New beginnings

When offered the Hawaii Five-0 gig, Alex O'Loughlin felt both excitement and fear. Moving 2,500 miles for a show was daunting—but Hawaii worked her magic.

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Aloha, Alex!

"People say these islands either embrace you or push you away. I found myself, as a gift from the islands, being blessed in and given a Hawaiian name. I found all sorts of things drawing me in deeper and deeper." — Alex O'Loughlin

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Hawaiian nomad

Thankfully for Hawaii Five-0 fans everywhere, Alex O'Loughlin said yes to Steve McGarrett. He stayed on Waikiki Beach the first month of filming.

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Spa days

That same beach popped up in a recent Hawaii Five-0 episode (hint: spa weekend!).

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Local flavor

With a full first season to shoot, Alex started to learn the local rhythms from friends and longtime Oahu residents like his fellow cast member Daniel Dae Kim.

Exclusive to CBS.com.

Spiritual connection

"I don't know what's out there, I don't know whether there's a God or whether there's lots of gods or whether there's just universal energy, but I know from what's happened that there's something bigger than me." — Alex O'Loughlin

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Hang ten

Alex took up surfing, and later met his future wife, Hawaiian surfer and model Malia Jones.

Exclusive to CBS.com.

Home sweet home

He also rebuilt a mid-century home in Diamond Head to call his own.

Exclusive to CBS.com.

Meant to be

"The majority of my important memories are now Hawaiian. You've just got to look around... watch the waves in winter here. There's something bigger than me in the world… that source or whatever that is had something to do with this whole journey, because now it all makes sense." — Alex O'Loughlin

Exclusive to CBS.com.

Action misadventures

In the first few seasons of the show, Alex elected to do most of his own stunts. But injuries took their toll and after a serious back injury, the star decided to leave them to the stunt professionals.

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Character study

While he steps aside for the stunt work, he studies up on his character every chance he gets.

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Linked in

"This has been a master class for me. I can definitely drop into McGarrett's head space anytime. I have a bible of who he is in my soul, in my mind." — Alex O'Loughlin

Exclusive to CBS.com.

Long run

Fun fact: Hawaii Five-0 seasons are a whopping 25 episodes each. This season, Alex O'Loughlin and team celebrated Episode 150.

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Basic training

"I've had the great fortune of being exposed to a lot of Navy SEALs who've helped me with the character... being like them requires a specific sort of energy, and I have to manufacture that. At the end of the day it's like, 'Keep calm and have another cold one.'" — Alex O'Loughlin

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

Hawaiian punch

Alex O'Loughlin has been deeply touched and inspired by island life and all its beauty—so much so that he never wants to leave. We don't blame him.

Originally published in Watch! Magazine, June 2017.

A road less traveled

Watch Hawaii Five-0on CBS All Access.