Gilbert Lani Kauhi was an American actor and comedian who was born on October 17, 1937 in Hilo, Hawaii. He was also known by the stage names Zulu and Zoulou. He is best remembered for his role as Kono Kalakaua, a Hawaiian detective, on the long-running television series Hawaii Five-O. He was also a musician, a surfer, and a Waikiki beachboy.
His Career on Hawaii Five-O and Beyond
Kauhi joined the cast of Hawaii Five-O in 1968, after being discovered by the show’s star, Jack Lord. He played Kono, a burly and loyal sidekick to Lord’s character, Steve McGarrett. He appeared in 95 episodes of the show, until he was fired in 1972 after a dispute with the show’s publicist. He later reprised his role as Kono in a 1997 pilot for a revival series of Hawaii Five-O.
After leaving the show, Kauhi continued his entertainment career as a singer and a comedian. He performed in various venues in and around Waikiki, drawing crowds with his jokes, mimicry, and songs. He also had some minor roles in other television shows and movies, such as The Brian Keith Show, Code Name: Diamond Head, The Paradise Connection, Charlie’s Angels, and Magnum, P.I.
His Cause of Death: Complications from Diabetes
Kauhi suffered from diabetes, a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Diabetes can cause various complications, such as nerve damage, kidney damage, heart disease, stroke, and vision loss. Kauhi died on May 3, 2004, at the age of 66, in Hilo Medical Center, from complications due to diabetes. According to his mother, Emma Kauhi, he had been hospitalized for several weeks before his death. His ashes were scattered off Waikiki, as per his wishes.
