Kumu Hina (2014)

Kumu Hina: Directed by Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson. With Leo Anderson Akana, Haemaccelo Kalu, Ho’Onani Kamai, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu. A transgender Native Hawaiian teacher inspires a young girl to fulfill her destiny of leading the school’s male hula troupe, even as she struggles to find love and a committed relationship in her own life.

“This is the best documentary Iu0026#39;ve seen this year.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAlthough itu0026#39;s likely to be classified as a u0026quot;transgender film,u0026quot; because the namesake character is mahu, itu0026#39;s really about the universal power of culture to empower youth. And although Kumu Hina is the protagonist, the character who steals is the show is her young student. She is the very manifestation of u0026quot;girl- power,u0026quot; and itu0026#39;s a joy to see her bloom under Kumuu0026#39;s care.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI know itu0026#39;s a cliché, but this film really did make me laugh and cry – and more. What a fascinating film for adults, but children could also benefit. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eItu0026#39;s really impossible to put this film into a particular niche. Itu0026#39;s a message that crosses all boundaries.”