As Asian ‘Hawaii Five-0’ Stars Quit over Unequal Pay, Social Media Rages Against Network

The two leading Asian actors in “Hawaii Five-0” have quit after being refused equal pay from show producer CBS Television Studios, a move that left social media fuming over the network's decision.

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According to Variety magazine, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, who star as Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua respectively, were offered salaries up to 15 percent lower than their white co-stars.

Despite being stars on the show since its premiere in 2010, the actors were reportedly offered less money than Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan, the other lead actors.

The two white actors also earn a share of the show's profits because they were offered back-end deals.

The fact that the actors decided to walk, sheds light on the racist pay inequality that is prevalent in Hollywood, actors of color have always faced less pay as well as fewer job opportunities.

In a New York Times article from 2016 on Asian actors, Kim said, “The harsh reality of being an actor is that it’s hard to make a living, and that puts actors of color in a very difficult position.”

The departure has been widely criticized on social media with users saying they will boycott the show for its racist actions.