The story of The Hawaiians and its place in Michener's epic
The Hawaiians picks up the threads of James A. Michener's monumental 1959 novel, continuing a narrative that spans generations across the Hawaiian islands. When a wanderer returns home, he doesn't find the world he left behind — instead, he encounters political upheaval, disease spreading through the communities, and romantic entanglements that threaten to unravel the fragile social order he once knew. The film stretches across 134 minutes of screen time, giving itself room to breathe as it explores how progress and tradition collide in a landscape being transformed by outside forces. It's the kind of sweeping period drama that doesn't shy away from complexity, even if it can't always contain it.
Behind the making of The Hawaiians and its stellar ensemble cast
Director Tom Gries helmed this ambitious sequel with a screenplay by James R. Webb, adapting Michener's dense material for the screen. The Mirisch Company produced the film under United Artists' banner, assembling a cast led by Charlton Heston alongside an ensemble that brought considerable star power to the production. Tina Chen, in a supporting role, earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress — a recognition that spoke to the caliber of performances the film managed to extract from its cast. Released in 1970, the film arrived during an era when historical epics still commanded significant studio resources and audience attention, though the box office reception proved less enthusiastic than studios had hoped. What's striking is that despite its production pedigree and award recognition, The Hawaiians has remained somewhat overshadowed by its predecessor, Hawaii (1966), which had featured Max von Sydow and Julie Andrews. The film carries the weight of that comparison — not always unfairly, but persistently.
What makes The Hawaiians stand out as a historical drama
There's a genuine ambition in how the film tackles its source material. Rather than sanitizing Michener's narrative, it confronts the messier aspects of colonial history — the introduction of foreign disease, the erosion of indigenous autonomy, the personal costs of cultural collision. Heston's performance anchors these larger themes, grounding the epic scope in the emotional reality of a man caught between worlds. The supporting cast doesn't just fill roles; they inhabit them, creating a sense that these aren't cardboard historical figures but people wrestling with real dilemmas. What's less successful is the film's pacing — at two hours and fourteen minutes, it can feel bloated in stretches, and the narrative doesn't always move with the propulsive energy you'd want from a story juggling so many competing threads. I keep coming back to those quieter moments, though, where the dialogue slows down and characters sit with the weight of their choices. That's where The Hawaiians finds its footing. The craftsmanship is evident in the production design and cinematography, which capture the beauty of the islands without exoticizing them into irrelevance. It's a film that respects its audience's intelligence, even when it can't quite nail the execution.
Where to stream The Hawaiians online
The Hawaiians is currently available on major OTT services, making it accessible to viewers looking to explore this particular corner of epic cinema history. Rather than hunting across multiple platforms, you can check Movie OTT's where-to-watch widget at the top of this page — it tracks current streaming availability in real time, so you'll know exactly where to find the film without the guesswork. Whether you're a Michener enthusiast or a fan of 1970s historical drama, knowing where it's currently streaming saves you the frustration of searching blindly.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is The Hawaiians based on a true story?
The film is based on James A. Michener's 1959 novel Hawaii, which blends historical events with fictional characters and narratives. While it draws inspiration from real Hawaiian history and the impact of colonization, it's not a direct historical account but rather an epic dramatization.
Q: Who directed The Hawaiians?
Tom Gries directed the film from a screenplay by James R. Webb. Gries was known for his work on television and historical dramas, bringing a deliberate, character-focused approach to the material.
Q: What's the connection between The Hawaiians and the 1966 film Hawaii?
The Hawaiians is a sequel that continues the story from Hawaii (1966), which starred Max von Sydow and Julie Andrews. While both are based on Michener's novel, The Hawaiians focuses on different characters and a later period in Hawaiian history.
Q: Did The Hawaiians receive any major award nominations?
Tina Chen earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film, which was the most significant recognition the movie received during awards season.
Q: How long is The Hawaiians?
The film runs 134 minutes, giving it substantial runtime to explore its complex narrative across multiple storylines and character arcs.
Final thoughts on The Hawaiians
The Hawaiians doesn't quite achieve the epic grandeur it reaches for, but it's not for lack of trying. What it offers instead is a thoughtful, if occasionally ungainly, meditation on cultural collision and personal consequence set against one of the world's most visually stunning backdrops. Charlton Heston and the ensemble cast commit fully to material that demands nuance, and there's real craft in the filmmaking. For viewers who appreciate 1970s historical drama or want to experience Michener's Hawaii saga in cinematic form, it's worth seeking out — especially now that streaming makes it easier to access than it's been in decades.
