MĀHŪ is a documentary film that explores the Native Hawaiian concept of gender fluidity through an innovative hula theater production that aims to reclaim the traditional place of honor given to māhū (transgender) people.
In the short documentary MĀHŪ, Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakāne explores the history of the Hawaiian term māhū, or transgender, through the creation of a new theater production for audiences in San Francisco and Honolulu. The film interweaves the multi-media stage performance featuring hula, oli, and moʻolelo with intimate interviews with the artistic collaborators of the show who are all acclaimed Hawaiian transgender artists. The film shares stories from Kuini, a gifted musical trio (Hoʻomanawanui Apo, Kēhaulani Tamure and Keli Māhealani Viernes) specializing in leo kiʻekiʻe or Hawaiian falsetto; Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole, a scholar, activist, practitioner and performer borne from a long line of renowned cultural educators; and Kumu Hinalei Wong-Kalu, a hula master, cultural practitioner and leader in the field of Kanaka Maoli (Indigenous Hawaiian) language and cultural preservation. MĀHŪ is a powerful act of reclamation, taking a misunderstood and misinterpreted ideology and celebrating its original meaning of pride and positivity.
Pacific Islanders in Communications Digital Shorts Fund Award
Executive Producer - Patrick Makuakāne
Subject - Patrick Makuakāne
Director - Lisette Marie Flanary
Producer - Lisette Marie Flanary
Cinematographer - Keliʻi Grace
