Why ‘Hawaii Five-0’ Asian Stars Quit the Show

Two of the leading actors on Hawaii Five-0 are leaving the show because they are paid less than their white co-stars.

According to Variety, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, are leaving the hit CBS series after seven years because they were unable to negotiate the same pay as their white co-stars Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan.

Apparently, the two actors were offered around 10 to 15% less than O’Loughlin and Caan.

All four of the cast members have starred on the show since it debuted in 2010.

CBS issued a statement on the situation.

“We are so appreciative of Daniel and Grace’s enormous talents, professional excellence and the aloha spirit they brought to each and every one of our 168 episodes,” the statement read.

“They’ve helped us build an exciting new Hawaii Five-0, and we wish them all the best and much success in their next chapters. Mahalo and a hui hou…”

Hawaii Five-0 centers around Steve McGarett who travels to Oahu to find his father’s killer. The governor then offers him the chance to run his own task force. 

Kim’s and Park’s characters, Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua, will not appear in the show’s eighth season.