Blake "Brutus" LaBenz
Wedding Officiant
Brutus LaBenz is a wedding professional known for bringing warmth, confidence, and authenticity to every celebration. With over 15 years of experience and a natural ability to connect with couples and guests alike, Brutus specializes in creating wedding experiences that feel personal, meaningful, and effortlessly memorable.
With over 15 years of experience performing ceremonies, Brutus LaBenz brings his love of Hawaiian culture, language, and mālama ʻāina(care of the land) into every wedding, blessing, and ceremony he performs. Born and raised on Oʻahu, and deeply rooted in ʻike Hawaiʻi(Hawaiian knowledge), Brutus holds a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies and a B.A. in Hawaiian Language from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, grounding his work in both academic knowledge and lived cultural practice.
A passionate cultural practitioner, Brutus has danced hula for over 25 years and is a proud member of an award-winning hālau. He has also been trained in oli (chant) for more than 20 years, and is an active member of the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana (PKO), a grass-roots community organization who are the recognized stewards of the island. Over his 26 years with the PKO, Brutus has been fortunate to learn cultural protocols through participation in various ʻaha (ritualized prayer) such as Makahiki, rain ceremonies for Kāne, and cleansings or purifications. These experiences allow him to thoughtfully incorporate traditional elements into modern ceremonies in a way that is respectful, meaningful, and deeply personal. Whether officiating weddings, vow renewals, conducting clearings and blessings, or celebrations of life, Brutus creates experiences that honor love, place, and connection.
Professionally, Brutusʻ background includes seven years teaching Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, five years with the City & County of Honolulu’s Land Use Approvals Branch, 9 years as a Land Management Specialist for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), and 1.5 years with Forest Solutions Inc. where he currently serves part-time as a Cultural Planner.
In addition to his professional and ceremonial work, Brutus is an actor, most recognized in commercials for Kona Brewing Company; however, he most recently portrayed the Kumu Hula in the 2025 live action remake of Lilo & Stitch! Together, these experiences shape Brutus’s ability to thoughtfully and confidently weave Hawaiian cultural values, protocol, storytelling, and ʻike (knowledge) into modern ceremonies while honoring each couple’s unique journey.
Above all, Brutus LaBenz is committed to celebrating love in all its forms. His goal is not just to officiate a wedding, but to create a moment that feels honest, powerful, and unforgettable—a ceremony that truly represents who you are and the life you’re building together.
If you’re looking for a wedding officiant who is professional, personable, authentic, and deeply invested in making your ceremony exceptional, Brutus LaBenz would be honored to be part of your big day.
Reviews
We will forever be grateful to have had Kahu Brutus La Benz from MYIH perform a most thoughtful and inspiring for our elopement ceremony at Lulumahu Falls. Not only did he narrate our love story in a very charismatic way, but he incorporated incredibly touching spiritual significance and provided invaluable advice that we will forever cherish. He fulfilled all of our unique requests without hesitation (including hiking to a waterfall with us) and did so with the utmost care and intent, allowing us to enjoy a ceremony that highlighted beautiful tradition with a personal touch. We could not recommend working with Kahu Brutus enough and are extremely happy that he was a part of our special day.
Perfect Officiant for Wedding Ceremony
5.0
We are so grateful we chose Brutus Labenz as our wedding officiant. He went above and beyond to make our ceremony truly personal and meaningful. Brutus took the time to understand both of our cultures and helped us incorporate them in the most respectful and beautiful way.
He guided me through writing and performing my own original oli (Hawaiian chant), which became one of the most powerful moments of our entire day. He also helped us honor my wife’s heritage by facilitating our jumping of the broom, and he did it with cultural care, intention, and joy. Brutus was incredibly professional, warm, and thoughtful throughout the entire process. He helped craft a ceremony that was heartfelt, fun, and uniquely us. We honestly can’t imagine our wedding being any better than what he created for us. If you’re looking for an officiant who brings cultural respect, creativity, and genuine aloha to your ceremony, Brutus is the one. Highly recommended!
Flawless and Beautifully Personalized
5.0
Kahu is the real deal. I wanted someone who was going to create a very authentic and special Hawaiian ceremonial experience for us and our guests and he DELIVERED. All my guests were completely enthralled by him and many said he was their favorite part of the whole day. No exaggeration, they were obsessed. I honestly feel honored to have had him be a part of it.
Kahu Brutus is the real deal
5.0
Kahu Brutus is one of the best officiants you can hire in Hawai’i. Our guests raved about how beautiful he spoke and conducted the ceremony w/ traditional Native Hawaiian elements. As a Native Hawaiian myself, my ‘ohana was most grateful that I incorporated those elements in my wedding ceremony. My (now) husband’s guests were unaware of the traditional Native Hawaiian elements and what they entailed, but Kahu Brutus did an AMAZING JOB explaining and educating our guests. He also added personal elements of my family and of our relationship into the ceremony. He also cracked some nice jokes throughout, which we absolutely loved. AND he pronounced my (now) husband’s name correctly! YAY!
