[instrumental music]
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[birds chirping]
[indistinct chatter]
[instrumental music]
[telephone ringing]
Yeah, as long as we have the bid in by Thursday,
we should be fine. I have a good feeling about this one.
Alright. You got it, George. Thank you.
[Michael] Is that a close on the Howard Ranch?
Almost. Fingers crossed.
Ah, impressive. You know...
You're practically running this company singlehandedly.
[Leah] If I'm running Livvana singlehandedly,
what does that say about you?
That I know how to benefit from
my harder-working colleagues.
You ready to go to this meeting, Diana said that she wanted us
there at 4 p.m. sharp. Come on, we gotta go.
[indistinct chatter]
And here she is now!
[applauding]
The youngest executive in Livvana's history
has just hit $100 million in sales for the year.
- Yeah! - Congratulations, Leah.
We're so proud to have you as part of our family.
[indistinct chatter]
[laughter]
[cheering]
- Hm. - Well...
- That's right. - Okay. Oh, thank you.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
Hm.
Oh, don't pick up your own party.
That's what we have a cleaning staff for.
[Leah] You know I can't do that to them.
I always like to leave a place better than I found it.
Thank you. You really didn't have to do all this.
We missed celebrating the other milestones.
I figured we couldn't let this one pass us up, too.
Especially not one this big.
Mind if I have a private word with Leah?
- Oh, yeah, sure. - Thanks.
[clears throat]
Oh, Leah, leave that. Uh, please, come and have a seat.
[Diana] I wanna have a chat. [Leah] What's going on?
Right.
The board is very impressed with you, you know?
I'm so flattered. Thank you.
It's not easy getting where you are in this business.
I-I won't pretend it was easy for me either.
Being a woman in what is still very much a man's world,
you often have to work twice as hard to only get half as far.
But it's worth it, we're making a difference
taking the archaic work of the past
and making it relevant for the future.
We make vacation homes and resorts, Diana.
We make futures and we make money.
I know you've got that little...
Well, more than little nest egg you've been saving for years.
But I mean it, the board loves you.
I'd say all it takes is one more impressive project,
and I'm looking at my future partner.
Wow. Diana, I don't know what to say.
You don't have to say anything. You deserve it.
Just... don't mention anything to Michael.
I wanna believe he'll be a good sport,
but I'm not sure how he'll take the news
that I'm giving you the promotion over him.
- Huh. Hi, Michael. - There she is!
- How was your little chat? - You know Diana.
- She just likes to check in. - [Michael] With you, maybe.
Don't you guys have always had your own little thing going on?
I think she just sees me as similar to her.
And honestly, she's kind of the only mentor I've ever had.
- Scoot up. - Exactly.
Your own little thing going on.
She didn't by chance mention anything about these, um,
murmurs I've been hearing about
there being an opening for partner?
Like I said, she just wanted to check in.
Gotcha. You done for the day?
How about we grab some celebratory drinks?
Thank you for the invite, but not tonight.
- I've already got plans. Oh. - Oh, she got plans.
- Yeah. Okay, Michael, goodnight. - What kind of plans?
- I'll see you tomorrow. - Maybe I can call you after t...
[instrumental music]
[door shuts]
♪ Can't keep trying to get
[doorbell rings]
♪ Trying to catch you every
- Leah? - Thank you.
♪ Tired of singing that same old song ♪
[indistinct singing]
[engine starts]
[engine revving]
[line ringing]
- [Rachel] Hello? - Rachel. Hi!
- [Rachel] Leah, what's up? - Yeah.
I got some pretty great news at
work today and was thinking about going out
for an impromptu celebration. You free?
[Rachel] Oh, I'm sorry. I can't tonight.
Yeah, no worries. Next time.
- Okay, congrats, girl. - Thank you.
- [line ringing] - You've reached Mary.
[Mary on voicemail] Sorry I can't get to the phone. Leav...
[line ringing]
- [instrumental music] - [cell phone ringing]
- Oh, my goodness! - [Leah] Hey, Kiki!
It really is you!
[Kiki] You know, I could hardly believe when
I saw your name come up on my phone.
I know, I'm sorry it's been so long. I've just been so--
Busy, I know. You know, the kids have been asking.
- About their Aunty Leah. - They have not.
Well, they would if they ever got a chance to meet you.
- How are you doing? Yeah? - I'm great.
- [Leah] Yeah. You? - Uh, same, same.
You know, servant and chauffer
and caterer and everything else for the little ones.
- Lucky little ones. - They deserve it.
But, man, those days of staying up all night in the dorm room
with you and gorging ourselves on our meal plan at Parkside,
well, it couldn't seem further away.
Wait, did that happen or did I just dream it?
You know, I still have the photo
from move-in day on proud display.
[Kiki] Best random rooming assignment ever.
So what's new in your world?
Well, I got some pretty big news at work today.
[Leah] I found out I might be up for partner at the company.
Leah, that's a really big deal!
- [Kiki] Hello, congrats! Oh. - Thank you.
You know, John and I always said that you would be the...
I'm sorry. I-I-I don't know why I said that.
No, don't be sorry.
So, are you dating anyone?
- Nice segue. - Ha-ha-ha...
No, I'm not dating anyone. You know me.
I do know you, Leah.
John wasn't the only guy out there, you know?
For me, maybe he was.
And maybe a love like that, I mean, like you have with Kenny,
only comes around once a lifetime.
And I already had my go.
[Kiki] Yeah, I can't wait to rub it in when one day
you tell me that you've fallen madly in love with someone new
and you're gonna start having some keiki of your own.
I have accepted that John was that for me.
He was my one chance, and I blew it.
If you keep telling yourself that you're never gonna feel
this way again, then you never will.
[Kiki] You've got to be open to the finding, Leah.
Yes, John was your first love.
But that doesn't mean he's your last.
Yeah, but maybe he was. And that's okay.
I feel like I've leveled out and I'm in this great place now.
I just don't feel things so much anymore.
You know I don't remember the last time I cried?
Maybe this is what growing up is.
N-now my food delivery is all I need.
- You sure about that? - Oh, I'm sure.
As long as you're actually happy.
Work is great, house is great, life is great.
- But? - No, no buts.
Hm. You know, you should come pay a visit sometime.
All that hard work must mean you're due for a vacation.
