Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi. Most people just knew him as Zulu. If you grew up watching classic television or you're a fan of the original 1968 police procedural, you know exactly who I’m talking about. He played Kono Kalakaua, the hulking, dependable detective who rounded out the core team of Steve McGarrett’s elite unit. He was a local boy made good. A surfing legend. A musician. A guy who felt like the literal heartbeat of the islands on screen.
But then he was gone.
The departure of Zulu from Hawaii Five-0 remains one of those weird, uncomfortable bits of TV history that still gets fans talking on forums and in Facebook groups decades later. It wasn't a "creative differences" situation where an actor wanted to explore film roles. It was messier. Honestly, it was a clash of cultures and egos that ended in a way that felt pretty tragic for everyone involved.
Who Was the Man Behind Kono Kalakaua?
Before the suits at CBS ever thought about filming in Honolulu, Zulu was already a celebrity in Hawaii. He wasn't some Hollywood actor who learned to surf for a role. He was a Waikiki beach boy. That’s a specific, prestigious title in Hawaiian culture. These were the guys who taught tourists how to ride waves and outrigger canoes, the literal ambassadors of "Aloha."
He had this massive physical presence. Broad shoulders. A smile that could light up a room. He was also a talented singer and comedian, performing in local nightclubs. When Leonard Freeman was casting Hawaii Five-0, he didn't want a bunch of mainlanders pretending to be local. He wanted the real deal. Zulu was the real deal. He brought an authenticity to the role of Kono that you just couldn't fake with a dialect coach.
He played the part for four seasons. Four years of being the muscle and the local connection for Jack Lord’s McGarrett. Then, in 1972, the credits rolled on his final episode, and he never came back.
The Blowup That Changed Everything
So, what happened?
It wasn't just one thing. It was a build-up. You have to understand the environment on that set. Jack Lord was a perfectionist. That's the polite way to put it. Others might say he was a demanding, controlling force who ran the show with an iron fist. He wanted things done his way, every time, no exceptions.
Zulu was a different kind of guy. He was more relaxed. He was a local star who felt he deserved a certain level of respect on his own turf.
The breaking point happened during the filming of the fourth season. There was an incident involving a publicist. Accounts vary slightly depending on who you talk to, but the core of the story is that Zulu got into a heated verbal altercation with a crew member or publicist. Some reports suggest there were racial overtones or slights that set him off. Zulu, never one to back down, reacted poorly.
He was fired.
Just like that. One of the most recognizable faces in Hawaii was kicked off the biggest thing to ever happen to the islands' economy. The show replaced him with Al Harrington, who played Ben Kokua, but the chemistry was never quite the same. Kono was the bridge to the old Hawaii, and when he left, the show felt a little more like a standard police drama and a little less like a piece of Hawaiian soul.
Life After the Five-0 Badge
Losing the show didn't end Zulu's career, but it definitely changed the trajectory. He went back to what he knew best: entertaining the people in person. He became a staple of the Honolulu nightclub circuit.
His "Zulu’s Hawaii" show was a hit. He would sing, tell jokes, and lean into that massive charisma that made him a star in the first place. He was still a local hero. You could see him around Waikiki, and he was always gracious with fans.
But there was always that shadow of "what if?"
The entertainment industry in Hawaii is a small pond. Being fired from the biggest production in town carries a weight. Despite that, he kept working. He did some guest spots on other shows like The Brian Keith Show and Charlie’s Angels. He even showed up in the 1997 Hawaii Five-O TV movie pilot, which was a nice nod to his legacy, even if the pilot didn't go to series.
The Health Struggles Nobody Saw Coming
In his later years, things got tough. Zulu struggled with significant health issues, primarily related to his heart and kidneys. It’s a common story for big men who live big lives, but it was hard to watch a guy who once looked like he could move mountains become frail.
He eventually moved to the mainland, living in Hilo for a while and then spending time in California for medical treatment. He was on dialysis. He had several heart attacks.
In February 2004, the man who helped put Hawaii on the map for millions of TV viewers passed away at the age of 66. He was in Hilo, Hawaii. It was a quiet end for a man who lived such a loud, vibrant life.
Why Zulu Still Matters to Fans Today
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a guy who left a show over 50 years ago. It’s because representation matters, even before it was a buzzword.
For many Hawaiian families, seeing Zulu on screen was a moment of pride. He wasn't playing a villain or a caricature. He was a detective. He was a professional. He was one of the good guys. In the 60s and 70s, seeing a Pacific Islander in a lead role on a major network show was revolutionary.
He also stood his ground. While the incident that got him fired was messy, many locals respected that he didn't just bow down to the "Hollywood" way of doing things. He was a Hawaiian man first, and an actor second.
What You Can Do to Keep the Legacy Alive
If you’re a fan of the show or just interested in TV history, there are a few ways to really dive into the world Zulu helped build.
First, go back and watch the early seasons. Don't just look at the action; look at the background. Look at how Zulu moves and interacts with the locals in the scenes. He wasn't acting; he was just being himself. That’s where the magic is.
You should also look up his music. People forget he was a legitimate entertainer. His records are hard to find, but you can occasionally stumble upon them in vintage shops or on specialty YouTube channels. It gives you a much better sense of his personality than a scripted TV role ever could.
Finally, if you ever find yourself in Waikiki, take a moment to look at the surfers and the beach boys. That’s the world Zulu came from. It’s a culture of hospitality, strength, and a deep connection to the ocean. Supporting local Hawaiian arts and culture is probably the best way to honor the guy who brought a piece of the islands into living rooms across the globe.
The story of Zulu and Hawaii Five-0 isn't just about a TV show. It's about the friction between a corporate machine and a local culture. It’s a reminder that even the biggest stars are human, they make mistakes, and sometimes, they pay a higher price than they should. But at the end of the day, when the theme song kicks in and the waves crash against the shore, Kono is still there. He’s still the big guy with the badge, keeping the islands safe.
Take Action for TV History Fans:
- Seek out the 1968-1972 episodes: Specifically focus on "The Joker's Wild, Man, Wild!" to see Zulu's range.
- Support Native Hawaiian organizations: Look into the Waikiki Beachboy Preservation Society to learn about the culture Zulu represented.
- Explore the archive: Check out the Hawaii Five-O fan sites like The Hawaii Five-O Home Page (run by Mike Quigley) for deep-dive production notes on the Zulu era.
- Listen to the music: Search for "Zulu - Zulu Hawaii's Incredible" to hear his vocal talent.