EXT. MOKULUA BEACH – PREDAWN
The horizon is just beginning to glow pink and gold. The sand is empty except for a few early surfers paddling out beyond the reef and a pair of fishermen setting nets.
KAI KEALOHA runs the wet sand barefoot, long hair tied back, shirt damp with sweat. Beside him, his huge dark-sable German shepherd KOA moves in perfect heel, ears flicking at every sound. Kai's breathing is easy, like someone born to this air.
Kai slows to check the surf. The tide's pulling hard — perfect for training — but something farther down the beach makes him stop. A small black skiff floats just beyond the break where no tour boats should be this early. Four MEN in dark wetsuits haul sealed pelican cases through the shallows toward a beat-up pickup parked illegally on the sand.
One of the fishermen shouts a warning in Hawaiian; the men ignore him. One sweeps his towel aside and there's the glint of a pistol.
Kai exhales slowly, eyes sharpening. He taps Koa's flank.
KAI
(quiet, German)
"Bleib."
(Stay.)
Koa drops into a perfect down-stay, muscles trembling with contained energy.
Kai circles wide, keeping low behind a dune. His movements are efficient but unhurried — a predator sliding into position. The nearest smuggler spots him, curses, yanks his gun.
Kai doesn't flinch.
KAI
(sharp, German)
"Fass!"
Koa explodes across the sand — a silent black streak that hits the gunman's arm before the shot can line up. The pistol goes flying. The man screams as Koa holds, perfect bite and clamp.
Kai sprints. In seconds he's on the second smuggler, a blur of Lua: wrist lock, hip throw into the wet sand. The third goes for a knife — Kai sweeps his leg and drives a knee into his chest. Fast, controlled, no wasted motion.
The driver guns the pickup, fishtailing toward the road with the last crate. Sand sprays across screaming tourists and startled fishermen.
Kai whistles, two short bursts. Koa instantly lets go, pivots, trots the dropped pelican case back to Kai and sets it down like a trained retriever. Kai pats the dog once — eyes still on the fleeing truck — but doesn't pursue; too many civilians.
He spins to the diver who'd been shouting earlier — the man's struggling in the break, bleeding from a graze on his shoulder. Kai dives back into the surf, powerful strokes cutting through the rip, and hauls the diver up onto sand with the same calm he might use pulling a friend out of a wave.
Kai checks the wound quickly — superficial, but bleeding. He tears a strip from his running shirt, ties it off with practiced efficiency.
KAI
(to fisherman, Hawaiian)
"Call it in — cops, ambulance."
He hands over his phone, taps 911.
Blue lights flicker at the far end of the beach — HPD units coming fast. Phones are out now, tourists filming the mysterious man and his war dog.
Kai stands, pats Koa's head.
KAI
(soft)
"Gut gemacht, boy." (Good job, boy.)
Then — before anyone can really react — he jogs down the beach, Koa at his heel, disappearing into a narrow jungle path like he's been part of the island forever.
The fishermen and tourists stare after him, murmuring.
HPD OFFICER (O.S.)
(to another)
"Did that guy just… leave?"
EXT. MOKULUA BEACH – MORNING
Yellow tape flaps in the breeze. HPD officers photograph shell casings and the half-submerged pelican case Kai saved. A few surfers linger to gawk; tourists clutch phones.
Detective KONO KALAKAUA kneels beside the rescued diver, who's now bandaged and talking to paramedics. CHIN HO KELLY is with HPD bomb techs examining the case.
The Camaro growls up; STEVE MCGARRETT and DANNY WILLIAMS step out.
DANNY
Another beautiful morning ruined by guns and smugglers.
KONO
Witnesses say a guy stopped them — big, local, long hair, beard, had a German shepherd.
Gave his name — Kaleo Kealoha — then took off.
CHIN
He also pulled this out of the surf.
(taps the case)
Serial numbers ground off. Definitely military issue, maybe comm or encryption gear.
Steve crouches, studies the crate.
STEVE
Kealoha… Kimo Kealoha? Name ring a bell?
CHIN
Kimo coached UH football forever. Son was a star quarterback — went ROTC, Navy intel, then SEALs. Dropped off the radar a couple years ago.
DANNY
So the mystery beach superhero is Aquaman and Tom Brady. Great.
