ACT 1: SHAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT

SCENE 1: HULA FOR BEGINNERS

EXT. WAIMANALO BEACH PARK, GRASSY AREA UNDER TREES—MONDAY MIDMORNING

CUT!! Hey, just so you know, I’ve written a screenplay once before. It was about my life in L.A. So I’m getting the hang of it. In case this is the first screenplay you’ve ever read, here’s some script lingo you should know. Before each scene, I’ll write where it’s happening. If I put “EXT” that means what’s gonna happen is outside or “exterior.” If I put “INT” that means what’s gonna happen is inside or “interior.” Most of the other stuff you’ll get just because you’ve probably seen movies or TV shows. What I’m writing is like what actors and directors read before they film a movie. OK, back to: ACTION!!

FADE IN ON:

A tattered blue flag that says “OHANA DAY CAMP” whips back and forth in the wind. It’s stuck between the slats of a wooden picnic table.

The hot, bright summer sun filters down through tree limbs. The patchy sunlight falls on twelve kids ranging in age from eight to fourteen. They shuffle, stamp, turn, and wiggle in two horizontal lines. All wear bathing suits and are barefoot except one. LULU, an eleven-year-old girl, thrusts her hips from side to side as she tries to follow the movements of the girl in front of her. Clothing covers her from head to toe. Her enormous swarm of brown hair is mashed under a white and red baseball cap that says “ALOHA,” but the “O” is shaped like a heart colored in with a rainbow. AUNTIE MOANA, an older Hawaiian woman with short black hair and warm cocoa-colored eyes that match her skin, softly calls out movements as she herself does them.

AUNTIE MOANA

One, two, three, tap. Sway. Sway. Sway. One, two three, tap. Sway. Sway.

A man, UNCLE AKAMU, with salt-and-pepper hair, strums a ukulele as he watches the waves crashing onto the beach behind the dancers.

AUNTIE MOANA

(to kids in the back rows)

Follow the person in front of you if you’re lost.

(to all the kids)

And…step up, forward. Step up, back.

LULU

(slightly out of breath)

I’m so lost I don’t know forward from backward.

Next to Lulu in the back row, NOELANI, a slim girl about Lulu’s age, slides her feet and floats her arms to the hula music. Her rhythm and motions are one with the breezes blowing through the trees and the waves washing onto the shore. She wears a stretched-out tankini top and board shorts that have faded from blue to almost gray. Noelani’s long, black braid hangs down her back and thwacks her brown shoulders as she turns from side to side.

NOELANI

(giggles)

Lu, forward is what’s in front of your nose.

Lulu looks up from her feet and watches KHLOE. Khloe’s smooth waving arms and swaying match the ukulele’s melody. And even though the wind blows her long, straight blond hair, not a strand looks out of place. She wears a skimpy leopard bikini with pink straps.

LULU

(quietly to Noelani)

Khloe better be right in front of me at the hula-off next week or else I’m gonna mess up a zillion times.

Uncle Akamu finishes the song, HUKILAU. Auntie Moana lightly claps to get the children’s attention.

CUT!! Scripts don’t usually do this, but I have to break into the story to tell you something Hawaiian. Auntie Moana isn’t really my aunt or an aunt to anyone at Ohana Camp. All us kids just call her Auntie. One thing I love about Hawaii is that Hawaiians treat neighbors, friends, and even friends of friends as part of their family. Ohana means “family” in Hawaiian. And, in Hawaii, you call someone Auntie and Uncle if they’re older than you. It’s a sign of respect. Auntie Moana was born in Hawaii, in the same house in the Waimanalo neighborhood where she lives now. And wanna know something else cool? Her name means “ocean” and her husband, Akamu, his name means “earth.” Uncle Akamu told us kids that he knew Moana would complete his life the moment they met ’cause they would be the perfect joining of the earth and the sea. Wow! Now, that’s so much more romantic than any gross, kissy stuff my sister Alexis thinks is love. OK, now back to: ACTION!!

AUNTIE MOANA

(addresses all the kids)

Before we do the dance again…

Several children groan.

AUNTIE MOANA

(ignoring them)

…let’s remind each other about hula basics.

KHLOE

(jumping right in)

The movements should be smooth and delicate. And our feet do something different than our arms so, like, arms and feet go in different directions.

LULU

(out loud)

Geez peas! No wonder I mess up. I have a hard enough time getting my arms and feet to go in the same direction.

Campers around her crack up. Uncle Akamu winks at her.

KHLOE

And our hips never stop moving while our upper body…

AUNTIE MOANA

Mahalo, Khloe. Thank you. Anyone else?

CAROLE, a skinny, tall girl with deep black hair and eyes, wearing a tiny leopard-print bikini, yells out.

CAROLE

Hands and arms tell the story.

AUNTIE MOANA

Yes, mahalo. Hands and arms paint the picture.

CATE, a petite blond wearing the same leopard bikini as Carole, leaves her line and walks up near Lulu.

CATE

Always be on your flat feet. And…

(looks down at Lulu’s orange-and-white checkered Van’s shoes)

…hula is performed barefoot.

LULU

Well, I just don’t want to burn the tops of my feet.

AUNTIE MOANA

Keiki, children, there is something important you are not yet telling me.

No one says anything. LIAM and MALEKO, two tall boys, flick each other’s arms as they goof around.

Noelani clears her throat. Lulu turns to look at her. She’s never heard her best pal speak up in the group before. Noelani mostly saves her ideas and her jokes to share with Lulu.

NOELANI

Ummmm. Kumu?

Hearing her friend use the Hawaiian word for teacher, Lulu smiles. Noelani knows so much stuff, but she’s SO quiet about it.

Noelani hesitates, nervous now that everyone in the class is looking at her.

LULU

Hey, what were ya gonna say?

Noelani looks down at her bare feet.

LULU

(in a loud voice)

I bet you were gonna say that the most important part of dancing hula is not to look at me, so I don’t mess you up.

All the kids giggle, except Khloe, Cate, and Carole, who call themselves KHLOE AND THE Cs. They exchange glances.

Noelani lifts her eyes from the ants crawling over her left toe. She finds courage in Lulu’s clowning.

NOELANI

I think the most important part of performing hula is akua.

Uncle Akamu continues to look out at the surf, but his brown eyes crinkle in the corners, his way of smiling.

Auntie Moana takes a moment to answer. She pauses—not like she’s thinking, more like she’s listening to the wind and a message it’s sending through the trees.

AUNTIE MOANA

Mahalo, Noelani. Yes, akua. Spirit. That’s the only way to dance hula. You must feel the akua.

Uncle Akamu plays the hula music again.

The kids shuffle into the starting hula stance: knees slightly bent and heels together.

Lulu looks down at her feet.

AUNTIE MOANA

OK, feel the music.

LULU

(talking to herself, but loud enough for all around her to hear)

Right, together. Right, tap. Left, together. Left, tap.

AUNTIE MOANA

Now sway, sway, sway.

Suddenly, a LOUD VOICE SCREECHES from the parking lot.

LOUD VOICE

KHLOE!! KHHHHLLLOOOEEE! CAROLE and CAAATE!!!!

SCENE 2: NO MORE FOLLOW THE LEADER

EXT. WAIMANALO BEACH PARK—CONTINUOUS

Uncle Akamu continues to strum the hukilau on his ukulele. The kids and Auntie Moana stamp, flutter, and rock to and fro.

The calling of KHHLOOOE, CAROLE, and CAAAATE gets louder. Khloe’s mother, MRS. CLARISSA LYONS, wearing tight pink pants and matching pink lipstick, approaches the Ohana Camp flag.

Khloe and the Cs break ranks and scramble over to Mrs. Lyons.

MRS. LYONS

(to Khloe and the Cs)

You’re in. Now, hurry. Get your stuff.

Khloe and the Cs dash off to grab their beach bags and flip-flops.

The music comes to an end. Ohana Camp kids drift over to Khloe and the Cs, but no one knows what to say. Well, except one.

LULU

What’s going on? Where are you guys going?

Khloe tosses her plush pink towel around her neck. Lulu notices that “KHLOE” is embroidered on the towel in red and that Cate and Carole have the same towel with their names stitched on.

KHLOE

(squealing with delight)

We’re going to the very best-est dance school, Island School of Hula!

CATE

So we’re gonna be on the team that wins the hula-off.

CAROLE

And we’ll perform onstage at the Ala Moana Center all during the summer.

(squeals excitedly)

And we’ll win the prize money too.

Lulu tugs her long-sleeved sun-protection shirt so that she’s covered all the way to her wrists.

LULU

I wish you guys weren’t leaving. Today I brought taro chips and my homemade mango salsa. I wanna share it with everyone.

At the mention of salsa, the redheaded twin sister and brother, KENNA and KAPONO, perk up.

