When a storm washes a canoe bearing an infant boy ashore upon a small South Pacific island, he is at first well-received as a gift from the heavens, even to the point of the tribal chief adopting him as a successor. However, with time as hardships are blamed upon Tama (as he is named), he is finally outcast to live with the poorest people on the island, Mahana and her drunken father. Mahana is considered homely and undesirable, but Tama feels differently, so when he is old enough to build a craft to sail away, he vows to return for her one day. A lucky stroke brings him to land upon the island of the legendary Johnny Lingo, the wealthiest trader in the islands, and after years of service to him, Tama has learned much about life and himself as he dreams of honoring his pledge to Mahana.
George Henare
as Johnny Lingo
Rawiri Paratene
as Malio Chief
Joe Folau
as Tama
Alvin Fitisemanu
as Chief Steward
Kayte Ferguson
as Mahana
Hori Ahipene
as Pioi
Sima Urale
as Hoku
Peter Sa'ena Brown
as Miriama's Father
Jim Perry
as Malio Elder
Goeretti Chadwick
as Malio Seductress
Tausani Simei-Barton
as Young Tama
Fokikovi Soakimi
as Young Mahana
