Work hard and go after your dream. Can it be as simple as that? A panel of entertainment industry vets emphatically said yes, as they offered encouragement and advice to a full house of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students, faculty, staff, media and guests.

Hosted by the Mānoa Career Center, A Conversation with Hawaiʻi Five-0 was the second in a series of CBS on Tour careers in entertainment events highlighting the ins and outs of the entertainment industry through the lens of people involved in one of the most influential television shows in Hawaiʻi history, Hawaiʻi Five-0.

The panel was made up of executive producers Peter M. Lenkov and Bryan Spicer, who is also a director, local casting director Rachel Sutton and one of the show’s leading men, actor Daniel Dae Kim. CBS executive and panel moderator Tiffany Smith-Anoaʻi led the group on a wide-ranging discussion touching on their respective personal journeys, practical tips for aspiring actors, writers and producers and inspirational insights into current movements and trends.

The near capacity audience of the large auditorium was given an opportunity to ask questions of the panel. Most questions were practical details of how to get ahead in the business.

The touchstone of the evening was the shows frontrunner position in the movement toward diversity and inclusion. “The time is right for more diverse storytelling,” asserted Kim. “We want to hear stories from all points of view.” He noted the work of many minority actors regularly on Hawaiʻi Five-0 as something he is personally proud of.