How to 'Go Local' at Your Hawaii Wedding

I love a simple outdoor wedding. Give me a table, chairs and sunshine and I'm happy. When it comes to food, I'm not into fuss either. Set me at this table and fill me up with simple salads, wine and cheese and that'd be my kind of wedding.


Following our Hawaii Bride's post on Downtown catering last week, I got to sit-down with Chef/Owner Ed Kenney on Monday to chat about what Hawaii's modern bride is looking for. Like Kristina said, great food pretty much makes a wedding... though I guess food is really only second to the actual wedding itself, we shouldn't forget that! Gone are the carving stations or hastily put together buffets, couples want great food, presented beautifully and (I'd like to throw in a third request) more and more couples are going local. We hear it all around town, but what does it really mean to 'go local'?


Well, here's an idea: Let's start with food. I love spending my Saturday mornings at the KCC Farmer's Market not 5 minutes from Waikiki. Over the past several years, the Farmer's Market has exploded and my favorite stall to visit is Ma'o Organic Farms. The first thing you'll notice are the piles of fresh salad mixes, chard and other leafy greens. The next thing you'll notice are the teenagers that man the stall... Ma'o Organic Farms was established to get Hawaii's youth back in the fields and to give them the opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable, local social entrepreneurship. Ma'o has given thousands of youth, many of Native Hawaiian descent, a sense of purpose and accomplishment by getting them in the fields producing Hawaii's best organic produce.


Chef Ed of Downtown has been on of Ma'o's biggest supporters over the years featuring their 'ono salad mixes and greens daily. I've been a customer/fan of Town and Ma'o over the years and proudly support their mission of bringing local, organic produce AND supporting Hawaii's youth to the forefront of Hawaii's 'go local' movement.


So you're getting married? And you're probably hiring a caterer, right? Here's one little but awesome way you can go local: Ask your caterer to help you support Ma'o Organic Farms. Whether you're purchasing your greens through your caterer or making a trip to the Farmer's Market yourself, go local at your wedding by supporting Hawaii's environment and our youth. We promise you'll eat well and feel great on your Big Day.


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images by Honolulu Weekly, Ma'o Organic Farms and Pacific Bride Guide photographer Christie Pham