When NCIS: Los Angeles ended, Sam Hanna’s move to NCIS: Hawai‘i felt like a gift to longtime fans. But it also raised a tantalizing question: what if Kensi Blye had made the jump instead?
Played by Daniela Ruah, Kensi had everything Hawai‘i needed — grit, intelligence, undercover expertise, and built-in crossover history. She’d already proven she could thrive in island-set storylines and bring emotional depth shaped by loss, resilience, and hard-earned experience.
Many fans believe her presence could have strengthened the show early on, offering a seasoned counterbalance and instant credibility. While Sam’s arrival helped anchor Hawai‘i within the larger NCIS universe, Kensi’s absence remains one of the franchise’s biggest “what ifs.”
The door may not be fully closed — but for now, that perfect crossover lives only in imagination.
