From the Islands to the Big Screen: Fairai Richmond’s “Kangaroo Kids” Goes Global

Hawaii just did it again. And this time, it’s hopping onto the global stage. Local Hawaiian director Fairai Richmond officially launches his newest family action-adventure film, Kangaroo Kids, now available for pre-order on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play. For a Hawaiian-born storyteller to break into major streaming platforms twice? That’s not luck. That’s momentum.

“Kangaroo Kids” stars Hawaii’s own Branscombe Richmond (The Wrecking Crew, Chief Of War), alongside genre favorites Kathleen Kinmont (Halloween 4) and Emily Ashby (Zombie Strain). Add vertical film star Michael Pearl, Melissa Grace Lugo, and breakout newcomer Josefina Baeza in the title role—and you’ve got a cast that blends local pride with international appeal. With the production crew being from Hawaii and the principal photography being done in Kentucky, this is truly an epic film that harnesses the aloha of the islands with the free spirit of the mainland.

At the heart of the film is a young girl working at her mother’s struggling zoo. Everything changes when a famous kangaroo arrives to save the business—and sparks an immediate, headline-making bond with her. It’s wholesome. It’s heart-driven. And it’s exactly the kind of emotional hook that families around the world lean into.

But no great family film works without real stakes. Enter con artist Jacob (Robbie Allen), who sends three clumsy thieves led by Kodiak (Richmond) to steal the kangaroo in order to appease the wealthy Kathryn (Kinmont) and her sick son. What unfolds is chaos, comedy, tension—and ultimately a rally cry of courage as the kids band together to protect the zoo and stop Jacob’s escalating plans.

And when the bumbling thieves can’t get it done? Jacob calls in his lethal weapon—Maria (Ashby) and her crew of enforcers. Suddenly this isn’t just about saving an animal. It’s about grit, loyalty, and standing up when it matters most. Richmond blends classic family adventure with real cinematic pacing.

If this feels like a big leap, it’s because it is. But it’s not Richmond’s first. His previous film, Decade of the Dead, made history as Hawaii’s first-ever zombie film, shot largely at the legendary Kualoa Ranch. That film proved something powerful: local Hawaii filmmakers can create genre films that compete nationally—and sell globally.

Let’s pause on that. Hawaii isn’t just a filming backdrop for Hollywood blockbusters. It’s a breeding ground for directors with vision. Fairai Richmond is building a track record of turning island-rooted storytelling into streaming-ready cinema. Two major films picked up by platforms? That’s a pattern.

And here’s the bigger play: when one Hawaii filmmaker breaks through, it widens the door for everyone else. Actors. Crew. Editors. Investors. Dreamers. Richmond’s success sends a signal—serious productions can originate here even if they are show all over the world. The industry doesn’t have to be imported. It can be built.

“Kangaroo Kids” also proves something else. You don’t have to choose between heart and scale. The film combines family emotion, action-adventure structure, recognizable talent, and commercial distribution strategy. That’s not indie hobby filmmaking. That’s positioning.

So today isn’t just a film release. It’s a marker. Fairai Richmond’s second streaming-backed film plants a flag for Hawaii creatives who refuse to stay small. “Kangaroo Kids” is available now for pre-order—and if you care about local entrepreneurs going global, this is the moment to rally behind one of our own.

The islands are watching. The world is too. You can watch it today on Amazon Prime.