Ah, maybe soon, but right now when I'm up for partner at
the company, I just gotta tough it out a little bit longer.
- [Kealoha] Mom! - Uh, just a minute, Kealoha!
The keiki are calling, so I better go.
But I'm glad you called, sis.
Now go out and celebrate that promotion
and have an extra drink for me!
[laughs] You got it, Kiki. Talk soon.
[instrumental music]
Okay, thanks.
- Good morning. - Morning.
Oh, Leah, may I see you in my office for a moment?
- Sure. - Michael's already in there.
[Leah] I love that dress, Diana.
[Diana] Oh, thank you.
Uh, please, after you.
Big news, guys.
We just caught word that there is a property
coming up for auction in Hawaii,
one we've had our eyes on for a while.
Oh. I bet the Prescotts will be pleased.
Mm-hmm, exactly, it's precisely the kind of place
where we could develop a resort they're looking to own.
So I'm sending the two of you out there to acquire it.
- The two of us? - [Diana] Yes.
The board wants you both to go for this one. Our two best.
I'm sure you've both heard by now that there is
a partner position opening up here at Livvana.
Well, they wanna see if you guys can make this acquisition
happen, and they wanna see which one of you will do it.
Which one of us? A-aren't we on the same team?
Not quite. Uh, this isn't a normal auction.
There're some rules in play here we haven't dealt with before.
The property currently belongs to a family that's been there
for generations, but there's a big tax lien on it
that they are not able to pay.
Companies, however, are not able
to bid on the lien. Private bidders only.
So you want us to go out there and bid as private buyers.
Yes. The family also gets a say in who takes over the lien.
So the board feels it would be wise to give them options.
That's why they're sending both of you.
- Right. - Sounds good to me.
[inhales sharply] So when do we leave?
[Diana] The auction is at the end of the month,
so I'm having your flights booked for tomorrow.
It's going to take time to build trust with the family.
The sooner you get started, the better.
How are we supposed to build trust
with this family we've never met?
Well, that's for two of my best buyers
in front of me to figure out.
Don't you know someone out there? Your college friend?
Uh, yeah. We talked just last night, actually. So weird.
Oh, well, maybe not. See, you're already connected. It's a sign.
[Diana] So pack your bags, and let's see
who can secure us this deal of a lifetime.
[instrumental music]
[woman on PA] Aloha, ladies and gentlemen.
Let me be the first to welcome you to beautiful Hawaii.
Sorry about that, George, we just arrived,
so I haven't gotten online yet, I'll take a look
as soon as we get to the room. Yup, I'll call you then, bye.
- Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry. - Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry, miss.
- Apologies. - No, it was my fault.
I wasn't looking and I...
[instrumental music]
Uh, I wasn't either. Apologies.
- Can I help you with those? - Yes.
Uh, no, I've got it. Thank you. Um...
I'm sorry. I-I was just looking on my phone and I...
- Wow. - Pretty great, huh?
This is what you were missing because of that thing.
First time here?
Yes.
- Welcome. - Thank you.
- [clears throat] - Your first time, too?
Yes, this is my first time at this hotel.
We're pleased to have you. I'm the activities director here.
- Ikaika. - Leah.
Michael.
Well, pleasure. Um, great to meet you guys.
Uh, we have our happy-hour live entertainment
down in the main lawn in an hour.
Check it out if you guys are free.
We'll try and make it. Thank you.
[instrumental music]
Are you sure you're okay? He really slammed into you.
- You could be concussed. - Yeah, uh, he...
I'm fine. I mean, look at this incredible view!
Yeah, yeah, I guess there are worse places
to compete head-to-head for firm partner.
[laughs] He said there's entertainment in an hour? Well.
Wanna go settle in and then you can meet me for a drink?
Okay. Sure.
[instrumental music]
[waves crashing]
[music continues]
[indistinct chatter]
- Oh! - Thank you.
Mm-hmm.
May the best man win.
- May we do good work. - Whatever.
Aloha and e komo mai.
Good evening and welcome, everyone, my name is Ikaika,
and I'll be your MC for the evening.
I hope you are all enjoying your stay here with us.
[applauding]
I would love to introduce to you our beautiful singer
for the evening, Mahulani. Please.
Let's give her a round of applause.
[applauding]
And we've got a very special treat for you all today.
For those of you who don't know,
hula is a dance unique to Hawaii.
It portrays our prophecy and history alike
and it connects us with the tales
and stories of our ancestors.
Visiting us from the beautiful island of Maui,
my Cousin Kehaulani will be sharing
a little bit of hula to all of you.
[applauding]
[instrumental music]
[singing in foreign language]
[singing continues]
- [applauding] - [Ikaika] Mahalo, Kehaulani!
Let's give her another round of applause, everyone.
That was something I guess you can call it entertaining.
Should we get another round of drinks? Tsk, tsk.
Ah, not for me, I don't think.
I'm-I'm feeling a little strange all of a sudden.
I'm gonna go back to the room to lie down for a bit.
- You all right? - Yeah. Um...
Probably just jet lag. Uh, I'll see you in the morning.
And another round of applause for Mahulani.
[instrumental music]
[waves crashing]
[instrumental music]
- Morning, sunshine. - Oh! Good morning.
- You feeling a little better? - Much. Thank you.
Like I said, it was nothing. Just needed some sleep.
- Ready to go to the property? - [scoffs] Born ready.
- Hm. Sure. - You mind driving?
[instrumental music]
[Michael panting]
[bee buzzing]
Okay, huh, so this is what's got
Diana and the Prescotts all hot and bothered?
I think it's beautiful.
Maybe when we're done with it.
- W-wait. - What?
Shouldn't we ask for permission first?
Why?
- Who's there? - Good morning. Uh...
My name is Leah. This is Michael.
We're here to see the property that's going into auction
at the end of the month.
Of course you are. It's always the haoles.
- Pardon me? - We're a little busy today.
But you can come back for the scheduled tour on Wednesday.
Actually, we were hoping that maybe we could get this
conversation rolling a little bit before Wednesday.
You wouldn't happen to be one of the family members
that's responsible for putting this
beautiful property up for sale?
It's not for sale.
That went well.
This is gonna be fun.
[Kiki shrieks, laughs]
- [Leah] Kiki! - Aw, it's really you!
- I'm sorry it took so long. - Oh...
Well, the kids are at school, but let's sit and talk story.
