License to Not Drive

**License to Not Drive** is the third episode of the first season of *Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.*, and the third episode overall. It aired on September 22, 2021.

## Synopsis

Now that Lahela has her driver’s license, she yearns for a little freedom — specifically, access to her mom’s car and a trip to Starbucks with her best friend, Steph. However, Clara is hesitant to hand over the keys. When Lahela’s patient, local celebrity weatherman Rip Tide, recommends that she take more risks and get behind the wheel of her own life, Lahela takes his advice quite literally. She takes the family car without permission.

## Plot

Lahela commences a keyhole surgery to remove a fish bone stuck inside of a man. She is successful, and is commended by those in the theatre, such as Charles and Noelani. They talk, but suddenly the patient deteriorates and they are forced to call in the resuscitation team. Dr. Lee congratulates her after the surgery for saving the man.

During the car journey, Lahela asks her mother, Clara if she can borrow the car for the night, but Clara is reluctant and the two talk about Lahela's dedication, and Clara remarks that she should take more time to enjoy herself, lamenting on past experiences of hers such as when she met celebrities.

On the beach later, Lahela and Steph are walking when Lahela witnesses a radio presenter fall from a height. She is forced to interject to stabilise and assess the man. Lahela tells the life guards at the beach that they are unable to get the man to a hospital therefore must make a make-shift ER on the beach. She is able to stabilise the man with objects found at the beach; the whole event is captured on video by numerous people.

Lahela returns home to find that videos of her saving the life of the radio presenter are all over the news. Her father and mother are ecstatic and congratulate her, but this is short lived when Kai enters and reveals that he got a B on his test. As a congratulations, Benny and Carla are allowing him to fix up a Vespa in the garage. Lahela argues that this isn't fair, given she isn't allowed to take the car for the night, and a heated debate ensues between the three of them. Things become increasingly more complex when Kai is allowed to take the Vespa for a drive around the block after fixing it up.

After doing rounds on her patients, Lahela receives some advice about only living once and not asking for permission. With this, she decides to take the car without her mother's permission and goes with Steph to Starbucks. Unfortunately, the car gets a flat tyre on the way back and the two panic. Steph walks down to the beach to find help with the tyre.

Meanwhile, Brian prepares for his dancing class with Mele, a girl in his class he has a crush on. Brian gives Mele a flower necklace that he made for her but, just as he is about to give it to her, the dance is interrupted when a boy juggling fire catches her attention. Benny and Clara watch from the distance as Brian's plan is ruined.

Lahela is surprised when Kai drives past on the Vespa and stops, questioning what she is doing. She explains about the car and the flat tire, but refuses help from Kai given her anger towards him. He explains that he simply knows how to convince their parents, and gives her advice on how to do the same. The two change the tire on the car and are able to arrive back at home before their parents notice that the car has been taken.

After work the next day, Lahela is congratulated for her efforts in the hospital. All of the team arrange to go out afterwards to the local bar, but Lahela and Carla opt for a rain-check. Clara tells Lahela that she can drop her off at home and take the car to Starbucks with Steph. Carla reveals that she is always so hard on her as she doesn't want her to grow up and leave. The two talk and Lahela tells her that she will always come back.

## Cast

### Starring

* Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Lahela Kameāloha
* Emma Meisel as Steph Denisco
* Matthew Sato as Kai Kameāloha
* Wes Tian as Brian Kameāloha
* Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Charles Zeller
* Mapuana Makia as Noelani Nakayama
* Kathleen Rose Perkins as Clara Hannon
* Jason Scott Lee