In the original series Did You See the Sunrise? (1982) centered around Magnum and TC's brief time as POW's during the Vietnam War and a friend's search for their captor/torturer. In the original, their friend Lt. "Mac" McReynolds was killed and not Nuzo. Nuzo (James Whitmore Jr.) was revealed to be an enemy agent who was responsible for Mac's murder.
Along with the Navy Seal Budweiser, his ribbons on his uniform are Navy Cross, Legion of Merit, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal (though only enlisted get this after 3 years), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Expert Rifle, Navy Expert Pistol.
In the final scene, the little boy is wearing a Detroit Tigers ball cap, an almost-literal hat-tip to Tom Selleck's wearing of one in the original series.
The new Hawaii 5-0 and new Magnum, P.I. share the same story universe.
Whilst waiting on the boat for Magnum, Rick listens to music by the Spice Girls. Perdita Weeks (Higgins) appeared in the Spice Girls movie.