title: Aloha Surf Hotel
text: # Aloha Surf Hotel
  
  Aloha Surf Hotel is a 2020 American independent film written and directed by Stefan Schaefer, and produced by Cicala Filmworks and Jonathan Stern's Abominable Pictures. The film premiered at the 2020 Hawaii International Film Festival, and was released to theatres in Hawaii on December 4, 2020.
  
  ## Plot
  
  The film centers on an ex surf pro who is forced to take a job at a beachfront hotel teaching obnoxious tourists how to surf. Soon he's the tennis pro, the yoga instructor, the handyman—he might even be key to saving this family-run, Hawaiian-owned hotel.
  
  ## Cast
  
  * Augie Tulba as Tai
  * Taiana Tully as Kaila
  * Branscombe Richmond as Mr. Kahele
  * Daniella Monet as Babymooner
  * Alex Farnham as Shiv
  * Shawn Mokuhahi Garnett as Moe
  * Kealani Warner as Alana
  * Matt Corboy as Doug
  * Cyris Laury-Schaefer as Ethan
  * Talei Laury-Schaefer as Maya
  * Kai Lenny as himself
  
  ## Release and reception
  
  The film premiered at the 2020 Hawaii International Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best Made In Hawaii Feature Film.
  
  It opened theatrically in Hawai'i in December 2020, and played in Regal, Consolidated and several independent theaters in Hawai'i through June, 2021 — outperforming many studio films.
  
  It was nominated as 2021 "Best Hawaiian Film" by the Hawai'i Film Critics Society.
  
  