Hawaiian wedding true to heritage

» Cloaked in native culture

Micah Topolinski and Kimberly Leilani Ventura were married Saturday at Queen Emma Palace in a ceremony that was traditionally Christian but bore no resemblance to the usual white-lace affair.

This was clear to all in attendance, as six kahili bearers led the procession, reciting a genealogy chant to announce the bridal party.

"The kahili, or feather emblems of Hawaiian chiefly families, entered marking the attendance of the ancestors," Kaha'i Topolinski, father of the groom, said. "My wife, Anne, was moved to tears."

Topolinski planned the Hawaiian ceremony for his son and his bride, patterning it after Queen Emma's - which explains the location choice.

Emotions began to rise, he said, when the group Ho'okena sang Hawaiian songs of old. "Emotions were further heightened when the genealogy chant announcing the bridal party was recited," Topolinski said. "Ties are important; it's a family thing. Learning about one's background creates stability."

Princess Kapiolani Kawananakoa attended; the governor and mayor sent proclamations. The outcome was more than Topolinski had expected when he began making a feather cape for his son to wear down the aisle.

"Our family served the chiefs. Even with all of the cultural changes over the years, many Hawaiian families still have their heritage and maintain the traditions," he said.

Son Micah said the experience made him more aware of his lineage. "I want to learn more about my genealogy, my family heritage ... so I can pass it on to the next generation."

And Micah was pleased that Kimberly was willing to hand off planning duties to her future father-in-law. Both local and out-of-town guests enjoyed the uniqueness of the ceremony, he explained. "My wife and I were saying that we had never seen so many guests at an early morning wedding," Micah added.

As the ceremony drew to a close, his father said, the connection, the heritage, the history, all became clear.

"Finally, as a 200-year-old family tapa made of mamaki was draped around the couple, a chiefly symbol of oneness in marriage, my wife and I could feel a oneness with all the family ancestors. It was as if they were present, giving their silent approval and aloha to our son and daughter-in-law. The ceremony in this instance came full circle, reaching into eternity."