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15 Years Later: The Shocking Truth Behind Hawaii Five-0’s Abrupt Ending And Where The Cast Is Now (2025 Update)

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Few modern reboots captured the spirit and high-octane action of the original like the 2010 version of Hawaii Five-0. For a decade, fans tuned in to watch Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) and Detective Danny "Danno" Williams (Scott Caan) chase down criminals against the stunning backdrop of Oahu. The series, which premiered on September 20, 2010—making this year, 2025, its 15th anniversary—became a cornerstone of CBS’s Friday night lineup, blending police procedural drama with the explosive "cargument" chemistry between its two leads. The show’s 10-season run, however, came to an abrupt end in 2020, leaving many viewers wondering about the true reasons behind the cancellation and what the beloved cast members have been doing in the years since.

The finale of the Hawaii Five-0 reboot marked the end of an era, but the legacy of the Five-0 Task Force continues to intrigue fans worldwide. As we celebrate the 15-year milestone of the reboot's debut in December 2025, the current status of the main cast offers some surprising—and in one case, definitive—updates. From a permanent retirement from acting to a starring role in a new police drama, the lives of the original team have taken vastly different paths, proving that for the stars, the journey after leaving the islands was anything but quiet.

The Core Five-0 Task Force: A Look at McGarrett and Danno's Biographies

The success of the Hawaii Five-0 reboot rested squarely on the shoulders of its two leading men, Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan, whose on-screen relationship defined the show. Below is a detailed look at the actors who brought Steve McGarrett and Danny Williams to life.

Alex O'Loughlin (Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett)

  • Full Name: Alexander O'Loughlin
  • Born: August 24, 1976, in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
  • Key Roles Before H50: Before landing the iconic role of Steve McGarrett, O'Loughlin starred as a vampire private investigator in the CBS series Moonlight and had roles in films like The Back-Up Plan opposite Jennifer Lopez.
  • Character Arc on H50: Played the former Navy SEAL and team leader, known for his "book 'em, Danno" catchphrase and his tendency to jump into danger, often to the chagrin of his partner. His character’s journey included solving the murder of his father, which was a central plot point of the first season.
  • Other Talents: O'Loughlin is also a writer and director, having directed an episode of Hawaii Five-0 during its run.

Scott Caan (Detective Sergeant Danny "Danno" Williams)

  • Full Name: Scott Andrew Caan
  • Born: August 23, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
  • Family Legacy: He is the son of legendary actor James Caan, known for his role in The Godfather.
  • Key Roles Before H50: Caan was already an established actor, known for his role as Turk Malloy in the Ocean's Eleven film series.
  • Character Arc on H50: Portrayed the former Newark, New Jersey police detective who was reluctantly transferred to Hawaii to be near his daughter, Grace. His character was the comedic foil to McGarrett, constantly complaining about the island and their dangerous missions.
  • Other Talents: Caan is a multi-talented artist, also working as a professional photographer, writer, and former rapper (under the name "Mad Skillz").

The Shocking Post-Five-0 Career Paths: Retirement vs. Reboot

The biggest question for fans in 2025 remains: what are the stars doing now? The answer is a study in contrasts, especially for the two main leads. While one has embraced a new life away from the spotlight, the other has jumped back into the procedural drama genre.

Alex O'Loughlin's Definitive Retirement from Acting

Since the final episode of Hawaii Five-0 aired in April 2020, Alex O'Loughlin has made a definitive life change that has surprised many in Hollywood. O'Loughlin has officially retired from acting. His departure from the series was largely influenced by the physical toll the role of Steve McGarrett took on his body over the ten seasons, including multiple on-set injuries.

In 2025, O'Loughlin is living a quiet life in Hawaii with his wife, Malia Jones (a surfer and model), and their family. He has stated he has no intentions of returning to the screen, instead focusing his creative energy on writing and producing. This pivot to behind-the-scenes work and family life confirms that his time as McGarrett was a grueling but final chapter in his acting career.

Scott Caan's Return to the Beat

In stark contrast, Scott Caan has returned to the world of police procedurals. He is currently starring in the FOX police drama series Alert: Missing Persons Unit, which has seen updates in 2024 and 2025. Caan plays Jason Grant, a former police officer who joins the Philadelphia Police Department's Missing Persons Unit after his own son disappears. The show allows him to continue his work in the crime drama genre, albeit with a different partner and a new city.

Additionally, Caan has been linked to potential film projects, including a rumored role in a Netflix film sequel to Quentin Tarantino's *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood*. This active return to both television and film makes him the most visible member of the core Five-0 team in the current entertainment landscape.

Behind the Scenes: The Real Reason for the End and Iconic Locations

The Hawaii Five-0 reboot ended after 10 seasons, a run that surpassed many modern procedurals but still felt premature to fans. The cancellation was not due to low ratings but was primarily a result of the cast's contracts expiring and the physical demands of the show on its leads. Alex O'Loughlin's need to step away due to chronic injury was a major factor, leading CBS to conclude the series rather than attempt to continue without one of its central characters.

The Real-Life Task Force Headquarters

One of the most enduring entities of the show is the Five-0 Headquarters, which lent the series a sense of historical gravitas. The exterior shots of the building are not a set but the actual Aliʻiōlani Hale, home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. This building is famous for featuring the statue of King Kamehameha the Great, a landmark often seen in the show's opening credits and establishing shots.

Iconic Filming Locations You Can Still Visit

The show's use of real Hawaiian locations made it a travelogue for millions. Key spots used frequently in the series include:

  • Iolani Palace: Often featured in exterior shots, this is the only official residence of royalty in the United States and is located in Honolulu.
  • The Ilikai Hotel: This hotel was an iconic location in both the original 1968 series and the reboot, often seen in the opening credits overlooking Waikiki Beach.
  • Kualoa Ranch: Known as the "backlot of Hawaii," this vast nature reserve on O’ahu was used for countless action sequences and jungle scenes, a popular spot also used for films like Jurassic Park.
  • Aloha Tower: This historic lighthouse and commercial pier was frequently used for dramatic waterfront scenes and establishing shots of the Honolulu harbor.

Where Are The Rest of the Team Now?

The supporting cast members have also moved on to new ventures:

  • Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly): Left the series after Season 7 over a salary dispute but has since starred in films like Hellboy and the TV series The Good Doctor and *NCIS: Hawaii*.
  • Grace Park (Kono Kalakaua): Also left with Daniel Dae Kim, she went on to star in the ABC drama A Million Little Things.
  • Chi McBride (Lou Grover): He has continued his television work, notably starring in the CBS drama *All Rise*.
  • Jorge Garcia (Jerry Ortega): The fan-favorite actor has appeared in various TV shows and films, including the film The Ridiculous 6 and the series MacGyver.

As the Hawaii Five-0 reboot enters its 15th-anniversary year, the show remains a beloved classic in the procedural genre. While the team is no longer together on the islands of Oahu, their characters—Steve McGarrett, Danny Williams, Chin Ho Kelly, and Kono Kalakaua—continue to live on in syndication, forever ensuring that the famous line, "Book 'em, Danno," echoes across the stunning Hawaiian landscape.

15 Years Later: The Shocking Truth Behind Hawaii Five-0’s Abrupt Ending and Where the Cast Is Now (2025 Update)
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