While the show may have ended on a dark note regarding Tennant’s children as well as several unfinished NCIS: Hawai’i storylines, all the characters in NCIS: Hawai’i remained active agents by the end, with no hint of them slowing down. This offers hope that they could still be working together, but it also means that there could be different factors motivating them to do their jobs. As a result, the characters still have an off-screen future beyond the show’s cancelation, but some are clearer than others.
6Jane Tennant
Tennant Continues Leading Her Team
One of the only characters with a definite answer as to what they have been up to since NCIS: Hawai’i‘s season 3 cancelation is Jane Tennant. NCIS season 22 revealed multiple hints about Tennant’s life, including one major one. In episode 13, “Bad Blood,” Tennant was one of several characters in the NCIS universe to buy coffee from McGee’s children’s fundraiser for the office. This proved that she is still an active NCIS agent who is working hard to keep her community safe even if NCIS: Hawai’i is not airing anymore.
Not even tense circumstances can change Jane’s relationship with her family.
The fact that Tennant has stayed with her NCIS team after the finale also reveals her commitment to her team and her community. She has always been a fantastic leader, but her decision to keep working there even after the mysterious finale and possible threats to her family shows her true dedication. While we may never know what the finale was about to reveal, knowing that Jane is still with her team in a positive way almost makes the ending worth it. It really would not be an NCIS: Hawai’i team without Tennant there to lead it.
5Kai Holman
Holman Stayed In Hawai’i Because Of His Family
Since his father is the only family he has, it is unlikely that Holman would move away again. His father has not made an appearance since season 1, but the fact that he appeared in the show at all means he is of great significance to Holman’s life. As a result, Holman is probably still an active member of the NCIS: Hawai’i team so that he can remain close to his father. Holman may be the newest member of the team, but over the years he has proven himself to be an excellent agent.
4Jesse Boone
Boone Could Have Pursued Detective Work Again
Boone has always been such a memorable character that it is hard to imagine him ever leaving the NCIS: Hawai’i team.
Boone could have stayed in Hawai’i to pursue being a detective there, or he could have relocated to Washington and gone back to his former career. Boone has always been such a memorable character that it is hard to imagine him ever leaving the NCIS: Hawai’i team. His love for Hawai’i and his family’s adjustment also makes his possible move strange. However, of all the characters, his exit is the most likely because of the significance of his past career.
3Lucy Tara
Tara Could Have Stayed To Be With Whistler
Lucy Tara’s future is less ambiguous. Throughout NCIS: Hawai’i, she had been growing her relationship with her co-worker, Kate Whistler. The two first became a couple in season 1 but have dealt with several problems over the seasons, leading to breakups and reunions. However, in season 3, it finally seemed like the couple were in a good place. As a result of their relationship growth, it is highly likely that Tara stayed after the finale to be with Whistler and maintain their romance.
What I would love to see—I haven’t discussed it with our writers—is that because this is the first time that you’re seeing them kind of talk about that and they didn’t really go into too much detail, but you see their individual viewpoints on it because they have their own viewpoints on it, I feel like if they were to discuss it some more, it seems like Kate is a little more open to and her family is very accepting to the fact that she would have a wedding, but I feel like Kate could possibly have Lucy see a different or open her up more to the idea of possibly having a wedding with Kate, with the right person. And right now, I hope it’s Kate.
2Kate Whistler
Whistler Could Have Married The Love Of Her Life
Connecting directly to Tara’s circumstances, Whistler likely stayed on the team to remain close to Tara. Because of their strong bond and chemistry, if one of them were to leave for another city or office, it is likely that they both would. In that way, they are a unit and so it is most likely that they decided to both stay and keep working as Special Agents as they had no reason to stop. They are also both very important members of the team and their absences would be felt immensely.

An update from Vanessa Lachey officially confirms that she will not return as Jane Tennant, effectively killing NCIS: Hawai’i season 4 chances.
The couple has been through so much together that a glowing future for them beyond the NCIS: Hawai’i finale is a strong possibility. While a wedding was one likelihood, Tara and Whistler’s relationship could also have continued to grow organically on their own with no wedding needed. As they were in a good place, there was no need to change anything. Either way, it is almost certain that Whistler would have continued working with the team as long as her partner, Tara was there with her.
1Ernie Malik
Ernie Stayed With The Team
The only other character besides Tennant to also have a confirmed update following NCIS: Hawai’i’s cancelation is Ernie Malik. Ernie was another one of the characters from NCIS‘ satellite offices to support McGee’s coffee fundraiser in NCIS season 22. He was also the only other NCIS: Hawai’i character to purchase the coffee. As each order was based on the members of the satellite offices rather than the NCIS spinoff characters in general, Ernie’s purchase confirmed he still worked with Tennant at the NCIS: Hawai’i office.
…if anyone were to stay alongside Tennant at the office, it makes sense that it would be Ernie since they each have a unique set of skills…
Given Ernie’s brilliance as a Cyber Intelligence Specialist and his fun and inviting personality, he really added a special element to the NCIS: Hawai’i team. As a result, I, for one, am very happy that he is still working there and helping his team work and solve their cases. His support for the coffee fundraiser in NCIS season 22, episode 13 only proves how kind he is, and the fact that he ordered four cases of the Fire Brew coffee also speaks to his exciting persona.