NCIS: Hawai’i kicked off production of its third season today with its traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony.
Guess what, NCIS fans? The tropical vibes and intense action are back! NCIS: Hawai’i is officially in production for Season 3, and it’s all starting off the right way—with a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony. If you thought this series only delivered crime-solving drama, you’re missing out on the cultural heartbeat that makes it one of the most authentic shows on television. So, what really went down during this blessing ceremony? And why is it such a powerful tradition that touches both the cast and the crew deeply? Let’s dive into the full story and what you can expect from the upcoming season.
Series stars Vanessa Lachey, Alex Tarrant, Noah Mills, Jason Antoon, Yasmine Al-Bustami, Tori Anderson and special guest star LL Cool J participated alongside the show’s producers and crew. Kahu (officiant) Kahu Aukai Kekoa officiated the ceremony, which included traditional royal maile leis, Oli Aloha (welcoming chant) and Pule Ho’oku’u (closing prayer). For the third season, the ceremony centered around the connections that the number three represents with the past, present and future, as well as togetherness, completeness as a team and moving forward as a family, per CBS. NCIS: Hawai’i is heading back into production and is bringing back its traditional blessing.
The CBS show is set to return to filming on Monday December 4 after a traditional Hawaiian ceremony, which is the same way that the show kicked off filming for seasons one and two. It comes ahead of the show’s third season premiere on Monday February 12. Mothership series NCIS is also set to return to production in early December for the same premiere date.
The third season of the spinoff procedural will feature LL Cool J reprising his role as Sam Hanna from NCIS: Los Angeles. Deadline reported earlier this year that the rapper and actor would be joining the third season of the show. LL Cool J appeared in the season two finale as a special guest star in May and it comes after NCIS: LA ended earlier this year after 14 seasons.
He is expected to participate in the blessing alongside series stars Vanessa Lachey, Alex Tarrant, Noah Mills, Jason Antoon, Yasmine Al-Bustami and Tori Anderson. The series is set on the shores of Hawai’i as the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor takes command. She and her team balance duty to family and country, investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the island itself. The NCIS: Hawai’i team is a skilled mix of mainland transplants who’ve relocated to the tranquility of the Pacific and wizened locals who know their mahalo from kapu.
NCIS: Hawai’i is back, and it’s not just about crime-solving—it’s about honoring tradition, uniting community, and telling stories that matter. With the blessing ceremony complete, the stage is set for an unforgettable Season 3. Get ready for more Aloha, more action, and more heart than ever before.
