This article originally appeared in the Spring 2025 Pink Issue of Showstopper Magazine.
At 18 years old, Hawaii McLaughlin has already made a name for herself in Hollywood. She moved to Los Angeles at 16, diving straight into the entertainment industry—a world that her family has been part of for over 40 years. Inspired by her uncle, Hawaii’s journey has taken her from ballet classes and cheer competitions to martial arts and high-action stunts. Here’s a closer look at her story and the unique skills that make her one to watch.
From Ballet to Hollywood
Hawaii’s performance career began early. At just 4 years old, she started ballet, laying the foundation for her future in the spotlight. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Being a performer is universal among all movement…I have been a performer all my life, and it’s one of the things that I love most.” For Hawaii, performance has always been part of who she is, no matter the form.
I have been a performer all my life.
Alongside ballet, Hawaii found her place in cheerleading, where the discipline and strength required pushed her to new heights. “Practicing acting and martial arts requires dedication, discipline, commitment, balance, consistency, and I wouldn’t have those skills if I didn’t grow up practicing them,” she explained. Her background in physically demanding sports taught her that success takes hard work, and she carries that mindset into her acting and martial arts work today.
National Titles + Level 6 in Cheerleading
Hawaii didn’t just dabble in cheer; she excelled. By age 12, she was already competing at Level 6 and winning National Titles at prestigious events like CheerSport and UCA. It wasn’t easy, though. “Competing as such a high level at such a young age is something that is very demanding and very stressful,” she shared. But those challenges also brought some of her favorite memories like winning tough competitions. “It’s the best feeling ever,” she exclaimed.
Her time as a cheerleader taught her resilience and mental strength, which prepared her well for the pressures of Hollywood. “If I wasn’t exposed to that type of pressure as a young girl, I don’t think that I would be able to withstand the pressure of the industry today,” she reflected.
Martial Arts + Mentorship
Transitioing from cheer to martial arts felt natural for Hawaii, who has always loved pushing her physical limits and discovering new ways to challenge herself. Introduced to martial arts by her uncle, Phillip Tan, Hawaii quickly developed a passion for the discipline, especially as she trained with some of the best in the business, including action stars and choreographers like Lewis Tan and Steve Brown. “One of my favorite things is training together with a bunch of different talented people and seeing everyone’s different styles—it’s always so inspiring,” she shared.
Showing up when your tired is the most important part of training.
Her training may be inspiring, but it definitely is not easy. Most mornings begin with an intense session in Hollywood with her trainer, Arnold Chon. “Training can either be boxing, kickboxing, cardio, weight lifting, fight choreography, stunts… consistency is way easier said than done,” she explained. While she admits that some days are tougher than others, she pushes herself to be consistent. “Showing up when you’re tired is the most important part of training.”
Hawaii’s favorite martial arts style is Muay Thai, which she finds particularly grounding. She has also trained in techniques like sword fighting, which bring an extra level of thrill to her stunt work. “I [also] love being on wires, although I am far from a master,” she added. For Hawaii, martial arts isn’t just a physical; it’s also been a way to find balance in her life, both on and off the screen.
Social Media
Outside of performing, Hawaii has built a strong presence on social media, where she started posting as a competitive cheerleader at age 10. Now with over 500,000 followers, she enjoys sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work on set and connecting with her fans. Balancing social media with her busy training and acting schedule can be a challenge, but she’s found her rhythm. “Once you find your rhythm and routine, it will become second nature,” she said.
All About Hawaii
FAV MARTIAL ARTS STYLE: Muay Thai
BIGGEST STUNT: Falling Off a Balcony
FAVORITE COLOR: Pink
FAV HOBBIES: Arts and Crafts (especially ceramics!)
STAR SIGN: Aries
SECRET LOVE: Snacks on Set!
…stunt professionals are actors as well…you never stop acting. it’s always part of your performance.
OMG! Stunt Double
Hawaii also uses her martial arts skills in her work as a stunt double, which has given her some incredible experiences, from falling off balconies to training in wirework. Her biggest stunt so far was on the TV show Shrinking. “It was falling from trying to climb down from the balcony of a house.” For Hawaii, having a supportive team on set makes all the difference, especially when it comes to performing challenging stunts. “It’s always comforting to know you have a good team around you who have your back on set.”
Working with industry experts like Garrett Warren and Arnold Chon has shaped her approach to stunts and acting. “Garrett always emphasizes how important acting is and is always encouraging me,” she said. Arnold, meanwhile, “always comes up with the best fight choreography.” Their mentorship has taught Hawaii the value of combining acting with physical stunts to create authentic, engaging performances. Even with her martial arts background, she sees stunt work as part of her overall acting performance, stating, “In my opinion, stunt professionals are actors as well…you never stop acting. It’s always part of your performance.”
