Favorite TV series set in Hawaii?
by dgranger | created - 30 Mar 2017 | updated - 06 Apr 2017 | PublicI was looking at videos for the old TV series "Honey West" (not set in Hawaii) when I came across videos for the old TV series "Hawaiian Eye" and I remembered that "Magnum P.I." and "Hawaii Five-O" were not the first crime and detective shows set in Hawaii. I had remembered seeing reruns of "Hawaiian Eye" and they were pretty good. Well let's go beyond the Crime and the detective genre. What television show, of any genre, that is set in Hawaii, is your favorite? Discuss it here.
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1. Hawaiian Eye (1959–1963)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The cases of Hawaiian Eye Private Investigations and the two handsome, slick, tough-guy detectives who ran the firm, Thomas Jefferson Lopaka, or Tom for short, and Tracy Steele, a Korean War veteran and former city police detective.
Stars: Poncie Ponce, Connie Stevens, Douglas Mossman, Robert Conrad
Votes: 688
2. Follow the Sun (1961–1962)
60 min | Adventure
The show follows the adventures of two free-lance magazine writers based in Hawaii.
Stars: Barry Coe, Brett Halsey, Jay Lanin, Gary Lockwood
Votes: 81
3. Gilligan's Island (1964–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Four men and three women are stranded on an uncharted island following a torrential storm.
Stars: Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer
Votes: 16,875
Hey, every episode starts out with the show's theme song stating that they were on a three hour tour of the Hawaiian Islands.
4. Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The investigations of Hawaii Five-0, an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police answerable only to the governor and headed by stalwart Steve McGarrett.
Stars: Jack Lord, James MacArthur, Kam Fong, Herman Wedemeyer
Votes: 8,183
5. The Little People (1972–1974)
30 min | Comedy
Follows father and daughter pediatrician duo as they run a free clinic in Hawaii.
Stars: Brian Keith, Shelley Fabares, Victoria Young, Roger Bowen
Votes: 82
6. The Diamond Head Game (1975– )
30 min | Game-Show
Short-lived game show taped in Hawaii, where contestants compete to answer questions and a shot at cash and prizes.
Stars: Bob Eubanks, Jane Nelson, Jim Thompson
Votes: 13
7. The Don Ho Show (1976–1977)
30 min | Music
The Don Ho Show was a half hour variety show taped at Perry's Smorgasbord on Waikiki Beach. Featuring Don and the performers from his show at the Polynesian Palace, the show had guest acts such as David Copperfield and Tony Bennett.
Stars: Don Ho, Kathleen Bartholomew, Benny Chong II, Joe Dawn
Votes: 18
8. Fantasy Island (1977–1984)
TV-G | 60 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
The mysterious Mr. Roarke runs a unique resort island in the Pacific Ocean that can fulfill any fantasy, but they rarely turn out as expected.
Stars: Ricardo Montalban, Hervé Villechaize, Wendy Schaal, Christopher Hewett
Votes: 8,975
The original
9. Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)
TV-PG | 48 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The adventures of a Hawaii-based private investigator.
Stars: Tom Selleck, John Hillerman, Roger E. Mosley, Larry Manetti
Votes: 28,939
10. Hawaiian Heat (1984)
60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After leaving their jobs in Chicago, two former police officers relocate to Hawaii for new positions with the Honolulu Police Department.
Stars: Robert Ginty, Jeff McCracken, Tracy Scoggins, Branscombe Richmond
Votes: 43
11. Jake and the Fatman (1987–1992)
TV-PG | 120 min | Crime, Drama
Veteran district attorney "Fatman" McCabe solves cases with the help of his easygoing private investigator partner Jake Styles.
Stars: William Conrad, Joe Penny, Alan Campbell, Olga Russell
Votes: 3,244
This show moved from L.A., California to Honolulu, Hawaii and then back to L.A..
12. Island Son (1989–1990)
60 min | Drama
Dr. Daniel Kulani, a prominent internist, returns to Hawaii to give back to the culture he was raised in. He joins a health group that includes surgeon Kenji Fushida, clinic manager Margaret Judd, plus residents Metzger and McGrath.
Stars: Richard Chamberlain, Clyde Kusatsu, Betty Carvalho, Timothy Carhart
Votes: 76
13. Raven (1992–1994)
46 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The adventures of Jonathan Raven, a ninja and ex-Special Forces soldier.
Stars: Jeffrey Meek, Lee Majors, Andy Bumatai, Kai Li
Votes: 404
14. One West Waikiki (1994–1996)
60 min | Drama
"Holli" Holliday, respected medical examiner, relocates to Hawaii after her boyfriend's murder. She is frequently at odds with new co-worker arrogant detective Mack Wolfe. They both report to Captain Herzog and Nui is Holli's assistant.
Stars: Cheryl Ladd, Richard Burgi, Kayla Blake, Ogie Zulueta
Votes: 338
15. The Byrds of Paradise (1994)
60 min | Drama
Sam Byrd, a teacher and his family take up residence in Hawaii after his wife dies. Harry, Zeke and Franny each have their own problems accepting the new arrangement and coming to terms with the loss of their mother.
