of the Kingdom into the United States. A coup with the Dole family and US military overthrew Hawaiian people and Queen Lili’uokalani. The John Oliver episode about Hawaii is a great resource to learn more about this long history of exploitation. Historian Adam Keawe also has an informative blog. We are so excited to share the beauty of the Hawaiian islands with you!

The vibe of our wedding will be eclectic tropical! The dress code is semi formal/cocktail attire. Wear what you feel comfortable in. Ex: linen, fun floral prints, bright colors. We can’t wait to see yah all cleaned up and looking your best. Feel free to try to outshine the brides ;)

We have a hotel block at Kaimana Beach Hotel! This is a queer owned boutique hotel on Kaimana Beach frequented by monk seals and sea turtles. On site, there is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop. The hotel offers experiences including lei making, intro to ukulele classes, SUP rental and surf instruction. We have a variety of rooms with varied views at different price points starting at $225/night. Call and let them know you are with the Nelson/Baldwin wedding. Here are a few other options close by at different price points: Queen Kapiolani Waikiki Aston at the Waikiki Banyan

Book Recs: Island Wisdom by Kainoa Daines and Annie Daly, Dismembering Lāhui: A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887 by Jonathan Osorio, Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawaiʻi by Hokulani K. Aikau, Hawaiʻi's Story by Hawaiʻi's Queen by Queen Lili‘uokalani, From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai'i by Haunani-Kay Trask, Asian Settler Colonialism: From Local Governance to the Habits of Everyday Life in Hawai'i by Kapulani Landgraf, Hula: A Novel by Jasmin Iolani Hakes. Checkout Native Books website for more recommendations. https://www.nativebookshawaii.org/

Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures with an abundance of ono (delicious) food. Here are a few must-try foods while you are on island: spam musubi from 7/11 (trust me), shaved ice, malasadas from Leonard’s, haupia pudding, L&L plate lunch, manapua from Royal Kitchen, lilikoi pancakes, poke bowls from Foodland, a cold can of Hawaiian Sun on the beach

Do’s- Do try spam (or tofu) musubi! Do wave or give a Shaka if someone lets you merge. Do learn about Hawaiian Culture while you are on island. The Bishop Museum is a great place to do this. Do check for red flag warnings and rip currents! Do try some of Rach’s fave spots for vegan food. Do respect wildlife like turtles and monk seals. Do use reef safe sunscreen :) Do adjust to the slowness of island time! Things move slowly here. Don’ts- Don’t honk! Locals don’t honk unless someone is in danger. Don’t remove natural souvenirs like coral, rocks, shells, and sand. Not only is it bad for the environment, it’s considered bad luck on the island. Don’t walk on coral. Don’t underestimate the sun- Rach knows from experience! Don't geotag, it keeps beaches and spaces from overcrowding and becoming overrun with tourists.

Car rental is a great way to see all that the island has to offer! Valet at the hotel is $40/day. If you are planning staying in town, Uber and other ride share services are readily available. If you’re feeling wild, rent a moped!

Having you here on our big day is enough! However, we have chosen two charities that we believe in linked on our registry page if you would like to make a donation. E chose Spill the Tea Cafe- an inclusive mental health clinic focused on LGBTQ+ adolescents. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges due to the unique social, emotional, and developmental challenges they face. STTC is a specialized healthcare facility that aims to provide comprehensive and evidence-based treatment and support to adolescents struggling with mental health issues. The goal of STTC is to promote the mental health and well-being of adolescents by providing accessible, compassionate, and personalized care. If you know Rach, you know that animal advocacy is near and dear to her heart. Aloha Sanctuary provides a home for neglected, abused, and/or abandoned animals, and promotes compassion towards these animals through public engagement and education.

Dress in Hawaii is casual. Shorts, T-shirts, aloha shirts, loose and breathable dresses/pants are common items to pack. Many people wear slippers (flip flops to mainlanders) or sandals on a daily basis. Closed toed shoes are helpful if you plan on hiking (it can get muddy and slippery). A light rain jacket is a necessity as it rains almost everyday in Hawai'i. It’s a light rain that usually doesn’t last more than 30 mins. Don’t forget your swimsuit ;)