Revolving around a Ferrari-driving former Navy SEAL who now works as a private investigator, the Magnum P.I. reboot has emerged as one of the best CBS shows in recent years. The procedural show makes great use of its Hawaiian setting as it brilliantly showcases the state's culture and scenery.
Fans who enjoy watching Magnum driving through the beautifully curved roads might be looking for other great shows set in Hawaii — and there are plenty. These offerings not only have great characters and great plots but also make viewers appreciate the region a lot more.
Hawaii Five-O (2010 - 2020)
Available to stream on Paramount+.
A special task force dedicates its time to eradicating crime in Hawaii. However, their work is far from easy since the most sophisticated criminals keep popping up.
The reboot is designed in a way so as not to offend fans of the original by keeping the opening theme song. Visually, the reboot is also a big improvement as the camera always focuses a bit longer on the picturesque Hawaiian landscapes. Additionally, the show honors its setting by naming the episodes in the Hawaiian language, Olelo Hawai'i. Impressively, "Kai eʻe," one of the best Hawaii Five-O episodes, holds a Guinness World Record for the most-watched episode at the time with 19.34 million viewers.
Raven (1992 – 1993)
Available to stream on fuboTV.
A former Special Force agent who happens to have extremely unique martial arts skills heads to Hawaii to find his long-lost son. There, he is assisted by an equally daring private investigator.
The series works well by giving the protagonist many problems to deal with. Trying to find his son is already a heavy task but he also has to deal with his former colleagues from a society known as the Black Dragon Clan. And they happen to be formidable fighters for him, paving way for incredible action sequences.
Baywatch Hawaii (1999 - 2001)
Available to stream on Hulu.
While the parent show is based in Los Angeles, the spinoff takes place in Hawaii. Baywatch Hawaii focuses on a group of lifeguards who work around the clock to keep crowds at the beach safe.
The spinoff doesn't fail because David Hasselhoff, who can be credited with the original's success, returns as Mitch Buchannon. Apart from location, pretty much everything else resembles that on the original. There are dramatic rescues, heavy romance themes, and great shots of the ocean.
NCIS: Hawai'i (2021 - Present)
Available to stream on Paramount+.
The first female agent at the helm of the NCIS Pearl Harbor investigates complex military and national security crimes in Hawaii. The show is the third NCIS spinoff.
Female empowerment is a strong theme in the series. Agent Jane Tennant, who has had to fight her way to the top, is now steering the proceedings. She bows to no one, making NCIS: Hawai'i a contender for one of the best TV shows with badass female leads. It's still early days but judging from how long the other shows in the franchise have been on the air, fans can expect the Hawaiian adventure to go on for a long time.
Young Rock (2021 - Present)
Available to stream on Hulu.
In the comedy-drama, it's 2032, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is running for President. During the campaigns, he takes a look back into his eventful life.
By appearing on the show as a presidential candidate, Johnson squeezes himself among actors who have portrayed fictionalized versions of themselves. However, the best moments are those when viewers are taken through a young Johnson's life in Hawaii. Family life is brilliantly explored and plenty of life lessons are given too.
Jake And The Fatman (1987 - 1992)
Unavailable to stream.
Former cop J.L. McCabe, aka, "the Fatman" becomes famous for pulling off tons of convictions. Some frown over his unconventional methods but luckily, he has a loyal special investigator by his side.
Unlike other crime drama which often employs a serious tone, Jake and the Fatman relies on humor as one of its key ingredients. The chemistry between the two leads is also as solid as viewers can find in the procedural landscape. Events in the series start in Los Angeles but the duo moves to Hawaii from the second season, where they hunt of baddies with a kind of zeal that was unseen before.
The White Lotus (2021 - Present)
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Vacationers show up for what seems like a normal week-long stay at a resort. Soon, the dark secrets of both the staff and the vacationers begin to emerge.
As is the case with most other shows set in Hawaii, the views are incredible. But what The White Lotus does best is burying social commentary under its jokes and twists. There are plenty of revelations that might come off as uncomfortable to the viewer but they are all part of what makes the HBO comedy-drama a standout offering.
One West Waikiki (1994 - 1996)
Unavailable to stream.
A forensics expert from the Los Angeles Coroner's Office is happy when she gets a new gig with the Hawaiian Police Department. However, her work becomes difficult because she has to deal with the city's egoistic top homicide detective.
Most similar shows work well by painting the two leads as perfect buddies but One West Waikiki differentiates itself by making them rivals. The crime drama has its character development flaws but the cases are always intriguing enough to keep viewers glued.
North Shore (2004 - 2005)
Unavailable to stream.
North Shore focuses on the lives of the staff at the Grand Waimea Hotel and Resort. It's also a soap opera as opposed to many other Hawaiian-set shows, which are mostly crime-related.
The lines between work and pleasure are mostly blurred in the series. Fans can be guaranteed to find all the ingredients that make perfect soap operas, including betrayal, jealousy, and heartbreak. And even though the plot is a bit thin, it's still palatable for viewers who don't mind popcorn viewing. Plus, there is a younger Jason Momoa in it.
Magnum P.I. (2018 - Present)
Available to stream on Paramount+.
An ex-Navy SEAL decides to work as a private investigator in his home city of Hawaii after coming back from Afghanistan. There, he teams up with old colleagues as well as a former British spy.
There was skepticism whether Jay Hernandez could fill the shoes of the mustachioed Tom Selleck from the original series but the actor has proved to be a perfect fit. The ing cast might not be as formidable as Magnum himself but some of the best Magnum P.I. villains would work incredibly well as movie villains too. The show serves viewers incredible car chase scenes too.