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Imagine a world where a little boy can grow up to be the woman of his dreams, and a young girl can rise to become a leader among men. Welcome to Kumu Hina's Hawai'i. KUMU HINA tells the inspiring story of Hina Wong-Kalu, a transgender native Hawaiian teacher, or kumu, who brings to life Hawai i's traditional embrace of mahu - those who embody both male and female spirit. Produced by Emmy-winning directors Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson in association with ITVS and Pacifc Islanders in Communications, the film traces Hina's evolution from Collin Wong, a timid high school boy, to her present position as a married woman and cultural director of a school in one of Honolulu's grittier neighborhoods. When Ho onani, a charismatic 6th grade girl, asks to join the school's all-male hula troupe, Kumu Hina gives her the opportunity to express her inner male spirit. As teacher and student prepare for a climactic end-of-year public performance, they meet many obstacles, but hold fast to the idea that being true to oneself matters most.
Original Release
06/22/2014
US Release
06/22/2014
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Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Leo Anderson Akana | (voice) / Narrator |
Haemaccelo Kalu | Himself / Self |
Ho'Onani Kamai | Himself / Self |
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu | Herself / Self |
Directors
Writers
Leo Anderson Akana, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Leo Anderson Akana | (voice) / Narrator |
Haemaccelo Kalu | Himself / Self |
Ho'Onani Kamai | Himself / Self |
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu | Herself / Self |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Dean Hamer | Producer |
Joe Wilson | Producer |
Connie M. Florez | Producer |