When television audiences watched Alex O'Loughlin star as Commander Steve McGarrett on Hawaii Five-0, they saw an intense, high-energy action lead. Off-screen, the actor chose a starkly different path. He stepped away from grueling network schedules and high-profile Hollywood premieres to build a grounded life in Hawaii with his wife, Malia Jones. Unlike many celebrity pairings that court constant media attention, this couple has spent over a decade maintaining a low-profile existence focused on family, surfing, and community life.
Malia Jones is far more than a footnote in a Hollywood bio. Long before her marriage to O'Loughlin, she established herself as an internationally recognized professional surfer and fashion model. Understanding their journey requires looking past generic celebrity gossip to examine how a former world-class athlete and a primetime television star forged a quiet, enduring partnership away from the flashbulbs of Los Angeles.
Who Is Malia Jones?
Before she married Alex O'Loughlin, Malia Jones built a formidable career in sports and modeling. Born in Monterey, California, and raised in Oahu, Hawaii, she grew up immersed in ocean culture. Surfing wasn't just a pastime; it was her competitive arena. By her teens, she won the United States Amateur Surfing Championship, cementing her status as a premier female surfer in a male-dominated sport.
Her striking looks and athletic build naturally caught the attention of fashion scouts. During the 1990s and 2000s, Jones transitioned into high-profile modeling. She graced the pages of major publications, including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and served as a brand ambassador for premier surf and lifestyle companies like Billabong and Coca-Cola.
Despite her success in commercial media, Jones never lost her connection to the ocean or her independent spirit. This athletic foundation and deep roots in Hawaiian culture would later align closely with O'Loughlin's own lifestyle when he moved to the islands to film Hawaii Five-0.
How Alex O'Loughlin and Malia Jones Met
Alex O'Loughlin's relocation to Oahu in 2010 to anchor CBS's reboot of Hawaii Five-0 fundamentally changed his personal and professional trajectory. While working on the grueling network drama, which demanded long production hours across ten seasons, he integrated into the local Hawaiian community.
Though the exact details of their initial meeting remain private, mutual circles in Honolulu's tight-knit surfing and arts community brought them together. Both shared an intense passion for the ocean, physical fitness, and a desire to escape the frantic pace of mainland celebrity culture. Their relationship blossomed naturally out of shared values rather than industry networking or publicity campaigns.
They welcomed their son, Lion, in 2012. Shortly after, in April 2014, the couple married in a quiet, intimate ceremony in California, surrounded by close family and friends. The wedding reflected their shared preference for substance over spectacle—there were no multi-million-dollar magazine spreads or red-carpet broadcasts.
Blended Family and Domestic Life in Hawaii
Building a family required balancing complex schedules and previous relationships. Both O'Loughlin and Jones entered the marriage with children from prior relationships, creating a supportive blended family environment. O'Loughlin has an older son, Saxon, from a previous relationship, while Jones has a son, Coco, from her marriage to surfer Luke Stedman. Together with their youngest son, Lion, the family settled into a permanent home in Hawaii.
Raising children outside of Los Angeles allowed them to bypass the constant scrutiny of paparazzi and tabloid journalism. In interviews over the years, O'Loughlin has spoken candidly about the toll that intense fame and long shooting schedules take on personal well-being. By planting roots in Oahu, they provided their children with a childhood centered on outdoor recreation, surfing, skateboarding, and local community activities rather than Hollywood premieres.
- Surfing Culture: Both parents instill a deep respect for the ocean in their children, frequently spending weekends on the North Shore of Oahu.
- Privacy First: The couple rarely attends Hollywood events, choosing to reserve public appearances for local Hawaii-based charities or industry commitments that require their presence.
- Creative Pursuits: While O'Loughlin took a well-deserved break from television following the conclusion of Hawaii Five-0 in 2020, Jones continues to engage in creative design and lifestyle projects.
Life After Hawaii Five-0: Stepping Back from the Spotlight
When Hawaii Five-0 ended its successful ten-season run in 2020, fans wondered what O'Loughlin's next career move would be. Unlike actors who immediately jump into new franchise roles to maintain visibility, O'Loughlin embraced a deliberate hiatus. Years of chronic injuries sustained while performing his own stunts on the action series had taken a physical toll, making rest and rehabilitation a priority.
Malia Jones played an instrumental role during this transition. Her grounding influence helped anchor the family as they adjusted to a slower, less demanding routine. While O'Loughlin has occasionally explored writing and directing projects behind the scenes, he hasn't rushed back to the relentless grind of network television.
This conscious step back demonstrates a shared philosophy: career milestones do not supersede personal health and family stability. In an industry where relevance is often measured by constant output, their ability to step away gracefully speaks volumes about their partnership's strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Alex O'Loughlin and Malia Jones get married?
They married in April 2014 during a private ceremony in California, approximately two years after the birth of their son, Lion.
Does Malia Jones still surf professionally?
While she no longer competes on the professional surfing circuit, Jones remains actively involved in ocean sports, fitness, and lifestyle design, frequently surfing in Hawaii.
How many children do Alex O'Loughlin and Malia Jones have?
Together they share one son, Lion. They also raise a blended family that includes children from their previous relationships: O'Loughlin's son Saxon and Jones's son Coco.
Why did Alex O'Loughlin leave Hawaii Five-0?
O'Loughlin's departure coincided with the natural conclusion of the show after ten seasons in 2020. He had previously expressed challenges regarding physical injuries accumulated from performing intensive action stunts throughout the series run. You can read more about the show's history on the CBS Hawaii Five-0 Page.
Where do Alex O'Loughlin and Malia Jones live?
They primarily reside in Oahu, Hawaii, where they chose to raise their family away from the media pressures of Los Angeles.
