Jason Scott Lee guest-stars on Monday’s episode of "Hawaii Five-0." It’s a grisly story: The "Five-0" crew investigates the murder of Danno’s former partner, who is found at a luau … inside the imu.

The 43-year-old Lee brought a wealth of acting experience as well as local sensibilities to the show. Although born in Los Angeles, he was raised in Hawaii from the age of 2. Lee got the acting bug in college but did not get a starring part for many years, until his breakout role in "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" in 1993. A year later, he played Mowgli in Disney’s live-action "The Jungle Book."

Recent roles have been diverse, from a part in "Only the Brave," a film about the Japanese-American soldiers in World War II, to "Balls of Fury," the comedy about a down-and-out pingpong phenom.

Lee lives with his family on the Big Island, largely off the grid. He grows much of his own food on a 3-acre plot and fishes and hunts. During a break in his chores, he talked about his latest role.

Question: What can you tells us about your guest role as Detective Kaleo and what it was like to work on "Hawaii Five-0?"

Answer: He sort of helps the "Five-0" team along to inform them about possible leads in the murder of a vice cop. I was kind of expecting a little more action, being this is an action show. But that is not the part I play in the episode. I thought they would throw me into the mix a little more. Maybe next time.

Q: A lot of actors, especially those with a tie to Hawaii, are excited about the show and the idea of being on it. What was the allure for you?

A: Most of my work through the years has been overseas and I thought it would be nice to take on something, or hopefully build on something, close to home. I’ve always been a fan of "Five-0" growing up and watching it. I thought it would be fun. It was very appealing after watching the pilot and seeing the sophistication of the camera work and the visuals.

Q: How does the production pace of weekly television compare to making a feature film?

A: The last time I did television I was 19. It’s a different format to be working in for me and a different tempo and pace. It took some getting used to. It is very fast. I am used to taking a little more time with developing a scene and with rehearsals and working out the choreography for action. But with this, they tell you: "This is the gun, it goes like this and you will move from there to there. Go."

Q: The original series hired a lot of local up-and-coming and even undiscovered talent. In the current world of episodic TV, how much of an opportunity does "Hawaii Five-0" represent for local actors?

A: I think it’s a huge opportunity to have any show being produced and active in the islands. I remember the days when I was an extra in L.A. on films and even on that level it’s exciting. And that may be a catalyst for people and be more instrumental in being creative in their life if they want to pursue a life in the arts. It might be a boost.

Q: Similarly, the original "Hawaii Five-0" helped showcase minorities at a time when their screen presence was minimal. The new version continues to put minority actors front-and-center every episode.

A: I think any time you feature an Asian in sort of a leading role, I think it empowers the Asian-American public in general. It’s so prevalent in American society, but it is not actually really developed in the media. I hear from my peers that the amount of roles is very small.

Q: How has your decision to live off the land affected your acting career?

A: There is a lot of sacrifice. You are not getting the paychecks. You are relying on a lot of other things to make ends meet, and as an actor who got paid very well in the past, getting used to that is all very humbling — to go back to a place where a dollar means something. I think it makes you enjoy life a lot more.

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"Hawaii Five-0" airs at 9 p.m. Mondays on KGMB.