The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu
KAHILU Shorts
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55m
On Honolulu's famous Waikiki Beach stand four large stones that represent a Hawaiian tradition of healing and gender diversity that is all but unknown to the millions of locals and tourists passing by. According to legend, the stones are a tribute to four mahu - people of dual male and female spirit - who brought the healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii and used their spiritual power to cure disease. Although the stones have survived for centuries, the true story behind them has been suppressed and the role of mahu erased.
The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu will revive the full history of the stones within the context of the Pacific Islands' inclusive approach to gender diversity and make it accessible to a broad national audience through a half-hour documentary for public television. The legend itself will be portrayed through vivid animation, which will be combined with expert interviews, archival film, photos and newly discovered primary sources to shed light on how, when, and why the legend was altered and the importance of protecting and preserving sacred spaces and traditional knowledge.
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