5 Shocking Reasons The Hawaii Five-0 Reboot Ended And Where The Main Cast Is Now (2025 Update)

The iconic phrase "Book 'em, Danno" may have been retired in 2020, but the legacy of the *Hawaii Five-0* reboot remains a major talking point for TV fans. This modern take on the classic crime procedural, which ran for ten successful seasons on CBS, was known for its explosive action, stunning Hawaiian backdrops, and the undeniable chemistry between its two leads, Steve McGarrett and Danny "Danno" Williams. As of late 2025, the show’s conclusion still feels abrupt to many viewers, prompting a deep dive into the real, and sometimes controversial, reasons the task force was ultimately disbanded, and where the beloved cast members have landed today.

The decision to end the show was not simply a creative one, but a complex mix of contract expirations, a major health crisis for the main star, and a long-standing pay disparity controversy that rocked the cast. While the show is over, the actors have moved on to new, high-profile projects, from Broadway to new police procedurals, proving that the sun hasn't set on the careers of the Five-0 team. Here is the definitive, up-to-date look at the final days of the *H50* reboot and the current status of its biggest stars.

The Definitive *Hawaii Five-0* (2010–2020) Cast: Where Are They Now?

The core cast of the *Hawaii Five-0* reboot, part of the expansive "Lenkov-verse" of CBS procedurals, featured a dynamic ensemble. Here is a look at the most prominent members and their latest career developments as of 2025, providing the freshest updates for dedicated fans.

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• Alex O'Loughlin (Commander Steve McGarrett)
  • Role: Leader of the Five-0 Task Force, former Navy SEAL.
  • Latest Update (2025): O'Loughlin has largely stepped away from the spotlight since the show ended in 2020, prioritizing recovery from a serious on-set injury. While he has been linked to a potential gritty crime thriller on Netflix, his primary focus has been on his health and family life in Hawaii. He has not taken on a major new TV or film role as of late 2025, making his post-*H50* career one of the biggest mysteries for fans.
• Scott Caan (Detective Sergeant Danny "Danno" Williams)
  • Role: McGarrett's reluctant partner, known for his "carguments" and the famous "Book 'em, Danno" line.
  • Latest Update (2025): Scott Caan is currently the lead in the FOX police procedural series *Alert: Missing Persons Unit*, where he plays Jason Grant, a former police officer whose life is turned upside down when his son goes missing. The show has been a success, with its third season premiering in March 2025, giving Caan a fresh, high-profile role post-*H50*.
• Daniel Dae Kim (Detective Lieutenant Chin Ho Kelly)
  • Role: Former HPD officer, recruited by McGarrett.
  • Latest Update (2025): Kim has been incredibly busy both as an actor and producer. In 2024, he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his starring role in the Broadway production of David Henry Hwang's *Yellow Face*. Furthermore, in November 2025, he is set to produce and star in a new multi-platform travel series for CNN titled *K-Everything*, focusing on Korean culture.
• Grace Park (Officer Kono Kalakaua)
  • Role: Rookie HPD officer, later a key member of the task force.
  • Latest Update: After leaving *H50* due to the pay controversy, Park starred as Katherine Kim in the ABC drama *A Million Little Things*, which concluded its run in 2023. She remains a popular figure at fan conventions, with a 2025 appearance confirmed for a *Battlestar Galactica* event, though a major new 2025 acting role has not been announced.
• Ian Anthony Dale (Adam Noshimuri)
  • Role: Former Yakuza-linked businessman who joins the Five-0 Task Force.
  • Latest Update (2024): Dale has successfully transitioned to another Hawaii-based procedural. He is part of the cast for the 2024 series *Rescue: HI-Surf*, a new show focusing on the professional lives of Hawaii's North Shore lifeguards.

