Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun Hawaii adventure celebrates culture; peril, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Finding 'Ohana
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 39 parent reviews
Based on 35 kid reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In FINDING 'OHANA, 12-year-old Pili (Kea Peahu) is forced to give up a hard-earned prize of geocaching summer camp when her grandfather, Kimo (Branscombe Richmond), suffers a heart attack and her mom (Kelly Hu) decides that they'll travel to visit him in Hawaii. There, Pili discovers an old diary that describes a hidden pirate treasure somewhere on the island. When it's revealed that Grandpa Kimo is in serious debt, Pili convinces her new young friend, Casper (Owen Vaccaro), to set off to find the treasure. Pili's brother, Ioane (Alex Aiono), and local teen Hana (Lindsay Watson) follow close on their tail, and the four soon find themselves in a mysterious, skeleton-filled cave searching for gold. Along the way, the siblings also discover their devotion to each other and their deep connection to their Hawaiian heritage.
Is It Any Good?
This rollicking adventure has lots of appeal. What kid hasn't dreamed of going on a treasure hunt? Finding 'Ohana takes that premise and layers it into a good-natured tale of cultural identity, family ties, and swashbuckling adventure. The action is spearheaded by four young actors who look like they're having a ball playing the outspoken Pili, big brother Ioane, sensitive Casper, and kind Hana. Scenes where the kids substitute the voices for adult pirates acting out an imagined history are clever and silly.
Repeated references in the script to Indiana Jones are no mistake: The action is clearly inspired by the landmark franchise. In fact, a supporting character in 'Ohana is played by Ke Huy Quan, who co-starred as a child in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Hawaii is resplendent in its lush green vegetation, sharp peaks, and turquoise waters. Its natural beauty is on display as much as certain cultural aspects and its language, which characters frequently speak to one another. Sure, there are moments that feel a bit preachy and others that are totally implausible, and some families could be turned off by the sibling spats and the insults hurled between Pili and Ioane. But overall, this is a fun and sweet family movie with positive messages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they learned about Hawaiian culture from Finding 'Ohana. What did you already know about Hawaiian culture? What about the local language? How could you learn more?
How do Pili and Ioane's attitudes toward their heritage evolve over the course of the film, and why? Can you relate their experience to your own family in any way? If so, how?
How do the characters show compassion? Why is this an important character strength?
Have you seen any other movies that center on treasure hunts? What's the appeal of this popular plotline?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 29, 2021
- Cast : Kea Peahu , Alex Aiono , Kelly Hu
- Director : Jude Weng
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Pirates
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Run time : 123 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, crude references, adventure action and some suggestive comments
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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