FAQs

Question

When do I need to be there?

Answer

The wedding is Tuesday, 2/22/22. To take into account any flight delays and jet lag, we recommend getting in at least two days before.

Question

Which airport should I fly into?

Answer

Kona (KOA) is your best bet but you can also fly into Hilo (ITO). Kona is closer to the wedding locations.

Question

When should I book my flight?

Answer

We recommend getting the Hopper app, you can get alerts for price drops for the dates you're wanting to fly. Prime booking window is usually about 2-4 months out.

Question

How long is the flight to Hawaii?

Answer

FROM: New York ~10 hours Oklahoma City / Springfield, MO ~8 hours Salt Lake City ~6 hours

Question

Do I need a visa or my passport to visit Hawaii?

Answer

No, it's a state. -_-

Question

What about COVID-19?

Answer

We expect everyone in attendance to be fully vaccinated. This is not optional. Amber and other family attending are immunocompromised. Please do your part. We will be monitoring and following the latest CDC guidance and will update you on changes as far as mask guidance. Find the latest travel requirements for Hawaii here: https://www.gohawaii.com/travel-requirements As of 11/21, Hawaii requires you to create an account on the Safe Travels Hawaii site, submit proof of vaccination or valid negative COVID test or be subject to 10-day quarantine. The Safe Travels site is here: http://travel.hawaii.gov

Question

Where should I stay?

Answer

We highly recommend AirBnB or VRBO. We have a group discount code with the Hilton Waikoloa Village. You can see more under the Travel section of this site.

Question

What's the best way to get around?

Answer

You will need to rent a car to get around. Driving is easy. The speed limit is 55 MPH max throughout the island. You can rent from any of the major companies at the airport. There are shuttles from the terminal to the car rental area.

Question

What will the weather be like?

Answer

Hawaii in February sees ideal temperatures in the 78 to 80 F range. The waters and beaches remain warm all year round. The nights can get a little chilly in the 50s to 60s, especially in Waimea. Rain is likely, especially in Waimea, Hilo and Volcanoes. Hilo and Volcanoes can also be humid. Rain comes and goes.

Question

What is the time difference from the continental US?

Answer

In February, Hawaii Standard Time is behind by PT: 2 hours MT: 3 hours CT: 4 hours ET: 5 hours

Question

What should I pack?

Answer

Here are some suggestions: - Sneakers/hiking shoes - Pants/jeans - Light/rain jacket (possibly a heavier jacket if you plan on going up Mauna Kea) - Light clothes (t-shirts, shorts, sun dresses, etc.) - Slippers (flip flops) or sandals - Reef safe sunscreen - Swim suit - Shopping bag (plastic bags are banned) - Beach bag/backpack - Sunglasses - Water bottle - Allergy medicine - Portable battery charger

Question

What should I wear to the wedding?

Answer

Hawaiian "business casual" is fine. Aloha shirts or other button down, comfortable slacks, sun and maxi dresses and sandals all work!

Question

Where do we park for the ceremony?

Answer

The hotel currently offers self-parking. For guests staying off-property, our wedding coordinator Megan can validate your parking at the wedding so you don't need to pay any fees. Please bring your ticket with you to the ceremony. For guests staying on property, the nightly parking fee of $39/night per vehicle applies through your room reservation unless you booked a room package where the parking was included.

Question

Will there be seating at the ceremony?

Answer

Yes!

Question

When do we need to be at the wedding ceremony?

Answer

We ask that everyone be comfortably seated at 4:15 p.m. for the 4:30 p.m. ceremony. The Hilton Waikoloa has a lot to see and do, including boat rides, tram, lagoon with turtles and other wildlife, dolphins and beautiful botanical gardens. There are also bars and restaurants on site. If you arrive early, you can enjoy the hotel amenities before start time.

Question

Can I take pictures/videos at the wedding?

Answer

We have hired an excellent photographer so we ask that you "unplug" during our ceremony and don't take phone/tablet photos or video. This will ensure we can see everyone's smiling faces in our pictures not blocked by devices. Once the ceremony is over, feel free to take as many pictures and video as you'd like. Just please don't get in the way of our photographers.

Question

How can I share photos/video that I take during the day?

Answer

We'd love you to share all the moments you capture (outside of the ceremony at 4:30 pm)! We are using The Guest app. It's a free and easy way to have all our photos and videos in one place. You can join the day of via the app and code AMBERMATT or visit in.veri.com/to/ambermatt

Question

Will I see whales?

Answer

Likely, yes! We will be in peak Humpback Whale season.

Question

What are some Hawaiian words I should know?

Answer

Some common words and phrases you might hear: GREETING Aloha - hello/goodbye/love Mahalo - thank you A hui hou - until we meet again E komo mai - welcome COMMON COMMUNICATION ‘Ae - yes ‘A’ole - no Kapu - keep out ‘Ono - delicious Pau - Done Pau hana - End of the work day Kama’aina - local ‘Ohana - family Wahine - woman Kane - man Mahu - “in the middle” third gender Keiki - child Haole - non-Hawaiian, especially white person ANIMALS Honu - turtle Nene - Hawaiian goose Pua’a - pig PLACE ‘Aina - land Mauka - mountain side Makai - ocean side Heiau - shrine or place of worship Hale - home Lanai - patio/porch/balcony FOOD Lu’au - traditional feast Imu - underground oven Kalua pig - pork cooked in imu Malasada - fried sweet bread Musubi - rice, dried seaweed and often spam snack Poke - cubed raw fish Poi - starch paste made from taro root Pupu - appetizer Loco moco - rice, hamburger, egg and gravy Lau lau - taro leaves with fillings such as pork, fish

Question

What do you call that fish with the long name?

Answer

Humu humu nuku nuku apua'a