KENNA

Ohhh. Can I try if it’s not really spicy?

KAPONO

I want it to be extra spiced!

LULU

(to Kenna and Kapono)

You’ll both have to try it and tell me what ya think.

(to Khloe and the Cs)

I spent lots of time making the salsa. You guys are gonna miss it.

KHLOE

Well, maybe instead of wasting time chopping up mangos, you should work on your hula.

KHLOOOOOE, CAROLE, and CAAAATE cut through the warm beachy air.

Carole and Cate scamper toward the parking lot. Khloe pauses to put her feet in her rose-colored flip-flops.

NOELANI

(softly so that she can barely be heard)

Hey, good luck, Khloe. You’re a great dancer.

KHLOE

You too, Noelani.

Khloe runs to catch up to Carole and Cate.

SCENE 3: GOTTA WIN ONE

EXT. ON WAIMANALO BEACH—FIVE MINUTES LATER

Waimanalo’s smooth sand bakes in the midday sun. Rough waves fling tropical-green and sapphire-blue water onto the shore, where it turns quickly to bubbly, white foam. The beach is quiet. Other than the Ohana Camp kids, there aren’t many others around.

Lulu and Noelani sit next to each other on a straw mat. Lulu’s under an orange beach umbrella. She peels away big, damp leaves, the wrapping for what looks like a meatball, and takes a bite. Noelani studies a Hawaiian language workbook.

Lulu waves the half-eaten ball in Noelani’s direction.

LULU

(with mouth full)

Sure you don’t want any laulau?

NOELANI

(looks up)

OK.

Lulu hands Noelani her piece. Suddenly Kapono pelts Noelani with a WET SAND BALL. It EXPLODES on her book.

LULU and NOELANI

Hey!

LULU

(to Noelani)

Maybe Kapono could ruin my Hawaiian workbook. I’m terrible at learning Hawaiian. How can a language that only has twelve letters be soooooo complicated?

NOELANI

It’s not hard, especially for me, ’cause I grew up hearing it.

LULU

Maybe it’s hard ’cause of all those vowels.

NOELANI

(laughing)

Hawaiian has the same vowels as English.

LULU

Then maybe only having seven consonants makes all those vowels too much for my mouth.

Noelani rolls out from under the shade of the mat into the hot sunshine.

NOELANI

Here’s a good word for the day: koa.

LULU

Does it mean: give me more laulau?

NOELANI

It means brave.

LULU

Cool. Did you just learn that?

NOELANI

I was just thinking about it, Lu. I really, really hoped we’d win the hula-off. Now, without Khloe and the Cs, there’s no way.

LULU

(puts her ALOHA cap on and sticks her head outside the umbrella)

Noelani, you’re a super-looper, better hula dancer than all of them put together.

NOELANI

(softly, barely heard over the waves)

I have no koa. I’m too scared to dance in front of anyone. And a huge crowd? That’s totally impossible.

LULU

So don’t worry about it. We’ll all just go to the hula-off for fun. I really hope my parents might come.

NOELANI

(stares at Lulu)

I just thought, if we win, Ohana Camp could get the prize money.

Kenna runs over to Lulu and Noelani. Tears stream down her face. A gaggle of boys, led by Kapono, follows behind her.

KAPONO

We didn’t do anything!

KENNA

(yelling in her loudest little-girl voice)

YES, you did. I have sand in my hair and all over.

The boys and Kenna scooch onto Lulu’s mat. They all try to explain what happened.

NOELANI

(in her soft voice)

Well, just forget it. We should all just get along, like one big ohana.

LULU

Geez peas! Instead of sand fights, why don’t we do something together, like win that hula competition? Wouldn’t that be an awesome shock and surprise for Khloe and the Cs and the kids at Island School of Hula?

NOELANI

(turns to Lulu)

That’s not too nice.

KAPONO

(waving his foot in the air)

Yeah! Let’s kick their butts!

Lulu jumps up, almost hitting her head on her umbrella.

LULU

Well, I’m in.

Kenna giggles and totally forgets about her sandy hair.

KENNA

That’s so funny, Lulu, ’cause you’re like the worst hula-er ever!

SCENE 4: HOME ON THE LANAI

EXT/INT. HARRISON FAMILY HOUSE, DIAMOND HEAD—ONE HOUR LATER

CUT!! Again. You should know about this house we’re living in for the summer. It’s in my mom and dad’s contract that the studio has to rent them a big, fancy house while they are making a movie. This house has lots of sliding glass walls that stay open all day long. So, even though you’re inside, you feel like you’re outside at the same time. The only problem is that Watson, our chubby pug, crashes into the glass. He can’t figure out the difference between inside and outside.

Here’s what I like about this house: I can see the ocean from every room. Here’s what I don’t like: there’s nowhere I could munch a Nanea Hawaiian chocolate macadamia nut bar without leaving brown flecks. The floors are whitewashed wood and covered with a giant pale wool rug. Low, cushy couches are a color called sand, which is crazy because specks of sand aren’t allowed in this hyper-clean place. Walls that aren’t glass are painted Tibetan Jasmine, and I know that because my mother insisted on having them repainted before we moved in. In nooks and corners of the house stand dark wooden sculptures that you can’t sneeze near because they’re precious Tahitian antiques. Oh, and in case you thought you could prop up your feet, DON’T! The tables are made of glass. OK, back to: ACTION!!

Lulu, sandy and sweaty from a day of Ohana Camp, dashes through the house’s large, two-story-high double doors. She almost trips on WATSON, who lies on the natural bamboo doormat. Watson has chewed through three of the four corners. He loves chomping the mat because it feels like he’s chewing a stick without him actually needing to find or fetch one himself.

MAYA, a tall, older woman with dark skin and blue eyes, lifts her right hand to form a STOP sign. She doesn’t need to say a word. Her thin hand and long fingers command immediate attention.

CUT!! Quick important information I want you to know. Maya moved to Hawaii from Japan when she was eight years old. When I first met her, I thought she didn’t like me because she doesn’t chitchat, but I learned that her kindness runs deep and that just because she doesn’t blab doesn’t mean she doesn’t listen! She takes care of our house, which also means she helps take care of me. Back to: ACTION!!

LULU

Aloha, Maya. I know. Shoes. Off.

Lulu plops onto the front doorstep and kicks off her sand-filled checkered Vans. Maya smiles. Her face easily creases in places it has folded many times before.

Walking out the front door, ALEXIS looks down at Lulu. Alexis carries an ISLAND LIFE magazine. Wearing a black string bikini top, a wide-brimmed white sun hat, and tiny white shorts printed with black stars, Alexis looks as if she just walked out of a page in the magazine.

LULU

I gotta talk to Mom and Dad. It’s mega important hula business.

ALEXIS

(barely hiding a smile)

Since when are you a hula star?

LULU

I’m NOT. That’s especially why they’ve gotta come to the hula-off.

Alexis pulls Lulu’s hands to help her up.

LULU

Lex. Seriously. If they’d come watch me, it would be like a dream come true. They’ve never been to any show or program I’ve been in at school.

ALEXIS

(trying to keep a laugh out of her voice)

Lu, I’m serious. If your thing is during the day, there’s about as much chance of them coming as there is of it snowing in Honolulu.

LULU

And there’re these girls called Khloe and the Cs who just bailed on dancing with us, so if Mom and Dad came, it could make my friends and me feel fantabulous.

Lulu heads inside the house, but Maya blocks the door. She points a finger toward the outdoor shower. Lulu knows what the finger means: rinse off before you set foot in the most dirt-free, sand-free beach house in all seven Hawaiian Islands.

CAMERA FOLLOWS LULU as she walks around to a wood-slatted wall covered with a Hawaiian wedding flower vine and ducks into the shower. She tugs off her SURF MAUI T-shirt that’s over her SPF 50 long-sleeved shirt but stops mid-tug. Just before her head pops out, she yanks her shirt down.

CUT!! Another super quick note. Even though I couldn’t surf if a shark was speeding after me, I love wearing surf shirts because the idea of riding on wave power is, well, soooo Hawaii and California! Now, Back to: ACTION!!

Lulu faintly hears voices drift from the back of the house and takes off toward the lanai, the word everyone in Hawaii uses for porch.

LULU

(yelling over the sounds of waves and singing shama thrushes hidden in trees)

Mahhhhhm?! Dahhhhhd?! Are you home already?

FIONA HARRISON stands straight and tall against the lanai railing. Her posture and her angular beauty make her seem like a marble statue. She’s dressed in narrow white jeans with zippers at the ankles, a plain white top cut high at the neck and a silky Stella McCartney blazer with the sleeves pushed up, showing off her large, rose gold men’s watch and gold and diamond bangles. She wears high wedge shoes that are both stylish and professional. Her chestnut brown hair is swept into a neat ponytail. LINCOLN HARRISON lies on a chaise with the back support pulled down flat. He’s barefoot and wears only Rip Curl shorts and vintage tortoiseshell Wayfarer sunglasses.

