Kealoha “Lovey Lee” Kelekolio
In June 2022, the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum opened The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu, an exhibition that explored the past and contemporary meanings of four large stones that were long ago placed on Waikīkī Beach to honor four māhū, extraordinary individuals of dual male and female spirit, who brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi.
Within the expansive exhibition hall was a Cave of Memories where guests could immerse themselves in the personal stories of three individuals who came of age in contemporary Hawaiʻi. One of those storytellers was recently described as the inspiration for Lovey Lee, the play currently being performed at the Kumu Kahua Theatre.
In his Playwright’s Notes, Moses Goods wrote:
“LOVEY LEE is my first attempt at writing a Superhero origin story. The play is based on the life of a real person, someone who is very dear to me and a personal hero of mine. About 10 years ago, House Bill 444 was about to be passed in the Hawaii State Senate, which would legalize civil unions between gay couples. It was of course, however, met with resistance from those who opposed the bill’s content. This was a time for fighters to stand their ground and show their true colors, literally. I had tuned in to the evening news that night to watch the coverage of the rallies and testimonies and then, I saw it: a kukui nut lei. But not one that you would ordinarily see; each seed on this lei was a different color of the rainbow.
I’d seen this very lei before. It had swung from the neck of its wearer during times of solidarity, celebration, and love or in moments of just pure unadulterated GAYNESS!!! In this particular moment, however, the rainbow kukui nut lei had become a suit of Vibranium; a magic hammer; a pouch full of the most potent fairy-glitter stardust imaginable! Its wearer stood up in front of the court and opponents of the bill and, as though he were drawing power from that rainbow lei, spoke his testimony with the kind of authority that only comes from years of standing up for what you believe in. I had already known him for several years prior and had developed a deep respect, admiration, and love for him, but something about seeing him on that television screen changed something in me. He stood there, for all the world to see, with his hip pushed out to one side, wrists bent, hair long and flowy – qualities that we’re taught not to associate with being a man. In that moment, however, the definition of a man was rewritten for me and for the first time in my life I had a gay role model to look up to, one who just happened to have an incredible backstory!
LOVEY LEE is the story of how that rainbow kukui nut lei got its power. Although parts have been altered, names have been changed and characters have been added, this play is my tribute and gift to someone who has become an important part of my journey. Kealoha “Lovey Lee” Kelekolio (pictured above), may this play imbue your rainbow kukui nut lei with just a little more magic.”
From the Cave of Memories in the Bishop Museum exhibition on The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu, Kealoha Kelekolio recounts a childhood memory.
Mahalo nui a loa Kealoha and Moses for sharing your stories!
Images of Kealoha Kelekolio with kukui nut lei courtesy of Honolulu Civil Beat.