Living Lahaina
By Sierra Filucci,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Hanging 10 with hard-partying Hawaii guys is iffy.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
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?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 17, 2007
- Cast: Kimo Kinimaka, Sean Souza
- Network: MTV
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: March 1, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate