Exclusive: Marcus Hee on Representing Hawai’i, Finding Love, and Stirring the Pot on "O’ahu Shores"

Photo: Magilla Entertainment/Peacock

Peacock’s new docuseries O’ahu Shores is bringing the beauty, drama, and deep-rooted bonds of island life straight to our screens. The series follows a vibrant group of young Hawaiians navigating love, friendship, and identity, proving that life on the island has just as much shade as there is sun.

Among the breakout personalities is Marcus Hee, the charming “baby” of the group who returns home to Hawai’i before finishing his senior year at Arizona State. Between his easygoing energy, flirtatious streak, and genuine connection to his heritage, Marcus quickly stands out as one to watch.

Front Page Pop caught up with Marcus ahead of the show’s premiere to talk about representing Hawai’i on a global stage, his bond with the cast, his undeniable chemistry with co-star Kaui, and why being “the baby” of the group might just be his superpower.

Marcus, congratulations on O’ahu Shores! How does it feel to be representing Hawaii on such a big platform like Peacock?

First of all I just wanted to say thank you for reaching out and taking time out of your day to interview me about the amazing show we were able to create together. Secondly I’m truly honored to be able to represent Hawai’i on one of the biggest platforms in the world. Because when I look at the big picture I’m not just representing one state. I’m representing every single person in my family’s history that bears the last name of which my mother and father were given. I’m representing the cultural diversity and the people of Hawai’i who make this place so special. But most importantly I’m representing my roots of being a native Hawaiian which is a privilege and honor like no other.

The show’s all about “ohana.” How would you describe your real-life bond with the cast — are you guys truly like family, drama and all?

The beautiful thing about Hawai’i is that ohana meaning family can refer to almost anyone you come across in your life, related by blood or not, Hawai’i does a good job at making everyone feel like they are a part of a family. Leaving nobody out or nobody left behind. The bond that we share as a cast is something only unique to us. The best way I can truly describe it is that we could go years without seeing each other, reunite and then pick up where we left off like it was the last time we’ve seen each other. We never fail to miss a beat when it comes to us being together. It takes a village to get through this thing called life and I can truly say this is one of my two villages I have for the rest of time.

We see you’re the “baby” of the group. Does that come with extra protection, teasing, or do you ever find it hard to have your voice heard within the group?

Being called the baby in the group is nothing short of what I’ve already been experiencing since the day I was born. I’m the youngest of 4 in my family with a significant age gap between us all. Same thing in my other friend group from high school I was the last to graduate in 2019. Being the baby of anything injects new life into anything we touch. A fresh face a fresh look and a different perspective. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Your flirtatious connection with Kaui seems to be a big part of your story this season. What can you tell us about your chemistry and where things stand now?

Kaui is an amazing woman and an even better person. Nothing but love for her, I was definitely hung up and in love with her and the chemistry is undeniable on tv. One of my favorite parts of filming is how much time we got to spend together . Without getting into too much details into regards where we stand as of right now because that’s where our audience have to see where we leave off. What I can say is that we are doing good but maybe we’ll see something different if there is a season 2.

Photo: Magilla Entertainment/Peacock

You’re back home in Hawaii for a few months before finishing school in Arizona. Was it weird readjusting to island life while filming and then readjusting back to AZ life post-filming?

When I was home filming, it was the most normal thing ever especially with the readjusting period because there was none. This is my home and Hawaii is a part of who I am so when I came back home to film all I had to do is be myself and remember where I came from. Arizona is the second home for me as well just remembering that and confusing being authentic and a good person life always ends up working out in the end.

Speaking of college life, how did your friends at Arizona State react when they found out you’d be on a reality show?

My friends in college we’re definitely shocked and also stoked at the same time. I’ve heard many times from a lot of my friends in Arizona that I have the personality for TV and the fact that it ended up becoming true was one of my greatest accomplishments in life. They’re all been super supportive always asking me how I’m doing. How’s the show, what it was like filming and so forth. As much as I love my friends and family here I always have a special place in my heart for all my friends that I made in college.

The show explores balancing traditional Hawaiian values with modern life. How do you personally stay connected to your culture while living on the mainland?

The best way that I personally stay connected to my culture when I’m living in the mainland is by never changing what I was raised and instilled with at such a young age. I continue to carry on Hawaiian values and traditions in my life home will never be as far as away as it seems on a globe because my home will always be carried with me in my heart. The moment we forget who we are and where we came from is the moment that we lose our connection to what made us who we are to this day.

Everyone loves a little tea — what’s something viewers will be shocked to learn as the season unfolds?

Without revealing much you will see how much of a flirt I can be on the show. Sometimes I just can’t help myself with wanting to be friendly and flirty. I love causing a little controversy and seeing how far I can take things. But at the same time remaining a good friend and person. Just a little tea to stir the pot.

If you had to pick one cast member to be stranded on an island with, who’s surviving with you — and who’s getting voted off first?

If I had one cast member to be stranded on an island with it would 100% be Kamalani. She is a full on outdoors girl knows how to hunt fish and fight. I can promise you we would be totally okay. She would hunt all of the animals and I would be gathering all the berries and water. The first one that’s getting voted off is Keolu. That Brother would get scared of a lizard running up on him or he would complain about the situation we’re in so his ass is getting shipped off hahaha.

Lastly, what do you hope audiences take away from watching you and your friends on O’ahu Shores?

The biggest thing I want people to take away from this TV show is that I want them to be able to see how amazing diversity is. We all come from different walks of life with different upbringings, cultures, values etc. However, when you pick the right friend group and you meet the right people you can live a fun and amazing life seeing different perspectives on things you would never normally experience if you kept a closed circle. I want the audience to also take away that you should never be afraid to show true authentic self. When you’re able to show who you are without wanting to feel the need to change and that’s how you know you’ll be able to pick the right people to have in your life. I feel like with me at least I do a good job at showing that on TV. Which ended up blessing me with the best friend group I could ask for.

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Judging by the trailer and our chat, Marcus is sure to be an early fan favorite. Catch O’ahu Shores on Peacock starting October 9 — with all episodes streaming at once.