Synopsis
The Glades Project is a startling and disturbing film documenting the shift in attitude and behavior toward the Asian / Pacific Islanders cultural identity of Mahus/transgendered (primarily gay men whose identity role within the family is that of a woman) community in Hawai`i during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. This film will demonstrate a tragic transition towards modernization with Mahus in Hawaii. Historical documentation records that as part of the indigenous culture Mahus enjoyed a sense of freedom and pride for the role they played within the native Hawaiian family. Each interview will take you back to the Old Chinatown Honolulu of thirty years ago, as seen through the eyes (first person voices and experiences) of individuals who lived the history in this marginalized community, as each person voices his/her past experience about a time filled with growing hatred, bigotry, ignorance and violence. Each story embraces the hidden truths that move individuals towards emotional and spiritual healing. The director weaves into these interviews archived materials from local television programs, still photographs, and artifacts that document each individual story of courage and strength in a way that touches the heart.

Treatment
The Glades Project is a startling and disturbing film documenting the shift in attitude and behavior toward the Asian / Pacific Islanders cultural identity of Mahus/transgendered (primarily gay men whose identity role within the family is that of a woman-Native Hawaiian History) community in Hawai`i during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The performances of the glamorous female impersonators at The Glade nightclub on Hotel Street in Old Chinatown were a must-see for tourists, military personnel from around the world, and local families. The main attraction was a beautiful Mahu known as Prince Hanalei--fire dancer extraordinaire with performances of such skill and entertainment they brought patrons into the club by the busloads. Straight and gays alike mixed on Hotel Street to enjoy some of the most beautiful Mahus (Asian and Pacific Islanders of the Pacific Rim). For the performers at The Glade, great pride was taken in the crafting of elaborate gowns and wardrobe adorned by Asian/Pacific Islander men who, with their fine dark features and feminine statures, made seamless transitions into women. Just as Hawai`i began its new status as the 50th State (est. August 1959) there came along a strong Americanization/westernization influence. Modernization brought with it a shift in attitude towards the Asian /Pacific Islanders and the cultural identity of Mahus. By default, ai`kane (same-sex lovers) in general also began to be treated differently. These groups, who once enjoyed a large amount of acceptance, now suffered discrimination, stigmatization and violence. The Hawai`i State Legislature passed a law in the early 60s, on police recommendation after a series of articles in the local Honolulu Advertiser newspaper, that declared that Mahus could be arrested for “dressing to deceive”. A white card labeled with the words “I am a boy” or “I am a male” had to be pinned on the chest of each Mahu (indigenous to the Native Hawaiian culture). Over time, higher levels of violence toward Mahus and ai`kane increased to a critical mass (ex. Murders, beatings, harassment at many levels). An organized movement of Mahus developed by the early 1970s that would slowly change the face of how Mahus and ai`kane would be treated. The Glades Project takes the viewer through the first person accounts from men and women who lived during this very difficult time, several of which were targets of this abuse, to tell through their personal stories how and why the attitudes toward Mahus and ai`kane changed.

Theme
The main themes of The Glades Project center around the basic civil rights of an oppressed and under represented Asian / Pacific Islander-Hawaiian group of people. Oppression on any level creates unnecessary suffering for everyone, not just those in the target group. This documentary will show how scores of people in the Hawai`i community struggled during the 1960s, 70s and 80s and how they managed to emerge and survive. This film will also act as a vehicle for healing by allowing the men and women of the past to express their personal hidden truths, many for the very first time.

Style
The Glades Project immerses the viewer in the past by weaving together archived material from local television programs, still photographs, and first-person stories by Glade Show Club constituents, entertainers, politicians, law enforcement, friends, family, and former military personnel. All of this is a backdrop to the powerful first-person interviews of Mahus and ai`kane who are still alive today - who will talk about their experiences never before seen on documentary film. Many Mahus continue to live in Hawai`i and joining them on film are those who have relocated to Palm Springs, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Alaska. Through exhaustive research, The Glades Project team has obtained information from the Hawai`i Supreme Court, State libraries, university archives and records, historical societies, and from local police and fire stations, documenting the occurrences of what these individuals shared. Archived newspaper articles and footage from television programs will be integrated. The Bishop Museum Archives has provided valuable resources that will amaze each viewer through this timeless period in Hawai'i's history with The Glade Show Club and its performers. We will document their reminiscing the good times and the bad times each person has survived as they sit within the audience while a re-creation of a Glade stage show is presented. The Glades Project weaves together these elements of past and present to tell the story of the Mahus and ai`kane during The Glade time period.

The Glades Project’s 501 (c) 3 Fiscal sponsor is THE CENTER HAWAII, PO Box 22718, Honolulu HI 96823

Funding resources have been received through the following contributors: Pacific Islanders in Communications (A PBS National Minority Consortia) has awarded Research and Development funding in December of 2004, the Funding Exchange awarded The Glades Project as a recipient of the Paul Robeson Media Fund for Pre-Production 2005, including the Hawai’i People’s Fund during 2004 and 2005. The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. Additional funding sources are being sought during all phases of film production.

The Glades Project has been and will continue researching through 2006. There is also a need for photographs, commemorative items, printed materials such as newspaper articles, wardrobe from the shows, and film of The Glades and Downtown Honolulu from this time.