As a student of 16, while majoring in Art History and Dance, and with no plans of being an actress, Anapau was discovered by a talent agent and encouraged to audition for the 1997 film "Escape from Atlantis" (1997), which filmed in Anapau's native Hawaii. She landed the role of Katriana in the production and at the request of the film’s director, Strathford Hamilton, she relocated to Los Angeles where she pursued more work, ultimately continuing to work steadily across theater, film, and television.