,聽a locally produced documentary about a transgender Native Hawaiian teacher, received the at the 27th GLAAD Media Awards at the Los Angeles Beverly Hilton on聽April 2.

Filmmaker Dean Hamer says it’s the first time a film from Hawaii has won a nomination for the award, part of what’s known as the聽鈥淕ay Oscars.鈥

, which stands for Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, called the film 鈥渁 unique and exciting story that stood out from the crowd.鈥

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, center, protesting at OHA's office in 2014.
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, center, protesting at OHA’s office in 2014. PF Bentley/Civil Beat

“Kumu Hina”聽(2014) was produced by an all-Hawaiian cast and crew with support from and PBS. The Hawaiian word for transgender is mahu.

“Very proud to join the likes of “Paris is Burning,” “For the Bible Tells Me So” and “How to Survive a Plague,” Hamer and partner聽Joe Wilson said in an email to me. “This will also open more opportunities for people outside Hawaii to see the film.”

Here’s a story and its star,聽Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu.

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