“WE’RE HERE,” the unscripted HBO series featuring renowned drag queens Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela, made a splash in Kona as they continued their journey spreading love and connection across small-town America, through the art of drag.
Three Big Island residents were selected to be “drag daughters” to the seasoned pros, sharing their personal journeys and culminating with a grand finale show.
“What really sets WE’RE HERE apart from the other drag-related shows out there is that it’s not a makeover or competition show, but more about reaching smaller communities, addressing a variety of really important topics and hardships that people across the country face, and bringing people together in a very fun and uplifting manner,” said Kristin Ardigo, HBO media relations.
Kekoa Kealoha grew up in North Kohala and had previously performed drag both in Kona and Honolulu, however, this was the first time he performed after getting sober.
“When I was drinking and using, I would numb myself because it would make me nervous going on stage. Drinking would make me not care about going out there,” he recalled in an exclusive interview with West Hawaii Today. “This time I didn’t feel nervous. But that’s the story of my sobriety, it doesn’t matter what’s going to happen, I’m going to be OK.”
He said the experience was very powerful and he got to perform drag in a way he never did before.
“It was on a completely different level. The thing I really appreciated was I had people in the audience who have been friends of mine for years, and saw me through my years of addiction and got to see me in my glorious return,” said Kealoha. “I feel like I’m being placed on a path I was supposed to be doing. I got detoured but this is the way to come back. I’ve experienced hardship but I know at the end of the day that I’m loved and accepted.”
After the show Kealoha bought a bunch of makeup and wigs so he could get back into drag.
“Ever since the production ended, I haven’t had much time to dedicate to it, but I do see myself getting back into it and staying with it,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun to get dressed up and look really pretty. It’s freeing on a whole other level now, because before when I was doing it I wasn’t fully present. Now I have the opportunity to enjoy the process.”
Kealoha will be moving to Honolulu next month to finish school at University of Hawaii, where he is majoring in sociology with a minor in public health and Hawaiian language. He has hopes to go to New York for graduate school.
“I know this is where I’m supposed to be and where I’ll end up. I also understand it is important to get out and get tools from other places and bring that back home,” he said.
Lanakila Mangauil is a Kumu Hula of Halau Kua Ulu in Honoka‘a. Although he was used to performing hula, this was his first experience in drag.
“I found so many parallels. Heels are jest as painful as dancing on lava rock. Wearing a corset is like having to wear a tight pa‘u,” he mused. “It was probably the first time I performed to English music, which was interesting and a different form of dance that I am used to, but for me what got me through was that training of transforming.”
Mangauil said the producers wanted to connect with native Hawaiians.
“At first I was consulting in some realms. I appreciated they were asking questions to be sure they could do this in a respectful way to the culture. Then they asked me if I could do the show,” he recalled. “They wanted to show prominent young Hawaiians in leadership positions, myself from Maunakea to various other things as an educator. Also being mahu was very befitting.”
He said it was a whole other kind of nervous being up on stage in drag.
“I have to give big aloha to Bob, my mentor, my drag mom. We had some really great conversations and I really appreciate how open he was,” he said. “For me, my identity as a kanaka mahu isn’t probably the norm for the typical LGBTQ American perspective. It comes from a much different place. We have seen drag culture in many cultures. The mahus push the boarders, the realms. We are the shamans, the holy people who will put on the full regalia to bring the energy to the community to step out of the norms and expand people’s perspective.”
He said he did the show to inspire and send a message to enlighten people.
“The mission of the show is so powerful to break these barriers that create separation in our community,” said Mangauil. “The LGBTQ movement is coming from an exclusionary culture, where it’s a complete norm in Hawaii. It is a needed component of stability and balance. It’s always been. For us it’s not trying to stand out and be different, we are part of society.”
“If it was for a good cause, I would bust it out again,” Mangauil said of performing drag again.
The show will air Monday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. on HBO.
