Kumu Hina showing on PBS in May

Kumu Hina is the story of Hina Wong- Kalu, a transgender native Hawaiian teacher and cultural icon who brings to life Hawaii's long-held embrace of mahu — those who embody both male and female spirit, and were traditionally respected as caretakers, healers, and keepers of ancient traditions. 

The PBS series Independent Lens will air Kumu Hina in May (see below for listings in your area). 

The film traces Hina's evolution from a timid high school boy to her position as a married woman and cultural director of a school that specializes in Hawaiian language, history and culture, located in one of Honolulu's grittier neighborhoods. As she contemplates who should lead the school's all-male hula troupe in their final performance, a surprising candidate presents herself: Ho'onani, a sixth grader who is proud to be seen as a mixture of boy and girl. As Kumu Hina helps Ho'onani negotiate the mixed reactions of her classmates and her family, the power of culture to instill a sense of pride and acceptance becomes clear. 

The film also delves into Hina's pursuit of a dream of her own: a fulfilling romantic relationship. Her tumultuous marriage to a headstrong Tongan man offers insight into the universal challenge of loving somebody outside the norm and a deeper understanding of the true meaning of aloha – love, honor, and respect for all.  

For more on this film, visit 

Filmmakers

Filmmakers Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer are familiar to our area because of their critically-acclaimed, award-winning documentary OUT IN THE SILENCE, which became a highly visible model for the use of film for social activism with wide distribution through public television, multiple digital portals, and over 700 community screenings. More about them at kumuhina.com 