Steve steps away, pulling out his phone.
⸻
EXT. BEACH PARKING LOT – CONTINUOUS
Steve dials. After a ring:
INTERCUT – JOE WHITE / PHONE
STEVE
Joe, it's McGarrett. Ever hear of a Kaleo Kealoha?
JOE
(chuckles)
Kimo's boy? Yeah, Steve. Brilliant kid — intel officer turned SEAL platoon commander. Grew up in the water.
Why?
STEVE
Just stopped an arms drop at Mokulua Beach and walked away.
JOE
That sounds like Kai. If he's back home, you want him on your side.
Tell him I said hi — though he might not thank me for blowing his cover.
STEVE
Appreciate it, Joe.
Steve hangs up, returns to the group.
STEVE
Former SEAL lieutenant, Pacific intel background. Joe vouches.
DANNY
Terrific. Another you.
KONO
(smiles faintly)
I know the name. UH football legend. Surfer on the side.
Didn't think he'd come back.
⸻
EXT. KAILUA BACK ROADS – DAY
The Camaro rumbles along a narrow jungle lane. Tree canopy dapples the windshield.
DANNY
Just so we're clear: we're driving into the jungle to find a six-foot-four Navy SEAL with a combat dog who tackles gunmen before breakfast.
STEVE
Pretty much.
DANNY
Awesome. What could go wrong.
They round a bend and find a carved wooden gate marked Kealoha ʻOhana. Beyond: a secluded two-story house, separate guest house, stables, and a big tin-roofed workshop/garage. A lifted '90 Bronco and a matte-black Harley with sidecar gleam outside.
Before they can honk, KOA appears silently, tail high, eyes locked on them.
DANNY
(tense)
That's not a dog, that's a wolf.
The workshop door slides open. KAI KEALOHA steps out, wiping grease off forearms, long hair pulled back. Calm, watchful.
STEVE
Kaleo Kealoha?
KAI
(measured)
Yeah.
Koa sits instantly at his heel, still staring.
DANNY
Good dog… good gigantic Navy-trained dog.
Steve introduces himself and Five-0.
STEVE
We're looking into the men you stopped this morning.
They stole Navy communications hardware — very dangerous if it disappears.
Kai listens, arms folded.
KAI
Saw trouble, stepped in. That's all.
I came home to stop risking my neck every day.
STEVE
I get it. But this gear can put a lot of people at risk.
We could use someone who knows the water — and the way smugglers move out here.
Long beat. Kai studies Steve with a soldier's eye, then looks at Koa.
KAI
(quiet)
One op. That's it.
Steve nods, respectful.
STEVE
Fair.
A rumble — another vehicle arrives: KONO and CHIN in a Five-0 SUV. Kono steps out, surprised to see who Steve's talking to.
KONO
Kai Kealoha?
(grins)
Haven't seen you since UH. Thought you were halfway around the world.
Kai's guarded look softens slightly.
KAI
Was. Came home.
KONO
Guess some things don't change — still saving people in the water.
DANNY
(aside to Steve)
Great, flirting and gunrunning. Perfect day.
STEVE
(ignoring him)
We've got one of the smugglers in custody and the crate they left.
You know these waters better than anyone.
Help us figure where they're taking the rest.
Kai gestures toward the jungle path behind him.
KAI
Workshop's this way.
Dog comes too — he'll scent those crates faster than your lab gear.
Steve and Chin exchange impressed looks. Kono smiles faintly as she falls in beside Kai and Koa.
They disappear into the lush greenery toward Kai's workshop and converted WWII bunker, the camera pulling wide to reveal the hidden estate — a secret world of tools, horses, and jungle beyond.
INT. KAI'S WORKSHOP – DAY
The tin-roofed building smells of oil and salt. A Harley frame sits on a lift; dive gear hangs from hooks. Kai leads Steve, Danny, Chin, and Kono inside. Koa trots at heel, alert but calm.
On one wall: a heavy steel door leads into an old WWII bunker. Kai keys a modern lock and swings it open.
DANNY
(whistles)
So… secret jungle Batcave. Of course.
STEVE
(impressed)
You've been busy since the Teams.
KAI
Keeps me sane.
