Kāneʻohe, Windward Oahu
Paliku Gardens is one of my favorites among all the beautiful Oahu wedding venues. The iconic views of Mokoli'i Island (Chinaman's Hat), the amazing mountain views, and the spacious wedding grounds of Kualoa Ranch make for an amazing wedding location.
A January wedding at Paliku Gardens.
Located about 45 minutes from Waikiki, Paliku Gardens is on Oahu’s windward side. If you’re staying on Oahu, you’ll likely be in Waikiki or on the North Shore. From Turtle Bay on the North Shore, it’s about a 35-minute drive.
While it’s a bit of a drive, it’s totally worth it. To get married with only the sound of nature around you and the incredible scenery is unforgettable.
That said, if you’re having your reception there as well and plan on having an open bar, it’s best to provide transportation for your guests (for destination weddings). You can consider hiring Oahu Party Bus or another transportation company to keep everyone safe.
For wedding videography, Paliku Gardens at Kualoa Ranch is an amazing location. It’s beautiful in every direction, intimate, and offers many spaces and options for your wedding day.
Drone footage at a Kualoa Ranch wedding shows off the incredible surroundings, including mountain views, Mokoli’i Island, and Kaneohe Bay. Note: Kualoa Ranch requires your drone operator to be licensed and insured and to submit the paperwork beforehand. (I am approved to fly the drone at Kualoa Ranch wedding locations.)
I also love the layout. With adequate parking, nice restrooms, and plenty of space, it has one of the best layouts of any Oahu wedding location. There are large lawn areas and beautiful views in all directions.
If you’d prefer an indoor reception space, you’ll want to choose a different venue — Paliku Gardens is an outdoor venue. They do have a covered pavilion, and they just put in a tent, so you do have some coverage in case of rain.
If you want an indoor reception space, see Kōʻolau Ballrooms.
Pālikū also offers an Early Morning Elopement Rental, a shorter, more intimate alternative to a full wedding day. The package runs two hours from 7-9am, accommodates up to 15 guests, and is priced at $1,500 + tax.
The rental includes the ceremony at the Water Tower Lawn or Bowl Lawn plus a one-hour couple’s photoshoot at Jumanji or Mōliʻi Gardens (the famous Kualoa Ranch filming locations).
If a full wedding feels like too much, the elopement package is a real option. I’ll be writing more about Pālikū elopements soon, including what the day actually looks like and how to plan it.
Built from real weddings at this venue. Plan your ceremony, sunset, and reception timing.
Build my timeline →As of May 2026, Kualoa Ranch lists Paliku Gardens at $6,495 + tax for Saturday and Sunday weddings, and $5,495 + tax on weekdays. The fee includes reception seating for 150 with round tables and banquet tables, but ceremony setup is not included — you'll need to bring in a vendor like Aloha Artisans or Accel Rentals. Always check the venue website for current rates.
About 45 minutes by car. From Turtle Bay on the North Shore it's roughly a 35-minute drive. If you're planning an open bar for your guests, it's worth hiring a transportation company like Oahu Party Bus to keep everyone safe on the drive back.
Yes — Paliku Gardens at Kualoa Ranch allows drone footage, but the operator must be FAA Part 107 licensed, fully insured, and approved by Kualoa Ranch with paperwork submitted in advance. I'm already approved to fly the drone at Kualoa Ranch wedding locations.
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