You could tell me about your trip and everything else.
- Oh. - Hey, come on, come on, okay.
Oh!
[Kiki] I don't know, Leah. That sounds tricky to me.
I know it is, but honestly, somebody's gonna do it.
- It might as well be my company. - Oh.
We're not as unsporting as the others.
I mean, at least we actually pay what properties are worth.
But they're having you go up against your partner for it too?
- My colleague, yes. - Some company.
[Leah] I mean, that's the nature of business.
At the end of the day, this family's going to walk away
with a lot of money, it's gonna change their lives.
Maybe they don't want their lives to change.
Change is inevitable, Kiki.
Might as well be comfortable, too.
- Hm... - What?
Forgive me, sis, but I can't help but remember
all the things that you used to talk about in school.
About building sustainable housing
and community resources and just...
Wow, Kiki. Yeah, I had so many dreams.
I mean, I would still love to do those things.
And to be honest, I have been saving up so that I can one day.
But I have to earn my way there first, I guess.
That's what I'm trying to do.
Man, it really is everything you said out here.
Yeah, now you see why I never came back to LA.
- I can't blame you. - Where are you staying?
At the Hale Hotel. Yeah, it's nice.
There was even a hula dancer last night that, um...
- That what? - I don't know.
Uh, watching her, this kinda sounds silly,
I, I felt something.
This coming from the woman who said just a couple days ago
she couldn't feel anything anymore.
I know, I know, but, yeah,
watching her dance, uh,
the look on her face, it was just pure joy
or-or longing, or-or maybe both.
I-I don't know. I wanted to feel that. Is that crazy?
That must have been a great dancer.
Well, it sounds like they're stepping up
the haole entertainment over there, huh?
What is this word you're saying?
- Haole? - Yeah. What does it mean?
Uh, it's what you are.
- You know, not from here. - Oh.
Yeah, that's what the woman called us today.
Oh, well, don't be surprised
when everybody here calls you that.
- Is it bad? - No. It, it just is.
Now, let's get your haole okole up and over here.
I wanna give you a full tour before you go.
- Okay, okole? - Yeah.
That's what you've been sitting on, girl.
[laughs]
- [cell phone ringing] - Hi, Diana.
[Diana] Haven't heard from you yet.
Michael called me first thing
after you guys left the property.
Well, that surprises me. There wasn't much to tell.
I mean, the property is beautiful, I already
have some ideas as to how to build
things around the natural lay of the land.
Uh, Michael thinks the whole thing would need to be leveled
so we can start fresh. And I'm inclined to agree.
Really? I think that would be a mistake.
Now is not the time to be branching out.
Not when you have this competition going on.
- Competition? - Why call it anything else?
My hands are tied here, Leah, I just don't want you making
choices that might jeopardize your future, you know?
Aloha, everybody. It's time for our group hula lesson.
Well, I thought you said the board loves me.
Do I have any volunteers to come on up and help me...
The board is still very old-school business.
And the idea of a woman partner is a bit more new-school.
They have these ideas of what makes a successful executive,
and they're going to be watching you closely.
Hey, you on the phone.
This is a no-cell-phone activity zone.
Put that phone away or I'm going to make you a volunteer.
- Look, I understand that, but-- - Fine. I'm gonna get you.
Uh, listen, Diana, I have to go, but I, I will get back to you
very soon, uh, with my thoughts on the property.
- Thanks, bye. - [busy tone]
Let that be a lesson to all of you.
We take our cell-phone rule very seriously.
Now, the lovely Leah is going to learn hula and dance with me
one of our most cherished hapa haole songs.
Now, first we start with the feet.
All right? Like this, follow me.
[instrumental music]
- Come on. - Do I have to?
The sooner you start, the sooner it'll be over.
I have to call you back.
There you go.
- [Ikaika] Next is the hips. - [camera shutter clicks]
Ey, you're a natural. Let's give Leah a little bit of love!
- Everybody! - [all cheering]
Now for the fun part. Hula tells a story.
So follow my hands and arms
and help tell this love story with me.
♪ I seem to hear
♪ The Pali calling me
♪ I seem to hear
♪ The surf at Waikiki
♪ And from Pacific Heights
♪ I seem to see the lights
♪ Of a city
♪ That is very dear to me
♪ I seem to see
♪ The waving sugarcane
♪ The coco palms
♪ All nodding in the rain
♪ In fancy I am led
♪ Back to dear old Diamond Head ♪
♪ Honolulu I am
♪ Coming back again
♪ Honolulu I am
♪ Coming back again
[crowd applauding]
Let's give another round of applause to Leah, everybody.
- [crowd cheering] - Whoo-hoo-hoo!
Thank you so much for being a good sport.
All right, now let's get everybody on stage with me.
Let's do it all together!
- Hey, that was great up there. - Oh, gosh, I...
You're the dancer from last night.
That was beautiful! I mean, you made me cry.
- Thank you. - No, truly.
You made me feel things I didn't know I could feel.
- It was lovely. - Mahalo. You know...
Hula has always been special to me, and it's so great to see new
people connect with it. Have you ever thought about learning?
Oh, no. I, I mean, I didn't ever see it until you last night.
I-I think I would remember seeing something that beautiful.
Well, if it calls to you...
I just wanted to let you know you did great up there.
Even Ikaika was impressed, and he's never impressed before.
[laughs] Well, thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you.
You, too.
- Wow! That was cool. - Ah, come on.
You showing all those moves.
[Leah laughs]
Mm, mm, mm, mm!
That was crazy! That was crazy, Leah.
I gotta hand it to you, though, I would've never done
anything like that, I wouldn't have been caught dead...
- Doing what you did up there. - Gee, thanks, Michael.
I didn't choose to go up there. He made me.
Why did you let him force you to do it?
I would have just kept walking. Buh-bye.
I guess I'm not as dismissive as you are.
Hold that thought. Oh. Hi, Diana.
No, no, it's a little bit quieter now.
[laughs] No, no, she isn't dancing anymore.
She's actually sitting right here next to me. Ah, uh-huh.
Yeah, you-you wanna... I'm sure she would love to.
She wants to talk to you.
Oh. Okay. Diana, hi.
Yeah, it was right when we were on the phone earlier.
I thought I told you to take this seriously.
Do you know what the guys on the board would say
if they saw you making a fool of yourself like that?
