Hawaii Five-0 features several recurring LGBTQ+ characters, including Abby Dunn and Stella Williams. Their identities and same-sex relationships are consistently depicted with dignity and are integrated into their character arcs without being a source of mockery or central conflict, contributing to a normalizing and validating portrayal.

The show features a transgender character in a single episode who is treated with respect by the protagonists. Her identity is acknowledged but remains incidental to the primary storyline, avoiding both strong affirmation and denigration.

The show features several female characters, including Kono Kalakaua, Catherine Rollins, and Tani Rey, who are consistently portrayed as highly proficient in close-quarters combat. They frequently engage in and win physical altercations against male opponents, using martial arts and hand-to-hand techniques to subdue them.

The 2010 reboot of Hawaii Five-0 features the character Kono Kalakaua, who was originally portrayed as male in the 1968 series but is depicted as female in the newer iteration, constituting a gender swap.

The character Kono Kalakaua, originally portrayed by a Native Hawaiian actor in the 1968 series, is portrayed by a Korean-Canadian actress in the 2010 reboot. This constitutes a shift between distinct racial categories (Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander to Asian).

The series occasionally features Buddhist temples, monks, or practices, reflecting Hawaii's diverse population. These elements are consistently portrayed with respect and as an integral, dignified part of the local culture and community.

The series often portrays Christian characters and institutions in a neutral to sympathetic light, highlighting community support or individual faith as a source of strength. While individual religious figures may be involved in criminal activities, the narrative consistently frames these as personal failings rather than indictments of the faith itself.