Manō follows a tiger shark through time cuts spanning hundreds of millions of years, from the creation of the Hawaiian islands, through the first Polynesian settlers, Ancient Hawaiians, Western contact, World War II’s Pearl Harbor attack, the 60s/70s surf/tourist/Waikiki construction explosion, and modern day commercial fishing and shark finning. The film explores the effects of pollution, climate change, illegal commercial fishing, shark finning, and their devastating results. There is a strong cultural bond between sharks and many Hawaiians families, in which these animals are revered, loved like family, and in need of protection.