Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Friday, November 22, 2024 81° Today's Paper

Photo Galleries

Drag queens showcase Hawaiian gender-fluid heritage in Las Vegas

A drag show called “Mahu Magic” reminds the world of the respected place gender-fluidity has held in Hawaiian culture for hundreds of years.

By Associated Press

June 24, 2023

Video

1/16
Swipe or click to see more
VIDEO COURTESY AP
2/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, left, gets dressed before the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas. Wong-Kalu is mahu and a master teacher of hula and chanting.
3/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kiana Jacobs applies makeup before performing in the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas
4/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jasmine Lobitos-Cartwright, left, applies makeup to Leikia Williams as Kaimi Ehia, second from right, helps prepare Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu before the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
5/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brozlyn Lechelle, center, greets other performers backstage before the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
6/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leikia Williams prepares backstage before performing in the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas. Williams, the show's producer and one of its performers, said mahu was a derogatory word when she was growing up in Honolulu in the 1980s.
7/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chevis Regal applies eyelashes before the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
8/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Performers, including Chevis Regal, center, hold hands before performing in the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
9/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Selena D'Angelo prepares backstage before performing in the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
10/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leikia Williams blows a kiss backstage at the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
11/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sasha Colby performs during the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
12/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Selena D'Angelo performs in the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
13/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sasha Colby performs during the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
14/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kiana Jacobs waves to the crowd after performing in the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
15/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sasha Colby performs during the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.
16/16
Swipe or click to see more

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Performers celebrate at the finish of the Mahu Magic drag show at the Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention, Tuesday, June 20, in Las Vegas.

Related Story

Native Hawaiian gender-fluidity showcased in Las Vegas drag show
Previous Gallery
Wagner threatens rebellion before aborting march on Moscow
Next Gallery
Lokahi Canoe Club Regatta held at Keehi Lagoon

More Photo Galleries

Subscriber Favorites

Flip through MidWeek online

Looking Back


Honolulu Local Business Guide