Comedy “Aloha Surf Hotel” Extends Theatrical Run

Following its world premiere at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival in November, family comedy “Aloha Surf Hotel” has extended its theatrical run on Maui at Consolidated Theaters at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center.

The film is also showing on the Hawaiʻi Island at the Waikoloa Luxury Cinemas; and has been added to a third theater on Oʻahu, now at Ko ʻOlina, in addition to Ward and Pearlridge.

The film stars comedian Augie T (Get a Job, Kuleana), Taiana Tully (Hawai‘i 5-0), Branscombe Richmond (Finding ‘Ohana, Renegade), Daniella Monet (Victorious), Shawn Mokuahi Garnett (Hawai‘i 5-0), Kealani Warner (Kuleana), Alex Farnham and Matt Corboy (The Descendants).

Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker and Maui resident Stefan Schaefer, the film was shot entirely in Hawai‘i in 2019.

“Aloha Surf Hotel” centers on ex pro surfer Tai “Gonzo” Alonzo (Tulba). When his scholarship at the local college is cut off, Tai is forced to take his first real job — teaching tourists how to surf at a struggling beachfront hotel.

Soon he’s the tennis pro, the substitute yoga instructor, the handyman, the fire-knife dancer…he might even be key to saving the family-run hotel from a corrupt inspector and an unscrupulous developer.

As he and his misfit colleagues struggle to save the hotel, Tai also works to support his teenage daughter, patch it up with his ex, and scrape together enough cash to get his beloved van out of impound.

Barry Wurst II of the Hawai’i Film Critics Society calls the film “consistently hilarious” and “an engaging and funny movie in a time when we all could use a good laugh.” The film was nominated by the Society as “Best Hawaiʻi Film” in 2021.

The film got its start by winning a pitch contest and development funds at the GVS Accelerator on the Big Island.

Producers include Jonathan Stern of Abominable Pictures (Wet Hot American Summer, Children’s Hospital) and Branscombe Richmond, as well as Executive Producers Brian Kohne, David L. Cunningham, Robert Marcus, Everett Dowling and J. Stephen Goodfellow.

Schaefer and Kohne have collaborated on numerous made-on Maui productions, including the award-winning films “Get a Job” (2011) and “Kuleana/Maui” (2017).

Other island creatives include Nā Hoku Hanohano award winner Halemanu Villiarimo as composer, and supporting roles played by Kai Lenny, Dave Kalama, Kathy Collins, and Frank B. Shaner. The film runs 94 minutes.