Hawaii Five-0 (TV)
"Hawaii Five-0" is a television series that originally aired on CBS from 1968 to 1980, showcasing an elite investigative unit of the Hawaiian state police. Led by the determined Steve McGarrett, portrayed by Jack Lord, the team included notable characters such as Danny Williams, Chin Ho Kelley, and Kono Kalakaua. The series was recognized for its filming on location in Hawaii, which introduced viewers to the beauty of the islands while tackling various societal issues like drug culture, terrorism, and environmental challenges. A distinctive aspect of the show was its portrayal of Asian American characters in leading roles, which contributed to changing stereotypes.
The series featured a mix of episodic crime-solving and ongoing plots, such as the rivalry between McGarrett and his nemesis, Wo Fat. Despite winning only two Emmy Awards, "Hawaii Five-0" maintained strong viewership throughout its run, often ranking among the top television shows. The enduring catchphrase "Book 'em Dano, murder one" became a cultural reference, and the show influenced tourism in Hawaii. Following its conclusion, "Magnum P.I." emerged as another detective drama set in Hawaii, further linking to the legacy of "Hawaii Five-0." The series continues to be popular through syndication around the world.
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Subject Terms
Hawaii Five-0 (TV)
Identification Television detective series
Date Aired from September, 1968, to April, 1980
Hawaii Five-0 combined realistic action with the beauty of the fiftieth American state to become the most successful series of its genre during the 1970’s.
Filmed almost entirely on location, Hawaii Five-0 opened Americans’ eyes to the tropical paradise of the fiftieth state to enter into the Union. The show centered upon an elite investigative team that was a special unit of the state police. Led by hard-nosed Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), the original detective team included Danny Williams (James MacArthur), Chin Ho Kelley (Kam Fong), and Kono Kalakaua (Zulu). Later additions included Ben Kokua (Al Harrington) and Duke Lukela (Herman Wedemeyer). The team worked with local police on cases, though they reported directly to the governor (Richard Denning). McGarrett would line up the work and bark orders to his subordinates.
Cases ranged from individual acts of wrongdoing to organized crime. However, there was a recurring plot revolving around the effort of the “Red Chinese” to infiltrate the Hawaiian islands, which pitted McGarrett against nemesis Wo Fat (Khigh Dhiegh). Though their periodic encounters would always end with Wo Fat escaping justice, McGarrett finally got his man in the last episode of the series.
Several of the issues covered in episodes mirrored those in society during the decade: military service, the drug culture, terrorism, prison overcrowding, environmental challenges, and lack of gun control. Moreover, the show depicted improvements in law enforcement techniques wrought by forensic science and computers.
During its long run on the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) network, Hawaii Five-0 boasted a veritable who’s-who list of guests, including Oscar winners Helen Hayes, George Chakiris, Patty Duke, Eileen Heckart, Christopher Walken, and Geraldine Page. The show itself won only two Emmy Awards, both for music score. However, the popularity of the series was evident, as it remained among the top twenty-five in television ratings for eight of its twelve years, climbing as high as number three in its fifth season in 1972-1973.
Impact
During the run of Hawaii Five-0, fans loved to repeat the usual last words of McGarrett at the end of each episode: “Book ’em Dano, murder one.” The series was also parodied by several comedy shows. An important influence of the show occurred within Hawaii itself, where tourism soared. Perhaps one of the enduring legacies of the show is its use of native Hawaiians in lead roles, which helped change stereotypes of Asian Americans.
Subsequent Events
After Hawaii Five-0 ended, it was immediately followed by another detective show set in Hawaii, Magnum P.I. (1980-1988). Not only did the characters in this series refer to Detective Steve McGarrett and his Five-0 unit from time to time, but the show utilized many of the same production facilities as its predecessor as well. Furthermore, the realism of Hawaii Five-0 gave impetus to shows such as Law and Order, which in the early twenty-first century overtook it as the longest-running crime drama on television. Hawaii Five-0 continued to be seen in dozens of countries around the world through syndication, increasing its popularity substantially.
Bibliography
Jacobs, Ron. “Five-0 Forever.” Hawaii Magazine, February 1993.
Rhodes, Karen. Booking “Hawaii Five-0”: An Episode Guide and Critical History of the 1968-1980 Television Detective Series. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1997.