
Brief Summary: This guide revisits all the Halloween-themed episodes of Hawaii Five-0, focusing on the cheeky tradition of Max Bergman's Keanu Reeves costumes. It shares episode highlights, fun horror homages, and the beloved quirks that made these spooky specials so memorable—culminating in curiosity about whether Max will keep his costume tradition alive in his return for the final season.
If you're a fan of Hawaii Five-0, then you probably know how special the Halloween episodes are. One big reason is Max Bergman's fun tradition of dressing up as a different Keanu Reeves character each year. Even though Masi Oka, who played Max since season 1, left the show in season 7, he makes a comeback in the last season just in time for another spooky adventure. As the article puts it:
"And of course it had to be the Halloween episode!"
With one final fright-fest in store, let's walk down memory lane and see how every Halloween episode mixed scares, movie references, and lots of heart—especially whenever Max and his beloved costumes took the spotlight.
The Halloween journey began in Season 2, Episode 7 with "Ka Iwi Kapu (Sacred Bones)." This episode is packed with both chills and cheeky movie nods. Max debuts his first Keanu costume as Neo from The Matrix. What starts with a scene reminiscent of The Blair Witch Project quickly gets gorier, featuring body parts, ghosts, and an appearance by Robert Englund—aka Freddy Krueger himself! Adding to the horror cred, the episode is directed by Joe Dante, famous for movies like Gremlins and The Howling.
But it's not just about scares. This episode explores the real meaning behind Halloween, looking at honoring the dead—a tradition Danny (Scott Caan) chooses to ignore, at his own peril.
"To top all the guts and gore is an appearance by Robert Englund who famously played Freddy Krueger... as if that weren't enough to satisfy horror aficionados, it's directed by Joe Dante."
Next up comes Season 3, Episode 5, "Mohai (Offering)," where torture-horror movies like Saw and Hostel inspire the creepy plot. But don't worry, there's still room for fun as Max rocks his Keanu Reeves look from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (he's Ted, of course!). Meanwhile, Steve and Catherine opt for a retro Halloween staple, watching Child's Play on VHS for those classic vibes.
Season 4 keeps things lively with Episode 6, "Kupouli ʻla (Broken)". The team enjoys a beachside screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show before things take a darker turn. Max kicks off the evening by dancing up a storm in his Keanu costume—this time as Siddhartha from Little Buddha. Then, chaos erupts when a deranged doctor turns him into a zombie, giving everyone a good scare!
Season 5, Episode 6 gives us "Hoʻomaʻike (Unmasked)," which starts off light with trick-or-treating but quickly dives into its own slasher-movie tribute featuring a fictional horror film called Jack Knife. Even the episode's release year nods to horror history, matching the year A Nightmare on Elm Street debuted. Max appears in what looks like Shane Falco (from The Replacements) but is actually Johnny Utah from Point Break. Joe Dante returns to direct—blink and you'll spot a character watching one of his classic films.
"It soon launches into a slasher tribute – with its very own fictional slasher pic, called Jack Knife... the same year that gave us A Nightmare on Elm Street."
Season 6's Episode 6, "Na Pilikua Nui (Monsters)" starts like a familiar horror movie—kids in danger—but quickly morphs into a Frankenstein-style tale. Max, ever the Keanu fan, dresses up as Le Chevalier Raphael Danceny from Dangerous Liaisons, while Jerry gets in on the fun as Dracula. The episode is another nod to horror royalty, with Joe Dante at the helm once again.
"Joe Dante is back in the directing chair, Max has his Keanu costume on, and Jerry gets dressed up as Dracula."
Season 7, Episode 6 ramps up the supernatural factor in "Ka hale ho'okauwel (House of Horrors)." The core group dives into a haunted house case, channeling their inner ghost-hunters. As for Max? His costume game remains strong—he's John Wick this time. The holiday horrors expand, too, as Kono and Adam's road trip goes terribly wrong.
"What's Halloween without a haunted house? Steve, Danny, Chin, and Lou tap into their inner Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate what appears to be a murdering poltergeist."
By Season 8, Episode 5, Masi Oka (Max) has left the main cast, but Jerry keeps the Keanu tradition alive—covering the Danceny costume even though Max did it first. This episode pushes the spooky factor up a notch, with the team tracking a serial killer who's inspired by creepy Hawaiian folklore. Meanwhile, Grover nods to Silence of the Lambs as he visits a death row inmate in Florida.
The penultimate Season 9, Episode 5 ("A'ohe Mea 'Imi A Ka Maka") pays tribute to urban legends and summer-camp horror stories. There's no Keanu costume this year, but Dr. Noelani Cunha shows up dressed as Velma from Scooby-Doo, keeping the spirit of fun alive.
"There's no Keanu costume, but we do get Dr. Noelani Cunha dressed up as Scooby-Doo's Velma."
With the finale approaching, everyone wonders: Will Max return to carry on his hilarious Keanu Reeves costume tradition? All eyes are on the final Halloween episode for the answer:
"Will Max carry on his costume tradition during his special appearance in the latest and last Halloween episode? Watch and find out."
Fans can catch the final season of Hawaii Five-0 every Wednesday at 19:00 on M-Net, and stick around for more adventures on Magnum P.I. right after.
Hawaii Five-0's Halloween episodes have always been a treat for fans, mixing scares, laughs, and great movie references—especially thanks to Max's epic string of Keanu Reeves costumes. Whether you love these episodes for the horror, the humor, or the heart, they've carved out a special place in TV history. Don't miss Max's return in the big finale—after all, it just wouldn't be Halloween in Hawaii without him! 🎃🌺
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