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The Shocking Truth: Where The Hawaii Five-0 Cast Is Now And The Dark Secrets That Ended The Show

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The sun has set on the iconic CBS reboot of Hawaii Five-0, but the careers of its stars continue to sizzle, with major new projects hitting screens in late 2024 and early 2025. The show, which ran for ten successful seasons from 2010 to 2020, delivered high-octane action and became a staple of the procedural drama genre, yet its final years were overshadowed by a shocking pay disparity controversy and a toxic workplace environment that led to the abrupt departures of fan-favorites and the eventual firing of the showrunner. The behind-the-scenes drama is just as compelling as the on-screen crime fighting, revealing a complex story of Hollywood contracts, equity, and the price of fame.

As of December 2025, the main cast members, including Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan, have moved on to new ventures, some embracing a quieter life and others diving headfirst into major streaming and television roles. This deep dive reveals the complete cast biographies, their current projects, and the explosive, dark secrets that ultimately forced a change in the show’s dynamic and led to its conclusion. Prepare to find out who is starring in a major new Netflix thriller and which cast member was once linked to the infamous NXIVM cult.

The Main Cast: From Five-0 to 2025's Biggest Projects

The core cast of the Hawaii Five-0 reboot became synonymous with the Hawaiian islands, forming a tight-knit team whose chemistry drove the show's massive success. Here is a look at the key players and their current endeavors, complete with a biographical snapshot.

Alex O'Loughlin (Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett)

  • Born: August 24, 1976 (Canberra, Australia)
  • Role: Leader of the Five-0 Task Force, former Navy SEAL.
  • Career Highlights: Moonlight, The Shield, Hawaii Five-0.
  • 2024/2025 Update: After the show ended in 2020, O'Loughlin took a much-needed break due to the intense physical demands of the role, which included a serious back injury. However, he is rumored to be making a highly anticipated return to television, reportedly starring as the lead in a new, gritty crime thriller series for Netflix, signaling his first major acting role in several years. This new project is expected to premiere in late 2024 or early 2025.

Scott Caan (Detective Sergeant Danny "Danno" Williams)

  • Born: August 23, 1976 (Los Angeles, USA)
  • Role: McGarrett's partner, known for his "Book 'em, Danno" catchphrase.
  • Career Highlights: Ocean's Eleven, Entourage, Hawaii Five-0.
  • 2024/2025 Update: Caan has successfully transitioned back to network television. He is currently starring as Jason Grant in the Fox procedural drama Alert: Missing Persons Unit, which premiered in 2023 and has been renewed for the 2024–2025 season. This regular role keeps him firmly in the crime-drama genre, proving his enduring appeal to fans of the procedural format.

Daniel Dae Kim (Detective Lieutenant Chin Ho Kelly)

  • Born: August 4, 1968 (Busan, South Korea)
  • Role: A disgraced former HPD officer recruited by McGarrett.
  • Career Highlights: Lost, Hawaii Five-0, The Good Doctor (Producer).
  • 2024/2025 Update: Since his departure, Kim's career has flourished both in front of and behind the camera. In 2024, he returned to the stage to star in David Henry Hwang's acclaimed Broadway satire, Yellow Face, exploring Asian American identity. Additionally, he is starring in the new Prime Video spy thriller series, Butterfly, further solidifying his status as a major television and theatrical entity.

Grace Park (Officer Kono Kalakaua)

  • Born: March 14, 1974 (Los Angeles, USA)
  • Role: A rookie cop and champion surfer.
  • Career Highlights: Battlestar Galactica, Hawaii Five-0, A Million Little Things.
  • 2024/2025 Update: Following her exit, Park starred as Katherine Kim in the ABC drama A Million Little Things until its conclusion. Currently, she is focusing on advocacy and convention appearances, including a confirmed presence at a 2025 Battlestar Galactica convention, and she remains an active ambassador for the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, championing diversity in the industry.

Behind the Blue: The Dark Secrets and Controversies That Rocked the Set

While the team on screen was a picture of loyalty, the reality behind the cameras was far more turbulent. The show’s final years were defined by controversies that ultimately changed the trajectory of the series and revealed deep-seated issues within the production.

