You probably know the drill. That iconic surf-rock theme kicks in, the waves crash against the shore, and suddenly you're back in Honolulu watching a team of elite cops break every traffic law in existence. But honestly, the cast of Hawaii Five-0 is way more than just a bunch of actors in tactical vests. Over ten seasons, the show became a weird, beautiful, sometimes controversial family that basically lived and breathed the islands.
Most people think the show was just Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan bickering in a silver Chevy Camaro. And yeah, that "carguments" vibe was the heart of the series. But if you look closer, the revolving door of actors—from the heartbreaking exits of Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park to the late-season energy brought by Chi McBride and Meaghan Rath—tells a much deeper story about how Hollywood handles diversity, injury, and the sheer grind of a long-running procedural.
The Core Four: Where It All Started
When the reboot launched in 2010, the chemistry was instant. You've got Alex O’Loughlin as Steve McGarrett, the stoic Navy SEAL with a death wish, and Scott Caan as Danny "Danno" Williams, the Jersey transplant who hated the sand but loved his partner. It was a classic "odd couple" dynamic.
Then you had the local connections. Daniel Dae Kim played Chin Ho Kelly with this quiet, soulful intensity that balanced out the chaos. Alongside him, Grace Park took the role of Kono Kalakaua—originally a man in the 1968 version—and turned her into a surfing, sharpshooting powerhouse.
Why the Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park Exits Still Sting
The biggest shock to the system came in 2017. If you were following the news back then, it was pretty messy. Basically, Kim and Park were looking for pay parity with O'Loughlin and Caan. They wanted to be paid the same as the white leads, which makes sense considering they were there from day one.
CBS offered them a raise, but it was reportedly still about 10% to 15% lower than what the other two guys were making. Daniel Dae Kim eventually posted on Facebook that "the path to equality is rarely easy." They both walked away, and the show lost its bridge to the local Hawaiian culture in a big way. It was a massive turning point. The show survived, but it felt different. Sorta like a family member moving away and never coming back for Christmas.
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The Physical Toll Nobody Talks About
Let's talk about Alex O'Loughlin for a second. The dude was a machine, but he paid for it. By the end of the series, he was basically held together by tape and sheer willpower. He suffered serious back injuries, torn shoulder muscles, and a list of physical ailments that would make a pro athlete wince.
There were rumors for years that he wanted to quit because the physical demands were just too much. Honestly, that’s why the show ended when it did in 2020. If Steve McGarrett couldn't jump off buildings anymore, there wasn't much of a show left.
The Unsung Heroes and the New Class
When Kim and Park left, the producers had to scramble. They brought in Chi McBride as Lou Grover, who was a total scene-stealer. His transition from a grumpy SWAT captain to a beloved member of the task force was one of the best character arcs on the show.
Later on, we got Meaghan Rath as Tani Rey and Beulah Koale as Junior Reigns. They brought this younger, "new recruit" energy that the show desperately needed in Season 8. Plus, we can't forget the recurring legends like Taylor Wily as Kamekona. Every time that shrimp truck appeared on screen, you knew things were about to get a little lighter.
- Dennis Chun: Played Duke Lukela. Fun fact: his dad, Kam Fong, actually played the original Chin Ho Kelly in the 1968 series!
- Masi Oka: As the eccentric medical examiner Max Bergman. He was the perfect "nerd" foil to the alpha-male energy of the team.
- Ian Anthony Dale: Started as a villainous Yakuza son (Adam Noshimuri) and ended up as a series regular. Talk about a glow-up.
The Original 1968 Cast vs. The Reboot
It's kinda wild to compare the two. In the original series, Jack Lord was the undisputed king. He was famously strict on set—people used to say you didn't look him in the eye unless you wanted to get fired. He lived in Hawaii until he passed away in 1998, much like O'Loughlin has made the islands his permanent home.
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The original James MacArthur (the first Danno) actually left the show a year before it ended because he just got bored. Can you imagine that happening now? Nowadays, actors stay for the steady paycheck of 22 episodes a year, but MacArthur just wanted to do something else.
What the Cast is Doing Now (2026 Update)
So, where are they now?
Alex O'Loughlin has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. He’s living in Hawaii, focusing on his family and his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (he’s a black belt now, which is impressive given his past injuries). He’s the Jack Lord of the modern era—completely embraced by the local community.
Daniel Dae Kim is absolutely winning at life. He’s produced hits like The Good Doctor and has become a massive advocate for Asian American representation in Hollywood. He proved that leaving was the right move for his career.
Scott Caan moved back to the mainland and has been working on Alert: Missing Persons Unit. He always was a bit of a "Jersey boy" at heart, even if he spent a decade in the sun.
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Grace Park starred in A Million Little Things for several seasons, proving she’s still one of the best dramatic actresses on TV.
Moving Forward with Your Rewatch
If you're planning a binge-watch, pay attention to the shift in Season 8. It’s a completely different vibe once the cast of Hawaii Five-0 changes. While many fans were bitter about the pay dispute, the later seasons actually give more screen time to supporting characters like Duke and Noelani, which makes the world feel bigger.
To get the most out of the series, watch the crossover episodes with Magnum P.I. and MacGyver. They really leaning into the "connected universe" thing toward the end. You’ll see how the chemistry evolved from a tight-knit four-person unit into a sprawling island-wide network of heroes.
Check out the behind-the-scenes interviews on the Season 10 DVD or streaming extras if you can find them. You'll see the genuine emotion in the final "aloha" scenes. It wasn't just acting; for these guys, the islands had become home.
If you're looking for more behind-the-scenes drama, start by looking into the production history of the Season 7 finale. That’s where the contract negotiations really started to fall apart, and you can almost see the tension on screen if you look closely enough at the character interactions.