Gilbert Lani Kauhi

Gilbert Lani Kauhi
Born
Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi

October 17, 1937
Hilo, Big Island of Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii
Died May 3, 2004 (aged 66)
Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.
Other names Zulu/Zoulou
Occupation(s) Actor, musician, comedian
Years active 1968–1997

Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi (October 17, 1937 – May 3, 2004), also known by the stage names monumously as Zulu and Zoulou, was an American actor and comedian. He is remembered largely for his portrayal of Kono Kalakaua on the long-running television program Hawaii Five-O.

Career

Kauhi was born in Hilo on the "Big Island" of Hawaii. He served in the United States Coast Guard. He began his career in Honolulu as a stand-up comedian, mimic, and singer, described by one journalist as "part Godfrey Cambridge, part Zero Mostel". His nightly live show was a popular attraction at C'est Si Bon Supper Club in the Waikiki section of Honolulu before, during, and after his brief television career. Kauhi was an accomplished surfer; he was known in Hawaii by the honorific "Waikiki Beach Boy." In the late 1960s, Kauhi was a member of the band Sons of Hawaii and referred to it as his "schooling in Hawaiian music".

In 1968, Kauhi landed the role of the burly state police detective Kono on Hawaii Five-O. He was fired from the show after four seasons after disagreements with the show's publicist. Zulu would go on to eight more television roles including a reprise role of Kono in the 1997 pilot for the revival series Hawaii Five-0.

After ending his business relationship with his manager, Kauhi discovered that she had registered the name "Zulu" and he could not perform as Zulu without her permission. For the rest of his career he performed as "Zoulou", saying it was the French Tahitian spelling.

Death

Kauhi died in Hilo at the age of 66 from complications due to diabetes. Per his wishes, his ashes were scattered off Waikiki.

Filmography

Uncredited