The Real and Reel Journey of Finding ‘Ohana: The Treasure Beneath The Waves
When Finding ‘Ohana was released on Netflix in early 2021, viewers assumed it would be a Hawaiian-themed version of The Goonies, a simple kid-friendly adventure. What audiences got was wonderfully unexpected: a modern-day treasure story intertwined with deeper sentiments of heritage, family, and belonging. Directed by Jude Weng, it was more than treasure and caves — it focused on the cultural rediscovery of the characters and the cultural roots of the actors portraying the characters.
The light-hearted dialogue and vibrant tropical landscapes were a mask of the personal dimensions the story bore, which was more the fruit of the nostalgia and the sheer determination of a diverse cast and crew. It was a story built on the dedication of those who created it, celebrating ‘ohana — the Hawaiian notion of family by blood and by bond.
A Map to the Heart
The narrative centers on Pili (Kea Peahu) a Brooklyn-raised and adventure loving teenager which takes a twist when her mother (Kelly Hu) took her and her older brother, Ioane (Alex Aiono) to O‘ahu to help care for their ailing grandfather, Kimo (Branscombe Richmond) to O‘ahu. At first, attempting to escape the island’s slower lifestyle, Pili finds an old pirate’s journal and old pirate journal. Her treasure search pivots from gold to her search for belonging.
With Casper (Owen Vaccaro), her mystery, and new island roots, she reconnects, and offers a new meaning to both her and her island home. Ioane, the sarcastic older brother glued to his phone, also undergoes his own transformation. Forced to spend time on the island heritage, the siblings cross the misadventured cliffs, wild jungles and concealed caves and realize their true treasure and each other is their connection to home.
Finding ‘Ohana recapitulates a premise from classic adventure films but gives it a distinctive Hawaiian heartbeat. The chants and the myths woven into the narrative, along with the local humor, add a familiar, lived-in quality for the audience and consumers, and provide a profound, authentic, deep respect. Jude Weng intended for the film to represent Hawaii’s culture, not the Hawaii of tourists. “It’s not a postcard, said Weng. Hawaii was filled with culture, and it was mighty, resilient and full of pride.
For young Kea Peahu, the film was nothing short of destiny. Born and raised in Hawaii, Kea was already a viral dance prodigy, performing for Jenifer Lopez and Ellen DeGeneres, and she hadn’t even hit her teenage years yet. Yet, Finding ‘Ohana was her first acting role, a giant leap from hip-hop stages to film sets.
Her energetic, fearless, witty, and curious performance on screen was a near mirror of her real personality. There were challenges, though. There were strenuous, outdoor, rock climbing, and underwater performances, and Kea was required to train in and for a while, even learned to dive.
During interviews, she disclosed that her most challenging task was not performing the stunts, but rather capturing the character’s emotional depth, particularly playing a girl who is “torn between two worlds.” Kea articulates, “Pili loves adventure but doesn’t really know who she is yet. And I think that’s something every kid feels, especially when you’re away from home.” Hawaii’s culture allows Kea to bring an authenticity to the character that other actors may not have been able to deliver. She was not just playing a Hawaiian girl; she was one, rediscovering her roots in real time.
Alex Aiono: Music, Identity, and Finding Balance
Alex Aiono was cast as Ioane, the protective but annoyed brother, and was already an up-and-coming musician and YouTube star before joining the cast. Like his character, Aiono has spent most of his life straddling two different worlds, with his Polynesian heritage on one side and mainstream American culture on the other.
Off-screen, Aiono shared how Finding ‘Ohana helped him reconnect with his roots. In a behind-the-scenes interview, Aiono even commented, “I grew up in Arizona, far from my Samoan heritage. Doing this movie, being on the islands, learning from local elders — it wasn’t just acting. It was a homecoming.”
The chemistry captured on screen between Aiono and Kea Peahu was also one of the film’s strongest emotional threads. Much of the film’s final cut incorporated the spontaneous improvisations of the pair in their playful teasing and shared laughter. Director Jude Weng gave the actors a lot of freedom, encouraging them, in fact, to keep things as natural as possible. She would urge them to “mess it up a little” to bring the unscripted element into their performances. This bonding warmth was a special element that reson with audiences worldwide.
