Mitch, Jessie and some of the other lifeguards are working on the USS Missouri clean up program. Mitch explains to some locals the true meaning of the word “Aloha.” Arriving on the boat is CHARLIE OWENS, Jessie’s grandfather. She is surprised that he has arrived so early. She introduces him to Mitch. Charlie muses that the Arizona continues to bleed oil after all these years. He is obviously disturbed by memories as he walks the decks of the Missouri. Suddenly, TWO BOYS slip from their mother’s control and go careening towards the edge of the boat. Jessie sees what is happening and flings herself at the boys. Too late, they plunge overboard. Without wasting a second, Jessie dives overboard as well. Charlie, immediately launching into rescue mode himself, also dives overboard. Now, Mitch must join in the rescue, too. Jessie dives down to save the boys while Mitch must rescue Charlie.
While Allie and Kekoa return the boys to their mother, Mitch and Charlie talk. Charlie is upset that his age prevented him from being more of a help in the rescue. However, he also explains that he now understands what an important undertaking his granddaughter has chosen. Jessie is a little perturbed by Charlie’s behavior. She talks to Mitch about her life, how she never had a sense of belonging because her father was always on the move. Only when she was with Charlie did she experience any stability. Mitch tries to console her, but she can’t shake the feeling that her psychic link with Charlie is trying to tell her something. Suddenly, the two notice that Charlie is no longer looking out over the water: he has disappeared.
Jessie checks the Hilton Hawaiian Village and learns that Charlie has checked out. Jessie calls her aunt, who tells her that Charlie has been acting strangely: he claims he hears voices and has settled all of his affairs. Jessie is afraid he isn’t planning on returning home from Hawaii. He had also left a package on the floor of the hotel room. In the package were photos of Charlie and another young man, HANK, standing next to a couple of long boards. Jessie is afraid Charlie is planning to kill himself. He has never talked much about his time in the service. Mitch wonders if Charlie is trying to recapture the past.
Charlie is walking around Fort Derussy, remembering what it was like back in the forties. Music video flashback to a montage of the happy times Charlie and Hank shared in the days before Pearl. Mitch and Jessie go to the COM station and see what they can find on the internet. As they are looking up the information, Jessie is hit on by a couple of the younger guards. Jessie says that she is interested in older men. Sure enough, on the internet is a Naval record showing that Charlie was a machinist’s mate, 2nd class aboard the Utah.
Mitch and Jessie head for Pearl Harbor. When Jessie sees the abandoned hull of the Utah, she panics, wondering if Charlie has already killed himself. Mitch, Newmie and JOHNNY dive to investigate the hull. They find nothing, although there are a few sus-penseful moments when it looks as if a part of the hull might break off and trap them. There is no sign of Charlie.
As Mitch surfaces, Jessie arrives: she has learned that Hank was killed aboard the Utah, and is buried at a cemetery on Oahu. Mitch and Jessie find Charlie at Hank’s grave. He sees the old man has a gun, and won’t be deterred from his “mission.” Charlie has never gotten over his survivor’s guilt. Mitch, using psychology, tells Charlie he understands, and if he is determined to kill himself, Mitch will help. Jessie is understandably shocked.
The group returns to the Utah, where Charlie goes through a recitation of the events of December 7th, 1941. How he tried to save as many people as he could, but was unable to save Hank. How he watched Hank die right in front of him.
Mitch tells Charlie he understands how frustrating physical limitations can be. But he reminds Charlie that he was a hero nevertheless. Mitch tells Charlie to go ahead and put the gun to his head, fall into the water, and join his friends. Free himself of his guilt…and allow his granddaughter to carry the memory of what he did and her own frustration at not being able to stop him. Mitch reminds Charlie that if it weren’t for him surviving the attack, Jessie wouldn’t be here today. He tells Charlie that his watch isn’t over yet. Jessie, distraught, runs towards them. Mitch whispers to her to let him do things his way. Mitch pretends to lose his balance and fall over. Charlie must drop his gun, and dive in the water to save him. Jessie helps pull the two men out of the water. Charlie understands how important even his life is, and decides to go on. As they leave, Charlie looks over the hull of the Utah, able to put the past behind him, but acknowledging that her story needs to be told.
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