7 Tips for Surviving the Hawai‘i Five-0 Season Six Premiere in Waikīkī
The popular CBS crime drama has been renewed for another season. Follow these tips to get the most out of your experience at the premiere.
Photo: Ross D. Hamamura/SONY
Waikīkī will be even more of a zoo on Saturday, Sept. 12 than it usually is, as at least 8,000 residents and tourists crowd the beach for Hawai‘i Five-0’s season six premiere. Fans travel from all over the world to Honolulu for this annual tradition just to get a glimpse of stars Alex O’Loughlin, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park, Chi McBride and Jorge Garcia. If you’re planning to attend, here’s what we recommend to prepare for the big event:
1. STAY COOL
Bad news: It’s going to be a muggy 86-degrees this Saturday, even though there’s a 50 percent chance of rain. We recommend bringing a beach umbrella, a towel and beach chair. Don’t forget sunscreen, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, so you don’t pass out from heat exhaustion. It’s okay if you pass out after meeting DDK though.
2. PARKING
Parking is a hassle, so we recommend carpooling or getting dropped off. If you’re planning on driving anyway, arrive early to grab a parking stall at the Honolulu Zoo or the Waikīkī Shell.
3. GET CLOSE TO THE ACTION
If you want a front row seat at the end of the red carpet you’ll probably need to join Hawai‘i Five-0 super fans and camp overnight on the beach. These dedicated fans from Australia, Canada and Norway religiously travel to Honolulu for the premiere to get autographs, photos and a glimpse of the stars. Executive producer Peter Lenkov has a tradition of greeting fans at noon and passing out Hawai‘i Five-0 swag. Be prepared to answer questions from Lenkov to test your knowledge about the show.
4. BE COURTEOUS
Use common sense. Don’t sit on the sidewalk. Try not to block the view of others. Show some aloha, folks.
5. GET YOUR CAMERA READY
As soon as the stars arrive on the red carpet, get your smartphone or camera ready. At the 2013 premiere, Daniel Dae Kim skipped the red carpet media interviews and jumped over the fence to spend more time with his adoring fans. Last year, Alex O’Loughlin snapped selfies with fans. You might be lucky.
6. DON’T GO HUNGRY
Yes, the event is free. But your stomach will be growling after waiting for hours in the hot sun. We recommend grabbing a plate lunch from Rainbow Drive Inn beforehand. Otherwise, bring some cash so you can buy some food and drinks from the food trucks at the event.
7. STAY AFTER THE EPISODE PREMIERE
Don’t miss the free concert. It’s not over until Five for Fighting frontman John Ondrasik sings. We’re crossing our fingers that he’ll perform favorites such as Superman and 100 Years.
Bookmark honolulumagazine.com and check back on Monday, Sept. 14 for more photos and stories from the premiere.
6 p.m. red carpet begins, 7 p.m. ceremony and premiere, Queen’s Surf Beach. If you miss the Waikīkī premiere, catch the episode on CBS on Sept. 25 at 9/8 p.m. central.
