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Lei | The Journal For Queer Hawai‘i

@leiculture

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The Journal for Queer Hawai`i

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Join us for Suds Out! - the Annual Lei Pool Party!

Sunday, October 18th | 1:00pm–7:00pm
at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach.

Sun and soak with good music and vibes to wrap an incredible week with pride & fun!

GA tickets, Private VIP tables + cabana reservations are now available for purchase on Eventbrite.

21+ Only

Beats by:
Ben Bakson
BB Gunz
DJ Minasan taken in Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach by @leiculture

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14 days ago

🎬 Hawaiʻi’s next great storytellers take center stage. 🌺

Join us for the Lei Short Film Showcase & Scholarship, where we’re celebrating the incredible talent of Hawaiʻi-based filmmakers, actors, and producers through an inspiring lineup of locally made short films.

One filmmaker will receive a $2,000 scholarship and four round-trip flights to help share their film with audiences beyond our islands—because Hawaiʻi stories deserve a global stage. 🌈✈️

🎟️ Catch the showcase at the 37th Annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival on July 11 at 2:00 PM at Hawaiʻi Theatre.

Get your tickets today at hawaiitheatre.com.

#HRFF37 #LeiShortFilmShowcase #SupportLocalFilm #MadeInHawaiʻi #QueerCinema taken in Hawaii Theatre Center by @leiculture

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3 months ago

🎬✨ BIG SCREEN ENERGY in our NEW HOME!

HRFF37 is stepping into a bold new era at the historic Hawaiʻi Theatre — giving us room to grow, welcome more community, and make queer storytelling more accessible than ever before.

Join us July 10–12 for queer films, a FREE red carpet event, filmmaker Q&As, live entertainment, and unforgettable moments in the heart of downtown Honolulu. 💫

We’re also launching our Lei Short Film Showcase and Scholarship program in partnership with our friends at @nmgnetwork. Supporting local queer artists and talent as they pursue film as a career.

Shout out to our Presenting Sponsor, Bank of Hawaiʻi, for helping bring HRFF37 to life and supporting queer arts, culture, and storytelling in Hawaiʻi. 🏳️‍🌈✨

#HRFF37 taken in Hawaii Theatre Center by @leiculture

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4 months ago

🎥 THE WAIT IS ALMOST OVER 🌿

The official HRFF37 film schedule drops June 1st — and trust us, you’re going to want first access to our lineup of bold storytelling, unforgettable premieres, and queer creativity from Hawaiʻi and across the globe.

We’re also proud to unveil our newly redesigned HRFF laurel, inspired by the kūpukupu fern which is one of the first signs of life to emerge after a lava flow. A powerful symbol of kīpuka: resilience, regeneration, and the spaces where community, culture, and storytelling continue to thrive.

As we continue grounding HRFF in Hawaiʻi’s unique stories and sense of place, this new visual identity reflects the enduring spirit of queer art and community.

#HRFF37 #HonoluluRainbowFilmFestival #Kīpuka taken in Hawaii Theatre Center by @leiculture

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5 months ago

How we designed the new @leiculture in 40 seconds ✨

Available to purchase at @smallkinegift @fishcakehawaii and @mori_hawaii and at the link in bio

Team
@mitchellkuga
@mattdknf
@taylorniimoto
@nmgnetwork

Glade Girls video credit
@haleyhaleychangchang
@mahinahoku.choy

and thank you to all the contributors and featured artists who helped bring this issue to life 🫶🫶🫶 taken in Honolulu, Hawaii by @leiculture

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a year ago

reimagining @leiculture was a ✨dream✨ project, and one that was only possible through the trust of so many. @mattdknf, lots of gratitude for approaching me with the opportunity and basically letting me do whatever I wanted lol. @codymaemori, you were more than just a designer on this project—thank you for listening, synthesizing, and caring about every detail. i couldn’t have done this without you. and to everyone who contributed, was featured, and supported, it means the world 🥰 for now you can find the issue at @smallkinegift, @fishcakehawaii and @mori_hawaii, and online at the link in bio. by @leiculture

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a year ago

Poolside Pride from the 2025 Lei Over Day Club. We had so much fun celebrating Pride and the launch of the redesigned @leiculture with everyone! 🌈💦 Can’t wait for next year’s festivities!

✨ Mahalo to our creative partner @smallkinegift for bringing the fun and decor to the @swellwaikiki @alohilaniresort

🎥 Video by @erickmelanson @roml
🎧 Sound by @laniepunani @mahumix808 @cybersp1c3 @mixed__plate @my_friend_george @p41dz

@leiculture @nmgnetwork
@gourmeteventshi

#lei #honolulu #pride2025 by @leiculture

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a year ago

Join us on Sunday, October 19 from 1–7pm for the Lei Over Pool Party at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, the send-off event to Honolulu Pride. 21+ / link in bio. taken in Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach by @leiculture

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a year ago

Lei is back with a spanky new look — poolside! 🌈💦🌟 As we celebrate 10 years of Lei, we’re thrilled to debut our rebrand and unveil three fabulous new covers that shine a light on Hawaiʻi’s vibrant queer community.⁠
⁠
Cover 1: The historic Glade Girls! Photographed by @mahinahoku.choy⁠
Cover 2: Hayley Cheyney Kāne, Miss Hawai‘i 2024! Photographed by @simonekomine⁠
Cover 3: “909s Off Nimitz,” a fashion story! Photographed by @bercasi⁠
⁠
Join us on Sunday, October 19 from 1–7pm for the Lei Over Pool Party at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, the send-off event to Honolulu Pride.⁠
21+ / link in bio. by @leiculture

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a year ago

Make a splash at Lei Over Day Club — the Annual Lei Pool Party! Join us for a day of feel-good music, poolside vibes, and nonstop energy. ⁠
⁠
Whether you’re lounging by the water or dancing to the beats by our favorite DJs, this is the ultimate Honolulu Pride celebration you won’t want to miss. Purchase tickets with link in bio. ⁠
⁠
Beats by:⁠
Special Guest DJ⁠
@my_friend_george⁠
@p41dz Pedro by @leiculture

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a year ago

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2 years ago

So, on Saturday, October 20th, I hosted the NMG Network (@nmgnetwork) & Lei Magazine’s (@leiculture) Annual "Lei Pride Pool Party” at the ʻAlohilani Resort (@alohilaniresort) in Waikīkī, Oʻahu. Thanks to my homegirl Taylor (@taykondo), producer at NMG Network, for making it happen.

It was a vibe—an incredible venue, music that hit just right, and a community of good energy. Mahalo to @future.of.cool for keeping us feeling fresh with their minty products, @aea4m and @tqdancer from @variablehawaii for styling me up, and my lady @lorena__gheorghe for capturing the moments.

I’ll share a little about myself. I grew up with family members who are gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer. To me, they were always just my family—full of light and always introducing me to good music. Through their ups and downs, they taught me about strength and compassion, and I’m grateful to them every day.

So, cheers to them and you as I close this entry in my visual journal. Until next time. taken in Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach by @leiculture

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2 years ago