Who we are

Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi is a project of Qwaves Kanaka Pakipika, a multimedia education and community engagement organization rooted in Hawaiian culture and dedicated to acceptance, respect, and inclusion for all. Our partner and fiscal sponsor is Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities, a statewide 501(c)3 organization supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities that connects people with ideas that broaden perspectives and inspire community and civic engagement. Major funding for the project is provided by the Mellon Foundation.

The Hawaiian name for our project is “Lei Pua ʻAla” or a garland of fragrant flowers, reflecting the beauty and diversity of our rainbow communities.

Contact project directors via email: QueerHistoriesofHawaii@mail.com

MEET THE TEAM

  • Joe Wilson

    DIRECTOR

    Qwaves Kanaka Pakipika

  • Dean Hamer

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Qwaves Kanaka Pakipika

  • Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

    CULTURAL DIRECTOR

    Qwaves Kanaka Pakipika

  • Lyz Soto

    HUMANITIES PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

    Hawai’i Council for Humanities

  • Aiko Yamashiro

    HUMANITIES DIRECTOR

    Hawaiʻi Council for Humanities

  • Patrick Makuakane

    HULA DIRECTOR

    Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu.

  • Kari Kēhau Noe

    DIGITAL DIRECTOR

    Studio Ahilele

  • DeSoto Brown

    HISTORY DIRECTOR

    Bishop Museum

  • Lani Teves

    SCHOLAR HUI LEADER

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa