If you grew up watching the original Hawaii Five-O, you know the face. Big, burly, and often the one kicking down doors while Steve McGarrett barked orders from the safety of a suit. We’re talking about Zulu, the man who played Detective Kono Kalakaua. Honestly, for a lot of people, Zulu was the heart of the local team. He wasn't just a sidekick; he was the bridge between the high-octane police drama and the actual culture of the islands.
But then, suddenly, he was gone.
No grand farewell. No hero's exit. In 1972, after four seasons of being a staple on international television, Zulu vanished from the show. If you’ve ever wondered what really happened behind the scenes or why his name eventually changed to "Zoulou," you’re not alone. The story is a messy mix of ego, a very public firing, and a life that stayed remarkably colorful even after the Hollywood cameras stopped rolling.
The Man Behind the Badge: Gilbert Lani Kauhi
Most fans just knew him by that single name. Zulu. But his birth certificate was a mouthful: Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi. Born in Hilo in 1937, he was about as "local" as it gets. He didn't start out as an actor. Far from it.
He was a Waikiki beachboy. He taught tourists how to surf and steered outrigger canoes. He was also a powerhouse on the football field. That’s actually where the nickname came from—his buddies in high school saw his hair all messed up after a game and thought it looked like the Zulu warriors they’d seen in movies. It stuck.
Before he ever met Jack Lord, he was a disc jockey and a comedian. He had this massive, booming personality. People loved him. When the "cattle call" for Hawaii Five-O happened in 1968, he walked in and basically owned the room. He wasn't a polished Shakespearean actor, and that was exactly the point. He brought a grit and a "Kanaka" (native Hawaiian) authenticity that the show desperately needed to feel real.
Why Zulu Was Fired from Hawaii Five-O
The exit wasn't pretty. You'll hear a few different versions if you hang around old fan forums, but the truth usually lands on a specific, ugly incident in 1972. Basically, Zulu got into a shouting match with the show’s publicist.
It wasn't just a disagreement. Reports from the time say he made some pretty loud, derogatory remarks—specifically racist comments directed at the publicist. In the early 70s, even for a show as big as Five-O, that was a line you didn't cross. The producers had a choice, and they chose to cut him loose.
"I’ve had it with the 'yes boss, no boss' routine," Zulu told reporters later.
There was also a persistent rumor that the friction went deeper than one argument. Some say Jack Lord—who was notoriously strict and ran the set like a military operation—didn't appreciate the attention Zulu got. There’s a story about the U.S. Coast Guard wanting to give Zulu an award, and Lord allegedly felt the "star" of the show should be the one receiving the accolades. Whether that’s 100% true or just set-side gossip, the result was the same: Kono was written out, and Al Harrington was brought in as Ben Kokua to fill the void.
Life After the Five-O: The Zoulou Era
A lot of actors would have faded away. Not Gilbert Kauhi. He pivoted back to what he knew best—the stage. He signed a massive, multi-million dollar contract to perform at the C’est Si Bon Showroom in Waikiki.
He sang. He did stand-up. He played the ukulele. But then he hit a weird legal snag. His former manager had actually trademarked the name "Zulu." To get around it, he simply added an 'ou' and became Zoulou, claiming it was the "French Tahitian" spelling. It was a classic move by a guy who refused to be told what to do.
The Tragedy in Kona
Life wasn't all spotlights and applause, though. In 1986, things took a dark turn. While driving on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Zulu’s car struck and killed a bicyclist who was training for the Ironman Triathlon.
It was a devastating moment. He was convicted of second-degree negligent homicide. He didn't go to prison—he got a fine and probation—but those who knew him said it changed him. He was a deeply religious man, a devout Catholic, and carrying that weight wasn't easy.
The Battle with Health
By the 1990s, the "big burly guy" from the opening credits was struggling. Diabetes is a thief, and it started taking its toll on him. He had heart attacks. He had strokes. He was on kidney dialysis for years.
Even then, he didn't stop being Zulu. He’d still show up to events, still talk to fans, still keep that Hilo spirit alive. He passed away in May 2004 at the age of 66. Per his wishes, his ashes were scattered at sea off Waikiki by the beachboys he’d grown up with.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into Zulu's legacy or collect memorabilia, here is how you should approach it:
- Watch for the 1997 Pilot: Most people don't realize Zulu actually returned to the role of Kono one last time for a 1997 revival pilot that never made it to air. If you can find bootlegs or clips, it’s a rare look at an older, wiser Kono Kalakaua.
- Check the Albums: Zulu released several musical albums during his nightclub days. Look for Zulu: Hawaii's Most Versatile Entertainer on vinyl. It’s a better representation of who he really was than the scripted lines on TV.
- Visit the Landmarks: If you're in Hawaii, the Pagoda Hotel (home of the old C’est Si Bon) still stands. It’s a piece of the history where he made his "Zoulou" comeback.
- Understand the Remake: When the 2010 reboot of Hawaii Five-O cast Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua, it was a total reimagining. Comparing the two isn't really fair; Zulu’s Kono was a product of a 1960s TV landscape that rarely gave local actors the lead, making his four-season run even more impressive for its time.
Zulu was complicated. He was a local hero who let his temper get the best of him, a TV star who preferred the beach, and a man who stayed a legend in Hawaii long after Hollywood forgot his phone number.
Next Step: To see the man in his prime, track down the Season 1 episode "Strangers in Our Own Land." It’s one of the few times the original series really let Zulu’s character lean into the complexities of being a native Hawaiian in a changing world.
