HAWAIIAN MEMORIAL
ASHES TO SEA AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE CEREMONY
Mana'olana's Ashes to Sea and Celebration of Life ceremonies are beautifully intimate, deeply loving, and a positive, meaningful way to honor the memory of your loved one while finding a sense of closure and peace.
You and up to four guests will be accompanied by experienced paddlers in our safe and stable double-hull canoe, adorned with tropical flowers and guided by the spirit of aloha. Please note: for safety reasons, children under 12 years of age cannot be accommodated in the canoe.
A Hawaiian Kahu (spiritual leader) will join your journey to chant, blow the pū (conch shell), offer blessings, and lead your family in sharing memories as you scatter your loved one’s ashes into the sea.
🌺 Watch a sample ceremony video:
http://www.mediaflowproductions.com/ashestosea/
Ceremony Details & Preparation
- Donation & Scheduling:
Our ceremonies are offered by Manaʻolana, a nonprofit organization supporting cancer survivors. We provide a tax-deductible donation letter upon request.
Please email us at admin@mauipinks.org to inquire about availability and donations.
We host only two ceremonies per month, and due to our Kahu's limited availability, we must confirm schedules before finalizing your date.
- Weather Policy:
The ocean’s temperament is sacred and unpredictable. On rare occasions when the sea is too rough for safety, the ceremony will take place on shore. As the Hawaiian saying goes: ʻAʻohe waʻa hoʻoholo o ka lā ʻino — No canoe is defiant on a stormy day.
Even from the shore, your ceremony will remain a heartfelt, beautiful tribute.
- Ash Scattering Guidance:
The most beautiful and respectful way to scatter ashes is directly onto the waves, surrounded by floating tropical flowers.
- Please bring ashes in a biodegradable paper or plastic bag, or consider a bamboo tube (available on Amazon).
- If you prefer to use an urn, it must be compact and water-biodegradable, due to space limitations in the canoe.
This ceremony is not only a spiritual farewell but also a celebration of life, nature, and connection. With aloha, we welcome you to this unique and healing experience.
Here is what families say about our services:
"I just can't get Maui off my mind. The trip was better than I could have ever imagined. Mana'olana Pink Paddlers will hold a special place in my heart. A BIG Mahalo to everybody who was there. The kindness, sympathy and empathy were heartfelt. My heart is now at peace thanks to this experience. I felt a sense of relief after the ceremony. A very strange emotion to describe. I felt my mom’s presence and I know she is so happy with our decision to lay her at rest in Maui. And I will be back!"
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Above and Beyond Our Expectations - “I was carrying a burden. My mother had wanted her ashes scattered off the coast of her beloved Maui, and I had yet to fulfill one of her last wishes. Finally, after much research, I decided to go with the Ashes to Sea Celebration of Life Ceremonies with the Mana’olana Pink Paddlers in Maui. I am more than grateful that I made this important decision. The ceremony went above and beyond my husband’s and my expectations. Everyone there was so understanding, kind, and respectful. The Hawaiian Kahu started us with a spiritual prayer and intention, which made me feel as if my mother’s spirit was smiling down at us from the warm Hawaiian sky. Once we were on the ocean, we sprinkled a circle of flowers on the water as the Kahu continued his prayers. I will never forget the sense of calm and peace upon that beautiful pink canoe after I scattered my mom’s ashes into the deep blue sea. The burden I’d been carrying had been released. My mother had been released. And I could finally say good-by, knowing that she was finally at peace.”
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"Aloha: I want to express my immense gratitude for your professionalism and service. I was afraid the ceremony was going to be a sad day for me, but I have thanked God every day that I came to Mana'olana for my ceremony. It was perfect, and I truly treasure the very reflective, peaceful, and yes joyous fulfillment of my husband's wish. I am forever grateful for the sense of peace that the paddle out has given me. Your team of volunteers is so amazing. The Kahu really pulled it all together and made the service awe inspiring. Thanks for putting together a true “A” list team for me. It was a true celebration of life. Thank You!!"
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"Aloha: Thank you so much for all your work with our photos! They are just wonderful! My mom and I were just talking and she shared just how healing that morning was for her and I think we all felt that in one way or another. I can't tell you just how much it meant to have your team help us release them in that way. It was really exactly what my sister wanted for our dad and the fact that she got to be with him that way made it that much more special. I hope you will pass along just how special it was for us and how much we appreciate you all!!!"