⸻
INT. WWII BUNKER – CONTINUOUS
The bunker is cool and shadowed. Old concrete walls now hold smart screens, maps, a weapons rack, training mats, and a worktable. Military precision meets island style — surf trophies, Hawaiian artifacts from his mother's digs.
Kai places the recovered pelican case on the table. Koa sits nearby, eyes on it.
KONO
(taking it in)
Wow. You built all this yourself?
KAI
Piece by piece. Quiet's good medicine.
DANNY
Quiet's also creepy when it comes with an armory.
STEVE
(ignores Danny)
Can you open it?
Kai already has tools out. Quick, practiced movements. He cracks the seal and lifts the lid: Navy encryption module surrounded by soaked foam.
CHIN
Definitely military. Serial numbers stripped but I can run the board IDs.
KAI
(studies)
These ship through Pearl Harbor under tight watch. Smugglers probably tapped a supply route — inside help.
He spreads a large nautical chart and topo map of O'ahu and its coast. Pins and grease-pencil marks already show fishing channels and old military tunnels.
KAI
See this channel? Used by WWII subs to slip in and out. A few sea caves stayed hidden.
Smugglers love them — deep water, fast access to jungle trails.
He points to a circled area on the east coast.
KAI
If I were moving stolen Navy gear, I'd stage here and run inland through the old cane road network.
Steve nods, impressed.
STEVE
That's good intel. HPD's been losing stolen shipments somewhere along that coast.
DANNY
Great. Jungle hideouts. My favorite.
⸻
Koa Demo
Kai pulls a small swab bag from the pelican case, gives Koa a German command.
KAI
"Such."
Koa sniffs, locks on, tail wagging with focus. Kai tosses a decoy bag behind a rack; Koa finds it in seconds, sits.
KAI
He'll pick up this scent if they staged more crates.
DANNY
Okay, that's actually cool. Still terrifying, but cool.
⸻
KONO & KAI — QUIET MOMENT
As Chin and Steve check comms, Kono wanders with Kai toward a side wall covered in surfboards and an old UH football jersey.
KONO
You kept your number.
KAI
Couldn't toss it. Dad framed it while I was gone.
KONO
You were a beast on the field. Thought you'd go pro.
KAI
Navy called louder.
(beat)
You? Still surfing?
KONO
Less competition, more work these days. But yeah.
A quiet beat — they share an easy smile, comfortable despite years apart.
⸻
STEVE & KAI — TRUST TALK
Steve steps over, studies Kai.
STEVE
You sure you're ready for this? Could get rough.
KAI
I've done rough.
(softer)
Just… trying to live quiet now. But these guys killed a diver today. Can't let that stand.
STEVE
Appreciate it.
(beat)
Joe says you were one hell of an officer.
KAI
Joe says a lot of things.
(half-smile)
⸻
MISSION PLANNING
Kai flips to satellite imagery.
KAI
They'll likely try another offload tonight — tide window here is perfect.
Sea caves run inland to old cane roads — then trucks.
CHIN
We can get HPD roadblocks inland. You and McGarrett hit the water side?
STEVE
Works. Kono and I take the cove underwater. Danny and Chin block the roads with HPD.
KAI
Koa and I can sweep jungle if they bail inland.
DANNY
(deadpan)
So I'm jungle bait now. Perfect.
Steve ignores him.
STEVE
Gear up here, wheels up in two hours.
Kai heads to a rack and tosses Steve a set of dive fins and masks.
KAI
You're welcome to my ocean, Commander.
Steve grins faintly.
STEVE
Glad to have you in it.
⸻
EXT. KAI'S ESTATE – LATER
The team splits — Chin and Danny head out to coordinate with HPD. Steve and Kono stay to gear up. Koa runs an obstacle course at Kai's whistle, nimble and focused.
Kono watches, smiling.
KONO
He's incredible. You train him yourself?
KAI
Navy started it. I finished.
(beat)
He's saved me more times than I can count.
KONO
Sounds familiar. Steve says that about Danny.
They share a small laugh. Koa barks once, finishing the course.
Steve steps up, wetsuit half on, serious now.
STEVE
Alright, we move fast. If the smugglers are ex-military, expect heavy weapons.
Kai, you lead us through those caves.
KAI
Copy that.
