‘Hawaii Five-O’ Recap: Ka Hakaka Maika`i

October 25, 2011

Myong Choi,

Wo Fat is back! Commander White (Terry O’Quinn) warned McGarrett that snooping around Wo Fat’s business would lead to trouble, and sure enough, Wo Fat disposed of one potential witness and almost a second one in Commander White. I love episodes with Wo Fat (Mark Dacascos), and anxiously look forward to more clues regarding his relationship with McGarrett’s father. Who else thinks White has a hand in all this shadiness? Meanwhile, another clue regarding Wo Fat was dropped tonight — “Shelburne.” What’s that? Or perhaps the question should be whois that? Hmm, this show is becoming like “Lost” already with its gradual revelations, and that’s not a bad thing.

Besides the Wo Fat storyline, Episode 6 (“Ka Hakaka Maika`i”) featured the murder mystery of a wealthy restaurant owner, who appeared to have been the victim of a chain of home invasions, but was really taken down by his greedy brother-in-law. I think we all know by now that the first or even second suspect is never the actual murderer, but it’s still fun to go along for the ride, with all the humor, action and local shout outs.

Here’s a look at this week’s The Good, The Bad and The Weird.

The Good

This year, we’ve seen Bishop Museum, Stan Sheriff Center and now Blaisdell Center. I hope the show continues to feature local landmarks.
Ah, what would “Hawaii Five-0” be without a shirtless Steve McGarrett?
An entire scene featuring the loco moco from Rainbow Drive-In (a Best of Nonstop winner), even explaining what it is to Mainland viewers. Who wasn’t craving it after that?
Hey, I think I used to own that same loud aloha shirt Chin was wearing!
“Gotta sell a whole lotta misoyaki butterfish to afford a place like this!” – Danno
Shokudo restaurant. Did they feature their signature honey toast (another Best of Nonstop winner)? I didn’t catch it if they did.
Former Miss Hawaii Traci Toguchi with a speaking role. Does anyone else remember her as the little girl ringing the bell in “Karate Kid, Part II?”
Loved Kono’s clothes this episode. Too bad she wasn’t in it too much. (The episode, I mean, not her clothes.) Wow, how many men would love an episode like that?
Foodland shopping bags
Great fight scene between Joe White and Wo Fat. I definitely want to see Mark Dacascos show off his martial arts skills more.
Loco moco, butterfish misoyaki and popcorn with kaki mochi. Someone was hungry when they wrote this episode.

The Bad

Why Chuck Liddell in that MMA match? Couldn’t get local boy BJ Penn? Disappointing.
Seems like anyone who lives in a mansion on this show gets killed. I think I’ll keep my small condo, thank you very much.
Never trust valets with your house keys.
Is it just me or does it seem like Danno is taking a back seat this season? There wasn’t even a single cargument this episode.
Terry O’ Quinn’s stuntman is a lot thinner than he is.
“Pure imua, brah?”

The Weird

Hmm, why did the cops have to go interrogate the Japanese couple at a Japanese restaurant? What, Japanese people gotta be eating sushi and sake all the time? They can’t go out for a steak?
“Kapiolani beer joint” — I think I’ve seen some of those: Club Butterfly, Club Evergreen, Club Twilight… I’ve only driven by these establishments of course.
Lots of pidgin and Hawaiian this episode — “brah,” “aloha,” “mahalo,” etc. It’s not quite natural sounding yet, but brownie points for continuing to try.

Favorite Tweets

“Hello my name is Chin Ho Kelly, and I buy all my aloha shirts from ABC store… #H50” — @NeilYamamoto
“hopefully he used his Maika`i card on #H50” — @FoodlandHI
“Does Danno have to adjust the driver’s seat when takes over the Camaro? #H50” — @walltowall

Always a great time watching the new episodes with everyone. See you all next week!