A Hawaiian Sea Burial Company

Native Hawaiians who ‘olelo Hawai‘i or speak the native language, refer to this memorial occasion respectfully as na ho‘ohiwahiwa o ho‘ola or a celebration of life. Interestingly enough, though more and more people from the continental US and other overseas countries of the free world, who have either resided or visited our islands over the years have continuously requested this affordable service. They are usually the kama‘aina or the frequent visitor who has become a hanai or adopted resident of these islands, and who’s heart has become a permanent fixture of their favorite ‘ailana or island. Although our company is anchored on the island of Maui which sea burial services departs daily only out of Lahaina Harbor, we are also servicing the island of O‘ahu, operating directly on the beach at Waikiki, where our company had “unofficially” originated over a half century ago. The service cost is slightly higher at our Waikiki location, because of boat availability, as are all sea burials that are held at sunset time. The amount of family members and invited guests going on board to participate in the scattering ceremony or the size of the vessel will ultimately determine the cost of the sea burial service. To make a reservation for either location, simply dial our business line at 1-808-661-9199 or 1-808-276-4690 which is our cell. We are easier accessible by telephone than to a computer’s email. If no one is available to assist you please leave your name and telephone number with our voice mail and we’ll try to return your call as soon as we can. However, it is recommended that you contact us only during our business hours, which is between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, Hawaiian Standard Time. A mailed in advance non-refundable $500 bank cashier’s check, a credit union check or bank money order is your required deposit for a standard Maui (Lahaina) and Kau‘ai (Po‘ipu) sea burial service, and a $800 bank cashier’s check, a credit union check or bank money order deposit for the larger boats to carry more people. The same service at Waikiki (O‘ahu) requires a $500 deposit. All deposits are not refundable. It will secure and guarantee your sea burial reservation. A multiple sea burial comprised of two or more persons or containers of cremated ashes are priced at $500 more per each added urn or container of a deceased person’s cremated ashes. Yes, your cremated pet animal can also be scattered in the warm ocean waters of Waikiki (O‘ahu), Kau‘ai (Po‘ipu) and Lahaina (Maui) along with you or its master at $100 each pet. Because of our busy booking schedule we will hold your verbal telephone reservation for only 7 (seven) days until at which time, your commitment has monetarily been confirmed and your check has been received. To avoid any embarrassment please do not attempt to smuggle on board any ashes or cremains that have not been paid or accounted for. Effective immediately, any and all payments totaling $500 or more shall be accepted only with a credit union check, a bank cashier’s check or a bank money order in U.S. funds. Your credit union check, cashier’s check or money order must be made and drawn only from a U.S. bank and made payable to SEA BURIALS HAWAII.

If you are an island resident we can recommend a crematorium or mortuary on your island that will provide the cremation service. If you are traveling from abroad to bring the ashes to Hawai‘i, we will instruct you on the procedures of transporting the cremains with you. Today all airlines and U.S. airport security, as you may well know, are very strict with any and all packages traveling through the system. Don’t be discouraged because it’s okay to travel to Hawai‘i with it. Likewise, we’re also accepting boxes of ashes practically every day from different overseas countries and U.S. cities by folks shipping the ashes of a loved one to our company here on Maui by UPS or FedEX requesting for an “unescorted” sea burial service. And if time is of the essence or low finances prevents you to travel to Hawai‘i for this sea burial experience we will gladly assist you with the procedures of you shipping the “unescorted” ashes to us instead. That mode of service is quite common to facilitate as we do many non-accompanied “unescorted” services weekly. The service will honorably be conducted as if you were personally here to partake in the actual sea burial. And for your records or for the benefit of those who are unable to make the trip to Hawai‘i we can videotape the entire sea burial service at a small fee and send the finished product back to you. If you wish to write or speak to former clients who have used our services in the past we can provide you with names, phone numbers and addresses. It is a proven fact that our low cost scattering of a loved one’s cremated ashes at sea saves you thousands of dollars when you compare it to a conventional funeral service held anywhere in the U.S. The essence of aloha is well represented and memorialized in our sea burial service.

