Em works to earn the team's respect when she is left in charge and Hina and Kainalu juggle multiple beachside emergencies; Will's fiancee pays him a visit at work; Sonny opens up to a former lifeguard about his trauma since losing his nephew.

The lifeguards of the North Shore experience the most dangerous ocean conditions the district has seen in years; Sonny assigns Laka as acting lieutenant; Kainalu's father pressures him to leave his shift and help him with his campaign.