* Kumu Hina * FILM * ATA | VĀSA Reflections of an Ocean

‘Kumu Hina’ is the inspiring story of Hina Wongkalu, a transgender native Hawaiian teacher and cultural icon who brings to life Hawaii’s traditional embrace of mahu — those who embody both male and female spirit. 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 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 to 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 Hinaʻs 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 glimpse of Hawaii.

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We come from generations of story tellers

We have so many stories, we could fill our ocean many times over

Our stories reflect our complex and beautiful diversity, the things that make us different and the similarities we have with each other, like our ocean, the VĀSA, it is the space between us, that connects us together.

In*ter*is*land Collective are honoured to present ATA | VĀSA – Reflections of an Ocean, a small but carefully curated collection of a few stories, told in the medium of film, that come from the latest generations of storytellers.

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This film will be precluded by the short film Pacific Sisters. To find out more information about this short film please visit: https://www.interislandcollective.com/events/2019/9/24/ata-vsa-reflections-of-an-ocean-pasific-sisters

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Kumu Hina – A Place in the Middle

Date: Saturday 28 September, 1pm

Director: Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson

Haku Mo’olelo & Narrator: Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu

Duration: 77 minutes

Country: Hawai’I (2015)