Best officiant ever!
5.0
Services & Pricing
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Brutus truly conducts ceremonies in a wonderful and beautiful way, allowing for any wedding couple to express their love for each other. It is a sincere and heartfelt experience that exemplifies the feeling of ALOHA through appreciation for the wholeness of the couple’s life journey. Though it is not a traditional Hawaiian wedding, Kahu Brutus shares elements of Hawaiian culture and ceremony that may include: Hawaiian chant (oli), the blowing of the conch shell (pū), lei exchange, and the use of salt (pa'akai). Water is an essential life-giving force that is a featured natural element in the ceremony with the cracking of the coconut (niu) and/or the metaphoric act of hand-washing. Please inquire for more information and a sample ceremony flow.
*The Hawaiʻi State Sales Tax (4.712%) will be added to all orders.*Travel Fee may apply on Oahu:
Ewa/Kapolei/and Further West
Waimanalo to North Shore -
*The Hawaiʻi State Sales Tax (4.712%) will be added to all orders.
*Travel Fee may apply on Oahu:
Ewa/Kapolei/and Further West
Waimanalo to North Shore -
Typically this ceremony is best conducted immediately following the Wedding Rehearsal or before the Wedding Rehearsal Dinner. Itʻs can be a really beautiful and intimate time for the couple and the most special people in their lives to align together and bless the rings.
Please inquire for further details*The Hawaiʻi State Sales Tax (4.712%) will be added to all orders.
*Travel Fee may apply on Oahu:
Ewa/Kapolei/and Further West
Waimanalo to North Shore -
*The Hawaiʻi State Sales Tax (4.712%) will be added to all orders.
*Travel Fee may apply on Oahu:
Ewa/Kapolei/and Further West
Waimanalo to North Shore -
ʻŌkupu Aʻe - Cleansing & Energetic Alignment Ceremony
For many in Hawaiʻi, having a “blessing” performed is a common local tradition for occasions such as moving into a new residence, purchase of a new home or property, opening of a new business, and the like. The Hawaiian word for a “blessing” is “pōmaikaʻi”; and while it’s great to have such blessings bestowed upon, it won't always mean that the persons, spaces, and intentions are aligned to proliferate those “blessings”. People, places, and spaces are often subject to various energies and outside intentions that may block and interfere with the positivity and abundance that is desired to be created. As such, in Hawaiian culture, it was more commonplace to cleanse, clear, and purge in order to create an aligned and intentional result. Please contact for more information.
*The Hawaiʻi State Sales Tax (4.712%) will be added to all orders.*Travel Fee may apply on Oahu:
Ewa/Kapolei/and Further West
Waimanalo to North Shore -
Brutus is also experienced in serving as an engaging and professional emcee for events and receptions, bringing warmth, clear communication, and a genuine connection with guests to keep programs flowing smoothly and joyfully. His background in performance and public speaking allows him to guide audiences with ease and aloha, creating a welcoming atmosphere at weddings and celebrations alike. Families and couples appreciate his ability to personalize announcements and transitions, helping every part of an event feel meaningful and well-orchestrated. Please contact for more information or to discuss your needs.
*The Hawaiʻi State Sales Tax (4.712%) will be added to all orders.
*Travel Fee may apply on Oahu:
Ewa/Kapolei/and Further West
Waimanalo to North Shore -
Kahu Brutus also offers culturally grounded openings for conferences and seminars by leading appropriate Hawaiian protocol, including oli (chant), pule (prayer), and cultural context that honors place, purpose, and gathering. His presence sets a respectful, intentional tone, fostering connection, clarity, and alignment for participants from the very beginning. Please contact to discuss your needs.
*The Hawaiʻi State Sales Tax (4.712%) will be added to all orders.
*Travel Fee may apply on Oahu:
Ewa/Kapolei/and Further West
Waimanalo to North Shore -
Kahu Brutus offers compassionate, culturally grounded support to families navigating loss, bringing a calm and heartfelt presence to funerals and celebrations of life. Drawing on Hawaiian culture, language, and ceremonial practices such as prayer (pule) and chanting (oli), he creates personalized services that honor the life, spirit, and legacy of the deceased. His approach centers on aloha, connection, and healing, helping families feel supported, united, and at peace during a difficult transition. Please reach out to discuss how Brutus can best be of service to you.
*The Hawaiʻi State Sales Tax (4.712%) will be added to all orders.
*Travel Fee may apply on Oahu:
Ewa/Kapolei/and Further West
Waimanalo to North Shore