Big Island Helicopter Proposal | He Proposed After Landing at a Private Waterfall on the Big Island

Aug 26

3 min read

Blue Hawaiian helicopter on a grassy clearing by a tall waterfall, with a couple posing in front of lush green cliffs.

There are a lot of incredible ways to propose on the Big Island, but getting in a helicopter and landing somewhere surrounded by the island’s incredible landscape is hard to beat.

Planning a Big Island Helicopter Proposal

For this proposal, we booked a private charter with Blue Hawaiian, a company I work with frequently and am always happy to recommend. They’re incredibly experienced, and honestly, their helicopter tours are one of my favorite ways to experience the Big Island from a completely different perspective.

Blue helicopter tail with N11QW in foreground, a couple walks toward a tall waterfall in lush green cliffs.

I always recommend booking a private charter if your budget allows. It is a great option if you want the entire experience to feel intimate and completely your own, but it isn’t the only way to plan a helicopter proposal. I’ve also photographed proposals where the couple joins a shared flight, so there are a few different ways to create the experience depending on what you are envisioning.

The plan was to take off, enjoy the flight, and then land at a remote waterfall where he would surprise her with the proposal. After the helicopter landed, that was the moment he had been waiting for!

I love proposals like this because the helicopter ride becomes part of the story. It isn’t just about the moment you get down on one knee. It’s the anticipation of the flight, seeing the island from above, stepping out of the helicopter somewhere completely new, and then realizing what’s about to happen.

As your photographer, I’m there to help make the whole experience feel seamless while still allowing the proposal itself to be a genuine surprise.

Helicopter Flight

Once we took off, the excitement really started to build. Seeing the Big Island from a helicopter is such a unique experience. The landscape looks completely different from the ground.

I was photographing the experience along the way, capturing the little moments between them as well as the incredible scenery around us.

Then we landed.

And this was the moment he had been planning for. I knew exactly what was about to happen, but she didn’t, the proposal was completely unexpected.

She Said Yes!

Couple stands on a grassy clearing by a huge waterfall, with a blue helicopter nearby and lush green cliffs in the background.

As soon as he got down on one knee, the surprise on her face said it all. She said yes! After all the planning that goes into a surprise proposal, this was the moment that everything came together.

They had the waterfall completely to themselves, surrounded by the incredible landscape of Big Island, and suddenly their helicopter adventure had turned into the beginning of their engagement.

We took some time to celebrate and soak in the moment before getting back on the helicopter. And because the proposal was only the beginning of the experience, we still had one more stop: Hilo.

Couple posing and embracing on a stone bridge over water in a lush park, with trees and a calm overcast sky.

Celebrating in Hilo

After the excitement of the helicopter proposal, we headed to Hilo to slow things down and celebrate their engagement with a portrait session. I love adding a photo session after a helicopter proposal because once the surprise is over, you can actually relax and enjoy being engaged. There is no more secret plan to keep track of —you can just take it all in.

Couple on a rocky seaside overlook; man kisses woman’s hand, she wears a floral dress and red flower, cloudy coast behind.

Hilo gave us a completely different backdrop. We explored Liliʻuokalani Gardens, the largest authentic Edo-style garden outside of Japan. After spending the first part of the day buzzing with adrenaline, we were able to slow things down here and just explore the peaceful gardens together. We took a mix of relaxed portraits and candid moments, giving them a chance to celebrate their engagement and simply enjoy being together.

It was such a fun way to finish the day: a helicopter adventure, a surprise proposal at a private waterfall, and an engagement session in Hilo.

Couple embracing on a huge tree by a calm pond in a lush tropical park, with bright green foliage and a romantic mood

Planning your Own Big Island Proposal?

A helicopter proposal is just one of the many ways to create an unforgettable proposal on the Big Island. Whether you’re dreaming of a private waterfall, a sunset on Mauna Kea, or something completely different, I’m here to help you plan the details and capture the moment without giving away the surprise.

Want more ideas? Check out my Big Island Proposal Guide for my favorite proposal locations, planning tips, and photographer advice.

Or, if you’re considering a mountain proposal, take a look at this Mauna Kea Proposal from another Big Island Engagement.

Ready to start planning your own Big Island Proposal? Get in touch! And let’s start dreaming up something unforgettable.

Smiling woman holding a camera stands barefoot on a rocky beach with green cliffs behind her.