Lindsay Watson is making a splash in her full-length feature debut as Hana Okumura in Netflix’s Finding ‘Ohana. The film follows two Brooklyn-raised siblings who reconnect with their Hawaiian heritage while embarking on an epic adventure in rural O’ahu.
It’s a project that means a great deal to the Hawaiian actress who feels like, for the first time, she’s seeing her culture represented authentically on screen.
Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Lindsay about her career, Finding ‘Ohana, and the importance of representation in media.
PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Lindsay: I realized from a young age that I loved performing. My parents said I used to put on little one-man shows for them at home whenever I had the chance. It was around middle school that I became really fascinated with the people on TV. It shocked me to think that acting was a real job, and I knew I wanted to do that one day.
Once I hit high school, I finally decided to take action and secretly auditioned for the high school play! I was lucky enough to be the only freshman that was cast in the production. From that point, I was hooked on performing. I continued to act in all of the high school plays and musicals until I graduated and moved to LA to pursue film and television.
PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Lindsay: I would say my first acting coach in LA, Dennis LaValle, has had the biggest influence on my career. I was eighteen years old when I joined his class and knew nothing about the industry. He really guided me and encouraged me to become the actress I am today. He is extremely talented as a coach, and he’s not afraid to really push you to your true potential. Also, I’m sure many people can agree that he also doubles as a therapist and life coach. [laughs] He has been with me through my entire LA career and has really become part of my family!
PC: You’ve got a new film out now. Tell us about Finding ‘Ohana, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Lindsay: Finding ‘Ohana is a really fun family adventure that takes you on a treasure hunt in the breathtaking land of Hawai’i, but it’s mixed in with lessons about Hawaiian culture, friendship, and family.
I play Hana Okumura, who is a feisty and intelligent Hawaiian girl. She is dedicated to her culture, her land, and her family. She is very sweet and loving, but you definitely don’t want to cross her!
I was immediately drawn to this project when I realized that I would have the opportunity to share my Hawaiian culture on such a big platform. I grew up in Hawai’i surrounded by my culture, but as I’ve lived in LA, I realized not many people know about it. This was my opportunity as a Hawaiian to dive into a role playing a Hawaiian girl that loves to share her culture and educate people. I was very impressed when casting was serious about casting real Polynesians. It showed the true heart of this project, which they carried on throughout the entire process.
PC: You’ve said in previous interviews that this is one of the first times you’ve seen the Hawaiian culture depicted in an authentic way on screen. What has it meant to you to be a part of a project that’s pushing these inclusive storylines?
Lindsay: It’s been such a life-changing experience being involved in one of the first major films that put a spotlight on the Hawaiian culture. It was of paramount importance from the start that we represented the Hawaiian culture as accurately as possible, which I feel we did a great job on. We didn’t just show the tourist side of Hawai’i, we showed the lives of the real people of Hawai’i, the struggles and hardships. We also dove into our love and dedication for our culture, language, and land. I feel like this movie is the first time that many Hawaiians will feel seen and represented. As I grew up, I never saw any Hawaiians on the screen, let alone as lead roles, so it’s amazing to think that future generations will see our movie and feel represented. It’s also just the cherry on top to see people from all over the world walk away with a little bit of knowledge of the Hawaiian culture and language.
PC: This is your film debut. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What was the biggest takeaway?
Lindsay: I think what surprised me the most is how many people it takes to film a movie of this size. We had such a massive crew, and yet every person had such a special and specific job. We were so blessed to have some of the most talented people working tirelessly behind the camera to make our movie. Our crew was dedicated and hardworking, but most of all, they were kind.
The biggest takeaway from this experience is that even though things can get crazy and exhausting, it pays to be kind and easygoing. There are a lot of moving parts, and things are always changing on such a big production, so having the ability to be easygoing makes the whole process much easier.
Lastly, being kind is what made this movie so successful. Our cast and crew truly bonded into one big ‘ohana because everyone was so loving and kind. We had respect for each other, and it made our work and home environment so comfortable.
PC: Finding ‘Ohana has been incredibly well received. What do you think is resonating most with audiences?
Lindsay: It has been so rewarding to see how people absolutely love our movie. We put our heart and soul into this project, and I’m so glad to see that people connected with it. I think one of the biggest things that our audience is resonating with is the message of ‘ohana. In our movie, we show that relationships with family are not always perfect and easy; sometimes they are broken, and it takes work to put them back together. Whether it’s between a parent and child, siblings, or even non-blood relatives, I think everyone can relate in some way to that message.
Also, I think audiences are having a great time learning about the Hawaiian culture. I’ve had many people reach out that are in awe of the culture and now have a desire to learn more! To me, that is one of the most rewarding feeling—to know that we have influenced people to learn about a new culture they would’ve never been exposed to before. There are so many beautiful cultures around the world, and they all deserve to tell their stories!
PC: What’s next for you?
Lindsay: I’m hoping to get involved in more projects that tell important stories that need to be told. It’s my goal to share stories that move and inspire people, whether that be through acting or writing. It would also be awesome to get a role that requires a lot of action. Also, fingers crossed for a Finding ‘Ohana sequel! Besides acting, I’m hoping to dive into music for the first time and make some of my own music. I’m excited to see what 2021 has in store for me!
PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Lindsay: Jane the Virgin.
PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Lindsay: 13 Going on 30.
PC: Favorite book?
Lindsay: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.
PC: Favorite play or musical?
Lindsay: Hamilton.
PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Lindsay: Good Charlotte.
PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Lindsay: Ideally me. [laughs] But if it’s not me, then I hope it would be Shay Mitchell or Camila Mendes!
To keep up with Linsday, follow her on Instagram. Watch Finding ‘Ohana today.
Photo Credit: Conrad Torres
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