But the chemistry between TeHani Gonzado and Shawn Pimental was unmistakable — right from the beginning.

Five years ago Gonzado, then Miss Aloha Hula, and Pimental, a noted musician, were scheduled to perform in Japan. They first met at the airport. There was instant attraction, but both were dating other people.

So they kept it platonic.

"As soon as we got to Japan, though, it was nonstop talking," recalled Gonzado, 28. "I don't believe in love at first sight, but there was something about him. ... I'm usually guarded with my emotions ... but with him, I could be really, really honest."

They promised to exchange phone numbers but didn't.

A month went by. Gonzado and Pimental, not knowing if they would meet up again, ended their respective relationships. Then fate intervened.

Gonzado ran into Pimental at her uncle's recording studio, where he was recording vocals.

Then the next morning, on her way to the radio station where she was working, she bumped into him at Zippy's on Vineyard Boulevard. It was 4:30 a.m., and Pimental had just finished a gig.

"I was in my sweats," Gonzado said, laughing. "I was not looking cute at all."

They finally swapped digits and made plans to hang out. They spent the next few weeks going to the movies, eating out and singing karaoke at Side Street Inn.

Then, after just two months of dating, Gonzado moved into Pimental's place. It was official.

"When she moved her fish in, I knew she was never going to leave," joked Pimental, 32.

But no one thought it would last.

"People said two entertainers couldn't have a relationship," said Gonzado, who also teaches hula in Japan. "There's never too much light for two entertainers."

But they're proving their critics wrong.

Gonzado and Pimental, who were married Oct. 23, 2004, have found a way to fuse their talents — his as a musician, hers as a dancer/choreographer — to create more than a romantic relationship. They're also successful business partners.

Gonzado joined Pimental's record label, Koops 2 Entertainment, which produces and manages notable groups such as Three Plus and Na Palapalai. She handles the booking, marketing and promotions for the company. They both collaborate on everything from songwriting to designing album covers.

"We have the same goals, drive and ambition," said Pimental, who still performs on the side. "Everything just fell into place ... When our creative side started meshing, that really solidified our relationship. It's a nice partnership."

They disagree a lot — like when they're deciding where to eat dinner — but they did agree on one thing: their wedding. It had to be manageable — no more than 250 guests — and at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. And it had to reflect them, not what people were expecting.

"Everybody thought I was going to dance (hula) and he was going to sing," Gonzado said. "And there was going to be reggae and Heineken. But that's so not us."

Instead, the reception featured a live salsa band, a margarita station and cups of Baskin-Robbins ice cream. No wedding cake.

"We wanted it to be really fun," Gonzado said, who added the wedding was a true reflection of their shared life. " 'Work hard and play hard.' That's our goal."