Lulu in Honolulu by Elisabeth Wolf Page B

quivers)
    Really?
    LULU
    No, he’s kidding!
    KAPONO
    The spiky evil creature used to breathe out fire, but so much water got into his mouth, now he can only breathe out boiling mist.
    KENNA
    (frightened)
    Can the monster still move?
    LULU
    There’s no monster.
    (to Noelani)
    Talk about being scared, I think Lex and I almost ruined our parents’ movie.
    NOELANI
    Wait. You did?
    LULU
    The head of the studio that paid kazillions of dollars to make Seas the Day came to Mom’s set, and she wasn’t there.
    NOELANI
    (softly)
    That’s not ’cause of you. Where was she?
    Suddenly, Lulu’s mouth seems dry. Her lips feel stuck together.
    LULU
    At the hula-off.
    Awkward silence.
    NOELANI
    Oh no.
    LULU
    Oh yes.
    NOELANI
    (small, scared voice)
    That’s ’cause of me.
    LULU
    Not at ALL. Geez peas. My mom explained that she and Dad coming to the hula-off didn’t cause their movie to be in trouble. But I’m not sure…
    NOELANI
    (even smaller, quieter voice than before)
    I don’t know anything about making movies, so I don’t know either.
    LULU
    I’m trying to figure out some way to help my mom and dad, just like they helped Ohana Camp.
    NOELANI
    Good idea. Like what?
    Luckily, the monster saves Lulu from answering.
    Little Kenna tugs the bottom of Lulu’s orange skirt. Lulu picks her up.
    LULU
    (to Kenna)
    It’s not a monster at all. It’s just nature. Don’t worry! Thousands of years ago, boiling, bubbling lava from an erupting volcano created this hollow tube. Down there…
    (points to the ocean)
    â€¦here’s what’s happening right now. Wave water is filling up the lava tube and pushing down and down where the tube is smaller and smaller. Any moment, the pressure will force a stream of water to shoot up.
    PHFFFFFUUUUUUU!!! The water sprays up almost thirty feet in the air.
    The Ohana kids and other visitors gasp and snap pictures.
    KENNA
    (who had been looking at Lulu)
    I missed it!
    Lulu puts Kenna down. She pulls out her iPhone.
    LULU
    (to Noelani and Kenna)
    I’m gonna film the next blow. That way, we can watch the water blast whenever we want. And I’ll send Hawaiian nature to my BFF Sophia in L.A. She’ll love it too.
    As the girls wait for the next aquatic explosion, Lulu, phone switched to filming mode, focuses on the spot where the blowhole opens.
    PHFFFFFUUUUUU!!! The water shoots toward the sky.
    LULU
    Got it!
    The kids gather around and watch it on the small iPhone screen.
    LULU
    (to the group around her)
    OK, gotta admit, the last thing I ever wanted was this complicated phone, but it’s cool to make a mini-movie.
    LIAM
    Like Hilarious Hula . Thousands of people keep watching it!
    MALEKO
    Lulu, you’ve gotta get your parents to make another video with us.
    LULU
    (sadly)
    Not this summer.
    (pause)
    Maybe not even in this lifetime.
    Noelani tugs Lulu to a nearby rock. Lulu plunks down.
    NOELANI
    That was really sweet how you made Kenna feel brave.
    (looks under the ALOHA hat brim into Lulu’s eyes)
    Lu, you’re good at doing everything. I’m sure you’ll figure out something to help your parents, and we’ll all help.
    (looks toward the Ohana kids)
    LULU
    The problem is I really don’t know anything about making movies either.
    NOELANI
    Just help with something you like to do.
    A deep, long honking sound gives Lulu a moment to think.
    NOELANI
    Uncle Akamu’s blowing the conch. It’s time for lunch.
    Lulu stays seated on the rock.
    NOELANI
    C’mon. Aren’t you hungry?
    Noelani takes Lulu’s hands and, with effort, hauls her up.
    LULU
    That’s it! Lunch! There’s this fancy caterer who sets up food on the set every day. I bet I could make lunch for the crew, like on weekends, and save the movie money.
    NOELANI
    That’s a lot of food to cook by yourself—
    LULU
    I can ask Maya to help me.
    NOELANI
    We’ll all cook with you.
    LULU
    MAHALO ! Awesome. Let’s