Just wanted to note that this review of the show was based on only the first episode. So we'll see how the rest of the series ends up. Also forgot to mention that the main character in the show graduated from Liliuokalani High School, a fiction school (Eh, I wanted to know where she grad from 😆). Pretty sure she would have gone to private school. 😁
id like to know what you think about the rest of the series, since in other episodes we get to see much more of the culture in Hawaii and i thought it was really cool to see. Plus i always want to know if cultures i’m not familiar with are accurately portrayed on shows or not.
Just discovered this show..!!!! I'm a tv producer, and had asked Mr. Bochco, a long time ago when the original show was wrapping up, to someday do an updated version of the show..!! Sad to hear that he passed away a few years ago..!! What a surprise, when I saw the new show..!! I love it, hoping there will be a Season Three..!! Also, Would love to see Neal play his part, as a guest on an episode..!!
I love medical dramas, but the setting of DK, MD has gotten me interested to take a holiday in Hawaii and even want to learn surfing. That’s pretty aspirational in COVID-19 times.
Yeah right on man. I agree with what you are hitting on. I think one issue that people in Hawaii ( I am from the big island) is that real life Hawaii people are never represented in the Hollywood format. Like you said it’s the background and backdrop for shows….not the focus. It’s always a “stranger from another land” making their way in this exotic location and dealing with culture shock and “foreign” ideas. I think as many locals, we would love someday have the leading person and cast really represent who we are and our lives. Perhaps that days is coming as more racial diversity is apparent during this last 20 years or So. And I would add, I do like the show. Great casting and chemistry. As a gen x er, I do wish it had been in the same universe. Perhaps doogie’s daughter perhaps? Right on braddah. Keep up the good work ! Mahalo!
Mahalo! It would be great to see a truly local show. Maybe as locals move to Hollywood and become decision-makers and executives? I believe the creator of this show was trying to pitch a show that was about her growing up hapa.
As a local family living on the mainland, we absolutely loved this series! My kids lived the storyline. As for my wife and I it was just seeing home that made it really good. Loved all the main characters especially Jason Lee and his wife!
I’m late to the party, but I absolutely loved this video because your cultural analysis was quite similar to how I viewed the show when I watched. I’m not a local or native Hawaiian, but my family has spent so much time on Hawaii that I picked up on some of the cultural references (I giggled when Walter said their friend group was going to Zippy’s after the dance). Furthermore, I’m a Filipino medical student, which helped two-fold because Hawaiian and Filipino family structures are astonishingly similar, plus I understood the medical jargon. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the show because I was able to appreciate the nuances on multiple levels.
Oh my goodness she does look like a young Kim Gennaula now that I look at her. And yes I so agree that it would have been nice to have more Filipino nurses hahaha
Excellent video and you hit the nail on the head when you said illusion! Everything in TV is an illusion! I have been living and working here in Los Angeles for the past 20 years I have come to accept that NOTHING on TV is real or even tries to capture an area accurately. It is so beyond fake sometimes that it is laughable. Watching a scene filmed in LA and a car chase for instance will show the car on the street near Santa Monica beach and then round the corner and immediately be in Burbank in front of the Empire center! You can’t make that drive in less than an hour, sometimes two on most days of the week LOL! But back to Hawaii, I think what you have described about this show is far better that lets say the old “Baywatch Hawaii” which always even made me mad when they portrayed the locals and I watched as someone who had never even been to Hawaii at that time they originally aired. So glad this show is at least trying to incorporate local customs and language, from what you have described, in a good way. I totally understand the local perception about a shot not being authentic but at least this one seems like it is trying more so than other shows that have been filmed and “set” in Hawaii in the past.
@@Yh-vi2sv I would not say boring but nothing like the unrealistic way in which it is portrayed on screen. Some shows get it right but all the glitz and glamour ones are a total fake, never believe any of that. It is a big working class city with the "Money" living up in the hills, rarely do they mix with the rest of us. Remember, for every one person you see on camera (celebrity) , there are about 20 behind the lens (common folk) that makes it all work and they are the ones that make this city what it is.
I remember a television show called Island Son. It starred Richard Chamberlain as a doctor in Hawaii who is half Hawaiian. The show wasn’t on long because it was a medical drama and not a travelogue of Hawaii. The opening for the show was elegant showing the beauty of the islands and its people. Shows like Hawaii:5-0 or Magnum, P. I. are mostly character centered but the shows take place in Hawaii.
