HONOLULU, Hawaii – She was in a career transition in 2001, having just left the food service industry aboard seagoing ships traveling to the Far East to be closer to her family and for a position here taking care of the elderly. And Kalona Ortiz admits she 'really enjoyed that' role as a caretaker.
Then she befriended a local lesbian couple who were wedding planners, and Ortiz also started working for them four or five days a week as their gardener.
Soon thereafter, Ortiz was asked to aid in the couple's weddings, and she first started reading poems at the joyous events.
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Pictured: Two of the couples Kalona Ortiz has married. Photos courtesy of Ortiz
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'It came natural for me, and quickly I realized how much fun it was for me, not just for the couple,' said Ortiz, who was born in California and yet lived here for the past 25 years with her family who are from Kauai.
In late 2003, Ortiz planned, coordinated and ministered her first ceremony. And so was born Ortiz's new—and current—gig. She is a celebrant and wedding planner, one of only a couple lesbians locally who perform weddings and commitment ceremonies for the LGBT community.
Hawaii has not legalized same-sex marriages or civil unions; however, the Aloha State does provide for reciprocal beneficiary relationships. Any two people who are not married to each other, including same-sex couples, can register for it.
In 1998, Hawaiians amended their state constitution to prevent the judicial introduction of same-sex marriage, yet the constitution is silent on civil unions and does not prevent the legislature from introducing either same-sex marriage or civil unions.
Last February, the Hawaii state legislature debated legislation to legalize civil unions but, after the hearing in Hawaii House Judiciary Committee, the Hawaii state representatives declined to vote on the subject, killing the bill.
Still, this is one of the most picturesque locations for commitment ceremonies, with its white sand beaches and magical waterfalls. Ortiz runs A Rainbow In Paradise, which averages about 10 weddings per month, including three or four commitment ceremonies. Most are lesbian couples, she said.
They come here in love from across America and such countries as Canada, Singapore, Australia and England, among others.
Ortiz has performed only three commitment ceremonies for local couples over the past three-plus years; however, during this interview, she received a call from a gay couple, seeking her services for a 2008 event.
'We do anything and everything to make the celebration just as the couple envisions – from a certain location to a certain flower included,' said Ortiz, 46.
Ortiz's ceremonies are non-denominational. 'I embrace all cultures and beliefs,' she said, 'and I tailor the event to the couple's cultures, even if it's a mixed relationship.'
Hence, Ortiz has mixed, oh, Jewish customs with Asian beliefs.
'I really take the time to personalize the event to exactly what the couple wants,' Ortiz said. 'I'm smaller than some [ wedding planning ] companies and more intimate [ with the couple ] , so I can do that. And I plan to keep it that way.'
Ortiz is one of about 15 companies on Oahu that perform commitment ceremonies, and there are at least 15 others on outlaying islands, such as Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.
'Being a lesbian, I really embrace the [ commitment ] ceremonies. It's a personal thing, being family, and I think it shows,' said Ortiz, who came out at age 17.
Ortiz is strict about who she hires for the commitment ceremonies she organizes. 'I make sure that whoever is at the event embraces the situation,' she said. 'I don't want any [ anti-gay ] vibes at all … because I can immediately sense the bad vibes, and that makes me uncomfortable. So I certainly don't want the couple upset, too.'
Over the past three years, Ortiz has only had one musician who she has refused to use for commitment ceremonies. 'I just didn't like the way he talked, some of his remarks,' she said.
Ortiz doesn't waiver on her policy that all attendees, even hula dancers, must be gay-friendly. 'That's extremely important to me because I want the people who I'm doing the event for to be totally comfortable and free to be who they are, and not feel any bad vibes on their special day,' she said. Nor has she encountered problems from people on the beaches, she said.
Ortiz has a limited advertising budget. She mostly relies on word-of-mouth and a strong Internet presence, which has led to more gay ceremonies over the past year or so.
Ortiz said her commitment ceremonies range from $500-2,500 for the service ( including leis, photos, etc. ) . She coordinates all held on Oahu, and works with a gay business associate on Maui and multiple associates on Kauai.
Ortiz said the top beach locations on Oahu are Sunset Beach ( North Shore ) , Lanikai Beach, Magic Island and Waimanalo Bay. And about 95 percent of her weddings and commitment ceremonies are held on the beach. Some are held at waterfalls and, surprisingly, some are even held inside hotel ballrooms.
'I never envisioned myself as a celebrant and wedding planner,' Ortiz said, 'but it's been so much more than I ever envisioned because of the feeling I get and the people who I've met. It's been absolutely overwhelming—how many people I have touched and how many people have touched me.
'It's a passion I never felt before.'
For more information on A Rainbow in Paradise Weddings and Commitments, visit www.arainbowinparadise.com or www.hawaiigayunions.com, or e-mail Ortiz at Kalona44@yahoo.com .