FIONA

(to Linc in an angry tone)

Not only did you act unprofessional on the set today, but you were downright childish!

LINC

(laid-back tone but mad underneath)

You squeezing my scene into only a few takes makes me stress out. All right? I deal with nerves on the set by clowning. Give me a break!

Linc props himself up and sips an icy blue drink with a wedge of pineapple stuck to the side of the glass.

FIONA

(British accent getting more clipped with each word)

You know very well why I’m rushing you. My one-hundred-and-fifty-million-dollar movie production is millions of dollars over budget and weeks behind schedule. Don’t you think I…

(imitating Linc’s deep voice)

…“stress out”?

Lulu walks onto the lanai but is unnoticed by her parents. Alexis drifts outside from the living room. She’s careful not to catch her heel in the track where the glass door travels. Watson troops out after her.

FIONA

(sharp tone)

After Lulu’s last birthday, we BOTH agreed to take the girls this summer. And we BOTH agreed we’d wrap each day in time to be with the girls by dark.

Lulu and Alexis catch each other’s eye. Lulu pulls her ALOHA hat brim over her eyes. It’s an instinct to try and hide. Alexis, however, clicks in her high, pointy heels right over to her parents.

ALEXIS

Hi, Fiona and Linc. Lulu here has a très important scheduling request.

Fiona immediately spins around and looks at Lulu. She takes a split second to change her tone.

FIONA

Yes, Lulu?! Hi, Lex. We’re home extra early today since…ah…

Linc spins a little paper umbrella between his fingers.

LINC

I wasn’t having my best day on the Seas the Day set.

ALEXIS

Well, Lu, you’ve got the stage.

Alexis gives Lulu an encouraging wink but also twirls her hand around her wrist indicating Lulu needs to come out with it already.

LULU

(tugs her hat brim up)

I was wondering, and, well, hoping you guys could come to the hula-off. It’s this gigantic competition I’m in with my camp friends.

FIONA

A what “off”?

LULU

Hula. We really wanna try to win because whatever group wins gets prize money and performs at Ala Moana Center all summer.

ALEXIS

(smiling)

The biggest, coolest mall in Honolulu? Now I’m totally interested.

LULU

(speaks super fast)

And, geez peas, you guys have never come watch me in anything, ya know. It’s what lots of parents do bec—

ALEXIS

(to Fiona)

Seriously, Fiona, it seems Lulu’s camp had some girls bail today. If you and Dad show up to support Lu and her hula-dancing pals, that would, well, spread a little Hollywood glam to an otherwise hopeless cause.

FIONA

Look. I get it. But your father and I are stretched very thin. Is it at night? Get the information to Lilac and she’ll check.

LULU

Your assistant? But she’s in L.A.

FIONA

Yes, Lulu, but I always use the cell phone.

Linc sits up and props his shades on the top of his head.

LINC

You use about six of them, Fiona.

Linc picks up his glass, pulls out the pineapple, and tosses it to the floor. He drains the glass.

LULU

Hey, Dad, gotta be careful about Watson. He could eat anything that’s on the ground.

Linc gets up from the chaise.

LINC

I’m gonna check the surf before that smelly pug comes near me.

He passes Lulu, lifts up her ALOHA cap, and musses her already-wild hair.

LINC

Nice ’do.

Linc heads down to the beach, and Fiona follows in her high shoes.

LULU

(calling after him)

Daaad! We really wanna try and win this hula thing. If you’d come, it would inspire us!

WIDE SHOT of Linc halfway to the ocean.

ALEXIS

K. Let’s not take their answer as a no.

Watson scrounges around Linc’s chair. Lulu reaches down to pick up the pineapple wedge her dad tossed on the ground just before the pug chomps down on it.

LULU

(looking up from the ground)

Of course not. I take it as a solid maybe.

SCENE 5: TOPS AND BOTTOMS

INT. SPLASH! ALA MOANA CENTER—NEXT MORNING

Splash! is a Hawaiian swimwear boutique. Bathing suits in all different colors, shapes, and sizes hang throughout the store. Almost every one is a bikini.

Lulu holds up a magenta, fringed bikini top.

LULU

Is this a belt?

ALEXIS

Are you that fashion-challenged or are you trying to be funny?

Alexis’s arms hold a dozen bikini tops and bottoms.

SHAWNA, the Splash! manager, casually approaches Alexis. With her gorgeous, wavy, dark hair and deep-brown skin, she looks like she fell off one of the posters of bathing suit models hanging around the store.

SHAWNA

Aloha, Alexis? Right? I’m Shawna. Let me help you with those.

Alexis gratefully releases the tangle of hangers.

Alexis, thrilled to be known by the naturally hip manager of one of O’ahu’s coolest swimsuit stores, flashes her violet eyes.

ALEXIS

I totally love the vibe of your store and how you always have the newest styles.

LULU

Aloha, Shawna. I’m her sister, Lulu.

SHAWNA

(warm and welcoming)

Hey, Lulu. Actually, I came over to you guys ’cause I heard you say you thought the knotted fringe top looked like a belt. I thought that was hysterical.

Lulu shoots Alexis an “I told you so” glance.

LULU

You sure sell tiny pieces of material that are supposed to be bathing suits.

Lulu picks up a turquoise twist bandeau top with removable straps and holds it up. She then grabs banded, ruched-side bottoms. Both pieces look especially tiny dangling from their hangers.

LULU

How could anyone wear these into the water? First wave and adios, bathing suit.

ALEXIS

Hey, what size are those bottoms? If they’re smalls, hand them over. Totally très adorable.

Alexis heads toward the small changing-room area and swishes behind a silky drape of blue and green tropical leaves.

SHAWNA

(to Lulu)

Is there anything you need?

ALEXIS

(yelling out from changing room)

Shawna! Can you help Lulu? She needs to win a hula contest and needs something to wear that’s not SPF 50 long underwear!

SHAWNA

That’s so cool! You hula?

LULU

Well, at Ohana Day Camp, where I go, we’re learning all kinds of Hawaiian life and culture stuff, but there’s this hula-off coming up and—

SHAWNA

I hula-ed for years before I got into surfing. Let’s see your moves! C’mon. I can help you!

Shawna clears away a rack in the middle of the store and positions Lulu’s hands and feet into basic hula moves.

LULU

For me, hula feels more like a game of Twister than a dance.

Shawna cracks up.

SHAWNA

You might be better at being funny than at hula, Lulu.

Alexis parades out in a Luli Fama Cosita Buena push-up top and Brazilian-back bottoms.

ALEXIS

(to Shawna)

Does this look too big?

LULU

Lex, put something on! Anyone passing the store could see you!

SHAWNA

(smiling to Alexis)

She’s got a point. Great bikinis don’t always make great mall wear.

ALEXIS

I know, but bikinis are good for hula! Look, how hard can that dancing be?!

Shawna cranks up the store music. Lulu and Alexis shake, sway, twist, stamp, and spin. Shawna instructs in between giggles and joining in herself.

ALEXIS

(still dancing about)

See, Lu, all you need is a bikini to wear for your hula thingy-dingy, and the moves will just flow into you!

Lulu stops mid-twirl. Khloe and the Cs stand staring and sniggering.

LULU

Hey, guys! Just practicing some hula moves because bathing suit shopping is about the worst shopping I can think of, and I don’t like shopping to begin with.

(looks at Shawna)

Sorry, Shawna.

SHAWNA

(reaching to turn down the music)

I get it. Bathing suit shopping is known to be stressful for most women.

KHLOE

You weren’t shopping, and you weren’t doing hula. You were being, like, freaks.

Alexis, despite being clad in a skimpy bathing suit, strides right over to Khloe and the Cs. She shakes back her long, silky hair as she bores her eyes into Khloe.

ALEXIS

Hi. I’m Alexis Harrison.

Khloe and the Cs blush. They are meeting a mega-cool teenager who’s actually been photographed in magazines with her famous parents. They stand frozen.

ALEXIS

K. Let me put it another way. I’m Lulu’s big sister.

KHLOE

Oh. We didn’t know that was you.

ALEXIS

Then, HELLLO?! Who did you think I was?

LULU

(jumps in)

No problem. We, I mean, I was just getting super-looper excited about the hula-off.

ALEXIS

Which, by the way, Lulu’s camp…

(pauses and looks to Lulu)

What’s it called?

LULU

(whispering)

Ohana.

ALEXIS

Fine. Whatever. Ohana Camp is gonna rock that hula show and our parents are gonna make sure of it!

KHLOE

NO way to that. Those misfit kids dancing without me leading them will be a freak show.

Alexis turns and casually shuffles through racks of bathing suits hanging nearby.

