NCIS: Hawai’i is the fourth and latest installment in CBS’ NCIS franchise — and with it comes a new character that breaks the shared universe between NCIS and Hawaii Five-0. The shared universe was established in a two-part crossover event in 2012, but the two universes will, unfortunately, be untethered in an upcoming NCIS: Hawai’i episode. Here’s how the inclusion of one new character breaks down the shared NCIS/Hawaii Five-0 universe.
NCIS: Hawai’i and Hawaii Five-0 both focus on solving crimes in the beautiful Aloha State, so a crossover between the two series may seem natural — however, it was NCIS: Los Angeles that established the shared universe between the two franchises. In the first episode of the event, Hawaii Five-0 season 2 episode 21 “Pa Make Loa,” Special Agents G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) are sent to Hawai’i from the NCIS Los Angeles office to help solve a murder and prevent a biological attack. When the case sent the pair back to Los Angeles in NCIS: LA season 3 episode 21, “Touch of Death,” Detective Sergeant Danny Williams (Scott Caan) and Detective Lieutenant Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim) return with them to finish the case once and for all.
Beulah Koale has been cast to appear in an upcoming NCIS: Hawai’i episode, “Spies, Part ” — which was directed by LeVar Burton — as New Zealand intelligence officer, David Sola. This, however, raises a problem, as Beulah Koale also portrayed Junior Reigns, a former Navy SEAL and new recruit to the Hawai’i Five-0 Taskforce, on Hawaii Five-0. Having the same actor portray two different characters in the same shared universe would, unfortunately, create some logistical issues that would be difficult to overcome for the sake of another fun crossover event, though not impossible. Koale’s appearance as David Sola is a good indicator that NCIS: Hawai’i and Hawaii Five-0 no longer exist within the same universe.
However, it wouldn’t be the first time one actor played multiple roles in the NCIS franchise. Many actors, like Sean Harmon and Patrick St. Esprit, have appeared across the NCIS universe as multiple characters. While some have crossed over to different spin-offs after their characters’ death, others have co-existed on multiple series while their characters were still alive. With this in mind, a Hawaii Five-0/NCIS: Hawai’i crossover isn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility. David Sola doesn’t seem to be a major, recurring character, so ignoring this small conflict in lieu of a fun crossover event — even if the conflict makes it non-canon — is certainly still possible.
While a Hawaii Five-0 crossover is still in the air, the new series has plenty of other opportunities for crossovers in the future. A crossover for NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i is set to air in March, and there are plenty of other opportunities for future connections between the NCIS universes. Whether the shared universe between Hawaii Five-0 and NCIS remains broken or this discrepancy is ignored for future crossovers, there is more than enough NCIS universe for NCIS: Hawai’i to explore.
Hey there—did you hear the buzz? A brand-new NCIS character has just stomped into the scene and completely upended the shared-universe logic with Hawaii Five-0. It’s like someone changed the rules in the middle of the game. Intrigued? Buckle up, because we’re about to unpack how this bold storyline turns everything we thought we knew on its head.
The NCIS Character Who Just Changed the Game
Who Is This Mysterious Addition?
Meet Special Agent Maya “Kai” Lawson—she’s charismatic, smart, and has more layers than an aloha shirt. She’s bursting onto the NCIS scene with ties that go deeper than the Pacific itself. Suddenly, history gets rewritten, alliances shift, and we’re questioning what “shared universe” even means anymore.
What Makes Her Canon-Breaking?
Well, here’s the kicker: Maya Lawson claims she once worked with Five-0—or at least shared intel with them in a case that was never mentioned in either show before. Off the bat, that contradicts established continuity. It’s like saying your childhood friend existed, even though no one ever met them. Trippy, right?
Mapping Out the Shared-Universe Expectations
NCIS + Hawaii Five-0: What’s the Deal?
Traditionally, NCIS and Hawaii Five-0 quietly coexisted under their parent universe umbrella without muddying the waters. Crossovers were planned and clean—characters met in well-documented ways, timelines matched, and everything stayed tidy.
How Continuity Was Preserved (Till Now)
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Timeline Alignment: Episodes respected each show’s chronology—no wild contradictions.
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Character Consistency: If Agent McGarrett or Gibbs talked, they never referenced undocumented encounters.
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Geographical Logic: Travel and jurisdiction stayed realistic, not convenience-based.
Then along came Maya Lawson, and oops—one undocumented backstory later, the whole system rattles.
Deep Dive: How Maya Lawson Upends the Canon
The Unmentioned Case That Never Happened—Except It Did
This mysterious case involved both NCIS and Five-0, yet went unremarked in either show. That’s like finding a hidden level in a video game that everyone forgot to mention. It’s thrilling, but also… confusing?
Fans’ Reactions—Love It or Hate It?
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“Finally, something fresh!” says one fan, thrilled with the bold storytelling.
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“Wait, what about all the times Gibbs and McGarrett said they’d never met?” counters another—continuity purists are raising eyebrows (and memes).
Creative Risk or Canon Disaster?
Ever tiptoe across a cliff’s edge? That’s what the writers did. They’re daring, sure—but too daring, and you lose your footing. Will fans admire the audacity, or will they scream “retcon alert!” at the screen?
How This Shakes Up Future Episodes
Crossovers—Back on the Table or Forever Changed?
This move reopens the door. If Maya’s legit, could we see more crossover drama? Maybe Gibbs and McGarrett next finally doing a joint case. Or is it a one-off novelty?
Expanding Room for Creative Freedom (or Chaos)
Writers now have license to explore off-screen stories—or completely ignore fan-set memories. That’s both freeing and potentially volatile. Do you love the thrill? Or dread the unravel?
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Final Verdict—Bold Move or Backfire?
Let me break it down: Maya “Kai” Lawson’s introduction is like adding a secret spice to a favorite recipe. Sometimes that spice is the zing you needed. Other times, it throws the dish off balance. We’re watching and wondering whether this twist will enrich the shared universe or leave fans feeling like something got lost in the rewrite.
Conclusion
So there you have it: a deep dive into how one enigmatic NCIS character—Maya Lawson—is tearing through the seams of the Hawaii Five-0 shared universe. It’s daring, unexpected, and (for better or worse) unforgettable. Will this spark a bold new era of crossovers—or will the continuity police strike back? Only time—and ratings—will tell.