- No one is going to see. - Michael said he took a video.
He what?
It was just a silly hotel-tourist thing.
I-I... It was a one-time thing.
We don't need anything making you look soft, okay?
[Diana] Or anything to make the board think that
I'm making a mistake by backing you, too.
Please, try to focus on the end goal here.
- Yeah, you got it. - Hm...
I'll check in with you guys tomorrow, okay?
[Leah] Bye, Diana.
You told her I was up there?
Yes, she called
while you were up there and she wanted to know where you were.
- And you took a video? - I did, yeah. But it was funny.
[laughs] I mean, it was, it was fun.
You would, uh... You wanna see it? I...
You don't wanna see it. Where you going? I can delete it.
- To get some work done. - I'll delete it.
It's not a big, um...
Deleted.
That's great, George. Thank you.
Yeah, I'll send an email to Diana right now.
Have a great night. Bye.
Hey, Diana. Just closed on the Howard Ranch.
Will send you all the details tomorrow.
Sorry about the...
Send.
[instrumental music]
What are you doing, Leah? Oh.
[waves crashing]
- [seagulls squawking] - [Leah] Good morning.
[Michael] Good morning, I wanted to see if you were ready
to head over to the property together.
Maybe we can grab some coffee on the way?
Um, I actually think I'm gonna do my own thing today.
[Michael] Ah. Are you still mad at me about yesterday?
I just don't think it makes sense for us to be doing
these visits together when you're constantly reminding me
that we're competing and are not actually a team on this.
[Michael] Uh, okay, I'll take that as a yes.
Maybe I'll see you there. Bye, Michael.
[Michael] Maybe I'll see you...
Hm.
[instrumental music]
Yeah, this looks like a pa'u.
[indistinct chatter]
Leah!
- Ikaika. Good morning. - Hi.
I almost didn't recognize you without your cell phone.
I almost didn't recognize you
without your microphone and audience.
Touche.
Um, sorry, but it's a thing we do
out here, calling out the guests like that.
- How fun for us. - Oh, so much tension.
We gotta teach you how to hang loose.
Some of us have too much work to do to hang loose.
[laughs] I don't know, you did pretty great up there yesterday.
Have you ever danced hula before?
- No. - Well, you're a natural at it.
- Are you making fun of me? - This time I'm not, actually.
I mean it. Seriously, you should put that phone down more often.
A different side of you comes out.
[instrumental music]
Oh, what the heck.
At the risk of sounding totally insane,
you don't teach hula, per chance?
- I-is this a real question? - Yes.
Well, sure. Yeah, we do group lessons here every day.
I don't want group lessons. I need something more private.
- Do you do that? - No, not really.
Uh, what about that dancer you featured the other night?
You said she's your cousin. Kehaulani?
- Yeah. - Uh, does she teach?
Well, she left earlier for Maui this morning.
- No worries, thank you. - Well, why do you wanna learn?
I-I don't know...
I felt compelled to ask. That's all.
Have a good day.
[music continues]
S-so, hey, cuz.
What's up with you and that wahine?
- [Ikaika] Nothing. - Yeah.
That didn't look like nothing, brah.
She's a guest here at the hotel.
She was just asking about taking hula lessons.
[music continues]
Oh. Hello!
[camera clicks]
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[indistinct chatter]
Gotta clean the vine off the tea leaf.
- All that stuff. - I know. Uh, I know.
What's this? Must be for aunty.
Cuz, you know I grew up with you my whole life.
- But you know I just realized. - What's that?
You look like the kind, you know, that,
that guy from that brewing company commercial.
- You think so? - Yeah.
I mean, so identical, like, chicken-skin identical.
[Billy] Yeah. Ah, come on.
- Hi, kumu. - Billy.
- Aloha. - Hm.
Ah, this note was on the gate for you.
The phone number of another haole who wants to take over
the place. I saw her leave it.
Aloha, mama. Where do you want me to put these?
Barely even a hello for your mother before you get
to business? Those can go back over there.
Sometimes I think if you didn't need to borrow things
from the halau for your silly tourist shows,
I would never get to see you anymore.
I see you every couple of days, ma.
And the only reason why I'm doing
the hotel job is for the halau.
Oh, cuz, you should tell kumu about that haole
at your hotel that wanted the private lessons.
- She might have money. - [Kamalani] What is this?
You don't wanna be a kumu, but you wanna start
teaching private lessons to tourists?
That's not what's happening at all.
One of the guests at the hotel saw Cousin Kehaulani dance,
and she danced at one of the participation activities,
and she seemed to love it, because she asked
about taking private lessons to learn more.
- You're not a kumu. - [Ikaika] Obviously.
Yeah, but, aunty, this woman, she looked like she could pay.
I told her I didn't teach.
Yeah, but you're not gonna show her anything real.
Just spend some time showing her Hukilau and--
She's not gonna be happy with just Hukilau.
What's going on between you and this haole?
Nothing. I-I just told you.
[instrumental music]
For once Billy might be right.
You can teach the haole.
[Kamalani] Goodness knows we need all the money
we can get right now.
But only hapa haole, understand?
Yeah, of course.
[indistinct chatter]
Trading the phone for another device, I see.
I can't be the only person on the island
trying to get work done.
No, but you might be the only person doing it
at the bar of what is typically a vacation resort.
How's it? I didn't think you were working tonight.
I'm not. Just here to see this lovely lady.
- Is that so? - It is, indeed.
I wanted to tell you that, after careful consideration,
I have decided that I will teach you hula.
- If you still want to learn. - You will?
Under a few conditions.
One, no phones.
Two. And this came from the kumu--
- What's a kumu? - A teacher.
- A kumu hula is a hula teacher. - Like you.
No. I'm not a kumu.
Normally if you want to learn hula, you would have to join
a halau, a hula school, so to speak.
And the teacher and leader of the halau is the kumu hula.
But that really means joining the ohana
and committing for a long journey, and frankly,
no halau is just gonna let anyone join on a whim.
Especially not someone just visiting here for a short time.
And the kumu who taught me, in particular,
is very discerning as to who she will accept
as haumana students.
So you're saying you can't teach me.
Um, I'm explaining that I'm not a kumu,
though I thought that's what I was going to be for a long time.
So, two, what we are going to learn is very informal
and just scraping the surface of
what we can learn outside of a halau.