SHAWNA

(to Khloe and the Cs)

Did you guys need some help?

KHLOE

We better go. We’ve got hula practice.

ALEXIS

(under her breath)

You guys are gonna need it.

SCENE 6: FIRST THINGS FIRST

EXT. BACKYARD AND LANAI OF AUNTIE MOANA AND UNCLE AKAMU’S HOUSE, WAIMANALO—NEXT MORNING

CUT!! Here’s something you need to know about Auntie Moana and Uncle Akamu’s house. I LOVE IT. It has a small, square-shaped grass yard. Chickens cluck in a pen. Kittens prowl around looking for someone to stroke them. There’s even a white llama who lets you hug her! Ohana Camp meets here on days we have lots of crafts to do and there’s too much stuff to lug down the street to the Waimanalo Beach Park or if there’s a jellyfish warning and we can’t go in the water. OK, back to: ACTION!!

Auntie Moana shows Kenna and Kapono how to make twisted ginger leis. Liam teaches himself an easy four-chord Hawaiian melody on his ukulele. Uncle Akamu’s sister, CARIDYN, sits on the lanai with her large pahu drum. She lifts and drops Maleko’s hands on the drum, so he hears the different sounds. Noelani sits on a step and lightly shakes bright feathers.

CAMERA pulls back for a WIDE SHOT of Lulu. She wobbles on a folding chair placed up against a tree trunk. The top half of Lulu’s body is lost in branches and leaves.

LULU

(voice coming from somewhere in the tree)

There’re so many papayas up here. Geez peas! And they look really big.

AUNTIE MOANA

(calling from a bench full flowers)

Good, Lulu. Pick. We’ll bake papaya bread this afternoon.

NOELANI

(in her small voice)

Auntie, I thought we had to do hula practice all afternoon?

AUNTIE MOANA

Well, if the papayas are nice and ripe, it’s also time for papayas. We have to follow nature to know what time it is.

(calls out to Lulu)

Are the papayas ripe?

LULU

I think so. They’re not green at all. And feel really soft and—

Just then a yellow bell-shaped fruit sails to the ground and SPLATS its yellow orange flesh.

LULU

Sorry!

AUNTIE MOANA

Now we know they are perfectly ripe.

Noelani stands. CAMERA FOLLOWS Noelani as she strides across the backyard. Loose stitching from her too-small board shorts float around her legs as she walks.

At the tree, Noelani grabs the back of Lulu’s shaky chair.

NOELANI

(up to Lulu)

I thought I’d better steady the chair so you don’t smoosh open your head.

LULU

Mahalo. I’d been feeling like I was standing on guava jelly!

Noe, do you have a favorite fruit? Mine’s pineapple. But it’s such a hard shape and so prickly, how does anyone cut it open?

NOELANI

I like coconuts, but they’re not really fruit.

Lulu’s arms and head appear from the tree. She starts to climb down.

LULU

When I was little, I thought coconuts came from cows ’cause they had milk in them.

Noelani laughs, and it sounds like it comes from deep inside. Her dark-cocoa eyes sparkle. Lulu giggles.

The THAWP BOOM BOOM of Caridyn’s pahu drum signals the kids to gather around Auntie Moana.

AUNTIE MOANA

Only one more day. Right? So, let’s practice our hula.

Kids scramble into their usual lines, but with Khloe and the Cs gone, Lulu now stands front and center.

AUNTIE MOANA

Remember: three basic steps for hula. Start with our beginning stance. Knees a little bent. Feet in a pie shape. Then, what’s next?

Kids fidget or look down. Some even shift their feet out of the pie-shape starting position.

Caridyn starts drumming to fill the awkward silence.

CARIDYN

Hey, are you guys dancing the hukilau? I still remember how to drum that song. I can even keep time with the gourd. Go on. Let’s see this winning group.

AUNTIE MOANA

What are the other moves for your bottom half? Anyone?

NOELANI

(softly, barely able to be heard)

Kaholo and ‘ami.

Lulu twists around to look at Noelani.

LULU

Noe?! C’mon. Call it out—

Noelani shakes her head.

LULU

Geez peas! Why not tell Auntie?

NOELANI

(whispering back)

I don’t want her to put me in the front.

The drumming starts. Lulu tries to figure out the dance, but without anyone in front of her, she’s toast!

All the kids shuffle into each other. Some sway backward when they should sway forward. Some arms raise up while others hang down. Kids try to dance their hula but look more like a cross between zombies and bumper cars. The drumming stops. There was nothing award-winning about that performance.

MALEKO

Hey, guys, that was cruddy. And I don’t even know anything about hula. I’d rather drum.

AUNTIE MOANA

That was hard because we are used to performing with Uncle Akamu’s ukulele.

Caridyn points her thumb toward the house.

CARIDYN

Want me to get Akamu’s uke? Ukulele’s also a rhythm instrument. I can play one.

AUNTIE MOANA

Let’s go again. If it’s drumming, singing, or ukulele, doesn’t matter. It’s your akua. Your spirit. How you feel inside.

Auntie Moana takes a slow, deep breath.

AUNTIE MOANA

Noelani, come be the pelican who flies in front of the flock. Lead them where to go.

Noelani cannot move. She examines her toes. All the Ohana kids turn and look at her.

SCREEN DOOR SLAMS. Uncle Akamu jumps the three steps from the lanai to the grass.

UNCLE AKAMU

Stop, keiki! Hold up. We gotta get to Lanikai Beach. There’s a monk seal pup hauled out on the sand. We need to make sure no one disturbs that sleeping pup. There’re no other volunteers around.

Uncle Akamu runs toward his dented, scratched, blue van. His keys jangle from a stretchy band around his wrist. Kids race after him. Lulu, despite running as gracefully as a seal on sand, reaches the van before the other kids.

CUT!! This is mega important about the Hawaiian monk seal. Their real, Hawaiian name is Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua. Don’t ask me to ever say it, but it means “dog that runs in rough water.” They’re supposed to be protected from being hurt or hunted, but their population is still going down. Monk seals are native to Hawaii, and that means they’re not found anywhere else in the whole wide world. They’re only one of two native Hawaiian mammals. The other is a bat (and if I’m gonna wanna save an animal, well, it’s hard to pick a bat). Now, back to: ACTION!!

SCENE 7: SOS (SAVE OUR SEALS)

EXT. LANIKAI BEACH—10 MINUTES LATER

CAMERA WIDE SHOT of all the kids jumping out of the battered van. They race down a narrow path through bamboo hedges and come out onto a wide beach. Lulu leads the Ohana kids’ stampede. Her hair flaps under her ALOHA cap. Uncle Akamu, even though he’s a grandpa, sprints way ahead. He hauls plastic poles and netting, and wears an orange vest that says “Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team O’ahu” on the back.

Uncle Akamu stops a hundred feet away from a black, furry BODY about four feet long. It doesn’t move. Uncle Akamu puts up his large, browned hands. The kids slow and approach carefully. He puts his left forefinger to his lips and everyone becomes quiet.

LULU

(whispering to Noelani)

Seeing a monk seal is like one of my Hawaii dreams come true.

Silently, Uncle Akamu and the children stake poles and attach netting. When they finish, they all sit and watch the black, fuzzy seal pup sleep.

UNCLE AKAMU

(speaking soft and low)

Keiki, mahalo. We put up this temporary pen to let this baby rest so nothing disturbs him.

LULU

Or her.

UNCLE AKAMU

Right. I’m not sure yet.

Maleko flops down on his back.

MALEKO

Hey, I can totally see how this guy could snooze here all day. This sand feels like a hundred pillows.

UNCLE AKAMU

Baby seals are born on soft sand. When they are big and strong enough, their mamas teach them to swim.

LULU

And till then, doesn’t she have to feed her baby?

UNCLE AKAMU

(stares out to sea and his eyes rest on the postcard-perfect Mokulua Islands off shore)

Yes.

Noelani pulls up her legs under her chin. She closes her eyes and buries her face in her knees.

UNCLE AKAMU

(turns from the sea to look at Lulu)

Their mamas nurse them for about six weeks.

(looks around to all the kids)

Keiki, I don’t know exactly how old this one is. But young. Not more than fifty pounds. They’re not usually without their mamas till they’re about two hundred pounds—

Lulu forgets about being still and quiet. She pushes herself up off the sand and looks around.

LULU

(sounding frantic)

Then where’s its mother? We haven’t seen her.

Other kids now get to their feet and start scanning the beach and ocean.

Uncle Akamu remains sitting.

UNCLE AKAMU

(voice stern but so quiet it can barely be heard over the swooshing waves)

Sit.

All the children do as they are told, very quickly.

UNCLE AKAMU

(his eyes stare into the eyes of each child for a moment)

Lulu is right to worry that something happened to this baby’s mama. It is our kuleana now. Our job. Our responsibility is to protect this little one.