Camera follows them loading dive gear, weapons, Koa's harness. The Bronco and Camaro roar out the jungle driveway toward the coast — locals meeting the Task Force for the first joint op.
EXT. WINDWARD COAST – NIGHT
Moonlight silvers the waves. The Five-0 boat idles offshore; Steve, Kai, and Kono finish donning dive gear. Koa sits alert in a tactical harness on deck, ears pricked.
STEVE
Once we're through the reef it's a half-mile swim to the first sea cave.
Danny and Chin are inland — HPD has roadblocks on every cane road.
KONO
If these guys get past us, they disappear.
KAI
They won't.
Kai's calm cuts through the night. He checks Koa's harness — GPS beacon flashing.
KAI
He rides with Chin. Call him in if they run jungle.
Steve nods. They bump fists lightly — quiet soldier respect.
⸻
EXT. UNDERWATER – MINUTES LATER
Dark water, beams of dive lights slicing. Kai swims with effortless grace; Steve and Kono keep pace but he's clearly at home here.
They pass remnants of an old WWII submarine net — rusted, ghostly. Kai touches it briefly, as if acknowledging history.
They surface inside a hidden sea cave, echoing with dripping water and the distant hum of engines.
⸻
INT. SEA CAVE – CONTINUOUS
They pull up masks, tread water quietly behind a rock shelf.
Two smugglers unload military crates from the same black skiff seen earlier. Others check rifles. A local fixer barks orders in Hawaiian.
Kai whispers softly — almost a chant.
KAI
This place was once a burial cave. They shouldn't be here.
KONO
Sacred ground?
KAI
(nods)
Kapu. My kupuna would be furious.
Steve clocks the concern but keeps focus.
STEVE
We go quiet — disable the boat first.
Kai nods, signs hand signals SEAL-style: flank / engine / sweep.
⸻
INT. SEA CAVE – ACTION
The three move like shadows:
• Kai slips under water, emerges behind the skiff, cuts fuel and disables engine with a dive knife.
• Steve and Kono climb silently to a high ledge.
But a guard turns — sees Steve — shouts.
Chaos erupts: gunfire rips across the cave.
Kai lunges up from water, takes the guard's legs out, knife-hand strike to throat. Steve returns fire, Kono covers.
Smugglers scatter deeper into tunnels with some crates.
STEVE
(into comms)
Chin, they're running inland!
⸻
EXT. CANE ROAD JUNGLE EDGE – SAME
Chin and Danny sit in the Camaro with HPD backup. Koa suddenly growls, nose high.
DANNY
That mean what I think?
CHIN
He's got scent. They're coming this way.
They move out, Koa leading confidently into dark jungle trails, HPD following.
⸻
INT. SEA CAVE – CONTINUOUS
Steve, Kai, Kono push forward, low and fast. The tunnels twist with old WWII concrete and natural lava rock.
Kai runs fingertips along a carved petroglyph wall.
KAI
Ancient markings. They're cutting through a heiau site.
KONO
(soft)
Hate that.
Kai gives her a quick look — shared respect for place.
Suddenly — tripwire.
KAI
Down!
They dive as an improvised claymore blows splinters and rock. The shockwave slams water.
Kai hauls Kono up, shielding with his body. Steve returns fire down corridor.
STEVE
Ex-military for sure.
KAI
And sloppy. Wires were visible.
He quickly sweeps for more traps, calm under pressure.
⸻
EXT. JUNGLE TRAILS – NIGHT
Danny stumbles over roots, muttering; Chin keeps pace with Koa sprinting ahead, nose to ground.
DANNY
Remind me why I'm chasing gun smugglers through a rainforest at night.
CHIN
Because Steve asked. And because this dog would go without you.
Koa stops suddenly, hackles up. A faint truck engine ahead. Chin signals halt.
⸻
INT. SEA CAVE – DEEPER
Kai, Steve, Kono emerge into a wider cavern. Tire tracks in old sand — evidence of recent use.
KAI
They're moving to the inland roads.
These tunnels feed out about half a mile ahead.
Steve radios.
STEVE
Chin, they're headed to you.
CHIN (V.O.)
Copy. We're set.
They press on. Tension builds — echoing footsteps ahead, distant engines.
⸻
EXT. JUNGLE TRAIL – AMBUSH
Chin, Danny, HPD crouched behind ferns. Koa low-crawls ahead like a wolf.
