New hula tells the story of Hawaiʻi's LGBTQ history
Interview by Catherine Cruz for The Conversation on Hawaiʻi Public Radio - January 21, 2005:
One of the first actions President Donald Trump took after he was sworn in was to declare that the federal government will recognize only two sexes — male and female.
That declaration comes during a week when a new hula performance premieres in Waikīkī about a longstanding part of Indigenous culture — Māhū, which are people who share both male and female spirits.
Kapaemahu is the name of a short animated film and book about the healing stones of Waikīkī, and now the hula that tells the story will be a part of Waikīki through 2025.
The Conversation talked to producers Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer about the production. Listen to interview here.
The performance debuts at the Price Kūhiō Beach Hula Mound tomorrow at 6:30 pm and it is scheduled to be held every Wednesday. To attened 'The Return of Kapaemahu' premiere, click here.