Warm, sweet chanting and a steady drumbeat drift toward the kids, the baby seal, and then out over the ocean.

All turn around to see Auntie Moana and Caridyn coming toward them. Dozens of VOLUNTEERS in orange vests follow behind them. They carry a stretcher, blankets, and bottles of milk. A stethoscope swings from one woman’s neck.

SCENE 8: HULA ON HOLD

EXT. MOKULUA DRIVE—ONE HOUR LATER

The Ohana campers sit on the front lawn of the house where Uncle Akamu’s van remains parked in a friend’s driveway. They eat a late lunch.

LULU

(in between bites of sandwich)

You’re not hungry, Noe? (swallows) How about a sip of my pineapple soda?

Lulu holds out a glass bottle to her friend. Noelani shakes her head.

LULU

Are you worrying about the baby seal’s mother?

Noelani stares down at her ankles.

NOELANI

I’m worrying about my mom.

Lulu puts down her sandwich and soda, and studies her friend. She’s never heard her talk about her mom before.

NOELANI

(continues in a super soft voice)

My mom’s a Marine. She’s off at sea, and I never know where exactly. I worry all the time she’s not coming back and then I’ll be just like that little fuzzy seal, alone on the beach.

Lulu reaches to hug her friend when…

BEEP, BEEP. A car horn blares on the quiet street. WIDE CAMERA SHOT as the car passes neat houses and gardens and heads closer.

Lulu looks up to see Khloe, Carole, and Cate sitting in a red convertible.

The car slows and then stops. Lulu gets up and stumbles over the curb.

LULU

(speaks super fast)

Aloha! Hey, we just helped save a baby monk seal! And, turns out, she’s a girl! We’re not sure where her mother is. Uncle Akamu is gonna sit on the beach all night to see if her mother comes back and if—

KHLOE

Well, here’s my mom. Mom, this is Lulu…

(speaking her last name extra loud)

…HARRISON.

MRS. LYONS

(bubbly and excited)

Hiya, Lulu. I know all about your parents making a movie on the island. I really should meet them! I grew up right here on O’ahu, and I know everyone. I’m sure I can be helpful.

LULU

(to Mrs. Lyons)

Aloha, Mrs. Lyons.

Mrs. Lyons picks up her iPhone.

MRS. LYONS

(to Lulu)

Excuse me, sweetie. Have to answer a text. Someone’s always looking for me.

Her pink nails clack on the screen.

KHLOE

So, are your mom and dad really going to be at the hula-off tomorrow?

CATE

’Cause we know making a movie is lots cooler than watching Ohana Camp try and hula.

(giggles nervously)

Khloe notices Noelani sitting on the curb.

KHLOE

(calls to Noelani)

NOE!

Noelani gets up and stands next to Lulu.

KHLOE

Are you gonna dance tomorrow?

Noelani stares down at her toes. Lulu rushes into the awkward silence.

LULU

I’m excited that my parents are going to be at the hula-off to meet my Ohana friends.

CAROLE

We’ll believe it when we see it.

Lulu leans on the convertible.

LULU

(friendly)

It’s too bad you’re not on our team anymore.

Mrs. Lyons puts her phone away.

KHLOE

Mom! C’mon! We gotta get home and try on our costumes!

Khloe gives the puffy garment bag laying across her lap a little shake.

NOELANI

You have costumes?

CAROLE

Don’t you?

LULU

(voice low, like she’s sharing something)

We have a secret weapon.

Noelani gives Lulu the “what are you talking about” look. Lulu just winks back.

LULU

(turning back to Khloe and the Cs)

See ya tomorrow. But…

(pauses for dramatic effect)

…beware of our secret weapon! It’s super-looper incredible.

Mrs. Lyons wiggles her long, pink-polished fingernails as the red convertible drives off.

NOELANI

(to Lulu)

But we don’t have a secret weapon.

LULU

Sure we do! It’s you! You’re the best hula dancer on the island.

Noelani studies her toes more closely than ever.

CUT!! Do you ever have one of those roller-coaster days? The kind that goes up really high and then races you back down? Then zooms you up and down a few more times? Well, that’s this day. First, I was so excited to see that baby monk seal that I ran on muscles I didn’t know I had. But when I started thinking something happened to her mother, I panicked. When the rescuers arrived, I got excited again. Learning about Noelani’s mom, I felt myself starting to worry again. I have been so caught up in everything, I forgot about tomorrow’s hula-off! So, instead of letting that roller coaster zip me down, I’ve got to get to work on Operation Secret Weapon and Operation Beg My Parents. OK, now that you understand what a roller-coaster day can be like, I better get back to the script. I’ve got a busy night ahead: ACTION!!

SCENE 9: DINNER WITH DESTINY

INT. ALAN WONG’S RESTAURANT, KING STREET— THURSDAY, 7 P.M.

Elevator opens to the third floor. Lulu bursts out. Alexis lingers in the elevator, giving Lulu a good head start.

Lulu still wears the sandy, damp, fishy-smelly clothes from her day at Ohana Camp—a SURF KAUAI T-shirt, orange skirt, and grungy, checkered Vans with the white squares colored in orange. At least Alexis got her to peel off her SPF 50 pants and shirt. Alexis wears a cropped, white, flowing cami with a semi-sheer mint maxi skirt and Stella McCartney thick-strapped sandals with a metal heel. She carries a nude tote, and her hair is twisted up in a tight bun.

Alexis feels pretty sure that if anyone she knows happens to see her with Lulu in this hyper-fancy, mega-cool casual restaurant, they’d never know she and Lulu are related.

The girls stop when they see the hostess. Lulu pulls off her ALOHA cap for the first time in hours. Her hair is completely flat on top and raging wild from her ears down.

ALEXIS

(in her most commanding L.A. teen girl voice)

Excuse me. We’re here to have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Harrison.

HOSTESS

Sure. They’re out on the terrace. Follow me.

They enter the dimly lit restaurant. Alexis slyly checks out the other diners. Lulu wanders behind, checking out wood panels along the walls.

LULU

(to the hostess and pointing to the wall)

Pardon me, are those koa wood?

HOSTESS

Yes, they are.

Lulu squeezes between chairs. She reaches out to touch the wood-paneled wall and bumps, bangs, and brushes the back and hair of a distinguished Japanese gentleman.

LULU

(calls out)

Lex! Koa trees in Hawaii are like the Truffula trees in The Lorax. Remember that Dr. Seuss book? All the beautiful Truffula trees get chopped down.

ALEXIS

I skipped picture books and went straight for Teen Vogue. Which explains why you look like you stepped out of the pages of a Dr. Seuss book and I look, well, très chic. Now c’mon.

Alexis reaches out to tug Lulu’s wrist. Lulu pulls away and knocks a waiter as he places down a hot platter of steamy clams. It teeters on the edge of the table. Within seconds, it plops into the neatly dressed gentleman’s lap.

Lulu reaches to pick up the plate from the floor and bangs over a jar of peanut butter that had been on the corner of the table. It nearly hits her head.

LULU

Geez peas!

HOSTESS

(gushes)

Oh! Mr. Sanyo, I am terribly…

Alexis yanks Lulu away and out toward the patio.

ALEXIS

(angry whisper)

K. That’s kinda a mega disaster. That guy’s the owner and president of the studio that’s making Mom and Dad’s movie!

LULU

(whispers back)

Yeah, but he doesn’t know who we are!

They reach their parents’ table in the far corner of the glassed-in patio. Lulu stumbles into one of two empty chairs facing the dining room. Her dad and mom sit Celebrity Style—their backs to the other diners, so people don’t recognize them and come over, asking for autographs.

LULU

Aloha, Mom and Dad!

Fiona daintily sniffs.

LINC

(smile playing on his lips)

Someone smells fishy.

ALEXIS

We’re late because Lulu had to be picked up all the way at Lanikai beach.

Linc smacks his elbows on the table and leans forward.

LINC

Lu, you smell like some kinda sea creature.

LULU

It was because of the monk seal. Right when we were gonna practice for the hula-off, we had to go save the seal pup.

(pauses to draw a breath)

So, can you come tomorrow? Remember? I asked you before. My Ohana Camp’s in the O’ahu Hula-off. It’s at twelve noon.

Fiona bends toward Lulu, looking her in the eyes. She’s firm and clearly used to being in control of a situation.

FIONA

First, tell us the big fish story.

ALEXIS

It’s really boring. I’ve heard it ten times.

Lulu grabs an eggroll from the table and chomps off the end. Steam floats out. Lulu’s eyes water from the heat in her mouth.

Alexis shakes her long hair.

ALEXIS

Here’s the hula story. Lulu’s group has a little problem: there’s NO way they can win the competition tomorrow because they aren’t the best. They’re more like the worst.

LULU

Well, maybe we could’ve been better if we’d practiced today, but we couldn’t because this baby seal was stranded.

