In the original Lilo & Stitch, 18-year-old Nani is doing the best she can, working service jobs and trying to support Lilo however possible following the deaths of their parents. It’s heavily suggested that there’s a history involving social workers that have given the sisters a bad rep,

So, Nani returns to the ocean to save Stitch and carries him back to shore underwater. It was a moment to show Nani’s strength as well as her love for both Lilo and Stitch. Plus, it was an excellent way to end this climactic moment.