Aloha from Idaho, I am originally from Hilo I agree with everything you said. Although I kinda hoping that the mom would have been able to pronounce her own daughter's name a little bit better.... I cringed a bit the first time I heard her say her first name. That being said, I love the fact that Jason Scott Lee plays her dad. I hadn't seen the trailer but when I saw him I was almost giddy that they got someone who lives in the state and is well known. I am looking forward to the rest of the episodes. I should also note that at times it's tough for me to watch shows that are filmed in Hawaii with people from the mainland like my husband because there are things or aspects that are sometimes shown or referenced that only a local would understand... Just my experience I am also wondering what your thoughts are on the new NCIS HAWAII that premieres next week. I am sure it will be very similar to Hawaii 5-O (police procedural) but I am hoping they don't just have mainland type characters on it and include characters like Kumu (Magnum) and Kame Kona (H5O/Magnum)
Pidgin evolved so plantation workers and other laborers coming from a variety of nations could communicate. That was like 5 or 6 generations ago. Why have so many locals maintained an affinity for a language that is an archaic throwback to the language of necessity used by their great grandparents who were common laborers, in spite of the fact that for the past few generations their families have grown up attending school, watching TV, and experiencing standard English usage all around them? It seems amazing that so many Hawaiian locals still choose to use Pidgin as much as they do.
I think Pidgin is part of what binds us together. Like when I was on the mainland, it was always great to run into another local and just talk Pidgin. Good laughs.
Originally from WA, now a local ha’ole on the Big Island, I recall there were many movies, TV shows and sit-cons filmed in the Pacific NW. Whether you found the movies, shows or sit-cons good or bad, all provided job opportunities, housing, equipment rentals and many other positives for the locals. All of that translated to monies being spent, incomes being made and strong local economies. Considering the current economic condition of our state, I’m sure you’ll agree we could use the cash flow. It’s great to share the beauty of Hawai’i and a bit of the local-lingo as well with those who may have not been fortunate enough to visit. This is just a small offering of the true spirit of Hawai’i which is “Aloha”.
Yeah, I should have talked about the economic impact of the show in Hawaii. After the past year, it's good to see some films/shows to provide some local jobs.
I've been liking this show. It has a lot of cool shots of Waimanalo. The medical diagnosis are somewhat realistic and fun to watch. I've enjoyed it. I think there are way more spinal injuries from surfer's neck.
0:18 yes except the questioning The hate makes me double down on the optimism more It’s a good show I’m glad it’s done well hope more people watch it Seems like good representation to me I think the creator grew up in hawaii
Was just there and got the chance to really live like a local. We fished and grilled up good grindz beach side away from the tourist central. Now that's badass aye. Made some new life long friends there. I totally agree how ppl are mislead to believe what hawaii is about. There's more to it than hula girls and all that you mentioned. I'm glad I got to fish with some braddahs that born and raised there and really got to experience what Hawaiians do on their off time. It's spe d time with family and friends fishing and cooking up good grindz.
I implore anyone who supports these island and our present day culture to go onto Disney+ and watch this show. This show has a great heart about it, like its predecessor/inspiration, shows the hurdles of growing up and the inclusion of family. Our transplanted "local", the late Al Harrington, this was his final acting role. Mr. Harrington was an actor that positively represented the Polynesian culture starting back from the 1960's . . . RIP. Please watch this show, spread the word, support local!
So I actually had to stop your video and check out the trailer of this new show; I don't see much TV anymore. What I saw seems good and was glad that it didn't uses Hawaii for another crime show. I feel that this new TV show will help to introduce a new generation on the culture of Hawaii. The closest my older generation had was Hawaii Five-0 and the Elvis movie Blue Hawaii. Both which was about to introduce the islands to my aunt's, uncle's, and mom. For them, they wanted to experience the stereotype tourist Hawaiian culture. That was the main reason I would travel with them, I wasn't interested in doing a travel agent's view of Hawaii. When I finally did go, I wanted to know the every day life of the people. I think that a lot of people in today's mainland culture are looking for the experience of local life when they travel. Might be why Airbnb is popular. So I feel that this new show will do Hawaii right. Aloha
I personally like the show. I've watched many of the episodes, and feel like Hawaii & the local culture itself was well written to fit the story. Btw, I'm guessing the reason they didn't go with a local girl from Hawaii to play the main heroine is maybe because the girl they chose they felt was the best fit among the girls who auditioned? 🤙🏽
Aloha from So. CA 🤙 I have not seen that show but I remember “Doogie Howser” (I’m old. 😩 Lol) Do you know what the local Hawaiians thought of a Peruvian/German playing a Hawaiian princess in “Princess Kaiulani”? That same actress, Q’orianka Kilcher, has also played U.S. Native American roles, “Pocahontas” & in “Hostiles” (“Hostiles” is an excellent movie). I wonder is there not any U.S. Indian actresses? She is a good actress, I’ve also met her before, she is very kind. The true story “Thunderheart” movie, the local U.S. Indians wanted the main character to be an Indian, so Val Kilmer had to prove ties to a U.S. Indian tribe. I can go on & on about this. Have a beautiful day!!