Only English songs, only basic moves,
what we call hapa haole.
If you wanna dive deeper into the styles
we call 'auana or kahiko,
traditional hula all in Hawaiian,
then you would have to join a halau.
Okay. I get it.
When do we start?
[instrumental music]
This is my haole. Sorry for the mess.
Are you kidding? It's beautiful!
I know it's not much, but you wanted private.
Definitely won't be seen by any of your coworkers here.
Yeah, that's perfect. Thank you.
[Ikaika] Now, the thing about hula
is that its main purpose is not to entertain.
It's meant to perpetuate and preserve the stories,
culture, history and traditions of Hawaii.
Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people,
and so it must be protected.
To know hula is to know Hawaii.
- Right. - Great. Let's get started.
Let's start with the feet. Take off your shoes.
In hula, we start with the feet up.
It's our base, our foundation. This is called kaholo.
One, two, three, four.
One, two, that's it, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four. Perfect.
Let's try hala. Hala, point right.
Two, point left.
To, yeah, right, two, left.
Two, right. Two, left. Two.
Okay. Now let's try the ka'o.
Ka'o is the movement of the hips from right to left.
Right to left. Right to left.
Right to left.
Think of moving your hips like a figure eight
or an infinity sign. Constant flow.
Yeah, right, left.
Right to left. Right, left.
Right, left. Yeah. Right. Yeah.
[mumbling]
[laughs, mumbles]
- [gasps] Sis! - Hi!
- Okay, come, come, come. - [Leah] Hi!
- [Leah chuckles] Hello! - Aunty!
[Kiki] This is your Aunty Leah.
Hello, Leilani, Kealoha, it is so nice
to finally meet you in person.
Hey, Kealoha, it's Leah, remember?
Okay, look, look, look, look.
You know who I'm talking about.
[water sloshing]
There is something different about you today, Leah.
- Is there? - Yeah.
Maybe the island is changing you, eh?
Maybe I'm just really happy
to finally be meeting your beautiful family.
As much as I wanna take the credit,
I-I noticed it when you first got here.
- You meet someone? - No.
- [gasps] - No!
- No, spill it. - It's nothing.
I started taking hula lessons.
- I mean, I mean, not really. - You what?
It's just beginning stuff with someone from the hotel.
[chuckles] What kind of someone? They... Can they even do that?
I guess, to the extent that we're learning, yes.
Uh, he said he got permission from his kumu,
even though he's not part of the halau anymore.
Um, who is he?
- The guy teaching me. - I see.
And this guy, does he know what he's doing?
I mean, it seems like it to me.
Ah, imagine that. My Leah, a little hula girl.
Oh, shh!
But I can't tell anyone because
if my boss found out, she would kill me.
I don't think your boss would be the only one opposed.
- What do you mean? - I'm just surprised.
Usually kumu hula have strict rules
against teaching just anybody hula, especially tourists.
But every halau is different, I guess.
Well, he said it's outside of halau, and he's not even in it,
and he got his kumu's blessing...
I know, I know it's unconventional,
but for the first time in a long time
I'm feeling alive.
I don't know. Hm.
I believe it.
I can see it, too.
- Okay, all right. - Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
[water sloshing]
Ah! Howdy, partner. How has your, uh, work solo day been?
- It was great. Yours? - Great, great.
Um, didn't see you at the property today.
- I must have missed you. - Oh, I missed you, too.
Well, where, uh, where else have you been?
Elsewhere.
Well, would you care to join me?
No, I have some work to do, actually.
So I'm gonna head up. But enjoy the rest of your night.
It looks like it's gonna be a beautiful sunset.
♪ Yes you've never seen this side of me before ♪
And one, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four. Very good.
Now let's stop and move on to the next part, hands.
This flowing movement of the hands is called mili.
Okay.
Softer.
Smooth. Soft, but strong.
Delicate, but purposeful.
Focus.
Um, I don't know if my hands move that way.
- I have an idea. - Okay.
- What are we doing here? - I'm gonna show you.
- You see the waves? - Yeah.
See how they move in a powerful, smooth, continual motion?
That's how your hands need to move.
Let the island and nature show you.
Try it.
[indistinct chatter]
It's not about them. It's about you and hula and the island.
Come on.
[instrumental music]
Yeah.
Why'd you do that?
Oh, the trash? It's a habit.
I always like to leave a place better than I found it.
[chuckles]
That's actually a Hawaii rule.
Leave the island better than you found it.
You're not too bad for a haole.
- You know that? - I'll take it.
Your boyfriend, on the other hand--
What? I don't have a boyfriend.
The guy you're always with.
Michael? No. Michael is not my boyfriend.
Does he know that?
You did good today.
Thank you. But now I'm starving. Can I take you to dinner?
There's that place by the hotel I've been meaning to try.
- No. You don't wanna go there. - I don't?
Let me take you out for some real kind of grindz.
[instrumental music]
- [indistinct chatter] - [Leah laughs]
- This is delicious. - Fully sustainable, too.
Prawns are raised right here on the land.
You can see the pools all around us.
Yeah, that's something you don't see in LA.
Family has been here for generations,
as has this business.
Right up the highway they have
this fully-sustainable fish pond
maintained by generations of volunteers
providing resources to the community.
Wow! That's wonderful!
We're very connected to the land here.
Hawaii is more than beaches and mai tais.
Though, those are pretty great, too.
You see that tree right over there?
- Yeah. - I once knocked myself out.
By running into it.
- What? - No, no joke.
Me and my Cousin Billy made a stupid bet
over who can run the fastest, so I ran so fast,
and when I looked behind me to see if Billy was catching up,
I ran right into that tree and knocked myself out.
[laughs] Right in front of the whole halau, too.
Come to think of it, maybe that's when it was decided
that being a kumu wasn't in my future.
- Mahalo, aunty. - Aunty?
Oh, everyone's aunty and uncle here.
Sign of respect and endearment.
We're all one big ohana, family.
I love that.
- Do you ever regret it? - Regret what?
Not becoming a kumu.
No.
Why would I want such an honored and respected role
when I can easily teach tourists the Hukilau at some hotel?
No, but seriously, I don't regret it.
It was the best decision for me.
What about you?
- What about me? - Would you change anything?
Oh, I don't know.
I don't even know what that would look like, you know?
I take that back.
