What Is Hawaii About?
The premise of Hawaii in 243 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a sun‑warmed corner of Uruguay, the streets hum with the quiet rhythm of a town that has seen better days. Abandoned buildings cast long shadows over cracked sidewalks, and the lingering scent of sea breezes carries whispers of forgotten summers. The world feels both intimate and a little lonely, a place where the past lives in the edges of everyday life, waiting to be brushed against by anyone who dares to linger a little longer.
Martin, an orphan whose grandmother has just passed, arrives hoping to stay with an aunt who has mysteriously vanished. With little money and nowhere to go, he makes a temporary refuge behind the ruins of an old structure, navigating a fragile existence while searching for a stable footing. Across town, Eugenio—a contemplative writer and former childhood playmate—offers a modest summer job, extending a lifeline that pulls Martin back into a world he once knew only through fragmented memories.
The two men find themselves drawn together by a shared history that flickers like old photographs, sparking a subtle yet powerful undercurrent of desire and uncertainty. Their interactions are colored by the delicate balance of power, need, and the lingering question of what lies beyond friendship. As they navigate the quiet tension of daily life—working, reminiscing, and confronting unspoken feelings—their connection hints at possibilities that could reshape both of their summers, leaving the audience to wonder just how far the pull of the past can stretch into the present.
What Happens in Hawaii?
The complete story of Hawaii, from the first scene to the last, in 425 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Martín, Mateo Chiarino, an orphan, arrives at his former hometown hoping to stay with his aunt after his grandmother’s death. He discovers that his aunt has moved away without leaving a forwarding address. With no place to sleep and little money, he beds down behind the ruins of an abandoned building. He looks around for odd jobs and is eventually hired by the writer Eugenio, Manuel Vignau, a former childhood playmate. Martín doesn’t want to admit that he is homeless, so he tells Eugenio that he is staying with his aunt. Eugenio eventually learns the truth and convinces Martín to stay at his house for the summer.
At first Eugenio does not seemingly remember much about Martín, but little by little they start to recall their shared memories as children. Eugenio realizes his growing attraction to Martín but is reluctant to pursue it, as he does not want to seem to be taking advantage of Martín’s current financial situation. He is also afraid that even if the soft-spoken Martín might reciprocate his feelings, it might only be because Martín feels indebted to him. Martín himself is attracted to Eugenio, but he does not know if Eugenio is gay. And given his current circumstances, he does not want to presume anything based on Eugenio’s kindness.
Nonetheless, Eugenio and Martín slowly grow closer together, and Eugenio finds it becoming increasingly difficult to hide his attraction. One day while moving some furniture, Eugenio accidentally knocks over some drawings of naked men from his desk. Martín sees the drawings, but Eugenio pointedly avoids talking about it. It dawns on Martín that Eugenio might be attracted to him. Martín confirms his suspicions when he sees Eugenio’s flustered reaction after he deliberately strips in front of Eugenio one night under the guise of wanting to do laundry.
Martín kisses Eugenio the next morning, confident that Eugenio is also attracted to him. But Eugenio unexpectedly rebuffs him, and Martín leaves confused. That afternoon, Eugenio discovers that Martín had packed up and left. He searches for him for several days but is unable to find him. Eugenio remembers Martín reminiscing about “dos ananás” (‘two pineapples’). He realizes that Martín was talking about a picture from a Hawaii reel that they used to look at on a View-Master as children. He looks for the reel and the old View-Master and leaves them behind the abandoned building where Martín had been sleeping. A few days later, Martín comes back, carrying the View-Master with him. They smile at each other and kiss.
“dos ananás” (two pineapples)
Hawaii Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
10 key events in the order they happen, from “Martín arrives in his former hometown and is homeless” to “Martín returns with the View-Master”. 10 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Martín arrives in his former hometown and is homeless
An orphan, Martín returns hoping to stay with his aunt after his grandmother's death. He discovers his aunt moved away without leaving a forwarding address. With nowhere to sleep and little money, he ends up sleeping behind the ruins of an abandoned building. He begins searching for odd jobs to survive.
Where:Former hometown / Ruins of an abandoned building
- 2
Hired by Eugenio and offered a summer stay
Martín is hired by Eugenio, a writer and Martín's former childhood playmate, for odd jobs. He lies about staying with his aunt to avoid exposing his homelessness. Eugenio discovers the truth and invites Martín to stay at his house for the summer. This changes Martín's precarious situation.
When:Summer Where:Eugenio's home
- 3
Initial memory gaps between them
At first, Eugenio seems to remember little about Martín, and the two gradually start recalling their shared childhood memories. The uneasy past adds a layer of nostalgia to their growing bond. Their renewed connection sets the stage for deeper feelings.
When:Summer Where:Eugenio's home
- 4
Growing attraction begins to surface
As they spend time together, Eugenio finds it increasingly difficult to hide his attraction toward Martín. Martín senses a possible attraction as well, creating a tension neither fully admits yet. The dynamic shifts from friendship to something more intimate.
When:Summer Where:Eugenio's home
- 5
Drawing incident reveals hidden art
While moving furniture, Eugenio accidentally knocks over drawings of naked men from his desk. Martín sees them, and Eugenio avoids discussing it, which fuels Martín's suspicions about Eugenio's sexuality. The moment hints at deeper romantic lines between them.
When:Summer Where:Eugenio's home
- 6
Laundry test and confession of attraction
Martín intentionally strips in front of Eugenio while doing laundry to gauge his reaction. Eugenio's flustered response confirms to Martín that there is an attraction between them. The exchange heightens the risk of crossing boundaries.