LINC

(reaches out for Lulu’s arm)

Girl, sometimes you just gotta cancel rehearsal.

LULU

A veterinarian from Waikiki Aquarium came and gave her a bottle. She seemed like—

A BOY and his FATHER tap Linc on the shoulder. They wear matching Hawaiian shirts. Linc slowly twists around.

FATHER

Oh. Wow! You really are Linc Harrison. My son would really like you to sign a menu.

The pudgy boy of about twelve doesn’t move. The father grabs the long paper menu from the boy and holds it out to Linc, who smiles and politely signs.

ALEXIS

(ignoring the father and son)

So, will you guys come? For Lulu it’s a matter of life or humiliation.

LULU

That’s not totally true. We’re gonna have a secret weapon.

ALEXIS

(to Lulu)

Like what? A catapult to shoot coconuts at the competition?

FIONA

(playful but firm)

Look, you two. I’ve got a movie to try to get back on track.

LULU

(speaking extra fast)

I just thought you guys haven’t ever been able to come to see me perform in anything, and since this is a family summer, I just thought…

FIONA

(now very serious tone)

And I thought I’d have an easy summer making an action movie about a brave naval captain who saves the world, and all I get are flat performances.

(glares at Linc)

With actors bickering every moment they get.

LINC

(rising anger)

You’re pushing us actors too hard.

FIONA

Well, Sanyo Studios pushes me even harder! They refuse to give me enough money to even finish the movie.

The man from Lulu’s earlier mishap approaches and stands behind Linc’s left shoulder.

LINC

That’s not the actors’ fault. Sanyo could be the world’s biggest penny-pinching, stingy studio chief. His studio should just shovel over a little more money to make a spectacular action movie!

LULU

(to the man)

Aloha, sir. Geez peas, I hope I didn’t ruin your dinner. Do you want to meet my parents?

Fiona springs from her chair, but she’s unable to talk.

Fiona and Linc look at each other. Their faces redden.

MR. SANYO

Oh, we all know each other already. I’m the penny-pinching cheapo. And I believe I am disturbing your dinner right now.

Mr. Sanyo begins to back away but nods toward Linc and Fiona.

MR. SANYO

Pardon me, I heard all the diners twittering about how Linc and Fiona Harrison were here. I thought I would bring my regards.

FIONA

Of course, Mr. Sanyo. So brilliant to see you. How long are you in Honolulu?

MR. SANYO

I’m on my way back to Japan from L.A.

Mr. Sanyo turns and marches away.

FIONA

What was the line, Lex, you said a moment ago? Something like “this is a matter of life and humiliation”?

SCENE 10: MAYBE BUT MAYBE NOT

INT. LULU’S BEDROOM—LATER THAT NIGHT

Lulu’s room has the same blond-wood floor and bright, creamy whiteness as the rest of the house. There’s bleached-white furniture and white down bedding. The differences between her room and the rest of the house: every surface of furniture is cluttered with a collection of orangey-sunrise shells, Kelly-green sea glass, and milky-colored coral Lulu’s found on beach walks.

Lulu pulls an iPhone out of her I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE tote bag. She turns the phone on and flops onto her bed next to Watson. It takes her a while, but she pulls up the list of four numbers under “Favorites” and taps NOELANI NUI. While it rings, Lulu pushes Watson’s mouth out of an empty plastic container of Spam sushi.

NOELANI

Lulu? Hey.

LULU

Noelani, can you talk? We’ve gotta discuss something kinda, ahhhh, important.

Lulu reaches for a butterfly-shaped li hing mui (salty plum) lollipop from under her bed. She unwraps it and lets Watson take the first lick.

NOELANI

(concerned)

Sure. I just have to speak quietly. Tutu is sleeping. That’s what it’s like living with a grandma.

Lulu and Watson share the butterfly lick for lick until he crunches off a wing.

LULU

Well, I could yell this whole conversation if I wanted to. My mom and dad aren’t coming home for hours. After dinner with Lex and me, they headed to a party. That’s what it’s like living with my parents.

NOELANI

(super-quiet voice)

Lu, don’t complain. At least you know they’re coming home.

LULU

(quiet voice back)

I know. Sorry, Noe. I think you’re…GROSS!! Geez peas!

Watson retches up tiny chunks of lollipop and flecks of Spam. He sniffs the hot, sour-smelling mound that slowly absorbs into Lulu’s white, fluffy, puffy comforter.

NOELANI

(sounding confused)

Really? That’s not too nice, Lu.

LULU

Sorry. I mean Watson. A tutti-frutti-flavored li hing mui lollipop on top of six pieces of Spam sushi didn’t agree with his tummy. He just threw up on my bed.

NOELANI

(giggling)

Lulu, you’re brave to let that pug on your bed.

LULU

Hey, that’s what I’m calling about. YOU really are brave.

NOELANI

Not true.

LULU

And you’re the best hula dancer at Ohana Camp and probably on the whole island of O’ahu.

SILENCE.

LULU

(rubbing Watson’s belly)

And if you dance in front of all of the rest of us tomorrow, we’ll be able to follow you.

Noelani still doesn’t respond.

LULU

(continues)

We’d be, like, your backup dancers. Most people wouldn’t even notice our mistakes because they’d be amazed at how flow-y and perfectly you hula.

NOELANI

(softly, almost a whisper)

I wish I could. It’s just…something in me gets scared. I freeze up at the thought.

LULU

But you won’t be up there alone! We’d all be there with you.

NOELANI

That doesn’t really help. I’d be facing the audience. Front and center. Oh gosh! I can’t imagine it.

LULU

Here’s what you do: imagine something that makes you feel…what’s the brave word in Hawaiian?

NOELANI

Koa.

LULU

Yea. Think about something that makes you feel super-double-looper koa. Even close your eyes and let the brave thought inside you take over.

SILENCE.

Watson nibbles the sick-smelling barf.

LULU

Mega-hyper-enormous GROSS!

NOELANI

I’ll think about dancing in front.

Lulu shoves Watson with her feet.

LULU

(excited)

Noe! You can totally do it. And it’s the ONLY way we won’t be totally pathetic tomorrow.

NOELANI

(whispering)

I know.

SCENE 11: SHAKE IT, DON’T FAKE IT

EXT. ’IOLANI PALACE, ON LARGE PALACE LAWN—SATURDAY MORNING

WIDE SHOT of hundreds of brightly dressed children standing around in clusters. There are so many kids it seems like every hula class, school, club, or camp sent a team to this year’s hula-off.

ZOOM IN ON Ohana Camp kids sitting together on the ground in the shadows of the grand three-story ’Iolani Palace. Their faded OHANA CAMP flag, stuck into the ground near them, hangs down. There’s not a puff of breeze in the hot, moist air. A big bowl of Lulu’s homemade mango salsa and a tub of taro chips sit in the middle of straw beach mats. Auntie Moana walks around, making sure all the kids drink enough water. Caridyn sits with the kids and softly beats her pahu drum.

CUT!! Just so you know, right now, I’m over the tippy-top stressed. I’m worried about Noelani being able to lead our hula AND about Lex getting my parents off the set and here to watch. When I get up onstage, I’m gonna be shaking like a ti leaf! I wonder if, like a hundred years ago, Hawaiian kids ever felt this scared performing for the Hawaiian royalty? Did you know that Hawaii is the only state in the United States that was once its own kingdom with its own king and queen and real royal palaces? That’s where we are now—on the grounds of Hawaii’s fanciest palace. Back to: ACTION!!

Lulu watches Noelani’s foot shake up and down.

LULU

(to Noelani)

You OK?

NOELANI

I’m super-whopper nervous.

LULU

Yeah but what’s that brave word again?

NOELANI

Koa.

LULU

Just focus on your inner koa.

Lulu feels a tap on her shoulder. She turns quickly, thinking it’s her parents.

CLOSE-UP reveals Khloe and the Cs wearing matching aqua dresses.

They glance at Ohana kids chatting, giggling, eating, or just goofing around on the grass.

KHLOE

(to Lulu and Noelani)

How are my old partners from my Ohana Camp days? You guys danced yet?

LULU

Aloha, you guys. Nope, we haven’t.

Carole gives Lulu a once-over.

CAROLE

(to Lulu)

So where’re your famous parents?

CATE

I thought we’d get your dad’s autograph?

KHLOE

I wish he was here to see our dance. We’re gonna win. We were perfect.

(glances at Cate and Carole)

Don’t you guys think so?

CAROLE

Way for sure.

CATE

We danced Ka wailele o Nu‘uanu. A song about a river or something.

NOELANI

(softly, almost to herself)

It’s about a waterfall.

CAROLE

Whatever. It’s a hard hula, so just doing that dance is gonna get us high points.

LULU

(looks at Noelani)

Do you know it?

