GETTING MARRIED IN HAWAII IN 2022
Time really flies, doesn’t it? Well, it didn’t fly during the pandemic, but now that we’re getting back to normal, this year sure is whizzing by. My last article was in January, and I thought I’d better write something – so, everyone would know I’m still alive and kicking. So, here’s a quick update on what’s been happening in Hawaii since the beginning of the year.
TOURISM IS RETURNING TO NORMAL LEVELS
Japan has opened up, somewhat, so we’re starting to see more Japanese tourists in Waikiki. Not so much like before, but they are slowly trickling in. We are getting tons of tourists from mainland USA, which is great. We need tourism as that’s the way most locals, including myself, make our money. There’s been some crap on the internet about locals not wanting tourists. That’s all 1000% bullshit. These memes were created by woke high schoolers, who by the way are unemployed, and then shared by idiotic anti-tourism activists, who are ironically employed by the tourism industry. I promise you, that when you come to Hawaii, you will not experience any anti-tourism sentiment. We are still the land of Aloha, which is our version of Southern Hospitality.
NO WEDDINGS OR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ON WAIMANALO AND SHERWOODS BEACH
A rather large wedding company, which I will not name, but sounds like Clemmings Shove Hawaii, ruined it for all wedding companies. Instead of performing small weddings on the beach that didn’t disturb the residents there, this greedy company decided to set up an archway with chairs, on Waimanalo Beach, every single day of the year. They perform conveyor belt beach weddings from morning to sunset, and well that was just uncool. Local residents didn’t like it and finally got their wish to ban weddings, after years of petitioning. I don’t blame them. Who would want limos clogging up their streets, and a semi-permanent archway and chairs on a public beach 24-7, right? If this company, Schlemmings Dove Hawaii, would have just been respectful, this beach wouldn’t be closed to weddings. Now they are trying to do the same thing at Sandy Beach, and I have a feeling beach weddings will soon be off-limits there as well. Don’t get married at Sandy’s, by the way, it’s just way too windy.
Don’t worry! You can still get married at other beaches that look the same! And to be quite honest, Sherwoods and Waimanalo were never great beaches to get married at. It was away too windy, and way too crowded. And the weather was “iffy.” The only thing it had going for it was those turquoise blue waters, which as I mentioned, you can get at other beaches.
RESERVATIONS FOR RESTAURANTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE MUCH EASIER TO COME BY
I remember when we first opened, it took an act of god to get into a restaurant. Now, not so much. I would still reserve your restaurant on your wedding day, just to be on the safe side. But it’s nothing like it was before. At one time, Outback Steakhouse had a 1-month wait line. Freaking Outback, are you kidding me! Activities are also easier to reserve, except for Kualoa Ranch, for some reason. And there are no longer, long lines to rent a car. BUT, if you rent a car, I recommend doing it through TURO. If you do go through TURO, pick your vendor wisely. Many will drop off the car at your hotel!
COVID IS OUT THERE, BUT THE PANIC IS OVER
I actually got covid in May of 2022. It made me fairly lazy, and the major side-effect for me was watching way too much Netflix. I’m not sure where I got it from, possibly a wedding. Long story short, this Omicron variant is less than a common cold. It’s really not sending anyone to the hospital. This variant was so contagious, that most of my friends ended up getting it, probably from me. And most of the contractors who are working from my house got it, also probably from me. Now that I’m thinking, writing this paragraph, I’m probably a super spreader. Everyone who got covid, suffered massively from Netflix overload. And, when I saw them again, all they could talk about was Stranger Things. It was the worst. For one week, everyone I bumped into could only talk about Eleven, Hawkins, Steve’s hair, and the Upside-Down.
No vax passes are needed anywhere here. You don’t need to take the shots to get to Hawaii. No mask. It’s back to normal.
INFLATION IS A BITCH
As I write this on June 14th, 2022, gas here is $5.50 a gallon. You can get gas at Sam’s Club 50 cents cheaper. So, if you have Sam’s membership, use it. Inflation is driving up the price of everything from leis, limos, to even the cost of ministry services. I’ve had to raise the price of my bouquets, lies, and flowers. I have yet to raise the price of my other services, but I’m going to have to, soon. And trust me, I’m not trying to be greedy, I’m just trying to survive. Gas may actually go up to $9 a gallon. At that point, I swear, I may have to ride my bicycle to weddings!
Let’s go, Brandon! That’s all I have to say about that.
LAST THOUGHTS
All joking aside, Covid is over, but it seems as though hyper-inflation may throw another curveball into your wedding plans. Many of my wedding clients are saying, “F*ck it, let’s do this!” Life still has to go on right? We can’t let this idiotic President control our lives with fear and stupid decisions. If you still want to get married in Hawaii, contact me, I’ll make it happen.
Steve Young
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