When:One evening during summer Where:Eugenio's home
- 7
Martín kisses Eugenio; is rebuffed
The next morning, Martín kisses Eugenio, confident that the attraction is mutual. However, Eugenio unexpectedly rebuffs him, leaving Martín confused and uncertain about how to proceed. The moment marks a turning point in their relationship.
When:Morning after the kiss Where:Eugenio's home
- 8
Martín leaves; Eugenio searches for him
That afternoon, Martín finds him leaving and Eugenio discovers Martín had packed up and left. He searches for him for several days, reflecting on their conversation and his own feelings. He recalls Martín mentioning 'dos ananás', a memory from their youth.
When:A few days later Where:Around the abandoned building and town
- 9
Memory triggers the search for a clue from childhood
Eugenio remembers the 'dos ananás' phrase and searches for the old View-Master reel they used in childhood. He locates the reel and the old View-Master and leaves them behind the abandoned building where Martín had been sleeping.
When:Days after the departure Where:Behind the abandoned building
- 10
Martín returns with the View-Master
A few days later, Martín reappears carrying the View-Master. The two share a smile, recognizing their shared history, and they reconnect emotionally. They kiss, signaling a renewed, mutual attraction.
When:A few days after the search Where:Behind the abandoned building / former meeting place
Who Are the Main Characters in Hawaii?
5 characters, among them Martín (Mateo Chiarino), Eugenio (Manuel Vignau) and Vecina (Antonia De Michelis): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- M(
Martín (Mateo Chiarino)
Played by Mateo Chiarino
An orphan who returns to his former hometown, Martín is resilient and hopeful. He hides his homelessness behind a brave front while seeking small jobs and a safe place to stay. He grapples with whether to reveal his true situation or protect himself from potential manipulation. His feelings toward Eugenio reveal a longing for belonging and security.
- 🚶♂️ Homeless
- 💫 Hopeful
- 💬 Honest
- E(
Eugenio (Manuel Vignau)
Played by Manuel Vignau
A writer and Martín’s former childhood playmate, Eugenio is gentle, introspective, and cautious about power in their budding relationship. He initially dodges acknowledging mutual attraction, wary of exploiting Martín's precarious position. As memories resurface, his affection grows and he faces his own vulnerability. His kindness becomes the bond that helps them confront the past.
- 🎨 Creative
- 🤔 Reserved
- 💖 Caring
- V(
Vecina (Antonia De Michelis)
Played by Antonia De Michelis
Vecina is the neighbor who anchors the community around Martín’s search for shelter. She represents a steady, watchful presence in the story and offers a sense of place within the neighborhood. Her perspective reminds the characters of shared responsibilities and the texture of local life. She watches the growing connection between Martín and Eugenio with quiet interest.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Neighborly
- 👀 Observant
- 🤝 Supportive
- HD
Hermano de Eugenio (Manuel Martínez Sobrado)
Played by Manuel Martínez Sobrado
Hermano de Eugenio appears as a familial figure within Eugenio’s world, providing context for his life and choices. Though not central to Martín and Eugenio’s romance, his presence adds dimensions to the family dynamics at play. He embodies the ordinary tensions and loyalties of sibling relationships.
- 👤 Sibling
- 🤔 Reserved
- 🧩 Complex
- S(
Señora (Luz Palazón)
Played by Luz Palazón
Señora is an elder presence in the neighborhood, contributing to the social atmosphere and pragmatic texture of everyday life. She offers quiet wisdom and a sense of continuity within the community. Her role helps ground the story in a lived-in, intimate setting.
- 🧓 Elderly
- 🏠 Domestic life
- 👁️🗨️ Observant
Where and When Is Hawaii Set?
Hawaii is set in Martín's former hometown, ruins behind an abandoned building and Eugenio's house. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Martín's former hometown, ruins behind an abandoned building, Eugenio's house
Martín returns to his former hometown in search of a place to stay after his grandmother's death. Most of the action unfolds around the ruins behind an abandoned building where he sleeps, and Eugenio's house where he finds shelter for the summer. The setting emphasizes a quiet, intimate urban space that frames their evolving relationship.
- 🏘️ Hometown
- 🏚️ Abandoned building ruins
- 🏠 Domestic space
What Are the Themes of Hawaii?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Memory and Class & Dependence.
-
01
Romance
An understated romance develops between Martín and Eugenio as they navigate attraction, hesitation, and trust. Their connection grows amid financial insecurity and social caution, forcing both to test boundaries and rely on mutual care. The relationship is gradual, tender, and complicated by fears of dependence or exploitation. Resolution comes through honesty and shared vulnerability.
-
02
Memory
Memory drives the narrative as childhood ties resurface and become a bridge to present feelings. The Hawaii reel and the View-Master symbolize a shared past that informs their choices. Recalling playful moments from youth helps them interpret their evolving bond. The film uses memory to blur lines between friendship and romance.
-
03
Class & Dependence
The story explores power dynamics rooted in Martín's homelessness and Eugenio's generosity. It questions whether kindness can become a form of leverage or coercion when one person is vulnerable. Both characters confront fear of being used or taking advantage of the other, choosing honesty over manipulation. Social context shapes how affection is perceived and acted upon.
What Kind of Film Is Hawaii?
Hopeful in tone, with slow pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A tender and quietly unfolding romance about two childhood friends cautiously navigating their growing attraction, set against a backdrop of lingering memories and subtle emotional vulnerability.
- tender
- nostalgic
- uncertain
- hopeful
- quiet
- slow burn
- lgbtq romance
- childhood friends
- unrequited love
- coming of age
Content notes: homelessness.
Quiz
How well do you remember Hawaii? Test yourself on the story.
