All true. However, it was far better than having Caucasian actor David Carradine playing a Shaolin monk in the old TV series Kung Fu. Part was supposed to go to Bruce Lee but at that time Asian Actor lead rolls were something Hollywood didn't have a clue about.

Fact is they needed well known actors to reboot the TV show, these two were a good way to get started.

Yes in the original Hawaii Five O Jack Lord did recruit Hawaiians for the series. Would be good to resurrect this process.