The man that McGarrett talks to in the chapel is a CGI digital facsimile of the late Jack Lord, who played Steve McGarrett in the original Hawaii-5-0 series. The filmmakers got the official consent of Jack Lord's estate, which was run by a bank.
"Makaukau 'oe e Pa'ani?" is Hawaiian for "Ready to play?".
Rosalind Chao plays Keiko Mahoe. In Star Trek she plays a character with the same first name Keiko O'Brien.
Governor Mahoe refers to her predecessor as Governor Denning. In the Jack Lord series, the island Governor was played by actor Richard Denning.
First appearance of Kimee Balmilero as dr. Noelani cunha. She's becomes a regular cast member in season 8.