What does it mean for a TV series to be “blessed?” What does it mean for a TV series to be blessed with a “Hawaiian blessing?” Just what is a “Hawaiian blessing?”

Beginning of Season Two of Hawaii Five-0 Blessed

All these questions came to mind as I had the opportunity to speak with Kahu Curtis Pa’alua Kwai Fong Kekuna of Kawaiaha’o Church known as the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii) in Honolulu, who pronounced such a blessing on the cast and crew of the hit CBS series Hawaii Five-0 as it began its first day of shooting for season two.

Hawaii Five-0 headquarters on Kapiolani Boulevard was a frenzy of activity on the morning of July 11. Call time for the actors was a very early 5:45 and, sometime around 6:30, Hawaii News Now filmed Kekuna as he gathered everyone from a time of reminiscing with friends of cast and crew to join him in the pronouncement of a traditional Hawaiian blessing.

What Makes a Hawaiian Blessing So Special?

Kekuna explained to me that “Hawaii believes in blessings, and it is one of the most Christian places in the world. Hawaiians take blessings a step further [than most people] and bless all kinds of events and all people, all the time and anywhere, from business openings to house groundbreakings to first year baby luaus.”

And Kekuna sees the presentation of the Hawaiian blessing as his ministry and his calling to tell others about Jesus Christ. He is normally at great liberty to give a blessing as he sees fit but, if he is not allowed to give a Christian blessing, he will not give the blessing at all. He was asked to give such a Christian blessing for Hawaii Five-0. “And folks on the set let me know how much they appreciated it,” he affirmed to me. He is quick to add that, “People like to have God be a part of what they do, and they believe what they do is important enough to have God’s blessing.”

Blessing Prefaced by Encouraging and Challenging Words

In a video from Hawaii News Now, Kekuna prefaced his blessing with a few words, inviting everyone to encourage one another, need one another, never take each other for granted, and forgive each other. He reminded everyone present that no one is perfect and that each has been called to this particular time and this particular place by Divine Appointment. No one else has the ability to do their job.

In his manner of having people participation and honor of God, Kekuna asked star Alex O’Loughlin(Steve McGarrett) and producer Peter Lenkov to step forward and join hands.

A Traditional Hawaiian Blessing Is Given

Kekuna then began his blessing with a prayer thanking God for a successful first season and blessings on the second season. He recognized the many members of the crew who work tirelessly and thanked God for sustenance and jobs the series has made available to the people of Hawaii.

Untying of the Maile Lei

Following the prayer, Kekuna asked O’Loughlin and Lenkov to untie the maile lei.

I asked Kekuna to explain the significance of the maile lei, and he told me this type of green leaf “has a sweet fragrance and is sacred. In the old days, it was very special and only grew in certain places.” The maile lei, he went on to explain, is also referred to as the “lei of royalty. And, at one time, it was only available to kings and queens.” Today, for Kekuna, it stands for honoring and welcoming the Kingship of Jesus Christ to be present on the set of Hawaii Five-0.

The maile lei is open ended in appearance and hangs down. O’Loughlin wore his lei threaded with Hawaiian flowers.

Hawaii Five-0 Second Season Begins

Hawaii Five-0 airs the first episode of its second season on September 19, 2011 on CBS.

What does it mean for a TV series to be “blessed?” What does it mean for a TV series to be blessed with a “Hawaiian blessing?” Just what is a “Hawaiian blessing?”

Beginning of Season Two of Hawaii Five-0 Blessed

All these questions came to mind as I had the opportunity to speak with Kahu Curtis Pa’alua Kwai Fong Kekuna of Kawaiaha’o Church known as the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii) in Honolulu, who pronounced such a blessing on the cast and crew of the hit CBS series Hawaii Five-0 as it began its first day of shooting for season two.

Hawaii Five-0 headquarters on Kapiolani Boulevard was a frenzy of activity on the morning of July 11. Call time for the actors was a very early 5:45 and, sometime around 6:30, Hawaii News Now filmed Kekuna as he gathered everyone from a time of reminiscing with friends of cast and crew to join him in the pronouncement of a traditional Hawaiian blessing.

What Makes a Hawaiian Blessing So Special?

Kekuna explained to me that “Hawaii believes in blessings, and it is one of the most Christian places in the world. Hawaiians take blessings a step further [than most people] and bless all kinds of events and all people, all the time and anywhere, from business openings to house groundbreakings to first year baby luaus.”

And Kekuna sees the presentation of the Hawaiian blessing as his ministry and his calling to tell others about Jesus Christ. He is normally at great liberty to give a blessing as he sees fit but, if he is not allowed to give a Christian blessing, he will not give the blessing at all. He was asked to give such a Christian blessing for Hawaii Five-0. “And folks on the set let me know how much they appreciated it,” he affirmed to me. He is quick to add that, “People like to have God be a part of what they do, and they believe what they do is important enough to have God’s blessing.”

Blessing Prefaced by Encouraging and Challenging Words

In a video from Hawaii News Now, Kekuna prefaced his blessing with a few words, inviting everyone to encourage one another, need one another, never take each other for granted, and forgive each other. He reminded everyone present that no one is perfect and that each has been called to this particular time and this particular place by Divine Appointment. No one else has the ability to do their job.

In his manner of having people participation and honor of God, Kekuna asked star Alex O’Loughlin(Steve McGarrett) and producer Peter Lenkov to step forward and join hands.

A Traditional Hawaiian Blessing Is Given

Kekuna then began his blessing with a prayer thanking God for a successful first season and blessings on the second season. He recognized the many members of the crew who work tirelessly and thanked God for sustenance and jobs the series has made available to the people of Hawaii.

Untying of the Maile Lei

Following the prayer, Kekuna asked O’Loughlin and Lenkov to untie the maile lei.

I asked Kekuna to explain the significance of the maile lei, and he told me this type of green leaf “has a sweet fragrance and is sacred. In the old days, it was very special and only grew in certain places.” The maile lei, he went on to explain, is also referred to as the “lei of royalty. And, at one time, it was only available to kings and queens.” Today, for Kekuna, it stands for honoring and welcoming the Kingship of Jesus Christ to be present on the set of Hawaii Five-0.

The maile lei is open ended in appearance and hangs down. O’Loughlin wore his lei threaded with Hawaiian flowers.

Hawaii Five-0 Second Season Begins

Hawaii Five-0 airs the first episode of its second season on September 19, 2011 on CBS.

Cheryl has been a freelance TV/film writer for more than 10 years. Simultaneously, she has worked in PR for Bon Jovi Productions in NYC, PolyGram Records (also in NYC), and Rogers & Cowan Public Relations. Cheryl has published articles at suite101.com, “Sci-Fi Entertainment” magazine, and “Soap Opera Weekly.” She was also a credited researcher for English author Denis Meikle’s JOHNNY DEPP: A KIND OF ILLUSION. Cheryl enjoys writing for the entertainment industry and meeting new people. She is also an animal lover. 

Article originally posted at Suite101.