Surf Girls Hawai’i
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Empowering docu spotlights Native culture, talent, sponsors.
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Surf Girls Hawai’i
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What's the Story?
SURF GIRLS HAWAI'I is an unscripted four-part docuseries about an up-and-coming group of Native Hawaiian female surfers as they vie for a spot on the World Surfing League Champion Tour (WSLCT). Moanalani "Moana" Jones Wong (23), Ewelei'ula "Ewe" Wong and Puamakamae "Pua" DeSoto (both 17), Maluhia Kinimaka (26), and Brianna Cope (28) represent a new generation of Native Hawaiian women who are rising in the ranks of pro surfing. Trained and mentored by Ha'a Keaulana, they take part in various competitions to earn the points necessary to qualify for the tour, which will give them the opportunity to compete in bigger competitions, earn more money, and receive more exposure. It isn't easy to ride waves against major champions to earn their spots, especially when they also have to spend their time outside of the water finishing school, working, negotiating family pressure, and healing from serious injuries. But they all want to earn their place and create a bigger name for themselves and for Hawaiian surfing.
Is It Any Good?
The empowering docuseries follows five Native Hawaiian women as they train and compete against each other and others to win a coveted spot on the World Surfing League Champion Tour. For some of them, it's the love of the ocean that helped motivate their amateur careers, and for others, it's a family legacy. But Surf Girls Hawai'i contextualizes surfing as part of traditional Hawaiian culture, and the cast characterize their participation in the sport as a cultural practice that goes back centuries. Viewers understand throughout that the individual efforts of these athletes are also attempts at reclaiming the sport for their community. More importantly, these women are truly talented, and they're all able to articulate their individual journeys in intelligent, mature, and thoughtful ways. It's a fun, family-friendly surfing docuseries filled with positive messages about knowing who you are and where you come from and being willing to work hard to reach your goals.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about surfing and traditional Hawaiian culture. There's evidence that Polynesians have been surfing for hundreds of years. Were women always allowed to do it? When did it go mainstream?
The athletes featured on Surf Girls Hawai'i talk about being a sponsored professional surfer. Why is this so important to them? Are people able to compete at the international level without having one?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 18, 2023
- Cast: Moanalani “Moana” Jones Wong , Ewelei’ula “Ewe” Wong , Puamakamae “Pua” DeSoto , Maluhia Kinimaka , Brianna Cope
- Network: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Friendship , Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Courage , Gratitude , Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: August 23, 2023
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.
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