How Lilo & Stitch’s Ending Reflects Hawaiian Values

Lilo & Stitch director Dean Fleischer Camp has voiced his support for the alterations made to the remake’s conclusion. The latest live-action interpretation by Disney spotlights a Hawaiian girl, Lilo (Maia Kealoha), who forms an unlikely bond with an experienced alien, Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders). This remake hasn’t been without its controversies, with significant focus on character redesigns, notably Pleakley and Jumba, and the removal of Gantu as the primary antagonist. However, the most contentious aspect has been the film’s ending, where Nani makes the decision to relinquish Lilo’s guardianship to a neighbor so she can pursue her dream of studying marine biology in college.

In an interview with Variety, Camp shared his thoughts on the backlash, asserting that many critics may not have actually watched the movie. He expressed concern that some feedback was based on misunderstandings of the storyline.

“I’ve had some time to think about this. I do think that a fair amount of the people who are dunking on that premise have not actually seen the movie, and they write me stuff that is clearly wrong. They get the beats of the story wrong. But when you see it doesn’t feel that way at all, and you see the intent of the actual filmmaking.”

Camp elaborated on the rationale behind the changes, highlighting a desire to deepen the portrayal of ohana. Chris Sanders, who hails from Hawaii, pointed out that the original ending didn’t genuinely reflect the culture he grew up in—where it’s common for the community to step in and offer support during tough times. This dialogue resulted in the creation of the character Tutu, who ultimately steps in to provide care for Lilo, embodying the Hawaiian practice of hanai, which refers to informal adoption. Camp acknowledged that not everyone would agree with this new direction.

“There are two larger conversations going on that led us towards that ending. We wanted to expand the meaning of ohana, and ground it in traditional Hawaiian values of collectivism, extended family and community. Chris, who’s Hawaiian, made a really important observation about the original early on in our discussions. He didn’t buy that the two orphan sisters would just be left to fend for themselves. He said, ‘Neighbors, church groups, aunties and uncles, all these people would step in. That’s just the Hawaii I know and grew up in.’”

The director emphasized that the team aimed to craft a more authentic narrative instead of simply replicating the original movie. He stressed that storytelling should resonate with the reality of loss and community support.

“But we didn’t want to just restage the beats of the original film, as much as we both loved it. We wanted to tell a story that’s honest about what it means to lose everything and still find a way forward. People do get left behind, like what Nani says, this is, and it’s incumbent upon the community to make sure that they aren’t forgotten.”

Why Lilo & Stitch’s Ending Remains A Very Divisive Topic For The Disney Remake

Some Hawaiians Have Defended The Changes To The Ending

The term “ohana” serves as a significant theme in both the original and the remake of Lilo & Stitch, albeit with different interpretations. The 2002 original depicted Nani’s fierce determination to retain her guardianship over Lilo, culminating in her success. Through her struggles, characters like Cobra Bubbles, Pleakley, and Jumba join the Pelekai sisters, forming a new, extended family. However, in the remake, with Jumba replacing Gantu as the central villain, the essence of ohana itself seems to evolve.

<pThis shift has stirred considerable discontent among audiences, some of whom feel that Nani's choice is inconsistent with her character. Discussions on social media have been heated, with many deeming the remake as an oversimplification or Westernization of the original message regarding ohana. Yet, some Hawaiians have risen to defend the changes, asserting that the revisions accurately reflect their cultural values and offer a more nuanced understanding.

Despite the divided opinions, the remake’s performance at the box office has been impressive. It is nearing the $1 billion mark, becoming one of 2025’s top contenders. Additionally, critical acclaim is evident, with a 93% Popcornmeter rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A grade from CinemaScore, indicating that audiences are generally receptive to the new interpretation.

Our Take On The Lilo & Stitch Ending

No Matter What, Not Everyone Will Be Satisfied

Ultimately, remakes will always come with their set of alterations, and not every fan will find satisfaction in the outcome. This reality is an inherent challenge of adapting beloved films like Lilo & Stitch. However, the ongoing conversations surrounding the changes highlight the deep connection audiences have with the franchise.

Change can be challenging to embrace, but it’s clear that the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake could not be a mere scene-for-scene duplication of its predecessor. Some narrative elements from the animated version may not seamlessly fit into a live-action format, validating the need for certain adjustments. The creative team sought to ensure the story was both realistic and honest, influencing the decisions made. In the end, the changes in the remake’s conclusion are just a part of the evolving narrative journey that they wish to share.

Source: Variety