A virtual discussion titled "Kaulike No Nā Mea A Pau: Toward Queer Justice in Hawaiʻi" is set to take place on Monday, November 25, 2024, from noon to 1 p.m. (HST) via Zoom. The event will focus on LGBTQ+ Māhū rights and history in Hawaiʻi.
The discussion will feature Maui attorney Lance D. Collins, Kanaka Maoli historian Adam Keawe Manalo-Camp, Molokaʻi attorney Karen M. Holt, and Dean Hamer, Co-Director of Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi and co-curator of a new exhibit.
The event celebrates the exhibit “Kaulike No Nā Mea A Pau: Toward Queer Justice in Hawaiʻi” and aims to delve into the complex history of gender and sexual diversity in Hawaiʻi. It will examine factors contributing to the state’s inclusive stance on these issues today.
Participants will learn about historical figures such as Mōʻī Kamehameha III’s male partner Kaomi, who co-ruled during a significant period known as “the time of Kaomi.” Additionally, landmark legal battles like the Miss Gay Molokaʻi Pageant in 1985 will be discussed to highlight social backlash and legal responses concerning sex, gender, and identity expression across the islands.
While hosted by the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary as a venue for diverse discussions, it is noted that "the speaker’s remarks do not necessarily represent opinions of the Judiciary."
For those requiring accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), contact details for the ADA Coordinator at the Judiciary Office on Equality and Access to the Courts are provided. Participants are encouraged to reach out well in advance to ensure necessary accommodations can be arranged.