Two of my top-favorites on "Hawaii Five-0": Steve & Duke - and the actors who play them ;-)
Serienjunkies.de: You are a favorite to the viewers of "Hawaii Five-0" and kind of an aloha ambassador. How come?
Dennis Chun: First of all, I'm very grateful to the fans for their positive response. Whenever I meet a fan, I want to thank him because, without the fans, we are nothing. That's how I feel about our fans, from the bottom of my heart. I'm so grateful to have been born in Hawaii, and, most of all, I'm grateful to be able to say Mahalo to so many people out there. They are very special to all of us.
You try to meet fans as often as possible. Isn't it amazing how many people watch the show worldwide and then come to Hawaii just to say 'Thank you'?
Chun: That's what makes it so special. I'm so happy that I can share a part of Hawaii with the world and to have the opportunity to show what's so unique about this place here. We manage to capture the spirit of Hawaii and to export it to other places. I've already met people who came here only because of "Hawaii Five-0". And when we meet all those people from all over the world, we can show them what it's like to belong to the Hawaiian 'ohana. They don't get this from any other show. And the good thing is that it's not 'acted'. It's real. It is how the entire team feels. I'm very grateful that fans allow us to experience this.
The best example of a fan who has travelled to
Hawaii because of the show: Yours truly, Angie.
Was it the same in the past when you did the original "Hawaii Five-O"? Did fans watch the show all over the world?
Kimo Kahoano: You know - it was a dynamic time. When "Hawaii Five-O" first aired, it started with a huge wave and a beautiful, dancing woman. Despite the opulent start, no one ever expected that the show would last for so many years and that it would be so very successful. I'm more than happy that that's what happened. The first time I met Jack (Lord) here in Hawaii was before he had begun filming the show. He was still wearing the clothes from the Western show on which he had been working at that time. We talked at a Chinese restaurant - and that's how his time on the show started. You want to know if it was exciting? Yes, definitely.
Chun: It was also not common practice, at that time, to have people from so many different ethnic backgrounds working together. That was special. And it still is, today. We have such a multicultural cast and it reflects the situation in Hawaii. We must all learn to steer the boat together - irrespective of our cultural backgrounds.
Mr. Chun, your father played Chin Ho on the original show. Are there any funny stories or situations from that time that he might have told you about?
Chun: Do you know the story of how my father got the part?
No.
Chun: Well, his agent back then got him an audition. But my father was more or less fed up with auditioning. He used to say that he kept going to auditions and, in the end, he was always sent off with a "No". So his agent asked him "Would you please go to the audition? Just do it for me." So he went there and they called him in. When he entered the room, they told him "You've got the role. It's not a big role, at first, but we will develop it further, and you'll soon be part of the main cast." He returned and his agent asked him how the audition went. And he replied: "I'm not sure but I think I just got a long-term role on a TV show."
Dennis and his father Kam Fong who played Chin Ho Kelly in the original show. Make sure to buy the Season 7 DVDs of the reboot to enjoy the included special about the Chun family!
What made you become an actor?
Chun: I grew up with acting. When I was a little boy, my father acted in many theater plays and I often came along with him. Then I started playing theater, too. There were some great plays. Over the years, I immersed deeper and deeper into acting. It was developing over time, and I realized that I love being creative. It is important to me to create something. Especially when you have a good team, the synergy effects are incredible. There's nothing you can't do in acting. This has changed over the years. Everything's become faster and, therefore, you have to work accurately and should know what you are doing.
What makes the character of Duke so special? What's the difference between Duke in the original show and the current Duke?
Chun: I try my best to portray the world of an HPD-officer. The officers' families often do not know whether they will return in the evening, after work. They have an extremely difficult job and not only huge responsibility at work but also towards their families. And my responsibility is to represent or show Duke's work and dedication.
How is the relationship between Duke and John and Steve McGarrett?
Chun: Duke and John McGarrett worked together many years ago. John was like a mentor for Duke. Today, Duke often takes Steve under his wings to protect him, like Steve's father did for Duke, in the past. Sometimes, there are also conflicts between the two, because every now and then, Steve's way of doing things is not how Duke would do it. But deep down in his heart, Duke likes Steve very much. And he also thinks highly of Steve's father John.
Duke saving Steve and his team in ep. 7.21. Duke's always ready to help and support the Five-0 'ohana.
We need to talk about Chin and Duke. These two have a very special relationship. Where does that come from?
Chun: Duke has huge respect for Chin and his father. In this case, too, there's a relationship that has existed over several generations. He did not try to protect Chin - he tried to guide him. In real life, I also have huge respect for Daniel, and I think this authenticity is reflected in our on-screen characters.
I think it's been two years since your real-life partner also played your wife on the show. What was it like?
Chun: Oh, she was good. And I only thought to myself that nobody would pay attention to me anymore (He laughs). It was an honor and privilege to work with her. As we all know, she will make another appearance. And I look forward to it. She's actually not an actress, she's an artist. But she brought the same dedication to work as all of us.
I read that you first met your partner shortly before the pilot was filmed. Is this true?
Chun: Yes, that's correct. It was shortly before we started filming the pilot.
Screencaps and BTS-photos of Dennis and his real-life partner Laura who play Duke and Nalani Dukela on the show.
Just in case that there will be a ninth season of "Hawaii Five-0" - Do you think there might be a special episode about Duke?
Chun: About Duke? I have no idea (He laughs). I think when the time has come, there will be an episode in which the viewers will find out a bit more about Duke and what happened to him.
Fans know by now that we'll get to enjoy the "Duke episode" 8.22 in which Five-0 has to help Duke, for a change, because he's accused of a crime and on the run from his HPD colleagues.
Do you think that Kono and Chin will return? Maybe in the final episode to say 'Good-bye'?
Chun: I think we'll have to wait and see. They are still alive, after all, and therefore would be available for the show. So there's still hope for us to see them again. But, like I said - we have to wait and see what happens.
Do you believe in a Season 9?
Chun: I think the ratings are good but nevertheless it is up to the network to make the decision. We may never take it for granted. But I'm totally satisfied with Season 8. It has been awesome and very successful. The fans have always supported us. So I'm full of hope that the show will continue.
But there were people announcing that the eighth season would be the last. Do you think there'll be a change of mind?
Chun: None of us can look into the future. All we can do is to give our best and to hope that the fans like it. And if it does, we hope that the show will go on. But, like I said - We don't know.
Meaghan has repeatedly mentionned a possible spin-off. Was that just a joke on set?
Chun: Again, we must see how things go. There are various possibilities for a spin-off. I'd find it very exciting - especially for our young talents. We have actors in Hawaii but they have to gain experience because that's hugely important. Therefore, any new show filmed in Hawaii would be great. It could open doors for many (young actors).
I've read about plans to build a second film studio in Honolulu. Doesn't this show that the film industry is making great progress in Hawaii? Do you think that the government, too, has understood how important that is?
Chun: I hope that they understand. We keep them informed and tell them what's happening in the world of film and television. We could really use a new studio. We have many more stories to tell about Hawaii. That's what I keep telling young writers, too. Hollywood will never tell these stories. We have to do so.
I'm certainly not alone in looking forward to more great scenes like these with Duke and McDanno. I love seeing them together!
The End.
Since I'm posting this interview on Dennis' birthday (March 18, 2018), here's the birthday collage, too. It shows aloha ambassador Dennis in his uniform as Sgt. Duke Lukela - What a wonderful representative of the Honolulu Police!
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Last update: March 18, 2018