Another great video! Everyone's a critic...you will NEVER please everyone! 7.0/10 on Rotten Tomatoes is a pretty high rating. The takeaway from this is to realize that a show or movie is meant to entertain. Anything reality-based is called a documentary but even then, facts and events can be shaped, e.g. by omission, to reflect a particular view. Fox "News" does this all the time. HFH has the ability to see things more broadly because he has lived elsewhere, been exposed to a broad spectrum of people and places, and doesn't get all "nuha". @ 7:27 Do you think a local would know what a "kegger" is? 😳
HI HFH! Great Analysis as usual. But I used to work at Kapiolani Children's. And yes, perhaps people think the "show idea" is too stupid and Hokey-?. Will more then likely (NOT definitely) be a "one season wonder," and thats it. I believe Hawaii People would like to see More Hawaii Five O type of shows, and the other TV shows that did well in the Islands (like the ones you mentioned). More of Dat Perhaps? Just my two cents worth.
Mahalo for the comment. I'm not sure any of these Disney Plus shows are getting picked up for more than one season. These shows provide lots of jobs for locals in the film industry, which is great. It's a tough balance, which is why I liked LOST so much. It was filmed here and I recognized a lot of places, but it never had to represent Hawaii.
We'll watch anything from Hawaii. We are watching 5 0 for the 3rd time. Last night they had Bumpy Kanahele and some strong advocacy for sovereignty. Lots of language references. As elders we probably wouldn't even know about this show. We don't use any of the pay-tv channels. There are so few Hawaiian characters in the show, but the Hawaiians pop up from time to time , mostly as spear carriers or bad guys. It's better than nothing, though.
@@HelloFromHawaii That's a shame - hopefully they will add more in future episodes. Didn't realize they finally put the 2nd episode up so I'll have to check it out.
I dont watch any of the Hawaii-based series, it's too close to home and none of it is close to the real Hawaii seems like these shows exaggerate the culture and lifestyle in Hawaii, seems forced and inorganic. I watch TV to escape my everyday exposure to the island and these Hawaii series seem to market/advertise the islands and only show the beautiful places. Also, knd of offensive when they use artificial pidgin in the show, they make us look stupid.
Agree with all the things you said. I saw the trailer and probably won’t watch it, not my cup of tea, definitely geared toward teenage girls, lol, and the theme of the young kid being a doctor has been done many times such as The Good Doctor, etc. However with that being said, the other thing to mention is that this brings in lot of below the line jobs, so any film/tv work can bring in substantial amount of work, especially an economy dependent on tourism, in film/tv industry, below the line jobs are crucial, lot of the times, if you are below the line and want a steady work, you may end up traveling to somewhere on the mainland since there are limited steady film/tv jobs on the island. So more power to production companies bring in jobs to the island, it’s needed, and as you said, teaching the world the Hawaiian culture through gentle and humorous way , especially impressionable young kids, even better!
You bring up a great point I should have talked about: the economic impact of filming the show here. It's been a tough year and productions have slowed down. I believe the filming was quick (14 days?), but still, keeps people working.
Its a disney show so of course its a little corny just like how they represent any location or culture they try to portray .. But honestly pretty cool show.. Made more for kids anyways
A generation ago whenafter they started to commercialize on pidgin, they ghetto-ized the language to make an impact on the audience. Stupidfied it in the process. I not talking about guys like Rap Reiplinger way back. Pidgin originally used words from all the different nationalities so as to include everybody in the conversation. So nobody would feel left out. Hawaii guys use to be friendly kind people. Perhaps, the disney series will contribute a part in bringing pidgin back to it's utiltarian purpose, if they don't try too hard. The mounds fronting the beach were built as a tsunami barrier. Don't quote me but they were suppose to build apt buildings there but it fell through think due to protest.
I could not finish the episode. There were too many nonsenses. How could an adult allowed in a road test? How could HPD officers be so soft and intimidated so quickly by a passerby who appeared to be a young doctor? Besides, they tried too hard to be local to the extent that it was awkward. My elementary school boy even said that they were racist because they tried to notice and mention race unnecessarily. There were also ageism in many aspects. Such a disappointing!
They need to get rid of the actress who plays the mom. She has terrible acting skills. I have too say that there is an Oahu. townie accent where pigeon is almost non-existent.
The mom character is okay, IMO. I recognize her from another show, but in that show, it took me time to get used to her acting. But I can see where it may take time.
