The actress has deep Hawaiian roots and loves sharing her culture via music, films and moments spent with family. Here are her favourite ways to find "ohana" in Hawaii. Twenty-three years after lending her voice to Lilo's big sister Nani in the Lilo & Stitch animated film, Tia Carrere is coming full-circle as she stars in the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch film as a new character, Mrs Kekoa, a no-nonsense social worker.
But the role is also a chance for Carrere to do one of the things she loves most: showcase her Hawaiian heritage. "I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii," Carrere tells the BBC from Maui's pristine Napili Bay, where she's joined longtime musical collaborator Daniel Ho to perform in George Kahumoku Jr. 's Hawaii Masters Tour.
"It informs everything about me." Carrere's Hollywood career famously began when she was discovered at a supermarket in Waikiki as a 17-year-old. "I always say that people come to Hollywood from somewhere else to become something else," she muses.
"I think because I was born and raised in Hawaii, it's really grounded me. It's my grandma's homespun knowledge; the golden rule, very simple..
. and that's Hawaii. I love Hawaii.
" Carrere has lived in Los Angeles for decades but has never forgotten the concept or the feeling of ohana (family). "Family to Hawaiians means a solid base that you can trust to have your back – always," says Carrere, who returns regularly to visit. ".
.. [And] Hawaii is a great place to vacation with your famil.