Hawaii Five-0: Feedback from the Islands

In the wake of yesterday’s great news, media outlets in Hawaii have published their own reports about CBS’s pickup of Hawaii Five-0, including responses from local officials and residents.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann’s statement:

“The original ‘Hawaii 5-0′ was a landmark television program. It was the first network series to be filmed entirely on location here and was vital to building Hawaii’s film industry,” Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said in a statement. “The City and County of Honolulu pulled out all the stops to assist with the making of the new pilot episode because a network television series translates into significant economic development for Hawaii. We look forward to supporting the production as it goes forward into series.”

Georja Skinner, administrator for the state’s creative services division, that oversees the Hawaii Film Office:

“This is a legendary moment in time. ‘Five-0′ returns to its roots in Hawai’i. What it means potentially for the economy is tremendous. ‘Hawai’i Five-0,’ because it is present-day Hawai’i, provides us as a state with a tremendous opportunity to be in households across the United States on a weekly basis.”

“I had a really good feeling from the beginning because of the caliber of writers and the strong script. And during a set visit I was privy to, I saw some very good acting that I thought boded well. So we welcome them back with open arms.”

Honolulu Film Office commissioner, Walea Constantinau:

“It’s great news for us that CBS is bringing back one of the most beloved series of all time and such an iconic one. We’ve been working with them since the network made the announcement a year or two ago. We’re excited to see it coming to fruition.”

“To be able to have a new network television show, one as significant as ‘Hawaii Five-0,’ could not be better news. It’s the most sought after thing for film commissioners around the world. The networks tend to have more viewers and devote more resources to making the project because they have more viewers.

“It can be a critical darling but in order to be a success, it has to attract viewers. Network television is still where the mass audiences gather in numbers you don’t see anywhere else.”

“It was obvious from the get-go that the network handled this as a valuable property. Although there is no shooting schedule yet, I’m sure we’ll be talking with the show’s producers about it almost immediately.”

Al Harrington, who played Det. Ben Kokua in the original series:

“My knee jerk reaction is fantastic! Fantastic for Hawaii! Because this gives us an opportunity to be in the mainstream of television. People used to think that Pearl Harbor was some place in the Caribbean. There was a lot of misconceptions.

“I just wish them the very best. And I hope that if they need an old actor, come see Al Harrington!

Glenn Cannon, president of the local branch of the SAG and former regular in the original series:

“They will certainly, without question, use background actors from Honolulu,” he said. “Whether they will employ actors from here in major roles, guest-starring or to fill out the cast, is unknown at this point. Obviously, we hope they do.”

Colin C.L. Fong, vice-president and co-founder of the Hawaii Stunt Association:

“Any action series is going to hopefully give us a lot more work all across the board. I am sure we will work.”

“The filming went well. The writing sounds exciting. It should be a really powerful, exciting new series. I hope it stays a long time.”

The local articles:

• The Honolulu Advertiser: “CBS adds ’5-0′ to fall schedule”
• Show and Tell Hawaii Blog: “CBS books ‘Five-o,’ plus a Tom Selleck return”
• Tim Ryan’s Reel Hawaii: “‘Hawaii Five-0′ booked for Oahu Series! Or is it?”
• Honolulu Star Bulletin: “CBS reportedly books ‘Hawaii Five-0′ remake for fall season”
• HawaiiNewsNow: “CBS picks up new Hawaii Five-O series”
• The Honolulu Advertiser: “‘Hawaii Five-0′ redux receives green light from network”
• Honolulu Star Bulletin: “Be there. Aloha. Hawaii Five-0 earns a place on the CBS fall lineup”
• Tim Ryan’s Reel Hawaii: “It’s official! Hawaii Five-0 is a go!”
  

[tags]alex o’loughlin, alex o’lachlan, steve mcgarrett, hawaii five-0, hawaii five-o, hawaii 5-0, cbs[/tags]