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Aloha, and welcome to Hawaiian Wedding Canoe, the only service providing soon-to-be newly weds with a truly memorable experience on their wedding day: arriving to the reception via Hawaiian Sailing Canoe.


What is a Hawaiian Sailing Canoe?
A Hawaiian Sailing Canoe is a traditional form of transportation used throughout Polynesia for thousands of years. Sailing canoes enabled island-to-island migration, resulting in the most widespread, interconnected cultural region on Earth. As well as fulfilling the need for transportation the sailing canoe provided a means of sustenance, as fishing expeditions and the transportation of plants and animals provided food resources for entire communities. Hence the sailing canoe has always been a centerpiece of Hawaiian culture, and continues to be the focal point for cultural revival here in Hawaii.

The traditional sailing canoe consists of a single hull (twin hulled canoes were primarily used in long distance, open-ocean voyaging), two ama's or outriggers, and a 'crab-claw' style, free standing sail. Fiberglass and foam have replaced traditional materials, yet the layout of the modern sailing canoe has deviated little from the original design. The area between the canoe hull and the main ama is covered by a 'tramp'; an elastic tarpaulin providing comfortable riding area for passengers as well as a functional means to distribute weight in the canoe. Sailing canoes were traditionally 'dressed' in leis of flowers and feathers for significant events such as weddings and funerals.

What makes this experience Unique?
Hawaii has been one of the world's most popular wedding destinations since tourism has been the mainstay of this beautiful island archipelago. More recently, however, there has been emerging interest in traditional Hawaiian culture contrasted to the embellished forms of song and dance for the sake of entertainment. The sailing canoe being the pinnacle of cultural achievement for the Hawaiian people adds that unique element of Hawaiiana, not to mention the sense of excitement the service will undoubtedly bring to your Hawaii wedding experience!