1 9 9 5 (USA)
13 x 60 minute episodes
This largely forgotten UPN (United Paramount Network) series from Stephen J Cannell starred Richard Grieco as Richard DeMorra, a carpenter from New Jersey who returns to Hawaii for his estranged billionaire father’s funeral.
Richard – who lived in Hawaii as a child but moved to New Jersey with his mother after his parents divorced 20 years ago – discovers he has inherited a mysterious legacy of personal debts, or “markers”, which his wealthy industrialist father, Joseph Rose (played in flashback by Geoff Heise) – the CEO of the Rose Corporation and owner of lots of real estate (including sugar cane and pineapple ranches) and a television station – bestowed on islanders to reward good deeds.
He now receives visits from these people (one a week, conveniently) – who produce a small plexiglass marker engraved with a rose – when they need help.
As he helps people redeem their markers, Richard’s attitude towards his father slowly changes from negative to positive.
The only thing Richard actually inherits from his father is a beach cove where he and his dad used to fish. When he visits the site, he discovers a shack inhabited by the shifty and conniving Danny ‘Pipeline’ Kahala (Andy Bumatai).
The two men have a confrontation about ownership and rights of eminent domain, and DeMorra kicks Kahala out. A carpenter by trade, he starts building his own house on the property and eventually allows Kahala to return to the shack.
Other regular characters included Rose’s widowed second wife, Kimba (Gates McFadden); Taki ‘Moch’ Mochadomi (Keone Young), the deceased father’s attorney and executor of his will; and Dr Deadlift (Scott ‘Ace’ Augafa), Kahala’s friend and enforcer.
Marker disappeared after just 13 weeks.
Richard DeMorra
Richard Grieco
Danny ‘Pipeline’ Kahala
Andy Bumatai
Kimba Hills-Rose
Gates McFadden
Ferrari Frank
Sholom Gelt
Taki ‘Moch’ Mochadomi
Keone Young
Dr Deadlift
Scott ‘Ace’ Augafa
Lt. Osterman
Larry Manetti
Joseph Rose
Geoff Heise