HIV RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG MAHUWAHINE (NATIVE HAWAIIAN TRANSGENDER WOMEN)

This study explored HIV risk behaviors among Hawaiian and Polynesian-identified transgender women living in Hawaii. The term transgender encompasses the experience of individuals who violate rigid binomial Western gender roles (Bockting, Robinson, & Rosser, 1998; Lombardi, Wilchins' Priesing, & Malouf, 2001; Yep & Pietri, 1999, pp. 199-200). Although traditional Polynesian Cultures tolerate more gender role variations than Western culture, postcolonial acculturation has resulted in notable stigma for transgender individuals in Hawal'i today (Kame'elelhiwa, 1999; Kanuha, 2000). Mahu is a cross-Polynesian term originally describing transgender women or female-acting males (Link, 2004; Nanda, 2000; Odo & Hawelu, 2001; Souza, 1976). Mahuwahine is a newly coined term of empowerment among Hawai'i's transgender community signifying male-to-female (MTF) transgender identity in varying, personally chosen, forms and coincides with the Hawaiian Cultural renaissance (Odo & Hawelu, 2001). Although most of the participants in this study identified as mahu or Mahuwahine there was a significant range in self-identifying terminology. Because of this range and intended audience this article will use the term transgender women III referring to individuals described in the findings.