Page "Donovan's Reef" Paragraph 9

The plan works, and Amelia learns that her father, Donovan and Gilhooley were marooned on the Japanese-occupied island after their destroyer was sunk in World War II.

With the help of the locals, the three men conducted a guerrilla war against the Japanese.

She also learns that her father built a hospital, and lives in a large house ( she had obviously expected to find a shack ).

A mystery develops, as she enters the house and sees a portrait of a beautiful Polynesian woman in royal trappings.

This, the viewer understands, was Doc's wife, the mother of his children.

Amelia is not told of the relationship, but she learns that the woman was named Manulani.

Donovan mentions that Luke's mother ( by implication, his own wife ) had died in childbirth.