The Byrds of Paradise

Another Steven Bochco-branded hit which delved (perhaps too deeply) into modern day Hawaiian island's culture. My wife and I lived on Maui and the Big Island, the later destination where we resided during this great show's tragically short life. The issues were wonderfully relevant to families from "the mainland (USA)" trying to live in the duality of Hawaii's very complex cultures. So many see Hawaii from the balcony of the hotels or the beaches, the bike rides down Haleakala.

A few also see it when faced by some local people who speak pidgin English - that's right - If you're really one of "da kine",(a local) how 'ya talk-story' counts. And that is apparently one of several factors "language", and cultural / historical ignorance by many 'viewers') that got the show canceled.

Hawaii is a 'melting pot' of Native Hawaiians, many generations of Japanese-Americans, Chinese, Portuguese and Filipino-Americans as well as the 'perceived late-comers' known by the racist term "HAOLE" to some of the less-educated locals. Actually, people of European & British decent arrived well before the Japanese-Americans and people of Russian descent colonized Hawaii prior to that.

Mr. Bochco and crew (I am not sure who conceived the plot), combined the positive and negative to show a true-life Hawaii and a 'model- mainland' family struggling to adapt. Too bad so many people can't handle the reality of it. It was a show that should have been re- considered. Shame on you network hatchet-people - Hawaii's 'balcony dwellers' 2 weeks a year!

Wow, I'm glad to see I'm not the only person who really liked this short-lived TV series. At the time it was actually running, I was the only person out of my group of friends that even knew it existed. I thought it was brilliant. I think my friends just couldn't relate to it or something. Around this time One West Waikiki started running, although it had a little more staying power, Byrds was still my favourite of the two. I was greatly disappointed when Byrds was cancelled and even more disappointed that I can't find it on any form of media (DVD, VHS, etc.) no matter how hard I search. I guess only people who taped it on VHS and then transferred it to DVD have it. Anyone know if it's available?

I, too, miss Byrds of Paradise, one of the all-time great TV shows-- predictably short-lived. Even though I've forgotten most of the details, what lives on in memory is the Mood of the show! And a view of Hawaii never seen before.

Kinda nice to run across so many folks who actually remember it! I feel as though I'd found members of my endangered species after wandering endlessly around the entertainment wasteland all alone...so very alone...

One of the most beautiful and evocative musical performances I've ever heard or seen was Arlo Guthrie's with a Hawaiian musician (or musicians)on Byrds of Paradise. Don't remember name of episode, name of music, name of Hawaiian musician(s), or kind of instrument(s)(ukulele, guitar, both?). I want to hear it again! Can anyone help?

This was an entertaining show from what I remember.

I was about 12 years old and enjoyed it.

I also completely fell in love with Jennifer Love Hewitt so much that I watched party of five even though I did not like it.

She was the best thing a preteen could hope for And still is for that matter.

I started watching Ghost Whisperer for her but kept watching because it is a pretty good show.

Jennifer Love Hewitt is a pretty good actress

I don't know why she does not get offered better roles.

With her body you don't even have to be a great actress

I think I started watching this show because Timothy Busfield was in another show I enjoyed (30 something) His character is much less whiny in this show. To this day (2016) every time I see Seth Green in a movie I ask if people remember him from this show. To this day, I haven't found anyone else that does.

Jennifer Love Hewitt. What else can I say. A talented beautiful actress. She got my attention and is a name to remember!

Being set in Hawai'i was something different than the average show. Something beautiful to look at besides the regular LA fare (BH90210?)

I guess including a somewhat authentic feel of life in Hawai'i was too foreign for most viewers and it didn't catch on. Add my vote for seeing this series being made available for download or on a DVD !