Aloha from Kulia!

Kulia Na Mamo is a social justice organization established in 2001 to help disadvantaged people of color - with particular focus on Hawaii's transgenders. Our mission is to obtain services to help transgenders not only survive, but fully participate in the economic and civic life of Hawaii.

Like their sisters throughout the world, Hawaii's transgenders live under conditions that include: prostitution; discrimination and harassment; poor health and early mortality; poverty and homelessness; low self-esteem; and lack of access to mainstream health and social services.

Mahuwahine (male -to-female transgenders), mahu and aikane (same sex relationships) were accepted among indigenous, non-westernized people, as in Native American and Polynesian societies. Legends of pre-contact Hawaii indicate that dual-genderism and bisexuality were accepted among the Hawaiians of old. Today's Native Hawaiian scholars refer to historical records that document bisexuality among ruling chiefs as well as commoners (Kameeleihiwa, 1999). Perhaps for this reason, the local transgender population is overwhelmingly Native Hawaiian.

Not fully accepted in today's mainstream economy, mahuwahine have maintained a subculture of survival through welfare/SSI supplemented by hustling, drag entertainment, small jobs and care giving for children and the elderly. Although the term has been used pejoratively, transgenders now use mahu as a blanket term to refer to "gay" men and transgenders; they coined the word mahuwahine (mahu-woman) to refer only to male-to-female transgenders.

Kulia Na Mamo's sole interest is to obtain needed services for Mahuwahine. Kulia's executive director and management officer have over 12 years experience working for mahuwahine, including the annual Malaekahana retreats and publications of Diva News, Hawaii's transgender newsletter.

If you wish to make a donation to Kulia Na Mamo please click the "Make A Donation" button below