S5·E12 Poina ‘Ole (Not Forgotten)

Episode recap

In the twelfth episode of the fifth season, “Poina ‘Ole (Not Forgotten),” the Five‑0 task force confronts a series of intertwined investigations that test both their forensic acumen and personal loyalties. The episode opens with the sudden assassination of a prominent neurosurgeon moments before he is scheduled to perform a critical operation. The murder draws the attention of the Honolulu Police Department’s major crimes unit, whose members begin to trace the killer’s motives and connections, seeking to determine whether the act is an isolated act of violence or part of a larger, concealed agenda.

Parallel to the homicide inquiry, the detectives uncover new evidence that sheds light on a cold case dating back more than four decades. Four boys who had been placed in a reform school vanished without resolution, a disappearance that has lingered in the community’s collective memory. As the investigation progresses, the team pieces together testimonies and archival material that reveal the circumstances surrounding the boys’ disappearance, ultimately bringing long‑shelved truths to the surface. The episode’s title, “Poina ‘Ole,” underscores the theme of remembrance and the pursuit of justice for those who have been forgotten.

Amid the professional challenges, the episode also explores a personal subplot involving Steve McGarrett. His cherished 1969 Mercury Marquis, a vehicle that holds sentimental value, is stolen. The theft is carried out by an unexpected individual, adding a layer of intrigue to the narrative and prompting McGarrett to confront the loss of an object that symbolizes his heritage and identity. The task force’s resources are divided between the high‑profile medical murder, the decades‑old missing‑boys case, and the recovery of McGarrett’s car, illustrating the breadth of responsibilities the unit routinely balances.

By the episode’s conclusion, the investigation into the neurosurgeon’s death yields critical leads, the mystery of the reform school boys is substantially clarified, and the unlikely thief of the Mercury Marquis is identified, setting the stage for subsequent developments in the series. The episode weaves together themes of memory, justice, and personal loss, reflecting the procedural and character‑driven storytelling that defines Hawaii Five‑0.