"Be there. Aloha."
If those three words don't send a chill down your spine, you probably didn't grow up with a wood-paneled television set. We’re talking about the Hawaii Five 0 old show, the one that started it all in 1968. Before the high-tech gadgets of the 2010 reboot, there was Jack Lord. He was stiff. He was stoic. He had hair that seemingly could withstand a category five hurricane without a single strand moving out of place.
The show wasn't just a police procedural; it was a cultural earthquake. For twelve seasons, Leonard Freeman’s creation brought the 50th state into living rooms across a world that still saw Hawaii as an exotic, unreachable dreamscape. It’s kinda wild to think about now, but back then, most people in the Midwest hadn't seen a palm tree in person.
The Jack Lord Factor: More Than Just a Haircut
Steve McGarrett wasn't your typical TV cop. He didn't have a messy personal life or a drinking problem. He was basically the embodiment of the law. Jack Lord played him with this intense, almost frightening focus. He was a perfectionist on set, which honestly rubbed some guest stars the wrong way, but you can’t argue with the results.
The Hawaii Five 0 old show succeeded because Lord understood the gravity of the role. He wasn't just playing a detective; he was representing an elite state police unit that reported directly to the Governor. That "Five-0" name? It was a nod to Hawaii being the 50th state. Simple, right? But it became a slang term for police that persists even today in neighborhoods where the show hasn't aired in decades.
James MacArthur as "Danno" Williams was the perfect foil. Where McGarrett was iron-fisted, Danno was the relatable right-hand man. "Book 'em, Danno" became the most famous catchphrase in television history, usually followed by a slamming cell door and that iconic, brass-heavy theme music.
Why the 1968 Original Hits Different
Modern TV is obsessed with "gritty" realism and serialized drama. We want to know what the hero eats for breakfast and who they're dating. The Hawaii Five 0 old show didn't care about any of that. It was episodic, punchy, and relied on the sheer magnetism of its cast and location.
The cinematography was actually groundbreaking for the time. They didn't use a backlot in Burbank. They were actually there, on the ground in Oahu, filming at the Iolani Palace and the Ilikai Hotel. It gave the show a texture that felt authentic. You could almost smell the salt air and the car exhaust from those big, heavy Mercurys they drove.
Speaking of cars, the 1968 Mercury Park Lane Brougham McGarrett drove was as much a character as anyone else. It was huge. It was black. It looked like it could crush a volcanic rock.
- The theme song by Morton Stevens is arguably the greatest TV intro of all time.
- The show tackled surprisingly heavy themes for the sixties, like the Vietnam War's ripple effects.
- Wo Fat, played by Khigh Dhiegh, was a recurring villain who actually felt like a threat, not just a "bad guy of the week."
The Complexity of Wo Fat and the Cold War
The Hawaii Five 0 old show wasn't just about local crime. It often dipped its toes into international espionage. Wo Fat was a Chinese intelligence agent, reflecting the real-world tensions of the Cold War. He was McGarrett's Moriarty. Their rivalry spanned the entire series, eventually culminating in the final episode, "Woe to Wo Fat," in 1980.
It’s interesting to look back at how the show handled Asian characters. While it definitely fell into some tropes of the era, it also employed a massive amount of local Hawaiian talent. Actors like Kam Fong (Chin Ho Kelly) and Zulu (Kono Kalakaua) weren't just background noise; they were integral parts of the team. Kam Fong, in particular, was a former real-life Honolulu police officer, which brought a layer of authenticity you just can’t fake.
Behind the Scenes Drama and Longevity
The show ran for 281 episodes. That is a massive achievement. But it wasn't always easy. Jack Lord was famously demanding. He eventually became a producer on the show, exerting total control over everything from the scripts to the camera angles.
When James MacArthur left after the eleventh season, the show felt the blow. The chemistry shifted. The final season is often criticized by die-hard fans for losing that original spark, but by then, the legacy was already cemented. It had survived the transition from the sixties to the eighties, outlasting almost all of its contemporaries.
🔗 Read more: Streets of Philadelphia: The Springsteen Experiment That Changed Everything
People often ask why the Hawaii Five 0 old show worked so well compared to other 70s cop shows like Kojak or Columbo. It’s the setting. Hawaii wasn't just a backdrop; it was a character that was both beautiful and, in the show’s darker moments, quite dangerous. The contrast between the bright Pacific sun and the dark underbelly of organized crime was a winning formula.
The Iconic Theme Song
You can’t talk about Five-O without the music. Morton Stevens composed a piece that literally defines "action." Those opening drums? That blast of brass? It’s pure adrenaline.
Covered by everyone from The Ventures to college marching bands, the theme is a masterclass in branding. It told the viewer exactly what they were in for: fast cars, high stakes, and justice. Even if you’ve never seen a full episode, you know that song.
Cultural Impact and the "Five-O" Legacy
The term "Five-O" is now part of the global lexicon. It’s kinda funny how a show about a specific branch of Hawaiian law enforcement ended up influencing hip-hop culture and street slang thousands of miles away. It shows the reach of the Hawaii Five 0 old show.
The show also boosted Hawaiian tourism in a way that’s hard to quantify. It made the islands look like the ultimate destination—sophisticated, dangerous, and stunningly beautiful. It helped transition Hawaii’s image from a sleepy territory to a modern, vibrant state.
What Most People Forget
People forget how violent the show could be for its time. It wasn't "blood and guts," but the tension was high. McGarrett was a man who would cross lines to get his man. He wasn't a "nice" guy. He was a "right" guy.
Also, the show was a pioneer in using local locations. Most shows at the time were strictly studio-bound. Five-O took the cameras into the streets, the jungles, and the high-rises of Honolulu. This "on location" feel set the standard for every procedural that followed, from Magnum P.I. to CSI.
How to Experience the Original Today
If you're looking to dive back into the Hawaii Five 0 old show, don't expect the fast-paced editing of today's streamers. It’s a slow burn. The dialogue is snappy but formal. The pacing allows for suspense to actually build.
You should start with the pilot movie, "Cocoon." It sets the stage perfectly. Then, look for the middle-season episodes where the chemistry between the core four—McGarrett, Danno, Chin Ho, and Kono—is at its peak.
Avoid the very last season unless you’re a completionist. It’s... different. But the first decade? That’s pure gold.
Actionable Steps for the Classic TV Fan
If you want to truly appreciate what made this show a powerhouse, do these three things:
📖 Related: Why Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes is the Only Christmas Song That Actually Matters
- Watch the episodes in high definition. The remastered versions show off the incredible 35mm cinematography that was lost on old tube TVs. The colors of the islands pop in a way that explains why people were so obsessed with the show in the 70s.
- Listen to the "Ventures" version of the theme. It’s a slightly different take on the Morton Stevens classic and really captures the surf-rock era that influenced the show's early vibe.
- Visit the Iolani Palace in Honolulu. If you ever find yourself in Hawaii, standing outside the "Five-O headquarters" is a surreal experience. It’s one of the few locations that looks exactly as it did fifty years ago.
- Compare one episode to the reboot. Notice the difference in McGarrett's character. The original was much more of an authority figure, whereas the new version is more of an action hero. It’s a fascinating look at how our perception of "the law" has changed over forty years.
The Hawaii Five 0 old show isn't just a relic. It’s a blueprint. It taught Hollywood how to film on location and taught the world that Hawaii was the place to be. It was the "Big One" of its era, and honestly, nothing has quite filled its shoes since.