Trivia: Danno was played by Tim O'Kelley in the 5-0 pilot. But a NY test audience told CBS they didn't buy him as a serious cop because he was too much of a "smart-cracking, Jimmy-Olsen-type gee-whiz kid." Leonard Freeman took the criticism to heart, and recast the part with James MacArthur for the series.
Trivia: Throughout the first two seasons, both McGarrett and Danno often referred to "Chief Dann of HPD." This was a thank-you to CBS programming chief Mike Dann, who helped first persuade the network to put Hawaii Five-0 on the air, and also got it a better time slot later on.
Trivia: Though he somehow remained in office for all 12 years of Hawaii Five-0's run, the Governor never had a name until episode 208, when he was referred to as "Governor Paul Jameson." Most TV trivia sources wrongly insist that his name is Philip Grey - but this was another character played by the same actor (Richard Denning) in episode 6, "The 24-Karat Kill," before he was permanently cast as the Governor.
Trivia: Sunburned actors were a frequent problem for Hawaii Five-0's make-up crew. So many guest stars arrived in Hawaii early and sunbathed before reporting to work, the make-up team had to devise a special formula to neutralize red skin for the camera. Dubbed "mellow yellow," it remained a Five-0 make-up staple for all 12 seasons.
Trivia: Actor Robert Brown (Jason of Here Come the Brides and Lazarus in the ST:TOS episode "The Alternative Factor") was originally slated to play McGarrett. A week before filming was to begin on the pilot, CBS asked producer Leonard Freeman to change the lead, giving no explanation. Freeman had to scramble for another leading man, and asked Jack Lord, whom he'd worked with on a previous (failed) pilot. Lord moved to Hawaii on a week's notice, and remained there throughout the series' run and for the rest of his life.
Trivia: For years, much of the world was convinced that Five-0 was a real police unit. The studio once received a telex from a foreign government requesting assistance in locating a fugitive believed to be in Honolulu. Producers had to respond with the apology, "We're sorry, but Five-0 is just a television show."
Trivia: Gregory Peck was the first choice to play Steve McGarrett, but he turned down the role.
Trivia: Creator Leonard Freeman took the name "Wo Fat" from a restaurant in downtown Honolulu.
Answer: He was fired. He never really appreciated his character. He felt Kono was portrayed as a big dumb Hawaiian and that the stereotype was racist. He also felt underutilized. He was fired after a heated argument with the show's publicist regarding his character. It seems there's not much details given regarding the incident or the firing, so it's seems possible he upset the show's producers as well.
Bishop73
No he said something derogatory about one of the Jewish producers that's why he was fired.