Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation

The Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation produces Honolulu Pride, hosts the LGBTQ+ Center Honolulu and creates educational programs that inform and empower Hawaiʻi's LGBTQIA+ community. It works with and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual and intersex people as well as māhū, vaka sa lewa lewa, palopa, faʻafafine, akavaʻine, fakaleiti and fakafifine, a spectrum the foundation refers to as MVPFAFF. Its mission is to support, empower, educate, unify and facilitate LGBT organizations and individuals in Hawaiʻi, and it describes its purpose as nurturing a more healthy and compassionate environment for all.

Formed in 2008 to connect and act as a facilitator with LGBT organizations, businesses and services across the state, the foundation is best known for Honolulu Pride. The annual celebration brings a parade down Kalākaua Avenue and a festival to Waikīkī, with businesses, nonprofits and allies taking part. Pride 2026, themed Hoʻomau, runs October 14 through 17 with a kick-off pau hana at International Market Place, a concert at Hawaiʻi Theatre, an opening party, and the parade and festival on Saturday, October 17. When the pandemic ruled out in-person celebrations in 2020 and 2021, the foundation kept the community connected with virtual programming, including Coming Out Stories, Faces of Pride and the Shaka and Shine broadcasts on KHON2.

The work continues year-round under the name Pride365. Rainbow Town Halls bring panelists and audiences together for dialogues on topics such as the intersection of māhū and LGBTQIA+ identity and inclusion in the workplace, followed by pau hana for networking. The Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, one of the longest-running queer film festivals in the country, screens new queer films and hosts parties for filmmakers and fans. Other projects include Kūpuna Movie Mornings, Queer Women's programs, a Legacy Concert and the Rainbow Support Circle.

The Māhūi is a culture and education subcommittee that guides the foundation's work so that it is place-based and reflects Kanaka stories, values and history. It hosts the annual Kapaemahu Ceremony at Nā Pōhaku Ola, leads the Honolulu Pride Parade and gathers families at events such as Pride Pāʻina Lā ʻOhana at the Bishop Museum. Youth and family projects have included the I Am A Rainbow celebration of a new picture book at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, which drew more than 350 people of all ages, and support for Rainbow Prom for Hawaiʻi high school students.

The LGBTQ+ Center Honolulu, in the Waikīkī Business Plaza on Kalākaua Avenue, is the gathering place for Hawaiʻi's community. It is available free of charge to nonprofit organizations and foundation partners for meetings, educational events and social meetups. The foundation's Resources page lists advocacy, health, college, transgender, kūpuna, youth, suicide prevention and other services across Hawaiʻi, and its community calendar gathers events for the community.

There are many ways to take part. Volunteers help walk and maintain the parade, greet guests at the festival, or join year-round events; the Volunteer Committee can be reached at Volunteer@HawaiiLGBTlegacy.com. Donations support the LGBTQ+ Center, Honolulu Pride, Rainbow Town Halls and other projects, along with the foundation's financial and in-kind support for organizations working on social, health and economic inequalities.