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Living Lahaina (MTV)

common sense media says

Hanging 10 with hard-partying Hawaii guys is iffy.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the young adults in this reality show drink profusely, sometimes to the point of vomiting. They also go to extremes seeking thrills -- such as surfing in dangerous conditions, off-roading in a truck without seat belts (and eventually crashing), and more. Some engage in destructive behavior, like smashing up a truck while drunk and angry. Friends curse at each other, and the guys' boss is particularly vicious with his profanity and anger, regularly threatening to kick in someone's face. Women are on the periphery, and the guys are shown plotting hook-ups behind a girlfriend's back. The narrator even makes fun of one girlfriend, saying that she talks too much about boring things.

Positive messages: Mixed messages about respectful behavior and friendships/relationships. Lots of risky behavior and questionable judgement, like riding off-road in a truck without seat belts. Women are peripheral at best, and are sometimes subject to deceit and derision.
Violence: Lots of extreme sports, including off-roading in truck that eventually flips over and crashes. Some fistfights. Verbal arguments. The guys' boss is particularly prone to making angry threats.
Sex: Some relationship drama, including allusions to cheating, hooking up, and deceptive behavior. Couples are seen sleeping in bed together, apparently naked. Lots of bare skin and bikini shots. No kissing or visible sexual activity.
Language: Frequent profanity; words like "ass" are unbleeped, while many others are censored.
Consumerism: Surf shop gets publicity through show. Alcohol and soda brands are blurred but sometimes still identifiable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Plentiful drinking, to the point of drunkenness and occasional vomiting.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how the media depicts age-appropriate behavior for young adults in their 20s. Do all twentysomethings party and carouse like the guys on this show (or like some cast members on other reality shows)? Is there a "normal" or "appropriate" amount of this kind of behavior for young adults? Many argue that testing the boundaries of safety is a normal part of reaching adulthood -- how can young adults do exciting things while staying safe? Parents, what kind of expectations do you have for your teens when it comes to drinking, working, and relationships?

What's the story?

What's the story?
MTV's reality show LIVING LAHAINA follows a group of thrill-seeking, hormone-soaked, hard-partying twentysomething instructors at the Royal Hawaiian Surf Academy, where the guys teach tourists to hang 10, then goof off in extreme ways, surf the gorgeous Hawaiian waters, and plan hook-ups with the ladies. Shop owner Kimo is their tough-talking-but-loveable boss, who curses out the guys one minute and sheds tears the next while searching for an AWOL employee who he fears might be lost or hurt. The show's sarcastic-but-admiring narrator greets the guys as they wake up in the morning crusty-eyed, shirtless, and possibly hung over; travels with them as they giddily flip a 4x4 truck while driving off-road; and watches as they plot trysts while aiming to avoid their girlfriends' wrath.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This male-oriented series (women are peripheral characters at best) may well inspire awe in teen guys who dream of a sun-drenched life full of beer and babes. You could also say that it offers proof that you can make a living pursuing your passions. Overall, it's a lighthearted look at guys having fun while engaging in some questionable (but, frankly, age-appropriate) behavior.

How questionable? Try driving off-road without wearing seat belts or paddling out into the ocean in the middle of the night while drunk. Not exactly good examples for teens (or anyone, for that matter). And, naturally, the guys deem these behaviors "cool" and "awesome." Even the fact that the Coast Guard has to be called out to search for one surf instructor who'd gone missing in a drunken hissy fit (costing unknown sums to tax payers) is brushed off.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: MTV
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: MTV
This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

mweyer44
adult
 
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seecoral
adult
 
This show is awsome!
The show was a laugh a minute. I enjoyed every bit. The guys were endearing even in their pigish behavior. But thats how guys are in their mid-twenties. Overall I can't wait to watch the next one!
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nanz0569
adult
 
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QueenAsh
adult
 
I love it!!
This show is an awesome way to tell mainlanders that not all local people are white, such as in Maui Fever. This isn't exactly how we act, but most of the stuff the characters in this show do are the fun things us local people do. Don't get it twisted, some of the things these guys do are bad, but at least it brings some hot local boys to television!!
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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