Aloha, Oy!

Once Rodney’s parasail tow line breaks, an updraft carries him toward Pearl Harbor instead of lowering him gently into the ocean. The parachute eventually drops, but Rodney detaches it because it is dragging him down and swims alone in the choppy water. Donna and Bill Mason locate him through the radio in his helmet and pull him into their boat. Before they can leave, United States Navy military police surround them for entering restricted waters.

The officers confirm the group’s identity with the hotel. Rodney has escaped with a sprained ankle, though the accident could have been much worse. Donna again tells him that his dangerous stunts are really an attempt to repair the pride she wounded on the airplane. Rodney still denies doing anything for a girl and claims he merely wanted to experience Bart’s “essential Hawaii.” Donna nevertheless apologizes for her insults, and Rodney accepts. He also promises that the stunts are over.

At the same time, Captain Quidd has abandoned George, Mary, Bart, and Doris aboard the fuel-less *Minnow*. The boat has no working radio, and the adults discover that the island seems to be shrinking only because they are drifting farther out to sea. The anchor and its line are missing. They use a broom and anything else they can find as paddles, but then the boat begins filling with water. Mary and Doris sacrifice Doris’s bargain coin purses as makeshift bailers while George prays for help.

A Navy cutter, the USS *Ben Franklin*, spots the sinking boat and rescues all four adults. In the galley, they meet a naval lieutenant traveling as a passenger. He offers coffee, helps Mary check on a message to the children, and says he has not seen his own family in months. The message is unnecessary because the children are already waiting at the base.

Meanwhile, Lawrence, Jimmy, and Don continue pursuing Joe Hodges. They learn that Admiral Coraden’s staff has left the *Farragut* for a civilian luncheon at Iolani Palace. A guard at the palace refuses to admit anyone without an invitation. Don arranges for the boys to enter as busboys with a catering company that owes him a favor. They carry dishes through the party until the same guard recognizes and catches them.

Admiral Coraden intervenes, and Lawrence explains that he saw his father on the ship and has chased him across Honolulu because they have been apart for two months. The admiral understands, but he has bad news: Joe left the *Farragut* to lead the next assignment and is already gone. Exhausted and disappointed, Lawrence concludes that he and his father simply are not meant to be together.

At the base, the rescued adults reunite with Jimmy and Donna. Doris decides that, after everything the Rathbones have done, the entire family may be crazy. Mary notices Lawrence standing apart, and Jimmy explains how close his friend came to finding Joe. No one can imagine anything cheering him except his father walking through the door.

The friendly lieutenant from the cutter suddenly returns to look for a misplaced hat. Lawrence recognizes him at once: the officer is Joe Hodges. Father and son call each other’s names and embrace. Lawrence had seen Joe on the *Farragut*, but every chase led him one step behind; the rescue at sea has unexpectedly brought Joe to the same base at exactly the right time.

Admiral Coraden allows Joe to begin his leave early and provides the group with another luau, using food left from the luncheon. Joe tells Lawrence that he has also called Lawrence’s mother, who will fly to Hawaii that night. The Hodges family will finally spend time together.

Bart asks George to admit that his off-the-beaten-path adventure was better than an ordinary sightseeing tour. George politely thanks him for the effort but cannot agree. Doris continues collecting tiny umbrellas from fruit drinks, Donna is painfully sunburned after dreaming of days on the beach, and Rodney tries to limbo on crutches despite his promise to stop performing stunts. He falls and hurts his other ankle.

Don gathers everyone to sing “Aloha Oe” together. After wrecked plans, rescues, disappointments, and unexpected reunions, both families close their remarkable Hawaiian day side by side.