I wish I had told John how much I actually loved him
before it was too late.
Sorry. I don't know where that came from.
Don't be sorry. Who's John?
John was my first...
Well, really, my only love.
We met in college and just clicked.
Right after school I got this incredible job offer
on the other side of the country and I left him for it.
I broke his heart.
A couple years of later I realized how much I missed him
and how much I messed up, and I went to find him.
But he had gotten married and
was starting a family with someone new.
- I'm sorry. - Ah. It was a long time ago.
I dove fully back into work.
And one day, it stopped hurting so much.
I kind of stopped feeling
or doing anything outside of my career.
And it's been that way ever since.
So, really, this is
kind of making a change for me.
I mean, no part of me ever thought that I would be here
and learning hula.
And hiding it from my work, no less.
So, thank you for helping me.
Thank you for wanting to learn.
Sorry for the unexpected rambling.
No, thank you for trusting me with it.
- To new horizons. - And new friends.
And getting to know the real Hawaii.
Oh, before I forget.
- What's this? - For the last two lessons.
- Oh, no, I can't. - What do you mean you can't?
It's been my pleasure, Leah.
Uh, you're reconnecting me with my home and
letting me experience it through your eyes.
That's more valuable to me.
Thank you.
Positioned right on the crystal-blue coast
and offering stunning views of the magnificent mountains,
this in-demand destination could host upwards of 200 guests
in its modest 60 rooms.
If we level out the land, this number could climb
to 300 guests and 100 rooms.
Or it could sustain generations and generations
of a family and community.
[instrumental music]
[seagulls squawking]
Getting to know you, indeed.
[music continues]
[Ikaika] All of our songs we dance to,
these are all stories of the island.
But to really dance the mele, a song,
you must really feel the kaona, the hidden meaning.
Understanding the island might help you get there.
This is one of our most historic fish ponds.
- Breathtaking. - Yeah.
Volunteers from the community help maintain it,
and the resources from the pond in turn
help sustain the community.
I grew up coming here and working the ponds.
That's amazing.
One of the few places on the island
as yet untouched by developers.
I wanna build something like this one day.
I try to come back every now and then,
but it would be great to leave the hotel job
and do something like this full-time.
- What is it? - No, nothing.
No. What?
You're just really unexpected, Ikaika.
I mean, listening to you talk about
all these things you wanna build,
I'm reminded that I used to wanna build similar things.
And, I don't know, life got in the way
and I-I forgot that I wanted those things.
It's never too late to remember.
No. I guess not.
[instrumental music]
♪ When you hear afar
♪ Soft guitar start to play
♪ And the gentle breeze makes the trees ♪
♪ Dance and sway
♪ Oh and the ocean blue's mystic moon ♪
♪ Shines a light that makes you swoon ♪
♪ Oh you know that sweet Hawaii ♪
♪ Has stolen a part of you
♪ The scent within the breeze
♪ From the beach to the mountains ♪
♪ The feel of sun-warmed sand between the toes ♪
♪ Under your feet
♪ Hear the ocean swell cast a spell ♪
♪ A new love story to tell
♪ Sweet Hawaii owns your heart ♪
♪ Oh too well
♪ And so we dance and sing
♪ Of our love for Hawaii
♪ Oh there's many charms
♪ From its place to the sea
- Pua. - Pua.
♪ To the joyful tune
♪ Our hearts move
♪ Every goodbye is too soon
♪ Sweet Hawaii sings aloha
♪ To you
♪ And you know you're falling in love ♪
♪ With her too
[applauding]
[guitar music]
[singing in foreign language]
You're getting so close, I think just maybe
you're missing the kaona, the hidden meaning of the song.
It'll come. It'll just take time.
But you already told me what it means.
Uh, this hidden meaning I can't tell you.
You'll have to discover it for yourself.
Let's head back. I gotta do hotel activities in an hour.
Okay.
I think you dropped this, aunty.
[instrumental music]
- Beautiful. - Mahalo.
- Everything okay? - You made an impression.
- With that kupuna. - Kupuna?
Ah, it's a name for our respected elders.
How did you know which side to put the flower on?
Oh, um, it just seemed right.
Or maybe you've been paying more attention than you've realized.
For tomorrow's lesson, I wanna give you something.
Let's meet at our regular beach spot after work?
It's a date.
[singing in foreign language]
Hello.
Hi.
What was that? It was beautiful.
Oh.
A chant. Putting the sun to sleep.
Been a long time since I felt called to do that.
You've been reminding me. Well, reminding me a lot lately.
I've made a career
out of creating spaces all over the world.
I have never met anyone
with as much reverence for a place as you.
I'm far from being an example of that,
as my mother loves to remind me.
No, everything that I've seen since I met you
has shown that you really care.
You really love this island,
and making me fall in love with it, too.
Which is crazy because I thought
I was perfectly content back home.
But being here, spending time with you and with the island...
I think that I'm maybe seeing that...
I didn't know that I could feel more again.
And maybe that's why I'm frustrated when you say
that I still don't get the hidden meaning,
because, truthfully, I'm feeling
more than I have in a very long time.
You'll understand the kaona someday, don't worry.
[instrumental music]
You know what the kupuna said to me yesterday?
- The one you gave the pua to? - What?
She said she could sense your spirit.
And she responded very favorably to you.
That's no small praise coming from a kupuna like her.
You also knew which side to put the pua on,
and I'd never told you that.
That was a lucky guess. I-I didn't know it mattered.
But you did. You're wearing yours on the other side, too.
It's like you know without knowing. It's natural.
She's right, you know? There is something about you.
My mother is a kumu hula, and for the longest time I thought
that's what I was going to be.
But things became a little strained.
My father... Are you ready for it? Was a haole.
He also wasn't a good one at that.
He made some unwise investments,
got in a little financial trouble.
Then one day he just up and left. Never came back.
She never really got over that.
Ikaika, that's terrible.
He passed away when I was young.
My mom did her best to bounce back,
but I think I reminded her of him.
I'm glad my mother has the halau.
I'm realizing that my mother's real love,
her real child was the halau,
and I'll never be good enough for it.
I'm sure that's not true.
I tried for years.
I even chose the halau over what I wanted to build.
Invested in that instead of the ponds I wanted to create.
And I think part of her wanted to trust me,
but there was always that part, too, that worried her
that I would turn out to be like my father.