Stars: Timothy Busfield, Elizabeth Lindsey, Seth Green, Jennifer Love Hewitt
Votes: 228
It was short lived, one season, but I remember this as one of the better series.
16. Fantasy Island (1998–1999)
TV-14 | 60 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
In this dark update of the classic series, Mr. Roarke and his assistants bring the fantasies of their visitors to life.
Stars: Malcolm McDowell, Mädchen Amick, Edward Hibbert, Louis Lombardi
Votes: 787
The reboot.
17. Baywatch (1989–2001)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
At a Los Angeles beach, a team of lifeguards led by Lieutenant Mitch Buchannon save lives, deal with personal dramas, fight crime and participate in over the top adventures on a daily basis.
Stars: David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth, Jeremy Jackson
Votes: 30,330
The last seasons of the show (1999 to 2001) moved it from California to Hawaii. That is why it is listed here in chronological order instead of nearer to 1989 chronologically.
18. Endurance (2002– )
30 min | Family, Reality-TV
On Endurance, teams of boys and girls from across the United States will have to prove themselves in various challenges and missions to win the title of Endurance champions.
Stars: J.D. Roth, Max Deleo, Jenna Jimenez, Lindi Oest
Votes: 334
19. Dog the Bounty Hunter (2003–2012)
TV-14 | 30 min | Documentary, Adventure, Crime
This series follows the exploits of real-life bounty hunter Duane 'Dog' Chapman and his family chasing down actual fugitives in the Hawaiian Islands. It grew out of an episode of A&E's "... See full summary »
Stars: Duane 'Dog' Chapman, Leland Chapman, Beth Chapman, Tim Chapman
Votes: 4,602
20. Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003–2006)
TV-Y | 22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The rambunctious human and alien duo must hunt down Dr. Jumba Jookiba's 625 other experimental creatures infesting Hawaii.
Stars: Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald
Votes: 11,513
21. Average Joe (2003– )
60 min | Comedy, Game-Show, Reality-TV
A beautiful lady has to choose a guy from a group of "average" guys.
Stars: Jason Peoples, Melana Scantlin, Adam Mesh, Anna Chudoba
Votes: 251
22. High School Reunion (2003–2005)
TV-14 | 60 min | Adventure, Reality-TV
17 former classmates from a Round Rock, Texas high school are reunited for two weeks in Maui in this reality show.
Stars: Mike Richards, Patricia B., Natasha Desai, Maya P.
Votes: 65
23. North Shore (2004–2005)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Intrigue abounds at the Grand Waimea Hotel, the perfect place for an exclusive Hawaiian getaway for the rich, powerful and beautiful.
Stars: Kristoffer Polaha, Brooke Burns, Corey Sevier, Nikki Deloach
Votes: 1,166
24. Lost (2004–2010)
TV-14 | 5,445 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
The survivors of a plane crash are forced to work together in order to survive on a seemingly deserted tropical island.
Stars: Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly
Votes: 595,179
While not technically set in Hawaii, it was filmed in Hawaii and several of the flashbacks are set in Hawaii.
25. Flight 29 Down (2005–2007)
TV-Y7 | 21 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
The story of seven kids lost on a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean.
Stars: Allen Alvarado, Jeremy James Kissner, Johnny Pacar, Corbin Bleu
Votes: 1,894
I'm not too sure about this on but the IMDb's list of 554 titles with the keyword "Hawaii" has this one listed all over it in the back half of the list. It is listed here as a precaution. I never saw the show.
26. Blue Dolphin Kids (2006– )
30 min | Family
Stars: Kristyn Burtt, Booboo Stewart, Fivel Stewart, Ocean Hay
Votes: 8
27. Beyond the Break (2006– )
30 min | Drama
Four girls vie to become world-class surfers.
Stars: Suzie Pollard, Tiffany Hines, Natalie Ramsey, David Chokachi
Votes: 732
28. Hawaii Five-0 (2010–2020)
TV-14 | 42 min | Action, Crime, Drama
When Steve McGarrett returns home to Oahu to find his father's killer, the Governor offers him the chance to run his own task force: Five-0.
Stars: Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Taylor Wily, Daniel Dae Kim
Votes: 78,672
Aka "The New Hawaii Five-O" Series.
29. Hawaii Life (2013– )
Reality-TV
Americans make the move to Hawaii to find the home of their dreams in paradise.
Stars: Matt Beall, Kahea Zietz, Justin Britt, Mike Despard
Votes: 92
30. Damon's Tiki Bar (2015– )
Comedy
Damon's Tiki Bar is a scripted web series created by Connie Monroe and Jessica Mathews. It follows Connie, a quirky bartender, and Elizabeth, her OCD manager, as they deal with customers, co-workers, and each other.
Stars: Connie Monroe, Jessica Mathews, Steven Wishnoff, Randy Gordon
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