Under the Hula Moon

Buzzard Wall Stephen Baldwin and his wife Betty Emily Lloyd live in a ramshackle trailer on the desert edge outside Cactus Gulch, Arizona, chasing two very different dreams. Buzz dreams of turning his invention, a green 150 SPF sunscreen called Cammo, into real wealth and hauling his life to Hawaii, while Betty longs to win the lottery and start a family. When funding for Cammo stalls, Buzz’s hopes teeter on the edge of collapse, until a vivid vision arrives: the ghost of King Kamehameha speaks of a perilous journey that will reveal his destiny and set him on an unexpected path.

Far from the trailer, Turk Dickson Chris Penn has broken out of prison and races across the desert in a stolen van. He is a dangerous, unhinged force, desperate for money and control. Turk lands in Cactus Gulch, storms Buzz and Betty’s trailer, and clamps down on the couple with threats and violence. He gags Buzz and tries to rape Betty, dragging the situation toward catastrophe. Just as the worst seems imminent, a knock on the door changes everything: Betty has won a prize of $10,000 from a magazine. Turk, seizing the moment, disguises himself as Buzz to claim the check, and then kidnaps Betty, leaving Buzz bloodied and bound.

Meanwhile, Maya Gundinger Musetta Vander, Buzz’s ex-girlfriend and a small-town news reporter, watches Betty’s prize announcement on TV and quickly uncovers that the man at the door isn’t Buzz. She tracks down Buzz, frees him, and the pair set out on a rescue mission. Maya’s insistence on filming everything adds a volatile, cinematic layer to the pursuit, heightening the tension even as it helps them piece together a plan.

The chase takes them toward the Mexican border, where Turk abandons his car and drags Betty through the harsh desert to a saloon. Buzz and Maya catch up, rally a rough-and-tumble gang of locals to confront Turk, and then confront him themselves in a brutal showdown. Buzz’s bravery is clear, but the moment of victory is interrupted when the spirit of Kamehameha disapproves of Buzz’s impulse to strike Turk down—Buzz releases him, and the floor suddenly collapses beneath them, plunging Turk and Buzz into a hidden underground DEA base where Turk is promptly arrested.

Back home, Buzz and Betty take modest jobs as burger flippers, while Maya’s relentless coverage turns the Turk case into weeks of headlining news. The public intrigue draws the attention of the United States Marine Corps, who see real potential in Cammo. This newfound interest, combined with persistent demand, fuels a surge in Cammo’s sales that finally allows the couple to realize their Hawaii dream. In the final scene, Buzz and Betty sail into a sunset on an outrigger canoe, a new baby in their arms or beside them, and a hopeful sense that their wild, unconventional journey has found its place in the world.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 12:44