Reboots are the trend on television nowadays and many of the classic television shows have been given contemporary treatments with a new set of cast and a refreshed story line. And Hawaii Five-O is no exception. The original series, about an elite police task force fighting big crimes in the Aloha State, was broadcast from the 1960s throughout the 1980s. The success of the Hawaii Five-O resulted to a great influence that it exerted on pop culture. Fans of the original series would surely remember the scenes, the catchphrases, and of course its iconic theme song
The 2010 reboot – currently on its ninth season as of this writing – features pretty much the same plot. Its new cast plays pretty much same roles as on the original Hawaii Five-O (albeit with different backgrounds). But aside from the cast, it has several other changes such as the updated version of its famous theme song.
Here are some fun facts about the first and the original Hawaii Five-O that many of us may not know (or otherwise have forgotten):
1. Hawaii Was a New State When the Show Premiered
Hawaii Five-O debuted on September 20, 1968. At that time, Hawaii had been part of the United States for only nine years. It became the 50th state on August 21, 1959.
2. What Does “Five-O” Mean?
The term “Five-O” refers to Hawaii being the 50th state. In the show, it became the name of a fictional elite police unit. The phrase later entered pop culture as a nickname for the police.
3. It Was the First Crime Series to Run Over a Decade
The show lasted 12 seasons, ending on April 5, 1980. That made it the first police procedural to stay on the air for more than ten years — a record at the time.
4. Gregory Peck Was Almost Cast as McGarrett
Jack Lord became famous for playing Steve McGarrett, but he wasn’t the first choice. Producers first offered the role to Richard Boone, who declined. Oscar-winner Gregory Peck was considered next. Robert Brown was nearly cast, but the producers changed their minds and went with Lord just before filming started.
5. Not All Scenes Were Shot in Hawaii
Although most episodes were filmed in Hawaii, the show also featured scenes from other international locations. Episodes set in Hong Kong and Singapore added variety and excitement, making Hawaii Five-O one of the first TV dramas to film in exotic locales.
6. The Theme Song Became a Chart Hit
Morton Stevens composed the show’s iconic theme song. It was later recorded by surf rock group The Ventures. Their version reached #4 on the Billboard pop chart in 1969 and remains one of the most recognizable TV themes ever.
7. The Ilikai Hotel Appears in the Opening Credits
The opening credits famously show Steve McGarrett standing on a balcony. That balcony belongs to the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu. The hotel is still open, and fans can even book a stay to relive that classic moment.
8. Magnum P.I. Took Over Its Production Facilities
When Hawaii Five-O ended in 1980, producers reused the Diamond Head production studios. The new show, Magnum P.I., moved in and began filming there. This helped maintain Hawaii’s status as a TV production hotspot. (You can also check out our Magnum P.I. facts for more trivia.)