The process for the ocean memorial service takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour at both island venues. When available, they will sail at 4 p.m. in the late afternoon or at sunset. To service a sea burial on the large boat, which will safely carry up to 20 passengers, will cost $2,550 plus tax and gratuity at Waikiki and Lahaina, Maui. On Maui, we can very safely service and comfortably accommodate passage for two to six persons for only $1,200, and to safely service up to twelve mourners on a mid-size boat providing the same wonderful “celebration of life” sea burial service will cost $1,800. A sea vessel carrying up to 15 persons out to sea for a Hawaiian sea burial service starts at $2,200 on Maui and $2,400 at Waikiki, each charter requiring a $500 bank cashier’s check or bank money order non-refundable deposit. The “self-service” and “unescorted” sea burial service is available if no one can travel with the cremated ashes to Hawai‘i for the service. You can very easily ship the urn to us. The “unescorted” sea burial service which is videotaped in its entirety is priced at $950. An out of state check under $500 will be accepted only if it is received in Hawai‘i within 14 days to a sea burial service date. Sorry, but we do not accept credit cards for payment at anytime. And if you make your sea burial payment over a thousand dollars in full when sending in your deposit for a reservation we’ll take 5% off of the total cost of your selected package. A nonrefundable $500 bank cashier’s check or bank money order deposit is still required for all Honolulu (Waikiki), O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Maui sea burials. Gratuity and tax will be added after the final figures have been determined. The prices that are listed include a bag of flowers to sprinkle into the ocean after the cremated ashes have been scattered, plus a flower lei for the deceased and one lei each for everyone to traditionally wear upon boarding the vessel, which eventually will be dropped into the water after the cremated ashes had been scattered. Soft drinks and bottled water are included, served on request. The boat, its crew, the minister, the sounding of the ceremonial conch shell, the cultural chanting and Hawaiian farewell music are included. Please make all bank money orders or bank cashier’s checks payable to SEA BURIALS HAWAII. The unpaid balance, if and when it is due in Hawai‘i shall be paid only in cash, a bank cashiers check or travelers checks. A kama’aina (local Hawai‘i residents) an AARP member and active military personnel discount will be honored. An ‘ohana (family) discount is being offered to immediate family members of a deceased relative whose Hawaiian sea burial we had previously serviced is on record. This service was made affordable to comfortably fit into everyone’s budget. Please be informed that all prices are subject to an increase, therefore, you must confirm and secure the current cost with our business office before making a reservation. All final payments, if any, made in Hawaii shall be paid only in cash or travel checks and in U.S. funds. Your reservation toward a sea burial is valid only when both the Agreement and Reservation Order Form and a deposit or payment-in-full has been received at our office in Hawai‘i together. Don’t send one item ahead of the other. It won’t be accepted separately and you must keep one Reservation Form for yourself.

Absolutely no out-of-state personal or business checks will be accepted in Hawai‘i on a sea burial day. NO EXCEPTIONS please, thank you. All final payments due in Hawai‘i shall be made prior to boarding your designated sea burial vessel. Upon receipt of your deposit or full payment by mail you will be assigned a boat of which its departure time will be made to you in an AGREEMENT • RESERVATION ORDER FORM and deposit receipt and the person whom you should contact when you arrive on your respective island. On Maui, call us at 808-661-9199 or our cell at 808-276-4690 when you arrive in Honolulu or Kaua‘i for further boating instructions.

It is important that you have access to email, a fax or cell telephone number so that we may easily expedite important items to you. To make a sea burial reservation for either Maui or Waikiki call 1-808-661-9199 OR 808-276-4690. It’s generally a Hawaiian tradition that mourners and guests have fresh flower leis to cast into the water after the ashes have been deposited. We’ll present to all passengers fresh flower leis to wear when you venture out to sea for the service. But you must remove the string that holds the flowers together because the string could harm the sea animals if they are caught in it. Please wear a hat and protective clothing during your boat trip because the Hawaiian sunrays are quite powerful. Sunscreen is advised. Dress is casual, wear comfortable shorts or beachwear, no nylons or leather sole shoes. We’ll have plenty of bottled water and complimentary soft drinks. If you’re in Waikiki (Honolulu or Kaua‘i) dial 1-808-661-9199 to reach us on Maui. Please do not email us at any time because we do not have the time to read and correspond with anyone by way of emails. A call on our cell phone moves much quicker and is more efficient for conversation. We can converse easier on a cell phone while at sea than with a laptop or a computer.

