On the evening of 13 September 2010, CBS utilized the 30-foot outdoor Sunset at the Beach movie screen at the Queen's Beach section of Waikiki to present the worldwide premiere of the pilot episode of Hawaii Five-0 (2010). The entire cast and crew of the 2010 show as well as several actors and behind-the-scenes people associated with the original version were present. Also in attendance were CBS Television Studios president David Stapf, Hawaii governor Linda Lingle (who presented Stapf with a proclamation declaring September 2010 as "Hawaii Five-0" month in the islands), former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, and acting Honolulu mayor Kirk Caldwell (who presented Stapf with a proclamation declaring 13 September 2010 as "Hawaii Five-0 Day" in the City and County of Honolulu). Fans started staking claims to prime viewing spots for the event at 5:00 a.m., and a crowd estimated at between 6,000 to 10,000 thronged just about every available inch of Queen's Beach and the surrounding sidewalks, curbs, breakwater, and even the ocean itself by the 5:00 p.m. official start of the festivities.

Although he was unable to attend the event in person due to other commitments, James MacArthur sent along some remarks of his own to be delivered at the event. Al Harrington, the actor who appeared as Ben Kokua for two seasons of the original Five-0, read them to the audience. The printed remarks are reproduced below, and a video clip of Al Harrington's rendition can be viewed here (video footage courtesy of Michael Timothy).

Good evening, everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying a fine Hawaiian sunset and I’m sorry I can’t be there with you tonight.

Ever since I saw the script for the pilot, I‘ve been very excited about this new Hawaii Five-0. From that first moment, I knew CBS had another winner on its hands.

I can remember back to when Lenny Freeman called to invite me to participate in the original version. My first thought was, “Great! If I’m lucky, this is my free ticket to 13 weeks in Hawaii. Count me in!”

Little did I know that 40 years later, people would still be calling out to me to “Book ‘em, Danno!” wherever I go, and that Hawaii Five-0 would become a worldwide phenomenon, an indelible part of our modern culture, ready tonight to launch a bold new incarnation.

I think I can confidently speak for Lenny, Jack, Kam, Zulu, and the rest of the original gang, as well as myself, in saying that we’re all just delighted with the outstanding caliber and sheer talent of the people involved with the new Five-0. It’s very heartening to see our legacy now in the hands of the terrific people you see before you tonight.

I’m looking forward to making an appearance in the new show when the time is right, and I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for me. In the meantime, I’ll be watching each week, eagerly anticipating the further adventures of the new Five-0 team.

May you all enjoy Hawaii and its fabulous people as much as I continue to do to this day, and may your association with Hawaii Five-0 be as successful and fulfilling for you as mine has been for me!

And remember:  “Be there! Aloha!”