Two pickup trucks roar down trail, crates in back. HPD spotlights snap on.
DANNY
HPD! Drop it!
Gunfire explodes. Trucks swerve. Koa surges forward on command.
CHIN
"Fass!"
Koa leaps, drags a gunman out of passenger side. Danny fires controlled bursts, taking out tires. Trucks skid sideways, crash into palms.
⸻
INT. SEA CAVE – FINAL PUSH
Steve, Kai, Kono catch the rear guard — two smugglers holding position. Short, brutal fight:
• Kai disarms with Lua, a flash of knife work.
• Steve tackles another into water.
• Kono backs them with perfect cover fire.
They break into the night air at a jungle exit just as Chin's firefight ends.
Kai whistles sharply — Koa returns, tail wagging but ready. Danny eyes the dog warily.
DANNY
Okay… impressive. Still terrifying.
STEVE
(to Kai)
Good work. You just saved us a shipment of top-secret comms.
Kai just shrugs, breathing steady despite the fight.
⸻
EXT. JUNGLE CLEARING – NIGHT
HPD cuffing smugglers. Navy intel reps arriving for the hardware. Floodlights cut through trees.
Kono watches Kai quietly as he checks Koa's gear, calm but slightly distant now that adrenaline fades.
KONO
You okay?
KAI
(small smile)
Haven't done that in a while.
Feels… strange. But right.
KONO
You're good at it.
KAI
Not sure that's good.
They share a quiet look — mutual understanding.
Steve approaches.
STEVE
Navy's grateful. So am I.
KAI
Just helping my home.
STEVE
Could use someone like you again.
Kai doesn't answer — just pats Koa.
KAI
Dog's tired. We're heading out.
He starts away into jungle darkness, Koa padding at heel. The team watches, impressed.
DANNY
Guy's like Bigfoot with better hair.
KONO
(smiling to herself)
Maybe he just wants peace.
Steve watches him go, thoughtful.
EXT. NAVY STAGING LOT – NIGHT
Floodlights throw long shadows across captured trucks. HPD and Navy MPs finish securing prisoners and crates. Steve confers with a Navy officer. Chin and Danny are nearby.
Kai stands off to the side with Koa, checking the dog's harness. He seems ready to leave.
Steve approaches.
STEVE
One truck's still missing.
They split the shipment — a second crew's running by water.
Navy satellite spotted a skiff headed for a freighter two miles offshore.
Kai glances at the sea, silent.
STEVE
Could use your eyes out there.
You know these waters better than anyone.
KAI
(quiet)
Thought this was one op.
STEVE
It is. But if that gear leaves the island, it's gone for good.
Long beat. Kai scratches Koa behind the ears, thinking.
KAI
Alright.
But we do it my way.
⸻
EXT. KAI'S ESTATE – NIGHT
Quick montage: Kai gears up from his war room.
• Pulls on black dive suit, straps knives and sidearm.
• Checks rebreather rig.
• Fits Koa with waterproof tactical vest and comms.
• Hands Steve extra fins and slate for silent signals.
• Gives Kono a nod as she suits up — unspoken trust.
Danny watches, incredulous.
DANNY
Just to be clear, this is where we all agree to follow Aquaman into the ocean at night?
STEVE
Pretty much.
DANNY
Great. Fantastic life choices.
⸻
EXT. OCEAN – LATE NIGHT
The Five-0 boat speeds over black water, spray glowing in moonlight. Chin and Danny stay topside to handle extraction and overwatch.
Kai, Steve, and Kono prep at the stern.
KONO
Current's ripping tonight.
KAI
(smiles faintly)
Perfect.
He gives Koa a German command; the dog sits calm despite the rolling deck.
KAI
He'll stay with Chin until we call him.
Kono studies Kai a beat, reading his calm.
KONO
You ever get scared?
KAI
Ocean taught me early — fear's useful if you respect it.
A small smile passes between them.
Steve gives the signal. They roll backward into the dark.
⸻
UNDERWATER SEQUENCE
Silent black. Kai leads with effortless power, fins slicing. Steve and Kono follow, lit faintly by dive lights.
Through their masks: an eerie shipwreck field — remnants of WWII defense. Kai weaves through like he was born there.
