Some love stories begin in unexpected places. For Jordan and Elizabeth, it all started at a concert on New Year's Eve in 2019. What began as a chance meeting eventually turned into years of adventures, a long-distance relationship, and one very special surprise proposal at Kualoa Ranch's Secret Island on Oahu, Hawaii.

As an Oahu proposal photographer, I've had the opportunity to capture some incredible moments at Kualoa Ranch, but what always makes these sessions memorable is learning the story behind the couple.

For Jordan and Elizabeth, their story was years in the making.

A Love Story That Started on New Year's Eve

Jordan and Elizabeth first met at a concert on New Year's Eve in 2019, when they decided to take a chance on each other.

Over the years, their relationship grew through shared adventures, concerts, discovering new restaurants, traveling together, exploring each other's cultures, and finding new hobbies.

Eventually, life took them in different directions geographically, but not in their relationship.

Elizabeth was living in Las Vegas while working toward becoming a doctor, and Jordan was building his career in Southern California. For four years, they navigated a long-distance relationship filled with road trips, phone calls, busy schedules, and making the most of whatever time they had together.

Four years of long distance is no small thing. But they made it work, and all those years of traveling back and forth eventually led to something pretty special.

A surprise proposal in Hawaii.

A Surprise Proposal at Kualoa Ranch's Secret Island

For his proposal, Jordan chose one of the most beautiful and recognizable locations on Oahu: Secret Island at Kualoa Ranch.

Located along the shores of Kaneohe Bay on Oahu's windward coast, Secret Island offers a pretty incredible setting for couples looking for a romantic, tropical location to get engaged.

The landscape is a combination of towering palm trees, calm ocean water, sandy beaches, and the dramatic Ko'olau Mountains in the background.

It's one of those places that almost doesn't look real in photographs.

And while the scenery is obviously a big part of what makes Kualoa Ranch such an incredible photography location, the best part of any surprise proposal is always the moment itself.

After years of traveling between California and Nevada to be together, Jordan was finally ready to ask Elizabeth to spend the rest of their lives together.

And this time, their next adventure was beginning in Hawaii.

Some of these were shot on Film!
We offer 35mm film photography as an add-on for surprise proposals, engagement sessions, and weddings throughout Oahu. It's a fun way to mix a little old-school photography into your gallery while still getting all the benefits of digital.
The photo above was taken on film!

Capturing the Moment at Secret Island

One of the things I enjoy most about surprise proposal photography is how different every couple's story can be.

Some proposals involve elaborate planning and big surprises. Others are simple, intimate moments in a beautiful location.

Regardless of how they're planned, my approach to photographing them is pretty much the same.

I want the photos to feel natural and genuine, without making the experience feel overly staged or interrupting what's happening.

Secret Island is one of my favorite places for this type of documentary-style engagement photography because of the variety of scenery in a relatively small area.

From the shoreline overlooking Kaneohe Bay to the tropical palm trees and mountain views, there's no shortage of beautiful backdrops for engagement portraits.

And honestly, with a location like Kualoa Ranch, you really don't have to do much to make the photos look incredible.

The landscape does a pretty good job on its own.

Engagement Photography at Secret Island and Kualoa Regional Park

One of the benefits of photographing couples along Oahu's windward coast is having several beautiful locations so close together.

Secret Island offers a secluded tropical setting, while nearby Kualoa Regional Park provides wide-open views of the Ko'olau Mountains and Mokoli'i Island, also known as Chinaman's Hat.

Both locations are favorites of mine for engagement photography on Oahu.

For Jordan and Elizabeth, the combination of their surprise proposal and engagement portraits gave us an opportunity to document an important milestone in their relationship while taking advantage of some of the island's most beautiful scenery.

My favorite engagement photos are usually the candid ones. The laughing, walking together, and little moments between poses that actually feel like the couple.

Those are the photographs that tend to mean the most years down the road.

Why Kualoa Ranch Is One of the Best Places to Propose on Oahu

If you're considering a surprise proposal in Hawaii, Kualoa Ranch is easily one of the most scenic locations on the island.

The property sits along Oahu's northeastern coastline, surrounded by lush green mountains, tropical landscapes, and views of Kaneohe Bay.

Secret Island is particularly popular for couples looking for a quieter, more intimate setting compared to some of Oahu's busier public beaches.

Unlike Kualoa Regional Park, Secret Island is part of Kualoa Ranch's privately managed property, so access and photography arrangements need to be coordinated through the venue.

For couples planning a surprise proposal, I recommend considering a few important details:

Location: Secret Island is beautiful for secluded beach scenery, while Kualoa Regional Park offers expansive mountain views and easier public access.
Lighting: Morning and late-afternoon sessions can provide beautiful natural light, depending on the location and weather conditions.
Privacy: Secret Island's managed access can make it a great option for couples who prefer a more controlled setting.
Photography: Having an experienced local photographer who knows the location can make planning and documenting the surprise much easier.

I've photographed numerous proposals and engagement sessions around Kualoa Ranch, Secret Island, and Kualoa Regional Park over the years. Each location has its own advantages, and choosing the right one really depends on the experience you're hoping to create.

Congratulations, Jordan & Elizabeth!

From meeting at a concert on New Year's Eve in 2019 to spending four years making a long-distance relationship work, Jordan and Elizabeth's story is a reminder that the proposal itself is only one small part of a much bigger journey.

There's so much that happens before we ever pick up the camera.

All the road trips, shared experiences, long conversations, and years spent building a relationship are what make moments like these worth documenting.

I'm so grateful Jordan trusted us to capture this part of their story.

Congratulations, Jordan and Elizabeth! Wishing you both a lifetime of adventures together.

Want to See the Full Engagement Gallery?

Here’s all of Jordan and Elizabeth's favorite photos from their surprise proposal and engagement session at Kualoa Ranch's Secret Island and Kualoa Regional Park.

One thing we do a little differently at Tone Photography Studio is let our couples choose their favorite images from their session. Rather than having us decide which photos make the final cut, they get to select the moments that mean the most to them. We then individually edit those selections in our signature style.

These are the photos Jordan and Elizabeth loved most from their day!

Planning Your Own Kualoa Ranch Surprise Proposal?

At Tone Photography Studio, we specialize in natural, candid surprise proposal and engagement photography on Oahu, Hawaii.

We're based near Kualoa Ranch and regularly photograph couples at Secret Island, Kualoa Regional Park, Kahana Bay, and other beautiful locations throughout the island.

Whether you're planning a surprise proposal at Kualoa Ranch or looking for an Oahu engagement photographer to capture your Hawaii vacation, we'd love to help document the experience.

Explore more of our Oahu proposal photography, view recent engagement galleries, and inquire about availability at www.tonehawaii.com.

Kualoa Ranch Secret Island Surprise Proposal | Jordan & Elizabeth's Oahu Engagement