Noelani nods.

Khloe and the Cs scamper off when they spot other girls wearing the same aqua costume.

NOELANI

(to Lulu)

In case you were wondering, seeing them rained on my teeny tiny koa flame.

Auntie Moana puts up her hand to stop Caridyn’s drumming.

AUNTIE MOANA

Keiki, listen.

Ohana campers gather around.

AUNTIE MOANA

Uncle Akamu will not be coming to play ukulele for the dance. He stayed up all night on the beach, waiting for the little one’s mother. At sunrise this morning, I got him and put him to bed.

Some kids look down. Others twitch or wiggle. They do not want to be alarmed at performing without Uncle Akamu’s ukulele because they know waiting and chanting for the seal pup’s mother to come back is more important than hula. Still, they get nervous. No one looks at each other.

After a few quiet seconds, Lulu jumps up.

LULU

C’mon! I just heard them call Ohana Camp. Let’s go.

Kids bolt up. Maleko and Liam sprint ahead.

Lulu scrambles after them. Her I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE tote bag clonks her thigh as she runs.

LULU

Geez peas! Wait!

EXT. ’IOLANI PALACE GROUNDS, AREA BETWEEN STAGE AND JUDGE’S TABLE—CONTINUOUS

Auntie Moana shhhs all the kids. Lulu arrives. Between panting and pushing the stitch in her side, she reaches into her tote bag and pulls out yellow hibiscus and bobby pins.

LULU

I brought these for everyone. I almost forgot.

Lulu plunks down her tote bag and kids dive in for the flowers. Petals and fingers get crushed.

AUNTIE MOANA

Mahalo, Lulu. You brought the Hawaii state flower.

The girls pin them in their hair. The boys stick them onto their shirts.

LULU

I cut them from plants around my house this morning. You always say it’s your favorite flower.

Lulu holds out a hibiscus to Auntie Moana. She leans down for Lulu to pin it in her hair, and while she does, Auntie’s rough hand smooths Lulu’s wild hair.

EXT. ’IOLANI PALACE, STAGE—CONTINUOUS

The cluster of Ohana Camp kids tries to make lines on the stage. Caridyn, her pahu drum pressed against her right hip, directs kids who scamper from one place to another. Lulu bumps into other campers. She’s scanning the audience.

LULU

(stage whisper to Noelani)

I can’t believe my mom and dad didn’t come.

Noelani doesn’t hear. She scoots into the back left corner leaving Lulu alone in front of the audience.

LULU

(loud)

Noelani! What are ya doing?

THWACK, TAP, THWACK, TAP. The drum begins. All the kids stand with their heels together but miss the starting cue. Caridyn bangs out the introduction again and again. Everyone stands motionless until the fourth time, when Kapono actually moves with a right tap.

LULU

(talks to herself out loud)

One, two, three, tap. One, two, three, tap.

Without anyone to follow in front of her, Lulu goes left when she should go right and right when she should go left. Liam and Maleko burst into a spell of giggles, lose their place in the dance, and just shuffle from side to side. Not even Kenna and Kapono are coordinated with each other. Noelani performs with smooth swaying, perfect rhythm, and graceful arm motions, but with the clonking, bonking kids in front of and around her, no one sees her.

Every moment she can look up without falling on her face, Lulu scans the crowd.

THWACK, TAP. TAP, THWACK. The drum continues in perfect rhythm, even as the kids trip and bump into each other. And then…Lulu spots them!

CAMERA FOLLOWS—Fiona, in her high wedge shoes as she jogs toward the stage. She holds a black-and-white clapper. Linc, dark, aviator sunglasses; tousled, blond-streaked hair; baggy jeans; and a vintage, faded T-shirt that says “The ENGLISH BEAT” runs through the middle of the audience and onto the stage.

CAMERA ZOOMS ON ALEXIS, under a straw cowboy hat encircled by a leather-and-silver braided cord. She sits herself front and center, sets her iPhone to “Record,” and points toward the stage.

Fiona now stands on the stage in front of Linc and the dancers. She snaps down the clapper.

FIONA

(loud, firm voice)

HILARIOUS HULA! Take One!

With a nod toward Caridyn, Fiona gets the music going again. This time, Linc Harrison performs the hukilau in the most exaggerated, hammed-up way ever seen on the grounds of the Royal Palace!

Linc sways his hips in a smooth rhythm. He’s athletic and cool but performs playfully. His shoulders, arms, and hands bend and flow. A giant, handsome smile lights up his face below his sunglasses. Without missing a beat, he plucks the hibiscus from Lulu’s hair and chomps it in his teeth, like a flamenco dancer. He sways his way to Maleko and Liam and knocks his hips in each of their directions so they bang into him. Linc spins over to the twins and twirls Kenna first and then Kapono.

The audience’s laughing and clapping are so thunderous, coconuts in the nearby trees quiver.

Linc sashays over to Caridyn and square dances around her. There’s no question why Linc Harrison is a movie star. The audience can’t get enough of him. He thrives on the audience’s cheers.

CAMERA CUTS TO ALEXIS. She’s filming but catches Khloe and the Cs sitting stiffly behind her. While keeping her iPhone forward, Alexis glances over her shoulder and flashes them a smile and a thumbs-up.

ALEXIS

(under her breath)

Don’t mess with a big girl, girls.

Caridyn bangs out a jazzy, swift, improvised tune to finish up. Linc puts his arm around Lulu’s waist and does a little can-can.

The drumming stops and before the last THWACK floats away on the warm air, the audience goes wild. Fiona glides back to the center of the stage and smacks down the clapper.

FIONA

That’s a print!

Ohana kids mob Linc. They whoop and high-five. Linc flashes them each a picture-perfect smile. He slaps the boys on the back and hugs the girls.

Lulu leaps from the stage and runs toward Alexis.

LULU

Lex! You got them here.

ALEXIS

An hour away from the set on a Saturday, no big deal. I knew I could pull it off.

LULU

(putting out her hand to high-five her sister)

Here’s to Sister Power!

ALEXIS

(slapping Lulu’s outstretched palm)

Here’s to Payback.

INT. ’IOLANI PALACE, GRAND STAIRCASE—THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Knowing about a small side door, Liam and Maleko sneak the Ohana kids into the grand, four-story palace. Inside, it’s quiet and cool. Fearing being caught, the kids scamper up the wide, wood staircase. At the top floor, they flop down, laughing and talking at once.

KENNA

Wow, Lulu! I’d never met a real actor before.

KAPONO

Neither have I.

The twins look at each other and crack up.

MALEKO

Guess who actually won the hula-off?

With his hands, Maleko drums a ta-da drum roll on the wood banister.

ALL KIDS TOGETHER

Island School of Hula.

All laugh.

LIAM

Who would want to be as boring as them?!

Noelani huddles by herself on a stair. She turns her body into a tight ball by hugging her legs to her chest. Lulu smooshes in next to her friend.

LULU

(to all the kids)

I’ve found where all of Hawaii’s koa trees went. (Waves her hands over the stairs.) Look at this staircase! How many do ya think they had to chop down to make this?

Liam gives a here-she-goes-again look to Maleko.

LIAM

We perform the greatest hula in history, and you want to talk about dead trees?!

MALEKO

Our Hilarious Hula already has more than five hundred YouTube hits. And it’s only been up for, like, twenty minutes!

LULU

Well, my sister doesn’t waste time getting anything out into the cyber world.

Ohana kids huddle around Maleko’s iPhone screen and watch their now-famous performance. Noelani, however, remains on her stair, squeezing her knees and staring at her toes.

NOELANI

(softly to Lulu)

It’s my fault.

LULU

(joking)

What’s your fault? Chopping down a zillion endangered trees to build this grand staircase?

NOELANI

Everything. I told you I wasn’t brave. I just couldn’t dance up front.

LULU

(talking softly to her friend)

Don’t worry about it, Noe. Geez peas! No one’s bummed. Ohana Camp put on a great hula show!

Noelani hides her face in her folded knees. Lulu rests her hand on her pal’s shoulder.

Lulu watches Noelani’s tears run down her leg. The drips slide from her eyes, stream down her face, over her knees, and continue slipping down to her ankles.

LULU

You’re turning into a waterfall.

NOELANI

(into her knee caps)

My mom is so brave. She’s a Marine, training people on an aircraft carrier. And me? Today I hid in back like a total chicken!

LULU

No one thinks that except you.

The Ohana kids wander around the palace. Lulu and Noelani listen to their friends chuckling and chatting as they explore.

LULU

I know you’re really brave. It’s just today wasn’t your brave day.

Lulu reaches into her I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE bag and yanks out a green, heart-shaped li hing mui lollipop. Lulu unwraps and starts licking.

NOELANI

You’re not supposed to eat in the palace.

Lulu offers Noelani a lick.

