Born: May 15, 1972 (Nuʻuanu district of Oʻahu)
Hinaleimoana Kwai Kong Wong-Kalu, also known as Kumu Hina, is a Native Hawaiian māhū, a traditional third gender person who occupies a place in the middle between male and female, as well as a modern transgender woman. She is renowned for her work as a kumu hula, filmmaker, artist, activist, and community leader in the field of Kanaka Maoli language and cultural preservation. Kumu Hina teaches Kanaka Maoli philosophy and traditions that promote cross-cultural alliances throughout the Pacific Islands. Her contributions to society have solidified her status as a powerful performer, cultural icon, and advocate for indigenous rights.
Born on May 15, 1972, in the Nuʻuanu district of Oʻahu, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu is the youngest of four siblings. Her mother is of English, Hawaiian, and Portuguese descent, while her father is of Chinese descent. She attended Kamehameha School in 1990, where she began to develop her passion for activism. Wong-Kalu pursued higher education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa from 1996 to 2004, further nurturing her drive to create positive change.
Throughout her career, Wong-Kalu has been involved in various transformative endeavors. She co-founded the Kulia Na Mamo transgender health project and served as the cultural director of a Hawaiian public charter school. Additionally, she was a former Hawaiian language kumu at Leeward Community College, where she imparted her knowledge and cultural traditions to eager learners.
Wong-Kalu’s impact extends beyond academic and cultural settings. In a groundbreaking move, she became a candidate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, positioning herself as one of the first transgender candidates for statewide political office in the United States. Her bold campaign challenged societal norms and inspired marginalized communities throughout the nation.
Moreover, Wong-Kalu contributed significantly to the preservation and recognition of Native Hawaiian burial sites and ancestral remains. As the Chair of the Oʻahu Island Burial Council, she played a vital role in overseeing their management, ensuring the protection and reverence they deserve.
Wong-Kalu’s story reached a wider audience through the feature documentary film Kumu Hina, directed by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson. The film, which premiered as the closing night feature in the Hawaii International Film Festival in 2014, captures Wong-Kalu’s journey while shedding light on the challenges faced by māhū individuals within the Native Hawaiian community. Kumu Hina garnered critical acclaim, winning several awards, including Best Documentary at the Frameline Film Festival and the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary. Its national broadcast on PBS in 2015 earned it the Independent Lens Audience Award.
In 2022, Wong-Kalu took on the role of curator for a Bishop Museum exhibit on the Waikīkī’s Healer Stones of Kapaemahu. This further demonstrates her commitment to preserving and promoting indigenous culture and history.
As a filmmaker, Wong-Kalu continued to make significant contributions. She wrote an educational children’s version of Kumu Hina called A Place in the Middle, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival for Kids. This educational resource, featured on PBS learning media, has undoubtedly aided in fostering understanding and acceptance among young generations.
Collaborating with filmmaker Dean Hammer and director Joe Wilson, Wong-Kalu produced the short film Lady Eva. She also contributed to the feature documentary Leitis in Waiting, which highlights the struggle of the Indigenous transgender community in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga. Both films achieved critical success, screening and winning awards at AFI Docs, the LA Margaret Mead Festival, FIFO, and the Festival of Commonwealth Film. They were also broadcast on PBS/Pacific Heartbeat, ARTE, and Maori TV.
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu’s exceptional achievements as a cultural leader, activist, filmmaker, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ and indigenous communities have solidified her legacy as a trailblazer. Her dedication to preserving Kanaka Maoli culture and promoting inclusivity serves as an inspiration to individuals around the world. Through her work, Wong-Kalu has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on women’s history, proving that gender diversity and cultural preservation are integral to the fabric of society.
Awards:
– Best Documentary, Frameline Film Festival (for Kumu Hina)
– GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary (for Kumu Hina)
– Independent Lens Audience Award (for Kumu Hina)