Career
LaGarde was a Polynesian woman who fit perfectly the physical attributes of an important character in the film. Although she had never acted before, and could not speak English (speaking only in fluent Tahitian and French), she was hired by Mirisch Productions and given a coach to be phonetically trained to handle her character"s dialogue. As "Queen Malama Kanakoa, Aliʻi Nui of Hawaii", LaGarde"s personality and facial beauty, combined with a reported 300 pound (136 kg) frame, brought a commanding presence to the screen.
Hawaii was LaGarde"s only acting role.
She died at her home in Papeete, Tahiti in 1979, without a reported cause of death.