NOELANI

Lulu, you’re the Ohana Camp hero today. You saved us from total embarrassment and bitter defeat.

LULU

Not me. It was my whole family. They came through because that’s what families do—they support each other.

HAWAII FIVE-0 MUSIC RINGTONE comes from Lulu’s bag. She reaches inside and withdraws an iPhone in a SAVE THE EARTH case.

LULU

(into the phone)

Hi, Lex. (pause) I thought you left with Mom and Dad? (pause) OK, I’m coming right now.

Lulu hangs up, then stares right into her friend’s deep eyes.

LULU

(speaks really fast)

Noe, this is my best and first family summer ever. And guess what? This summer you’re gonna be a member of the Harrison Ohana.

NOELANI

What do you mean?

LULU

I’m going to figure out another chance for you to hula. That’s what families do. Help each other.

NOELANI

I’m petrified even thinking about standing in front of people.

Lulu clomps down the grand koa wood staircase.

LULU

(voice echoes as she hollers up to Noelani)

That’ll be our summer goal! Get you brave enough to hula and show this island who’s really the best!

Lulu darts out the palace’s side door.

CUT!! Don’t you think things happen in crazy ways? This hula-off is a perfect example of how life can be nutty, but good things happen if you pull together with your sister and BEG your parents to do something—like leave work to help you not die of embarrassment dancing hula. And, because I have this amazing family acting as, well, a family this summer, I’m sure they won’t mind helping me get Noelani through her stage fright. As usual, I’ve got an idea but no plan, so I better get back to: ACTION!!

SCENE 12: QUIET ON THE SET

EXT. DIAMOND HEAD HAWAII FILM STUDIO—HALF HOUR LATER

Tall metal gates swing open. Maya drives a white Prius through the main studio entrance as a guard in the booth waves her through.

WIDE SHOT OF Maya’s car as it slowly drives through the studio, past the makeup trailer and prop house. It pulls up next to Alexis’s black Volkswagen Bug parked in front of a tiny house called a bungalow. Lulu leaps from the car. Alexis pauses and reapplies coral-colored lip shimmer and strokes a Mason Pearson brush through her long hair.

INT. PRODUCTION OFFICE BUNGALOW—CONTINUOUS

The small bungalow is filled with schedules, scripts, clipboards, and frantic PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS. Every type of power charger known to man or woman is plugged in around the small space. Smartphones, iPads, laptops, walkie-talkies, wireless headsets—any communication tool that needs power, there’s a cord for it. MAXWELL, an eighteen-year-old guy with curly blond hair and khaki shorts, shouts his crisp British accent into a phone.

MAXWELL

Finish the auditions ASAP. Fiona wants all those extras on the set in two days!

Maxwell notices the sisters. He smiles and gives a thumbs-up to Lulu and a wink to Alexis.

Maxwell hangs up and turns his full attention to Alexis and Lulu.

MAXWELL

(kind, warm voice)

Sorry. That was the casting director.

LULU

Aloha, Maxwell. Where’re my parents? I gotta tell them how great it was that they came to my hula-off. They made it so fun, and my friends loved it.

ALEXIS

(light, flirty, smiling)

But they went tearing out of the hula thing and stranded me there.

MAXWELL

And that would be because after Linc and Fiona went zipping off with you, Alexis, the head of the studio, Mr. Sanyo, happened to pop by and visit the set.

LULU

He DID??!

MAXWELL

He jolly did. He wanted to have a chat with the director about cutting costs on the movie.

ALEXIS

Fiona isn’t good at doing anything on the cheap.

MAXWELL

Well, she better start, and while she’s at it, she better hurry up and finish production.

LULU

I’m gonna see if there’s anything I can do to help!

Lulu bolts out the door.

MAXWELL

(to Alexis)

As much as I’d love your beautiful company, I think you better grab your sister before she’s found on the set. Unless, of course, you want to see Queen Fiona do that “off with her head” thing to your sister.

Alexis flips her silky hair in Maxwell’s direction.

ALEXIS

(standing up)

If I didn’t think my head would roll too, I’d hang out all day.

Alexis races out the door.

Maxwell calls after her.

MAXWELL

Hilarious Hula was smashing, Lex. If Seas the Day folds, Linc and Fiona should switch from action films to comedy.

INT. DIAMOND HEAD STUDIO, MAIN SOUND STAGE—CONTINUOUS

The ginormous dark space is large enough to park a couple of 747 airplanes. It’s cool inside, thanks to huge air conditioners blasting freezing air.

Lulu bounds through darkness toward tall directors’ chairs placed behind a row of movie cameras on wheels. Every few feet she trips on cords and cables. Then she bumps into the catering table.

CATERING ASSISTANT

Vegan or non?

LULU

What?

CATERING ASSISTANT

Are you vegan or non-vegan? We’ve got two different catering areas depending on which way you eat. This is the non-vegan table.

LULU

Mahalo for asking. I’m definitely non-vegan. But I’m just looking for…

Alexis comes up behind Lulu and grabs her arm.

ALEXIS

(whispering)

Listen, if you want to see another sunset over the Pacific Ocean, I suggest we get out of here before anyone knows we’re alive.

LULU

(soft, thoughtful tone)

Hey, Lex, I’m glad we’re in this together.

Alexis releases Lulu’s shoulder.

Alexis yanks a bunch of her silk-like hair, something she does when she’s thinking.

ALEXIS

I’m trying to get us out of it together. We’ve got to lie low for a while and let Mom and Dad work.

LULU

(loud whispers)

But maybe we can help, just like Mom and Dad did for me and my friends.

ALEXIS

Look, I don’t want to get in mega trouble or, worse, sent back to L.A. I’ve got more bikini shopping to do! And, Maxwell’s really cu…

A tall, slim, but muscular man in a perfectly clean, pressed naval officer’s uniform strides up to the girls. He shines a flashlight in their eyes.

NAVAL OFFICER

(deep voice)

Quiet on the set!

Alexis shakes with fright.

LULU

Yes, sir.

(then, focusing her eyes on the Officer)

DAAAAD?

Linc flashes a wide grin. He looks great in his costume. He gives them both sharp salutes.

ALEXIS

You look so totes cool!

LINC

Like a guy who’s gonna save America?

Heels can be heard clicking closer.

LULU

Geez peas! You look like someone who could save the WHOLE world!

FIONA

(furious, frosty tone)

How about you start by saving this movie from being shut down?

LINC

(looking from Lulu to Alexis)

And that would be your mother.

Linc gives the girls a nervous “we’re in for it now” smile.

LINC

Too bad we don’t have the real United States military to come save us right now.

Fiona points a long, thin finger at Linc.

FIONA

(stares coldly at him)

Where are you going in costume?

LINC

(grinning)

Just catching some bad guys who entered our territory illegally.

Linc winks at Lulu.

FIONA

(icy, scary voice)

Alexis and Lulu. I don’t know why you’re on my set. But since you are, I can tell you myself that summer vacation is CANCELED. Dinners together are OFF.

ALEXIS

Got it, Fiona.

FIONA

Linc and I will now be working twenty-four/seven.

LULU

Mom, how about me and Lex and my friends help on the movie? We could carry stuff and be extras and anything you need to save some money and—

Fiona spins around to examine Lulu. Her ALOHA cap is smashed over her hair. Her battered tote bag is slung over her mango-stained SURF KAUAI T-shirt, and her white SPF undergarments shine in the dark. She hardly looks like someone who’d work on a movie, unless, of course, she were the actress dressed in costume to play an eleven-year-old character who survived a shipwreck and floated to Hawaii on a rubber raft.

FIONA

Look, my focus has bounced around all summer, and now I’ve got this movie hanging from a string.

(pause while she mindlessly tugs at her gold watch)

I could run out of money before I can shoot the final big military landing.

LULU

Mom, it’s my fault.

FIONA

(voice softens)

Lulu, darling, what are you even talking about?

Alexis jumps in.

ALEXIS

It’s my fault too.

Fiona looks from Alexis to Lulu while she clicks her clean, perfect nails polished in OPI’s gel color called Samoan Sand.

FIONA

It’s all our faults.

Fiona gives each girl a quick hug.

FIONA

Now understand.

(pauses)

This…

(waves her hands around)

…is a movie. A job. A business. It is NOT summer vacation.

Fiona strides back toward her director’s chair and the five people hovering around it waiting to ask her questions.

FIONA

(without turning around or slowing her walk)

And, Lincoln Harrison, BACK TO WORK!

CUT!! I can’t let this moment pass without telling you that right now, everything I’ve eaten all day is gushing and sloshing around. My belly feels like a washing machine on the fastest spin cycle. My perfect family summer just ended. Except, I can’t stop wondering if there’s anything I can do. There’s got to be plenty of work to do for the movie. And a family supports each other—through thick and thin. OK, back to: ACTION!!