I'm so sorry.
It's okay, I've made peace with that.
And now she's in this place where she might lose the halau,
or at least the property its on.
So she's come back into my life
to ask me to somehow save it.
[Ikaika] She made me fall out of love with hula.
But... here you come,
all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a haole, no less,
you're the one making me fall back in love with it again.
[instrumental music]
I am so sorry.
No, it's okay.
I'm supposed to be your teacher. I can't--
Ikaika... I understand.
Oh, I almost forgot. I brought something for you.
I think you're ready for the next step.
Normally in a halau, this would be made for you.
But seeing as our situation is a little unique,
I figured you can borrow my old one.
It's one of my old pa'u skirts from when I was a keiki.
Now you can really work on your dance like a real haumana would.
It's beautiful! Thank you.
Bring it to our next lesson. You're ready.
[music continues]
- Oh, aloha! Mrs. Ka-Ka-Kama-- - Not today.
- I was just wondering if I cou-- - Aunty, aunty.
I'll talk to Ikaika, i-it's gonna be okay.
Ikaika isn't gonna do anything. It's too late.
- Did you say "Ikaika?" - Oh. Who are you, brah?
[instrumental music]
Well, well, well. If it isn't...
Wait, I'm sorry, what is your name again?
It's been so long since I've seen
you last, I've completely forgot.
It's been less than a week, Michael. Calm down.
I, uh, paid a little visit to the property again yesterday.
You do know you're supposed to be gaining the family's trust.
- Not bullying them, right? - And I learned...
Some pretty fascinating information.
- I bet you did. - I gotta hand it to you, Leah.
I'm impressed there is a shark in you yet.
- What are you talking about? - This little hula guy...
That you've been sneaking off with, at first I thought
you were just getting, you know,
a little friendly with the locals.
No judgement here. Then I found out who he really was.
- Can ya make your point already? - I realized...
That this nice-girl play of yours is just an act. Well done.
Michael, I don't know what you're talking--
Oh, I think you do and I figured out
your little secret. I'm on to you.
- What? I don't-- - I, uh, uh--
[both babbling]
I have a meeting to get to. I will talk to you later.
Hope it's a good meeting.
Your back was turned, but... I used air quotes.
[water sloshing]
Oh, actually,
we are going to put this top.
There you go, now let's see if it covers your knees.
Hm, just barely. But I think for our purpose, this will do.
Thank you.
Are you ready for the lessons to really begin?
What are you doing with that? You.
This is the haole girl that you wanna teach?
- We talked about this. - You gave her your pa'u skirt?
It's just for the lesson--
We said tourist hapa haole only.
You shouldn't give it away. She has no need for a pa'u!
I didn't give it away. I thought--
Oh, you thought, did you?
Because it doesn't look like it to me.
She's not haumana and you're not a kumu.
- She's a swindling-- - That's enough.
I'm sorry, but you shouldn't call her that.
Quiet, I want you and all your villains
to stay away from my son.
- Mom. - Your son?
Do you know what your kind is doing to me and my family?
Ikaika, can I talk to you for a moment?
- No, you cannot. - But, aunty, I can explain.
- What did you call me? - I'm sorry.
I am Kumu Kamalani, and no aunty of yours.
Now take off that skirt, and don't come back.
I'm so sorry, Kumu Kamalani. I'm so sorry, Ikaika.
- [rain pattering] - [thunder rumbling]
- Back so soon. - Not now, Michael.
You know what I was talking about earlier?
About how impressed I was with your, we'll call it, work?
- Well, Diana agrees with me. - What did you tell her?
Just the truth. In fact, she was so impressed that... Ah.
Diana, hello!
- Or should I say aloha? - Diana?
Is anyone else struggling to breathe in this humidity?
I didn't know you were coming.
Oh, really? Michael said he told you.
I did, didn't I? Oh, I thought I did.
She's been so busy lately, I'm sure it just slipped her mind.
[Diana] Michael has been telling me about your tactics with
the family, and I have to say, I was starting to worry
about your ability to pull this off,
especially after Michael told me about your dancing.
But now that I see what you're up to,
I'm sorry I ever questioned your ability to attack like a shark.
That is exactly what I said.
I mean, chumming it up with that hula guy
so you can get close to him and the family
and then convince them to surrender the buyout to you.
- I... Ah. Genius! - What?
At first I thought, what could you possibly see in this guy.
Right, and then just yesterday, and I'm talking to his cousin
and I learned that he is the heir of the property,
and thus the decision-maker
that we're all here trying to impress.
- Ikaika, wait. - Ooh. Is that him?
Oh, maybe you don't have this as quite in the bag
as you thought.
How could you?
- Ikaika. No, I did-- - You have some nerve.
You know, I thought something was a little strange.
Why would a rich hotel guest who keeps such unpleasant company
want to spend any time learning about the island
and our traditions and why would she wanna make it a secret?
- It's all coming together now. - That isn't what happened.
- It isn't? - No.
Because it looks like that is exactly what happened.
When my mother told me, I didn't wanna
believe her, but your colleagues
really cleared that up for me. So thank you.
I didn't know that you were related at all to the property.
- I swear. - Are you even hearing yourself?
I told you my mother was the kumu hula
and that her halau is in danger.
But the halau is on the property site?
Stop with what you're playing at!
She saw you there. That is where you met.
Yes, but I-I didn't know who she was at the time.
And-and I didn't know the halau--
The land is currently under my name.
No, the property is under the name--
Robert!
My American name is Robert, like my father.
When he passed, the property was bequeathed to me.
That is how the halau is still there.
And now I'm going to lose it.
After all these generations,
I'm the one to lose everything.
My mother was right.
Never trust a haole.
Don't bother putting your name on the auction tomorrow.
[instrumental music]
♪ The time moves so slowly
♪ While I wait for your return ♪
♪ The moon above does show me
♪ Oh how constant is the earth ♪
♪ Though the years may change
♪ I wait to see
♪ Your face
♪ Like a rainbow returning to the sky ♪
♪ Aho-i-mahai
[music continues]
♪ Like rain upon the mountains ♪
♪ Or wind upon the ocean
♪ Always you are leaving
♪ Oh and I hope
♪ Soon you will return
♪ Though the seasons change
♪ I'll wait for your
♪ Embrace
♪ Like a rainbow returning to the sky ♪
♪ The lonely heart the waiting day sweetheart ♪
♪ I long to see that rainbow in my sky ♪
♪ Aho-i-mahai
[instrumental music]
Good job, everyone. I'll see you all next week.