A Hawaiian Sea Burial Company service consists of the following:
Ø A safe motorized boat or a sea-going sailing vessel with a licensed Captain will be aboard to take our passengers out to the legal limit that is permitted by law, to scatter the cremated ashes. All of our boats are U.S. COAST GUARD inspected, insured and totally safe for this occasion. They are powered by sails or/and large engines. And yes, clean restrooms are on board, but it is advised that your personal use on shore should be completed before boarding your vessel going to sea. The humpback whales are as interesting to see when in season.
Ø A kahu or nondenominational Christian Hawaiian priest will be present to deliver the final parting words. The price remains the same with or without the Christian Hawaiian blessing or final parting words is an option. We will not depart if the seas are not safe for all concerned. We will make that decision within 24-hours prior to its scheduled departure time, but still schedule a make-up sea burial for another day and time or when weather permits. After you have boarded your boat please make yourself comfortable, relax and enjoy your cruise out to sea where the most wonderful sights you’re about to experience on Maui awaits you. The dolphins are fun to watch. As the seasonal giant Humpback whales are quite interesting to see.
Ø Like other boats out at sea, safety is our priority. All invited personnel coming on board for the ceremony will be pointed out their life vest. We do not go beyond the required distance that is permitted by law and we are licensed by the State of Hawai‘i to perform this service.
Ø You are allowed to bring on board only one container carrying the cremated ashes of a deceased loved one – unless we’ve otherwise been advised of a change. It is against the law to smuggle and discharge unknown ashes that are not accounted for. It could cost you more if you violate the law and bring embarrassed moments on this day of remembrance.
Ø Friends or family members on board are invited to share memorable friendly moments and simple “happy talk” about the deceased and say their “final parting words” of aloha during the moment of prayer as you gather together for the last time. Soft drinks and bottled water are always available on board ship, served only on request. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited.
Ø If you choose to avoid hassling with the airlines’ strict security, especially at the airport when traveling to the islands with the cremains of your loved one, you can easily send it directly to us via UPS, FEDEX, etc., to relieve you of such pressure. Simply call an overseas courier in your hometown. A representative will be at your place almost immediately to pick it up and have it delivered to our physical address on Maui.
Ø A Hawaiian Sea Burial Company staff will sound the ceremonial conch shell, and sprinkle a bag of fresh flowers in the ocean waters after the cremains have been scattered, followed by your flower leis and more loose flowers. The CD record playing of island songs of aloha plus a farewell chant is rendered as the boat circles the ashes, and as you watch the floating flowers slowly drift farther and farther away in a distance. The onboard blessing and ceremony begins with a prayer service and final parting words to fondly make this celebration of life a memorable experience which you will cherish for a long time to come as the calm rippling seas and sweet singing melodies of the islands blend harmoniously together as the ashes of a loved one is finally put to rest in our beautiful ocean of aloha and is on his or her way to be at home with ke akua – God Almighty. Our video taping is highly recommended if you wish to share the experience with friends and loved ones at home. A Maui rainbow may also appear at anytime.
Ø After you’ve returned to shore A Hawaiian Sea Burials Certificate will be presented to a family member or caregiver. The amount of persons riding aboard will also determine the length of time your boat will be out at sea because the time consumed during each person’s final spoken words of farewell will make a difference in the time you’re going to be out there at sea.

SELF SERVICED ARRANGEMENTS
If you have no known relatives, survivors or persons whom you can rely on to assist you in preparing your final days on earth or before your human life expires, it is now time for you to seriously have a person-to-person meeting with someone professional from our staff to discuss your burial wishes and the preparation one must make before your final journey to paradise with the Lord. It is your desire alone to have these services provided for you in Hawai‘i. We will discuss each step with you before you’ve made your financial arrangements with a crematorium and after you had paid them what is due in full. Only at that time we will discuss your Hawaiian Sea Burial service as the cremation portion of this service is strictly your own responsibility and after that phase has been finalized, paid for in full and completed, we’ll do the rest for you regarding your sea burial as promised and agreed here within with dignity and respect.

UNESCORTED SERVICES
Remember, if you are not financially or emotionally suited to bring a loved one’s ashes to Hawai‘i for a sea burial, an “unescorted” service can be facilitated. Simply send the cremated ashes in a secured package to us on Maui for the traditional Hawaiian sea burial, by way of UPS, FEDEX or any courier that transports parcel packages to Hawai‘i. We guarantee that we’ll provide the same respectable and courteous service for the “unescorted” ashes as if you or an entire family of mourners were present for the actual sea burial. We will videotape the entire service from the beginning until its completion and have that tape available to you, along with A Hawaiian Sea Burial Certificate. The cost for the “self-service” or “unescorted” sea burial service is priced at $950 each.

FLOWER LEI(S) DROP SERVICE
If for any reason someone is unable to travel to Hawai‘i to participate in the sea burial service, but would like to be included in the traditional “flower lei drop” during the scattering portion of the ashes, they may purchase any amount of leis through your caregiver at $35 each lei and we’ll have their leis on board the boat to represent them when everyone goes out to sea for the sea burial.

NEWSBREAK
The island of Kau‘ai has now been included in our sea burial service system and is limited only to the southern Kau‘ai (Po‘ipu) area. A designated time and boat transporting from 2 to 10 persons out to sea will be in operation once a week for the one hour sea burial boat trip. Because we are headquartered out of Maui the cost for this affordable Hawaiian Sea Burial experience on Kau‘ai is firmly priced at $1,780 per each bag of a loved one’s cremated ashes. It entitles you to the same services as documented on the previous web pages as it were being serviced on Maui and O‘ahu. A nonrefundable $500 bank money order or bank cashier’s check deposit is required in advance with your balance due and payable before boarding your craft, either in cash or travelers’ checks. To make a reservation for a Kau‘ai sea burial service please call our cell at (808) 276-4690 during our business hours, 9 am to 3 pm HST.

Please feel free to call us anytime during our business hours for a no-cost consultation. And remember, for your own peace of mind, that not only are sea burials, practical, affordable and traditional in Hawai‘i, they also are perfectly legal.