The True Reasons Behind the Cancellation of the Reboot

The *Hawaii Five-0* reboot, which premiered in 2010, was a ratings powerhouse for CBS, consistently drawing millions of viewers over its ten-season run. Its abrupt ending in 2020, despite its continued popularity, was a direct result of several high-stakes, behind-the-scenes issues that finally reached a breaking point.

1. Alex O'Loughlin's Debilitating Back Injury

The single biggest factor in the show's cancellation was the health of its leading man, Alex O'Loughlin. O'Loughlin, who played the highly physical role of Commander Steve McGarrett, suffered a serious back injury early in the series. This injury worsened over the years, requiring him to undergo numerous physical therapies and, reportedly, stem cell treatments to manage the chronic pain.

By Season 10, the physical toll of the role was too much. O'Loughlin had made it clear he would not sign on for Season 11, citing his need to leave the physically demanding role for his long-term health. Since the show's entire premise revolved around the McGarrett/Danno partnership, losing the central figure made continuing the series an impossible proposition for the network.

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2. The Pay Disparity Controversy and Cast Exodus

A major controversy that significantly altered the show's dynamic occurred in 2017, long before the final cancellation. Original main cast members Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly) and Grace Park (Kono Kalakaua) departed the series after Season 7. The reason was a well-publicized dispute over pay equity.

Reports indicated that Kim and Park were being paid 10–15% less than their white co-stars, Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan, despite their equal status as original main cast members. When CBS refused to meet their demands for equal pay, both actors chose to walk away, a decision that sent shockwaves through the industry and was a major blow to the show's ensemble cast and topical authority. Their departure was a defining moment in the show’s later seasons, forcing a significant creative shift and the introduction of new characters like Tani Rey (Meaghan Rath) and Junior Reigns (Beulah Koale).

3. Contractual Endings and The Final McGarrett/Danno Arc

While O'Loughlin's injury was the catalyst, the cancellation was also a matter of contracts simply running out. The show had already lasted ten years, a significant achievement for a modern network procedural. With O'Loughlin's contract expiring and his refusal to renew, Scott Caan's contract was also up for negotiation.

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The network and showrunners decided that rather than trying to limp on with a completely new dynamic or an entirely new lead, it was better to give the series a definitive, emotional farewell. The final episodes focused heavily on concluding Steve McGarrett's story, including finding peace and finally allowing him to leave the task force to pursue a quieter life, thereby providing closure for the long-running "McGarrett and Danno" storyline.

The *Hawaii Five-0* Legacy: Why It Still Matters

The *Hawaii Five-0* reboot, much like the original series starring Jack Lord, holds a unique place in television history. It was more than just a police procedural; it was a love letter to the state of Hawaii, showcasing its stunning natural beauty and complex culture to a global audience for a decade.

The Enduring Power of the "Carguments"

The most beloved element of the reboot was arguably the relationship between McGarrett and Danno. Their constant, often hilarious, arguments—dubbed "carguments" by fans—became the heart of the show. The phrase "Book 'em, Danno" was revived and modernized, becoming a shorthand for their bromance. The emotional core of their partnership, which saw them evolve from reluctant colleagues to a chosen family, is what fans miss most and what keeps the show popular in syndication.

The Lenkov-verse and Modern Procedurals

The show was a foundational piece of what became known as the "Lenkov-verse," a shared universe of CBS shows created by Peter M. Lenkov, which included *MacGyver* and *Magnum P.I.* (the latter also set in Hawaii). While this shared universe has since dissolved, *Hawaii Five-0*'s success paved the way for other successful Hawaii-based procedurals, such as *NCIS: Hawaii*, proving the enduring appeal of the setting for the crime drama genre.

Ultimately, the *Hawaii Five-0* reboot ended on its own terms, driven by the needs of its lead star and the natural conclusion of its main story arc. While the door is always open for a future reunion or sequel, for now, the cast is focused on new, exciting projects, from Broadway to new television hits like *Alert: Missing Persons Unit* and *Rescue: HI-Surf*.