I wasn't expecting to see you yet.
- It's the auction. - I heard.
And I have something to show you.
[knocking on door]
Coming.
- Diana? - The auction is off.
- What? - The property!
I just heard the news.
The family's attorney got a check from an anonymous donor
who paid the lien just in time to pull it from the auction.
But-but... That's... How-how?
How on earth did they come up with this kind of money?
[sighs] I've been trying to get a hold of Leah, too,
but she's not in her room and...
[cell phone vibrating]
Oh!
What's this?
Just a little goodbye-for-now gift.
Some snacks for the kiddos and you.
Thank you. Do you really have to go back?
I do. Yeah.
- But, uh... - But what?
All I've done is make a mess of things since I got here.
You were supposed to convert to an island girl with me.
I ruined that fantasy too badly for repair, I think.
But maybe one day,
after I have some time to heal, I...
I'll come back and visit.
Oh, just come on.
Aw...
- I'm sorry, Leah. - Don't be.
I learned that I...
Well, I learned that I can really love.
I can feel exhilarated and feel butterflies
and all those crazy things I never thought I'd feel again.
And if the downside of that
is that I also have to feel the pain of loss,
well, then I have to deal with that.
At least I can feel.
And that's something I didn't know I could do again
before I got here.
You sure you can't just try talking to him?
Thank you for still loving me.
And thank you for always knowing when to check in.
I real... I don't thank you enough for that.
Oh, no thanks necessary. Get in here. Oh!
[instrumental music]
[door shuts]
This came in from the attorney, too.
[Kamalani] Why didn't you tell me that you had
a business plan for the land?
- How? - This is wonderful, Ikaika.
And the attorney said that there's an anonymous
investment check that will cover the development.
Looks like someone else out there believes in it, too.
[door opens, shuts]
Diana?
- Why did you do it? - Do what?
The anonymous check the family suddenly got to cover the lien.
I know it was you.
You know I'm gonna have to ask for your resignation letter.
Already submitted.
Leah.
Please, I just wanna understand.
I just knew in my heart it was the right thing to do.
But giving up everything you've worked for this whole time
at Livvana? Uh, and giving up partner?
You know I have to give it to Michael now.
And not to mention however much you paid
to cover that lien.
Well, what I invested is small
compared to what you and the Prescotts would have made
from displacing the family that owns that land
and that runs the community center.
And it's small compared to what we've made at Livvana
doing that countless times before.
I hope it was worth it.
I know that it is.
Diana, I-I need you to know
that this has nothing to do with you.
This is about me, mm, finally following my heart
that feels something for the first time in a very long time.
You will always be the greatest mentor I have ever had.
Thank you for that.
What am I gonna do without you?
Ah, well, I might be penniless and looking for work soon.
I don't know if you're heard, but I just blew
my savings on a whim investment.
Well, don't tease me.
Maybe take a little time while you're here
and experience it.
It might change your life.
Did for me.
[instrumental music]
- Good luck. - Thank you.
[door opens, shuts]
[Kamalani] Hey, haole!
Billy said you needed these.
Mahalo.
- I'm sorry, Ikaika. - For what?
For all the things that I said to you
and for arguing with you on your instincts.
Well, you were right about doubting those.
[Kamalani] No, I was very wrong.
And I'm sorry for making you feel that
I could possibly love anything more than you.
You're my son,
and I couldn't be more proud of the man you've become.
You have a good head and you have a good heart.
And you could see the truth and the spirit in people
that I was too angry to see.
You honor me, Ikaika, and I love you.
I better get in there. Class is about to begin in a few minutes.
And we have a new haumana joining our ohana.
- Someone new? - Wanna come welcome 'em with me?
[instrumental music]
Ikaika, this is our halau's new haumana.
Like I said, you were right and I was wrong.
I went to the beach last night
to pray to our kupuna for guidance.
And while I was there, so was Leah.
She was dancing all alone, and she made me feel something.
She danced from her na'au. You taught her that.
And you taught her well.
Rumor on the street is she just invested
in a very promising local business.
Apparently, she did the development plans, too.
Seems like we can use a partner like her, don't you think?
[Ikaika] Yeah.
[instrumental music]
- Hey, you did so good out-- - Thank you. I was so nervous.
Oh, don't be. We'll see you next time.
Bye.
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
I was just as surprised as you probably were.
Kumu said she saw you dance the mele on the beach.
Must have found the kaona if it moved her.
Yeah, I, I think I did.
You see, I kind of messed up
with this really great guy.
Oh?
Ah, we had this whole misunderstanding
and we both said some hurtful things.
- Yeah, ouch. - Yeah.
And it's really a bummer because...
I think I might actually have feelings for this guy.
Is that so?
You know, like, like, real feelings.
I think I might love him, actually.
[chuckles] Well...
What if he feels the same way?
Well, that's the thing, there's nothing they can do about it
because there is this whole rule that a teacher
can't get involved with his haumana.
Oh, but he's not her teacher anymore.
And she's a haumana with a halau
that he's no longer a part of.
Though, there is this business
that he's hoping she might partner with him on.
[instrumental music]
I've been waiting a long time to do that.
- Me, too. - My haole hula girl.
[laughing]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
♪ When you hear afar
♪ Soft guitar start to play
♪ And the gentle breeze makes the trees ♪
♪ Dance and sway
♪ Oh and the ocean blue's mystic moon ♪
♪ Shines a light that makes you swoon ♪
♪ Oh you know that sweet Hawaii ♪
♪ Has stolen a part of you
♪ The scent within the breeze
♪ From the beach to the mountains ♪
♪ The feel of sun-warmed sand between the toes ♪
♪ On your feet
♪ And the ocean's swell cast a spell ♪
♪ A new love story to tell
♪ Sweet Hawaii owns your heart ♪
♪ Oh too well
♪ And so we dance and sing
♪ Of our love for Hawaii
♪ Oh there's many charms from its place ♪
♪ To the sea
♪ To the joyful tune our hearts move ♪
♪ Every goodbye is too soon
♪ Sweet Hawaii sings aloha
♪ To you
♪ And you know you're falling in love ♪
♪ With her too