Written remarks from James MacArthur, who played “Danno” Williams in the original “Hawaii Five-0,” on the world premiere of new “Five-0” pilot, Sept. 13, 2010, Sunset on the Beach, Waikiki.

Good evening everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying a fine Hawaiian sunset and I’m sorry I can’t be there with you tonight.

Ever since I saw the scrip for the pilot, I’ve been very excited about this new “Hawaii Five-0.” From that first moment, I knew CBS had another winner on its hands.

I can remember back to when Lenny Freeman called to invite me to participate in the original version. My first thought was, “Great! If I’m lucky this is my free ticket to 13 weeks in Hawaii. Count me in!”

Little did I know that 40 years later, people would still be calling out to me to “Book ’em, Danno!” wherever I go, and that “Hawaii Five-0” would become a worldwide phenomenon, an indelible part of our modern culture, ready tonight to launch a bold new incarnation.

I think I can confidently speak for Lenny (Freeman), Jack (Lord), Kam (Fong), Zulu and the rest of the original gang, as well as myself, in saying that we’re all just delighted with the outstanding caliber and sheer talent of the people involved with the “Five-0.” It’s very heartening to see our legacy now in the hands of the terrific people you see before you tonight.

I’m looking forward to making an appearance in the new show when the time is right, and I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for me. In the meantime, I’ll be watching each week, eagerly anticipating the further adventures of the new “Five-0” team.

May you all enjoy Hawaii and its fabulous people as much as I continue to do to this day, and may your association with “Hawaii Five-0” be as successful and fulfilling for you as mine has been for me.

And remember, “Be there! Aloha!”