Ahead: running lights of a freighter anchored in secret. Small zodiac skiffs hoist more pelican cases aboard.
Kai signals: split, disable engines.
They fan out.
• Kai slips under a skiff, cuts fuel lines, silently disables prop with knife.
• Kono plants a tracker on another hull.
• Steve climbs stealthily, starts taking down sentries.
A guard spots Kono, shouts. Chaos erupts.
⸻
INT. FREIGHTER – DECK FIGHT
Gunfire cracks the night. Steve engages two gunmen. Kono ducks behind crates.
Kai surfaces over the rail in a single motion — water streaming off him — and slams into a guard from behind. Quick, brutal Lua disarm, rifle tossed overboard.
Another smuggler swings a crowbar; Kai blocks, counters with an elbow, sends him sprawling.
Steve and Kai cover each other instinctively, fluid SEAL rhythm.
⸻
EXT. FREIGHTER DECK – SAME
Kono spots the lead smuggler with final crate sprinting to a waiting skiff.
She moves to intercept but slips on wet deck — the man gets a lead.
Kai sees, takes off after him.
⸻
EXT. FREIGHTER SIDE – RAIL
The smuggler jumps to his skiff, firing back. Kai dives over the rail in pursuit — a long, perfect arc into the dark.
Underwater POV: Kai a fast shadow, closing. He yanks the man into water, knife flashing to cut his harness free; weapon sinks. They surface struggling.
⸻
TOPSIDE – FIVE-0 BOAT
Chin sees flares from the freighter.
CHIN
Danny, call it — dog's going in.
Danny reluctantly unclamps Koa's harness.
DANNY
Go get your crazy dad, buddy.
Koa leaps cleanly into black water, silent missile.
⸻
WATER FIGHT
Kai and the smuggler struggle near the drifting skiff. Smuggler gets upper hand, knife raised.
A dark streak hits — Koa — knocking the man off balance, biting down on the weapon arm. Kai rips knife free, shoves the man under, cuffs him with cable tie from his suit.
KAI
(breathless, German)
"Aus!" (release)
Koa lets go instantly, treading water by Kai's side.
⸻
EXT. FREIGHTER DECK – MOMENTS LATER
Steve and Kono clear the last gunmen. Chin and Danny pull alongside, toss lines.
Kai boosts Koa up first, then climbs aboard soaked but calm, prisoner in tow.
DANNY
(shaking head)
You know most people need a boat for that, right?
KAI
Boat's slower.
Steve claps Kai's shoulder — genuine respect.
STEVE
Nice work, Lieutenant.
KAI
Not lieutenant anymore.
STEVE
Tonight you were.
⸻
EXT. FREIGHTER – DAWN
First light on calm seas. Navy crew loads recovered crates onto transport. HPD cuffs remaining smugglers.
Steve, Kono, Chin, Danny, and Kai stand on deck watching.
CHIN
Navy's happy. Intel says this shuts down a major Pacific ring.
DANNY
And I only almost drowned twice. Great night.
KONO
(to Kai)
You still move like you never left the Teams.
KAI
Old habits.
Quiet beat between them — shared adrenaline, subtle attraction.
Steve steps closer.
STEVE
Five-0 could use someone like you.
Doesn't have to be full-time — consult, when we're out of our depth.
Kai looks toward the sunrise, thoughtful.
KAI
I came home to find quiet.
(beat, small smile)
But… maybe sometimes you have to fight to protect it.
STEVE
Fair enough.
⸻
EXT. OCEAN – LATER
The Five-0 boat and Navy transport part ways. Kai rides in the Bronco with Koa, window down, sea air flowing. He watches the team's boat fade, thoughtful — a man who didn't plan to come back to war, but maybe has found a cause worth stepping in for.
EXT. FIVE-0 HQ – MORNING
The sun is barely up. Inside the glass-walled HQ, the team gathers around the smart table; crates of recovered Navy gear are stacked near the door, guarded by MPs.
Steve drops a file on the table.
STEVE
Navy confirms the modules are intact.
Our smugglers were ex-contractors — selling hardware to the highest bidder.
CHIN
HPD's rolling up the rest of their network.
They won't be moving gear through our coastline again anytime soon.
