Who Is the Star of Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-O has had a very long run, from the original 1968 series to the reboot that aired from 2010 to 2020. The phrase star of Hawaii Five-O can refer to the most prominent lead in a given era or to the ensemble that sustained the show across decades. This guide covers both the original and reboot casts, focusing on the primary actors credited as series leads and their central characters.
Original Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980)
The original series is anchored by a single iconic lead, whose portrayal defined the template for modern police procedurals. While the show built a full team around him, his character carried the narrative weight across twelve seasons and 282 episodes.
Steve McGarrett
Steve McGarrett, played by Jack Lord, is the undisputed center of the original Hawaii Five-O. As a decorated Honolulu Police officer, he leads a state police unit focused on serious crimes, operating with broad authority and few bureaucratic constraints. Lord’s performance projected calm authority, moral clarity, and a rugged professionalism that became synonymous with the show. The role remains his most enduring and widely recognized work.
| Actor | Character | Series Tenure | Notable Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Lord | Steve McGarrett | 1968–1980 (all 12 seasons) | Lead; credited in almost every episode |
Hawaii Five-0 Reboot (2010–2020)
The reboot refreshed the concept for a new century while retaining the core premise of an elite, task-force-style unit in Hawaii. The ensemble approach distributed screen time across several leads, each bringing distinct skills and personal arcs to the team. The series ran for ten seasons and produced 240 episodes, allowing multiple characters to take turns in prominent roles.
Steve McGarrett
In the reboot, Steve McGarrett is portrayed by Alex O’Loughlin as a former Navy SEAL and leader of the Five-0 unit. The show emphasizes his military background, leadership style, and complex personal history, including involvement in high-stakes investigations and internal affairs challenges. O’Loughlin’s interpretation brings a modern, intense physicality to the role while honoring the legacy of the character.
Danny Williams
Detective Danny Williams, played by Scott Caan, provides a contrasting counterpoint to McGarrett. A New York transplant with a pragmatic, sarcastic edge, Williams balances the team’s dynamics through his street smarts, humor, and deep loyalty. His partnership with McGarrett forms a central relational anchor across the series, blending tension and camaraderie.
Chin Ho Kelly
Chin Ho Kelly, portrayed by Daniel Dae Kim, rounds out the core trio. A former Honolulu Police detective with a troubled past, Chin brings technical expertise, cultural insight, and steady integrity. His arc navigates internal affairs, demotions, and eventual reinvestment in field work, reflecting themes of honor and redemption.
Kono Kalakaua
Officer Kono Kalakaua, played by Grace Park, completes the central ensemble as a rookie-turned-proven officer. Her journey from probationary officer to respected detective adds an evolving character perspective. Kono’s storylines often intersect with themes of ethics, loyalty, and professional growth within the unit.
| Actor | Character | Series Tenure | Role Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex O’Loughlin | Steve McGarrett | 2010–2020 | Lead, Task Force Commander |
| Scott Caan | Danny Williams | 2010–2020 | Detective, Partner to McGarrett |
| Daniel Dae Kim | Chin Ho Kelly | 2010–2020 | Detective, Technical and Field Lead |
| Grace Park | Kono Kalakaua | 2010–2020 | Detective, Rookie-turned-Officer |
Comparisons Between the Two Eras
Understanding the star of Hawaii Five-O requires comparing the original and reboot approaches. The original centered almost entirely on McGarrett as a near-singular icon, whereas the reboot distributes narrative focus across four principal actors. Both formats have sustained long-term viewer engagement, but they differ in pacing, case structure, and character development strategies.
- Original series emphasized episodic, mission-driven storytelling with one central heroic figure.
- Reboot favored serialized arcs, allowing personal lives and team dynamics to evolve over multiple seasons.
- Both relied on Hawaii as a character itself, using setting to amplify drama and stakes.
- The reboot updated procedural elements to reflect modern forensics, technology, and sociopolitical contexts.
Why the Lead Matters to the Series
The lead or leads shape the tone, pacing, and ethical lens through which cases are viewed. In the original show, McGarrett’s decisiveness anchored brisk, morality-focused episodes. In the reboot, the quartet’s interplay introduced tension, humor, and institutional critique. The continuity of Hawaii Five-O across multiple formats demonstrates how a strong lead performance, whether singular or distributed, can support decades of storytelling.
Legacy and Continuing Influence
Both versions of Hawaii Five-O have influenced modern police dramas in format, casting, and location-driven storytelling. The original established a durable model for charismatic, principled leads, while the reboot showed how ensemble casts can refresh familiar premises. Viewers exploring the series today can choose between tightly focused original adventures or the reboot’s layered, character-driven narratives, each offering a distinct interpretation of what it means to lead in Hawaii.
Summary of Principal Stars
When asking who is the star of Hawaii Five-O, the answer depends on the series version. In the original, Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett is the central figure. In the reboot, the lead role is shared by Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, and Grace Park as members of the Five-0 unit. Each cast delivers consistent, performance-driven storytelling suited to its era’s expectations and narrative style.