Steve and Danny got off to a rocky start on Hawaii Five-0, but it led to a decade of their infamous "carguments" and heartfelt moments when they were there for each other. From being stranded in the ocean to saying tear-inducing goodbyes in the series finale, the two really became family, their bond unbreakable. By extension, their friendship resonated with viewers.
Throughout the decade when the show aired, the two men shared dozens of significant moments of friendship and bonding, but there are certain standout episodes that deserve special recognition for developing the unique connection Steve and Danny shared in the series.
"Pilot"
Season 1, Episode 1
The Hawaii Five-0 pilot can't be excluded, as this is where Steve's and Danny's friendship began. Both were going through a difficult time, with Steve having just returned home after several years away solving his father's recent murder, and Danny still adjusting from his move from New Jersey and battling his ex-wife over their daughter.
The two had a rocky start, but even from the beginning, Steve saw something in Danny that he knew he needed in his new partner. Despite their opposite approaches to both the job and life itself, they had chemistry. Beneath their bickering is respect and the start of a great friendship.
"A'ole E 'Olelo Mai Ana Ke Ahi Ua Ana Ia"
Season 8, Episode 1
It has long been Danny's dream to open a restaurant once he retires from law enforcement, but he got a jump start on it in Season 8. He even brings Steve aboard, wanting to work on and open it together. Danny works on Steve, who is initially reluctant to take on the venture, until he agrees.
Their friendship runs beyond their law enforcement careers, and Danny wanting Steve to be a part of the next chapter of his life, in business and in life itself, is meaningful given Danny wanted to share his dream with his best friend. Plus, it would've been a great plot for the show for the two to officially retire from Five-0 and have the show center around them as restaurant owners.
"Ha'i'ole"
Season 2, Episode 1
After everything that went down in the first season finale, Danny still sticks around to help a wrongfully imprisoned Steve despite his own family drama. Furthermore, Danny risks his badge and jail for himself by helping Steve, who later becomes a fugitive, clear his name.
Danny's loyalty knows no bounds. Steve, too, was protecting Danny and the rest of the team when he escaped by not going straight to them. It's noteworthy that, even with the team dismantled, everyone stuck together, especially Danny and Steve.
"Lana I Ka Moana"
Season 3, Episode 3
When Steve and Danny are boat jacked while on a fishing trip, it truly tests their friendship. Danny is not a fan of the ocean, and complains even more than usual to Steve, who at all times remains calm and tries to ease Danny's anxiety. Steve is very patient with Danny's ranting, and is sympathetic when Danny tells him why he's so scared of the ocean.
Considering Danny was really harsh with Steve and blaming him for everything in their plight, Steve was very kind and knew that that was what Danny needed to calm down in his own way, at least until they were back on dry land. Still, it was clear the two needed a break once they were back on land, as every good friendship sometimes needs its space. Plus, Danny needed some alone time to recover from his horror experience out in the ocean.
"Mana'o"
Season 1, Episode 8
In the first season, Steve and Danny, as well as the rest of the team, faced several challenges while trying to work out the kinks of Five-0 and hit the ground running. One case involved Danny's ex-partner from HPD, Meka, who was murdered. When things begin to look bad and that Meka may have been dirty, Danny becomes more and more determined to prove his friend's innocence. Steve isn't so inclined to give Meka the benefit of the doubt. Danny confronts Steve, putting their budding friendship to the test.
The two eventually reach a common ground, but while they often clashed, this was significant because it could've meant the end of their friendship had the two not been willing to change perspectives to try to understand where one another was coming from, especially on Steve's part. Luckily, they had Chin to help mediate things between them.
"O Ke Ali'i Wale No Ka'u Makemake"
Season 6, Episode 25
When Steve is critically injured while undercover, Danny goes to extreme measures to ensure Steve's survival. They are in a plane when Steve is shot, and Danny refuses to make a landing in the water and risk Steve drowning, so he lands on the beach. Furthermore, he provides his liver when Steve needs one immediately in the hospital.
Danny put his own well-being aside to land the plane on the beach, and never second-guessed offering up his liver to save his best friend's life. Even when things are dire, the two never give up on one another, showing the strength of their friendship.
"Mohala I Ka Wai Ka Maka O Ka Pua"
Season 8, Episode 6
This episode emphasized how much Steve and Danny care for one another, from their happiness to their health. Afraid that Steve is not taking his health seriously following a liver transplant and radiation poisoning, Danny gets the rest of the team to stage an intervention and hire a stress management consultant to follow Steve around.
Steve confronts Danny at the end of the episode, where Danny confesses that he is genuinely worried, making himself sick about Steve's health, and the two have a heart-to-heart about the subject. Their friendship means having the uncomfortable conversations and making efforts to help one another; Steve didn't care for the consultant, but he was a good sport for Danny's sake.
"Ka Hauli O Ka Mea Hewa 'Ole, He Nalowale Koke"
Season 9, Episode 12
When Grace is in a serious car accident, Steve hits the ground running to help Danny find the person responsible for his daughter's accident. Danny and Rachel sit vigil for Grace while Steve follows leads, and when Steve gets to the hospital to tell Danny he's caught the guy, the look on Danny's face speaks volumes for his gratitude.
The friendship between Steve and Danny goes beyond just the two of them, and this episode portrays that beautifully. Steve treats Danny's family like his own and vice versa, their friendship knowing no bounds.
"I Ka Wa Mamua"
Season 3, Episode 6
When Danny must stand completely still after inadvertently coming into the proximity of a deadly bomb, Steve stays right by his side. Prior to this, Danny had been telling Steve a story about his detective days in New Jersey with a former partner, the events of which took place on September 11.
Their friendship truly shines in this episode as Steve stays with Danny, urging him to finish the story to relieve his anxiety and get his mind on something else while the bomb is disarmed. Even when things take a dangerous turn and a threat is even more imminent, Steve still refuses to leave his partner's side and the two share a tight embrace once the bomb is safely disarmed. Steve would never leave Danny to face something like that alone; his refusal to leave Danny, and Danny's gratitude, speak volumes as to how much their friendship had grown since the first season.
"Aloha"
Season 10, Episode 22
By the tear-jerker series finale, it's evident how much Steve and Danny care about one another. They have been through so much together, through their work and their personal lives, having seen one another at their best and worst. Even Danny surprisingly, and finally, acknowledges the beauty of Hawaii, urging Steve to stay.
It's clear how much they will miss each other, but Danny knows his best friend better than anyone, and ultimately understands Steve's need to take some time for himself. Steve reminds his friend that they'll always be in each other's lives. Their friendship has lasted through pretty much everything, and it's clear that while the show is ending, their friendship will only grow stronger.