Donovan's Reef

As Thomas Gilhooley, a weathered United States Navy (USN) veteran, navigates the open waters on a freighter, he's met with a sudden epiphany: the vessel won't be making landfall at his intended destination, Haleakaloha, French Polynesia. With a sense of urgency, Gilhooley takes the plunge and abandons ship, striking out to reach the shore.

Meanwhile, Michael Donovan, another expatriate USN veteran and close friend of William "Doc" Dedham's, has been entrusted with the care of Doc's three young children while he embarks on a medical circuit around the islands. This responsibility is not without precedent, as Donovan shares a bond with Gilhooley, having celebrated their shared birthdays with a 21-year tradition of friendly fisticuffs - a spectacle that brings joy to the local populace.

As fate would have it, this particular birthday marks a momentous occasion: the destruction of "Donovan's Reef," the saloon Donovan owns. The very same establishment where Gilhooley and Donovan will soon concoct a plan to deceive the unsuspecting Miss Amelia Dedham, chairman of the board of the Dedham Shipping Company.

Back in Boston, the proper and affluent Miss Amelia is determined to uncover evidence of her father, Doc Dedham's, moral transgressions, which would disqualify him from inheriting the majority stake in the family company. Her quest takes her to Haleakaloha, where she hopes to find proof that will allow her to retain control.

As news of Miss Amelia's impending arrival reaches Donovan, Gilhooley, and the enigmatic Marquis de Lage, they hatch a scheme to protect Doc's children from the shock of their motherless existence. Donovan will pose as the father figure to the three youngsters - Leilani, Sarah, and Luke - until Doc returns to take care of matters.

However, Amelia's discovery of her father's past, during which he, along with Donovan and Gilhooley, was marooned on a Japanese-occupied island after their destroyer was sunk, sets the stage for a revelation that will shake her very foundations. It becomes clear that Doc's late wife, Manulani, played a pivotal role in his life, but Amelia is left to piece together the truth behind the enigmatic portrait of the beautiful Polynesian woman displayed prominently in Doc's home - a symbol of love and loss that will forever change her perception of her father.

The tranquility of island life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of two individuals with vastly different backgrounds and perspectives. Amelia and Donovan initially butt heads due to their preconceived notions about each other, with Amelia defying expectations of being prim and narrow-minded, while Donovan proves to be an intelligent and well-educated individual who owns a thriving local shipping operation. As they spend more time together, Amelia's skills on the water are put to the test as she effortlessly masters water skiing and outswims Donovan in a race to shore. Meanwhile, she forms a warm connection with his children, unwittingly inviting them to a cozy Christmas celebration at her own home.

As their initial animosity begins to dissipate, Lage attempts to fan the flames of Amelia's prejudice against Donovan, fueling her disdain for him by revealing that he has always been a bachelor despite having three children. However, Donovan eventually reveals the truth to Dr. Dedham, and the two men meet, with Doc explaining the circumstances surrounding his wife's passing and his subsequent decision to remain in the islands.

Just as Amelia is about to learn more about Manulani and her connection to the island's royal heritage, a hospital emergency interrupts their conversation. The mystery surrounding Manulani is finally solved when Amelia discovers that Leilani, her daughter, is not only the island princess but also her half-sister, a revelation they both welcome with joy.

When Amelia confronts Donovan about his deception, she is taken aback by his explanation that the secrecy was necessary until she shed her Boston rigidity. The ensuing quarrel ultimately gives way to marriage plans as they realize their feelings for each other. In a touching moment, they decide to name their firstborn son William, in honor of Amelia's father. As Gilhooley finally ties the knot with his longtime love, Miss Lafleur, Donovan presents his old shipmate with the bar as a wedding gift and moves into the grand house, now a part of the newly expanded family unit.