Hawaii Five-0 Holds Season Five Blessing with Promises of Extra Episodes, a Fifth Sunset on the Beach, and the Return of Beloved Actress Carol Burnett

Hawaii Five-0 cast and crew returned to the Island set to begin filming Season Five on Tuesday. On hand for the traditional Hawaiian blessing were series stars Alex O’Loughlin (Steve McGarrett), Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly), and Grace Park (Kono Kalakaua). Hawaii News Now (HNN) was also on hand to cover the live-streamed event, which took place in Waikiki.

Kahu Kauila Kawelo Barber, Five-0 Hawaiian Language and Protocol Advisor, officiated over the brief ceremony, which placed significance on the number “five.” Barber stressed that the series is not a one-man show and that, having had the opportunity to work with the show for four years already, everyone would need to “dig a little deeper.”

A New Venture for Kim

Following the ceremony, Kim told HNN News Anchor Tannya Joaquin that the blessing had become “almost like a tradition.” He said, “The first time, there’s a lot of hoopla, and you don’t know what to expect. Now, you do.” He went on to say, “With Season Five you get to explore topics you didn’t get to explore in the first year. It’s very rare to celebrate the fifth year of a show.” Kim also chatted a bit about his deal with CBS Studios to produce some TV and film projects, though he was not at liberty to discuss specifics. However, he did confirm that he does have a production slate lined up and is “ready to go.”

Park Ready for Season Five

Park, who has not attended blessings in recent years, confirmed to fans that she loves the character scenes she has with Adam (Ian Anthony Dale) and with other members of the cast as well. (Though she is aware of the importance of a crime-of-the-week to the series genre, character-driven drama has always had a special place in her heart). She’s also keeping her fingers crossed for more female guest spots on the series, especially with the departure of Michelle Borth (Catherine Rollins).

O’Loughlin Excited and Nervous

O’Loughlin sported a full beard, as he did at last year’s blessing ceremony. Describing the look as his “vacation face,” O’Loughlin went on to say that “people constantly walk up and offer their opinion” of it. Regarding Season Five, he said, “I don’t know what they’ve got planned, but, I’m very excited to be here. I’m also nervous because we’re doing 25 episodes this year. We normally do 22 or 24.”

Exciting Promises to Come

Hawaii Five-0 begins airing Season Five with a Sunset on the Beach (SOTB) red-carpet premiere on September 13. Park stressed the specialness of the traditional SOTB to the series, “It’s always great for a show to have fans that support it, and to be able to keep that (SOBT) alive is really important, not only for Hawaii, but for humankind in general.”

Season Five also promises the return of Carol Burnett in the role of McGarrett’s Aunt Deb. Regarding her return to the role, Burnett told me in a statement through her rep, “I’m happy to be returning to Hawaii Five-0 as “Aunt Deb.’ I had a ball last year. The cast and crew are such fun and so very supportive.” Rumors circulated pre-blessing that Burnett’s appearance might be in Episode Three, which might possibly be the first episode filmed in the new season.

Hawaii Five-0 will air its premiere episode of Season Five on September 26 at 9 P.M. on CBS.