The Evolution: Sacred Role vs. Street Slang

Māhū is one of the most complex words in Hawaii because its meaning has shifted drastically over time.

1. The Ancient Meaning (The Sacred): Traditionally, in Native Hawaiian culture, a Māhū was a respected individual who embodied both male and female spirits (a "third gender"). They were valued as healers, teachers of hula and chant, and keepers of cultural knowledge.

2. The Pidgin Meaning (The Street): Over the last century, Western influence shifted the word's usage. In common "Street Pidgin" (especially from the 1970s–2000s), the term lost its spiritual connotation and became a catch-all slang term for gay, transgender, or drag queens.

Usage Note: While older locals might still use it casually as a synonym for "gay," the term is currently being reclaimed in its original, respectful context. Context is everything, hearing it in a chant is very different from hearing it in a locker room.