DANNY
Good. Because last night I learned:
one, jungle firefights are humid;
two, swimming in the dark is not fun;
and three, dogs that can take down armed men should really come with warning labels.
Kono hides a smile. Steve glances toward the glass doors — Kai walks in quietly, Koa at heel, both looking cleaner but still a little wild. He's wearing board shorts and a clean tee, hair tied back.
STEVE
Speak of the devil.
DANNY
(mutters)
And he shall appear.
Kai shakes Steve's hand — simple, firm.
KAI
Brought your dive slate back.
(sets it on table)
STEVE
Appreciate it. And appreciate you.
We couldn't have done this without you.
Kai shrugs slightly, not comfortable with praise.
KAI
Just protecting home.
CHIN
Home's a little safer today.
Steve studies him.
STEVE
Look… Five-0 runs into trouble that's part ocean, part military, part local.
That's you.
We're not asking you to give up your life — but when something like this hits, we could use your help.
Kai considers. Glances to Koa, then to Kono who's leaning on the table edge, watching him with a small, knowing smile.
KAI
I came home to be quiet.
But… I won't sit by if Hawaiʻi's getting hurt.
Call when you need me.
STEVE
Deal.
They shake — a pact, quiet but solid.
DANNY
Great. Now we've got another action hero.
I'm buying extra life insurance.
Laughter breaks the tension.
⸻
EXT. KAI'S ESTATE – LATE AFTERNOON
The day wanes gold over the jungle. Horses graze. The Bronco sits mud-splashed beside the Harley.
Kai hoses salt off his dive gear near the waterfall pool. Koa lounges nearby, eyes half-closed.
Kono appears from the jungle path, a small cooler in hand.
KONO
Hope it's okay I stopped by.
Brought poke.
Kai looks up, surprised but pleased.
KAI
Always okay.
(smiles)
You didn't have to.
KONO
You saved a lot of lives last night.
Least I can do.
She sets the cooler down, looks around the lush estate.
KONO
This place… it's beautiful.
Feels alive.
KAI
Grew up loving this jungle.
Keeps me grounded.
They sit on smooth rock by the pool, water humming behind them. Koa noses at Kono's hand until she scratches his head.
KONO
He's amazing.
KAI
Saved me more times than I can count.
He deserves this retirement as much as I do.
Quiet for a beat — jungle sounds, water falling.
KONO
You know, when I was a kid surfing out here, I always heard stories about you — the QB who could paddle farther than anyone, disappear into the jungle for days.
Didn't think I'd be fighting smugglers next to you one day.
KAI
Life's strange.
(beat)
Good to fight for something worth it, though.
Their eyes meet — shared understanding of coming home from different worlds.
KONO
Steve's lucky if you keep helping.
KAI
Maybe.
(smiles)
I'm lucky too — if it means meeting people who get it.
There's a warm, subtle moment. Nothing rushed, but the spark is there.
⸻
EXT. WATERFALL POOL – MAGIC HOUR
Later. They've eaten. Kono wades into the shallows, laughing as the cold hits. Koa splashes in happily.
Kai watches from a boulder, then dives cleanly — surfacing beside her with an easy grin.
KONO
Show-off.
KAI
Always.
They float under the falling water, relaxed after the chaos.
⸻
EXT. ESTATE DRIVE – SUNSET
Steve's Camaro pulls up; he's alone. He doesn't intrude, just watches from the gate for a second — sees Kai and Kono laughing with the dog under the falls.
A small smile. He drives off, leaving them privacy.
⸻
EXT. WATERFALL – NIGHT
Stars come out over the canopy. Kono and Kai sit side by side, feet in water.
KONO
So… you staying? Or gonna vanish back into the jungle?
KAI
I'll stay.
Quietly.
But if the island needs me, I'll be there.
KONO
Good.
(smile)
We could use you.
Kai looks at her — gentle, thoughtful.
KAI
Maybe I could use you, too.
She bumps his shoulder, playful but a little shy. Koa rests his head in her lap, sighing.
The jungle hums softly around them. Peaceful.
⸻
EXT. HAWAIIAN SKY – WIDE
The camera lifts over the jungle estate: the glowing house, stables, the waterfall pool shimmering in moonlight.
A man who came home to disappear… finding a reason not to.