HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi is celebrating World Pride with a statewide calendar of events that shine a light on the islands’ long, rich history of gender and sexual diversity.
From Oʻahu to Kauaʻi to Maui, pride this year is more than a celebration. It is also a powerful reflection of history, justice and community healing.
Pride flags raised at Hawaiʻi State Capitol
On Monday, June 2, the Hawaiʻi State Capitol raised the Pride flags for the first time in state history.
“Really excited that on June 1, for the first time in history, the Hawaiʻi State Capitol will be displaying the pride flag,” Dean Hamer, co-founder of the Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories Project, said. “And it’s actually the progressive pride flag, which includes the LGBTQ community and the familiar rainbow, as well as intersex folks and, trans folks and people of color and people affected by HIV Aids.”
“There will be eight flags, right on Beretania Avenue, right in front of the Capitol, a real symbol of our pride and also of unity,” Hamer added.
Remembering history at Queen’s Surf Beach
On June 4, a new historical marker will be unveiled at Queen’s Surf Beach in Waikīkī.
“There’s going to be the unveiling of a new historical marker that reminds people what a center this was for the gay community starting in the 1970s that is now being regained,” Hamer explained.
For many years, Queen’s Surf Beach was a safe haven for those looking to safely enjoy outdoor activities and for those looking to experience community and camaraderie.
“It’s going to be a really fun celebration at Queen’s Surf Beach Waikīkī, right next to the aquarium,” Hamer added. “Remarks by the mayor as well as, and a ceremony and a nice free picnic.”
You can click here for more information.
Stories of justice and queer lives on Kauaʻi
Joe Wilson, co-founder of the Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories Project, shared a special project happening on Kauaʻi.
“And on Kauaʻi, throughout the month of June, but launching at a wonderful event on May 30 at the Kauaʻi Community College Performing Arts Center, will be a display called Tahlequah, known as Kaulike No Nā Mea A Pau: Toward Queer Justice in Hawaiʻi ,” Wilson said.
The permanent exhibit for this is located in Honolulu at the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, but the traveling exhibit is being take to our neighbor islands, beginning with Kauaʻi.
“It’s just a wonderful exhibit that looks at the span of time in Hawaiʻi and the ways in which the lives of people across the spectrum of gender and sexual diversity have intersected with the legal system here in Hawaiʻi,” he added.
You can click here for more information.
Rediscovering community through film at Hawaiʻi Theatre
Another powerful event is taking place at the historic Hawaiʻi Theatre.
“On June 10, we’re really excited to be partnering with the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation to do a very special screening of a film from 1993 called How in Paradise,” Wilson said.
The film is produced and directed by Sarah Banks and Kate Sample. The documentary looks at life in Hawaiʻi through the perspective of 30 lesbian women who were “putting themselves” out at a time when these issues are really just beginning to turn.
“This is going to be a very exciting event that actually serves as the preview launch of the upcoming Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival,” Wilson added. “It’s free and open to the public, and tickets can be reserved on the Hawaiʻi Theatre website.”
You can click here for more information.
Bringing stories to life on Maui
Wilson also spoke about a collaboration on Maui.
“We’re also quite excited about a partnership we’ve had with the Maui Public Art Corps called Hui Alo Lei PUA Ala,” explained Wilson. “And this is an effort, to interview and create intergenerational dialog between, people in the queer community, to share their stories and then invite creative performing artists to interpret those interviews in a beautiful pop-up performance.”
This pop-up event is a special event that is part of the Aloha Maui Pride celebrations.
“So, on June 14, the amazing Native Hawaiian artist Christopher Kawi Morgan is going to be doing one of those performances that spoke to him. And he, I think, is titling it Hidden in Plain Sight,” Wilson said.
You can click here for more information.
The return of Kapaemāhū in Waikīkī
Hamer highlighted a recurring cultural performance in June.
“This special event will be taking place every Wednesday in June. So, the 4, the 11, the 18 and the 25. There is a special performance of The Return of Kapaemāhū, an amazing hula performance about the healer stones at the time of Māhū,” he said.
“That’s performed right in Waikīkī at the hula mound on the beach. It’s free and open to the public,” Hamer explained. “It’s a really spectacular performance that combines classic hula with modern music and the lovely story of these four healers. That’s every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.”
You can click here for more information.
Aloha Maui Pride
Aloha Maui Pride kicked off with a welcome brunch on Sunday, June 1 at Nalu’s in Kihei. The Maui County Proclamation and Flag Raising ceremony took place at the Maui County Building in Wailuku.
You can click here and here for a more detailed look at Maui’s Pride celebrations that run through June 14 and culminate with a community festival.
Kauaʻi Pride
The 7th Annual Kauaʻi Pride Parade & Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 7. The parade will begin at Vidinha Stadium at 10 a.m. and will proceed along Rice Street to the Historic County Building Lawn, where a family-friendly festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 2p.m.
Organizers said the event promotes peace, acceptance and unity for everyone on the island, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation or background.
You can click here for more information.
Honolulu Pride
Honolulu Pride takes place during the month of October. However, many local LGBTQ+ organizations will be hosting events throughout the month of June. Click here for a community calendar.
You can click here for more information.
Hawaiʻi Island Pride
Hawaiʻi Island gets two Pride celebrations.
One is taking place in Kona between Sept. 12 and 14. You can click here for more information.
There is also a celebration in Hilo, but we’re still waiting on the details for this one.
It’s World Pride Month. It’s a time to celebrate lokahi and ʻohana. And it’s a time to remember how hard it was in our modern world to get to a point of acceptance. So, Happy Pride, everyone. This celebration is for everyone.