Fun House
Bride discovers a few extra guests at her wedding

By Mary Ray Kahanamoku
Special to The Advertiser

Sargent Kahanamoku and I were married on Aug. 24, 1983, in the old historic Makuaikaua Church in Kona. It was to be a very small wedding, attended only by immediate family members and a few friends. We expected about 20 people in attendance.

But as I started down the aisle, to my surprise, I noticed that the church was almost full.

I found out later that as Sarge and his brother, Louis, were standing outside the church before the ceremony, a Japanese tour bus had pulled up to point out the historic church. I'm sure the passengers were impressed by these two handsome Hawaiians standing at the church entrance, both dressed in white, with red cummerbunds and maile leis. Sarge called out, "Come on in. I'm getting married!" The bus unloaded and the Japanese tourists trooped into the church, thrilled to be invited to a Hawaiian wedding in Kona.

There were quite a few cameras recording that wedding. And most of them belonged to the passengers of the Japanese tour bus.

Do you have a funny story about your spouse or other family members? Has your child said something hilarious? The best Fun House anecdotes of 2001 will be reprinted in the 'Ohana section after the end of the year, and the writers of those selected will receive Ho-nolulu Advertiser logo items.

If you have a true, humorous, unpublished short story about your family or a family-related topic, send it with your name, city and telephone number to: Fun House, 'Ohana Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; e-mail ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 535-8170.

Enter as often as you like. Preference is given to stories 200 words in length or less.