Ho'Onani Hula Warrior

Words By: Heather Gale

Pictures By: Mika Song

“Ho’onani had found her place. ⁣⠀

Not as a wahine (girl),⁣⠀

Not as a kāne (boy),⁣⠀

but as a hula warrior”⁣⠀

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This TRUE story is all kinds of special. It provides a truly beautiful insight into Polynesian culture, details the devastating impacts of colonialism and shares a seriously important message of inclusion and acceptance that I promise will stay with you! ⁣⠀

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“In Hawaiian culture, every person had a role in society. Māhū, people who embraced both feminine and masculine traits, were valued as healers and as caretakers and teachers of ancient traditions... in the spirit of Hawaiian tradition, we can make room for all people - kāne (male) wahine (female) māhū - and show every person the same unconditional acceptance and respect”.⁣⠀

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This beautiful book tells the story of Ho’onani and her teacher Kumu Hina, a Hawaiian cultural practitioner, activist and the first transgender candidate to run for statewide political office in the US. The book is based on a 2015 documentary titled ‘A Place In The Middle’ which documents Kumu Hina’s mission to maintain Hawaiian culture and how she has created a special ‘place in the middle’ for children like Ho’onani. The must watch documentary and additional resources can be found here https://aplaceinthemiddle.org/