Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, “Kumu Hina,” is a Native Hawaiian transgender woman born and raised in the Nu’uanu District of O’ahu. She came of age during the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s, a time of renewed interest in Hawaiian language, culture, music, and art. This movement sparked Wong-Kalu’s passion for preserving her traditions, specifically the art of storytelling and dance. “It is the wisdom perpetuated in the traditions of hula (dance), oli (chant), and mele (song) that inspires me the most,” says Wong-Kalu. “I use this knowledge in pursuit of wellness in our islands and in alignment with the true meaning of aloha: love, honor, that intimates respect for all.” Today, she is a teacher, cultural practitioner, and community leader promoting the Kanaka (Hawaiian) language, philosophy, and traditions of her people across diverse educational, political, and media landscapes. She is also an accomplished filmmaker who uses digital media as a modern extension of Hawaii’s ancient storytelling traditions. In 2014, Wong-Kalu served as an educational advisor for the award-winning films “Kumu Hina” and “A Place in the Middle.” She also produced the PBS/ARTE feature documentary “Leitis in Waiting” and the award-winning short “Lady Eva.” Most recently, she co-produced and co-directed the animated short “Kapaemahu” with Dean Hammer and Joe Wilson, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and appeared on the Oscar shortlist for “Best Animated Short Film.” “We might see and hear our language here and there in very tokenized ways – like on road signs and all-too-often business signs capitalizing on appropriated Hawaiian words, but we don’t have news broadcasts or major T.V. programming,” says Wong-Kalu. “I hope these film projects will help inspire and uplift people to see and hear our language in something mainstream.”