Lei | The Journal For Queer Hawai‘i

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 🫶🫶🫶

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.

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

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.

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.

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

When @Leiculture asked us to partner for their Pride pool party, we were like, excuse me👂 Did you say daytime pool party for Honolulu Pride? You know what that means? Lots of sweaty people wanting to feel refreshed and fabulous. Here we come to save the daaaaay🎶 With the help of our lovely Wipe-Down-Crew, we were able to spread the air with our magical potion and keep everyone feeling otherworldly. Our brand is about inclusivity, we all sweat and it’s all good! We couldn’t be happier to be a part of this amazing party. Huge thank you to everyone for having us🩵🤍 #honolulupride #futureofcool #nmg #leiculture @alohilaniresort   @honolulupride @future.of.cool @patron @greygoose @bacardi @drink.summerclub — Florals by @omipluv —  @ponoptions @lelabo — Wipe-Down-Crew @melissamaesmith_ @tinta.dia @hdubb @luffy_threats @jayel.saito @liltattertot @shags_etc @twunkagenda @makaparacuelles @theislandghoul @laniepunani @androashhh @m33msdesigns — Video @reannasea — Photo @naniwelchkeliihoomalu — Sound by: @kristinlush   @cowboyjarvis @caldee @deepend4ever #ramsey  @slappradio   @twilightAV — @nmgnetwork @naokoctopus @taykondo

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.

🌈 Huge mahalo to everyone made our Lei Pride Pool Party a success! Your energy and love made it unforgettable. Special shoutout to our creative partner @future.of.cool 💙🪭 for keeping everyone feeling cooooool, as we celebrated Pride 2024 on the @swellwaikiki Can’t wait to celebrate with you all again next year! 🪩🛸🩵✨👙🩲🏊‍♂️ #lei #honolulupride Photography by @lorena__gheorghe Look out for more photos by @colelovesdog and @puddlesplashers18 @alohilaniresort @honolulupride @future.of.cool @patron @greygoose @bacardi @drink.summerclub — Florals by @omipluv — @ponopotions @lelabofragrances — Sound by: @kristinlush @cowboyjarvis @caldee @deepend4ever #ramsey @slappradio @twilightaudiohawaii — @nmgnetwork

Part II - Honolulu Pride Parade 2024 @honolulupride The power of connecting and hearing the stories behind each portrait, behind each human. I’m grateful to witness humanity through a lens and to represent your voice visually. One story in particular will forever stay with me, and I hope I can share it with you soon. 1. @hayleycheyneykane On stage, while the world was screaming for her courage and grace. 2. A man playing the ukulele while the Pride Parade was passing by the Honolulu Zoo. He was so chill. 3. My FIRST shot, at the very END of the parade. I was definitely worried about showing up late. Rest was needed. 4. The beautiful man everyone wanted to take pictures with. He reminded me of Prince. 5. A young girl passing out stickers to people watching the parade by Waikiki Beach. 6. One of the marching bands uplifting the world. 7. Three beautiful women. The pink caught my attention. 8. Textures and colors during sunset time. 9. A kid dragging the flag or wearing it as a super hero cape. 10. Here she shines again, as the first openly gay Miss Hawai’i! ♥️ #lorenaart

From Hawaii to Las Vegas, Bali to Morocco and beyond, travel and social media has created a perfect union for Khoa Tran and Rhonee Rojas. Read our full profile of the two travel influencers in the newest issue of Lei on LeiTravel.com or via the link in our bio. Wanderlust is guaranteed. "Travel opens your eyes to different cultures. It teaches you communication skills, how to problem solve, patience and empathy. It gives you confidence, independence and freedom. It also gives you the opportunity to meet new friends. Most importantly, travel takes you out of your comfort zone and teaches you how little material things matter. It’s the experience and the life skills that cannot be bought.” — Khoa Tran Photos courtesy of Khoa and Ronee. #Lei #LeiTravel #LGBTQtravel #TravelwithPride #TravelProud #Hawaii #Bali #Morocco #LasVegas #RhoneeRojas #KhoaTran #travelinfluencers

As travelers of color, the Queer Nomads are on a mission to spotlight the resilience of the queer community, ensuring that no one feels invisible. Read our Q&A with London-based Lexie and Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir, and how they represent authentic, passionate living on LeiTravel.com or via the link in our bio. #Lei #LeiTravel #TravelwithPride #LGBTQtravel #queertravel #QueerNomads #London #travel #Pride