The Spirit of Aloha Behind the Lens
To Jude Weng, Finding ‘Ohana was a milestone in her directing career, having become the first Asian American woman to direct a feature film for Netflix. Weng, who previously directed episodes for shows like Fresh Off the Boat and The Good Place. Weng, who recently directed episodes for shows like Fresh Off the Boat and The Good Place. Weng noted that in her directing style, she liked to combine blockbuster energy with a culturally sensitive approach.
Weng advocated for as many location shoots as possible within O’ahu, as he wished to take advantage the island’s natural beauty. To him, the caves, coastlines, and waterfalls were not mere backdrops for the film, but integral characters. Each scene presented the crew with challenges as a result of the unpredictable and rough outdoor environments. Moreover, shooting in the caves proved difficult as the humidity within the caves and fogged camera equipment caused delays. In one instance, a cave flood necessitated the rebuilding of a cave set.
The familial atmosphere on set, and the part of grandparent Branscombe Richmond, helped to create a positive atmosphere. He would often lead the crew in Hawaiian chant and serve as an on camera mentor as well. The crew and cast described the moments as grounding and a reminder of the culture their film was honoring.
Nostalgia, Hype, and the “Modern Goonies” Tag
Prior to its release, Finding ‘Ohana had comparisons to endure. Early trailers featured maps, traps, and children on adventures, quickly sparking comparisons to The Goonies. Fans of 1980s adventure cinema felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension — would it be able to capture the same magic, or would it feel like imitation?
The release of the film shifted the conversation by winning over the skeptics and adding emotional depth to the genre. Critics praised its deft handling of humor alongside heritage. “The family movie we didn’t know we needed” is how parents called it, while teens praised it for its relatable characters. Finding ‘Ohana enjoyed unexpected popularity among younger audiences in India, during the time Netflix was expanding its global catalog, which was centered around themes of migration, identity, and homecoming. The idea of being stuck between two cultures — one of modern ambition and the other of ancestral belonging — was voiced powerfully for Indian youth, caught between tradition and globalization.
Kea Peahu and Alex Aiono quickly became inspirations on social media. Their authenticity — the absence of the usual Hollywood polish — was the film’s biggest draw.
What the Cameras Did Not Capture
Beneath the laughter and the sense of adventure, there were some tender moments. During the production, Kea had been feeling homesick, particularly during the more emotional scenes. She was far from home and simply wanted something familiar. During that period, her fellow castmates, in particular Kelly Hu and Alex Aiono, became her on-set Ohana. Hu, a native Hawaiian herself, was very maternal and guided the younger actors, teaching them the important etiquette and spirit of ‘aina, and encouraging them to approach every scene with that spirit of the island in mind.
There were also the creative risks. Jude Weng used real Hawaiian language and myths in the scripts and sought the council of cultural consultants to ensure accuracy. Many understated gestures, like the way the characters evoked and greeted elders and the chants performed before the treasure cave created an atmosphere of deep respect. Weng also shared that some of the extras were real community members and took the time to share their stories and influence the writing of particular scenes.
The crew performed a traditional blessing ceremony marking the close of filming. The emotional finale was shot on that day and the tears were real. The scene, where Pili and Ioane reconcile with their grandfather, was their last. The project had truly lived up to its name: a journey of finding one’s ‘ohana.
The Legacy of an Island Adventure
Although Finding ‘Ohana did not receive a theatrical release, it did not diminish its global impact. It became popular in many countries, especially in Asia and the Pacific regions, and became one of the most popular family films on Netflix in 2021.
It also provided the opportunity to showcase new talent, highlight authentic representation, and remind viewers that the journey home can, in many ways, be the journey of a lifetime. To the cast and crew, Finding ‘Ohana was not merely a film about a treasure hunt; it was a treasure in and of itself, the treasure found when one’s passion for storytelling, culture, and community is woven together harmoniously and celebrated under the sun of the tropics.