The Pay Disparity Scandal: Why Chin Ho and Kono Left

The most significant controversy to hit the show was the abrupt departure of Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park in 2017 after Season 7. The core issue was a substantial pay gap between them and the two white leads, Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan.

Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, who played Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua, had been seeking pay equity with their co-stars. Despite lengthy negotiations, CBS reportedly offered them a "significant salary increase" but refused to match the salaries of O'Loughlin and Caan, who were reportedly earning $200,000 per episode. Kim and Park, feeling undervalued, made the difficult decision to walk away from the hit show.

  • Daniel Dae Kim's Stance: Kim stated the decision was difficult but necessary, writing that "the path to equality is rarely easy."
  • The Outcome: Their exit was a major blow to the show's diversity and was widely covered in the media, highlighting the systemic issue of pay inequality in Hollywood.

The Firing of Showrunner Peter Lenkov

The dark secrets of the set extended beyond salary disputes. In July 2020, showrunner Peter Lenkov, who was the creative force behind Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver, and Magnum P.I., was fired by CBS Television Studios.

The dismissal followed multiple investigations into claims that Lenkov fostered a toxic work environment. Allegations included claims of being difficult to work with, verbal abuse, and a culture of fear and misogyny. The network terminated his contract with immediate effect, stating that a safe and respectful work environment was paramount. This shocking move exposed the deep internal strife that had been simmering beneath the surface of the seemingly idyllic Hawaiian set for years.

The Surprising NXIVM Connection

Adding another layer of unsettling intrigue, Grace Park was one of several actors from the Vancouver, Canada, television scene who became ensnared in the NXIVM cult, an organization led by convicted racketeer and sex offender Keith Raniere. While Park was never accused of any crimes and is not believed to have been involved in the cult's most criminal activities, her name was linked to the organization through her association with other actors who were deeply involved. This personal struggle occurred during her time on the show and adds a bizarre, high-interest entity to the complex lives of the cast.

Who is the Richest Hawaii Five-0 Cast Member Now? (2025 Net Worth)

The success of a decade-long network drama translates into significant wealth. While the pay disparity was a major issue, all the main cast members have accumulated impressive net worths through their careers in film, television, and production. The following are estimated net worth figures for 2025, reflecting their post-Five-0 success and lucrative careers.

The top spot is a close race between the two lead actors, though Daniel Dae Kim's thriving production career has made him a major financial player.

  • Scott Caan (Detective Sergeant Danny Williams): Estimated Net Worth of $16 Million to $20 Million. Caan's wealth comes from his long film career (including the Ocean's trilogy), his $200,000 per episode salary on H50, and his work as a photographer and writer.
  • Alex O'Loughlin (Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett): Estimated Net Worth of $20 Million. O'Loughlin's decade-long run as the lead, which included a $200,000 per episode salary, accounts for the majority of his wealth.
  • Daniel Dae Kim (Detective Lieutenant Chin Ho Kelly): Estimated Net Worth of $10 Million to $20 Million. While estimates vary, Kim's net worth is substantial, boosted by his role on Lost, his eight seasons on H50, and his successful production company, 3AD, which produced the hit series The Good Doctor.
  • Grace Park (Officer Kono Kalakaua): Estimated Net Worth of $8 Million. Park's earnings from Battlestar Galactica and her seven seasons on H50, followed by her role in A Million Little Things, have secured her financial success.
  • Chi McBride (Captain Lou Grover): Estimated Net Worth of $18 Million. McBride, a veteran actor who joined in Season 4, has a long and successful career in television (Boston Public, Pushing Daisies) and film, contributing to his high net worth.

The enduring legacy of Hawaii Five-0 is a testament to the cast's chemistry and the show's action, but the story of its stars in 2025 is a narrative of resilience. From the toxic set and the fight for pay equity to major new roles on Netflix and Prime Video, the cast has proven that their careers are far from over, with new projects constantly emerging to capture the attention of a global audience.

hawaii five-0 cast
hawaii five-0 cast

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