Christina Souza

Following the personal and professional lives of the heavy-water lifeguards who patrol and protect the North Shore of O’ahu, Captain Harlan “Sonny” Jennings (Robbie Magasiva) and his core team of lifeguards —lieutenant Em Wright (Arielle Kebbel), and veteran lifeguards Will Ready (Adam Demos) and Laka Hanohano (Kekoa Kekumano) monitor the most famous and dangerous stretch of coastline in the world. In the series premiere episode two rookie lifeguards, Hina Alexander (Zoe Cipres) and Kainalu Emerson (Alex Aiono) try out for a position on the team, as Sonny and his family are still grieving the loss of his nephew Zion and a romantic past is revealed between Em and a now engaged Will.

The swell has settled down, and the North Shore community comes together for Rocky’s paddle out. Hina thinks about switching districts and Em tries to console her after the recent tragedy. Meanwhile, Laka, Will and Kainalu try to save a beachgoer that accidentally spears his own foot while fishing. Romance heats up between Sean and Em, and Sonny takes a personal day to go on a motorcross ride to clear his head but ends up losing control.

A morning hangout on the beach almost turns deadly for a group of college kids when two of them get trapped in a collapsed sandpit. Sonny, Will, and Laka race to rescue people stranded after a shark attack. Em catches the attention of Fire Captain Sean Harimoto (guest star Ian Anthony Dale). Will learns if he made the cut for the firefighter job. Hina makes a move with Kainalu. Sonny attends Zion’s memorial fundraiser and attempts to reconnect with his sister for the first time since the funeral.

Christmas cheer is in the air as the lifeguards prepare for their annual holiday toy drive. While surfing, a local grandpa has a heart attack and is rushed to the hospital, and Hina and Kainalu receive the responsibility of babysitting his grandkids. Sonny tells Laka he is not ready to become a lieutenant, and Laka does not take the news well and spirals at a bar. Chief wants Kenji to replace Sonny as Captain, but Sonny is stern on recommending Em and calls in a final favor with Mayor Emerson. Meanwhile, Will and Em almost get caught in the act by friends, and Hina and Kainalu became more than roommates.

During a training exercise, a marine's parachute fails to open and he crashes into a parked car. The NCIS team heads to the scene and has to determine if the marine's death was accidental or a murder.