A few months later they "officially" met at a friend's party. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Bennett quickly asked her out — to a concert even he called lame. Awber said no.

The next time Bennett ran into her, he tried again, this time inviting her to dinner at Saigon's Restaurant on Wai'alae Avenue. Awber finally agreed.

"He just didn't give up," said the 31-year-old clothing and jewelry designer.

After dating for about six months, they became inseparable and decided to move in together. (He hated biking up to her house in 'Alewa Heights.) And for the past 10 years, it's worked out, thanks to his patience and her forgetfulness.

"I get mad at him, but then I forget about it," said Awber, laughing. "We just get along really well. ... I don't get sick of him, and that's a good thing."

It helps that they have a lot in common. They both love to surf — he grew up surfing on Moloka'i, she frequents Tonggs — and share an allegiance to "The Matrix" trilogy.

But what they both felt passionate about — aside from "Tekken 5" — was the dream of starting their own business.

Just not the same business.

In 2002 Bennett quit his job at a publishing company to start a business with three other young entrepreneurs. Using his background in production and graphic design, Bennett helped launch Joots Inc., a marketing/advertising/design firm based in Kai-muki. Its clients include Jamba Juice, Nextel and Scott Hawaii.

The next year, Awber and her co-worker/roommate, Lan Chung, lost their jobs at a retail boutique at Ala Moana Center. They turned their misfortune, and severance pay, into an opportunity. That summer, from their living room in Pauoa, they started Fighting Eel, a line of simple-yet-sexy clothing sold in 15 boutiques from California to Virginia.

Their career moves had a bonus benefit: It prompted Bennett to finally propose.

"From my vantage point, (getting married) was always a done deal," said Bennett, 29. "We just had college to finish, Europe to see, careers to start ... I always knew Rona was The One and it was only a matter of time."

During Thanksgiving weekend in 2003, Bennett and Awber flew to Moloka'i to visit Bennett's family. Little did she know that stashed in his pocket was an engagement ring, one he had custom-made for her by English jewelry designer Harriet Kelsall.

"I flew there with a very expensive ring in my pocket," Bennett recalled. "I had my hand on it the whole time. I wasn't going to lose it."

That evening Bennett persuaded her to take a walk with him down Make Horse Beach to watch the sunset.

Finally, after eight years together, he proposed.

"There weren't any tears or anything emotional," Awber said. "And I didn't say, 'About time.' "

They were married May 12 on the island where they were engaged, in the backyard of Bennett's family home. One of their close friends, Jackie Pamerleau-Walden, married the couple. (She was ordained just for this wedding.) About 40 guests made the trip, turning the wedding into a weekend vacation. They surfed, hiked, rode skateboards, even dived for shells.

What topped off the wedding, they both said, was the tossing of the bouquet, which landed at the feet of longtime friend Karen Hong. Her boyfriend, engagement ring ready, proposed the next day.