When you think about the original Hawaii Five-O, the image that usually pops up is Jack Lord’s perfectly coiffed hair and that iconic "Book 'em, Danno!" line. But for a massive chunk of the show's early legacy, the soul of the series lived in the local cast. Specifically, it lived in a man known simply as Zulu. Playing the powerhouse detective Kono Kalakaua, Zulu became a global face for Hawaiian representation at a time when television was—let's be honest—pretty white-washed. He wasn't just a sidekick. He was a presence. However, the story of Zulu Hawaii 5 0 is far more complicated than just a guy who caught surfers-turned-criminals for four seasons. It’s a mix of sudden stardom, a very public falling out, and a complicated legacy that still sparks debate among TV historians today.
Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi wasn't an actor by trade. Not originally. He was a beach boy, a surfer, and a Waikiki entertainer. He had this massive, charismatic energy that worked perfectly on stage in local clubs. When Leonard Freeman was casting the pilot in the late 60s, he didn't want a Hollywood version of a Hawaiian. He wanted the real thing. Zulu fit the bill. He brought an authenticity to the role of Kono that grounded the show's procedural elements in something that felt like the actual islands.
Why Kono Kalakaua was a Cultural Milestone
For audiences in 1968, seeing a massive, capable, and intelligent Native Hawaiian detective was a big deal. You have to remember the context of the era. Most "island" roles back then were relegated to background extras or caricatures. Zulu changed that. As Kono, he was the muscle, sure, but he was also the local connection. He knew the streets, the language, and the customs.
The chemistry between the original four—Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord), Danny Williams (James MacArthur), Chin Ho Kelly (Kam Fong), and Kono Kalakaua (Zulu)—is what built the show’s foundation. They weren't just colleagues; they felt like a unit. Zulu’s Kono provided a bridge between the stiff, mainland authority of McGarrett and the local population of Honolulu. People loved him. He was arguably the most popular member of the supporting cast during his tenure.
But behind the scenes, things weren't exactly a tropical paradise.
The production of Hawaii Five-O was notorious for being high-pressure. Jack Lord was a perfectionist. Some would call him a "taskmaster." He ran that set with military precision, and if you weren't on your game, you heard about it. For a guy like Zulu, who came from the more relaxed, improvisational world of Waikiki nightlife, the rigid structure and the personality clashes began to take a toll.
The Infamous Exit: What Really Happened to Zulu
If you talk to long-time fans of the show, they'll often point to the end of Season 4 as a turning point. That’s when Kono Kalakaua just... disappeared. No big send-off. No heroic sacrifice. He was just gone.
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What actually happened? It wasn't creative differences in the way we usually hear about them today. It was a specific, ugly incident on set.
During the filming of the episode "The Second Shot" in 1972, there was a confrontation between Zulu and the show's publicist, Ronald "Buck" Buchwach. Reports from the time suggest that the argument escalated, and Zulu allegedly made a series of derogatory remarks that the production team found unacceptable. Some accounts suggest there were racial slurs involved; others frame it as a massive ego clash that had been simmering for years.
Regardless of the exact words, the result was immediate.
The producers, likely with the backing of Jack Lord who had little patience for disruption, fired him. It was a shock to the system for the fans. You don't just lose a core member of the "Big Four" and expect the show to stay the same. While the show obviously survived—running for a total of 12 seasons—many purists argue that the "Golden Era" ended when Zulu walked off the set.
Life After the Five-O Badge
Honestly, Zulu didn't just fade into the sunset after the show. He went back to what he knew best: entertaining. He was a staple of the Hawaiian music and comedy scene for decades. He had a successful career as a headliner in Waikiki, leaning into his "Zulu" persona which was already a brand long before the TV show existed.
Interestingly, he never quite escaped the shadow of Kono. How could you? That show was a global juggernaut.
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There was always a bit of tension there. On one hand, the show gave him international fame. On the other, the way it ended left a bitter taste. He didn't return for the 1997 pilot of a potential Hawaii Five-O revival (which featured James MacArthur), and for years, he was the "missing piece" of the original cast's legacy.
He eventually faced significant health struggles. By the late 90s and early 2000s, Zulu was dealing with kidney failure and heart issues. It’s a bit tragic when you think about it—this man who was the symbol of physical strength and island vitality on TV was struggling just to get by. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 66.
The Lasting Legacy of Zulu Hawaii 5 0
When the reboot of Hawaii Five-0 (the one with the "0" instead of the "O") launched in 2010, the producers knew they had to pay homage to the original characters. They cast Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua. Changing the character to a woman was a bold move, but it also highlighted just how iconic the name "Kono" had become.
But for the old-school fans, there is only one Kono.
Zulu’s contribution to the show wasn't just about his size or his look. He brought a specific "Mana" (power or spirit) to the screen. He was one of the first actors to prove that a local Hawaiian actor could hold his own against Hollywood heavyweights. He paved the way for guys like Jason Momoa or Taylor Wily.
You can still see his influence if you watch those early episodes. Look at the way he carries himself. There’s a quiet dignity mixed with a "don't mess with me" attitude that felt entirely unscripted. He wasn't acting like a tough guy; he was a tough guy.
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Common Misconceptions About Zulu and the Show
- Did he quit? No, he was fired. While many actors leave shows for "new opportunities," Zulu's exit was the result of a specific HR nightmare that the studio couldn't ignore at the time.
- Was he a trained actor? Not in the classical sense. He was a performer. His background was in music and comedy, which actually made his transition to a serious dramatic role quite impressive.
- Did he ever reconcile with Jack Lord? Not really. Lord was notoriously private and somewhat distant from his co-stars once they left the show. The "Five-O" set was a workplace, not a family, for the man at the top.
How to Appreciate Zulu’s Work Today
If you want to understand why Zulu Hawaii 5 0 matters, you have to go back to the source. Don't just watch clips; watch a full Season 1 episode like "Full Fathom Five."
Notice how the camera treats him. He isn't just standing in the background holding a gun. He’s actively investigating. He’s interacting with the community. He’s the one who often translates the cultural nuances of Hawaii for the audience (and for McGarrett).
The tragedy of Zulu isn't that he was fired. The tragedy is that for a long time, the industry didn't know what to do with a man of his specific talents and background. He was ahead of his time.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Historians
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of the show or the man himself, here is what you should actually do:
- Track down the original vinyl: Zulu released several albums of Hawaiian music. Listening to them gives you a much better sense of his "real" personality than the stoic Kono ever could.
- Visit the Pacific Video Archive: There are archived interviews with local Hawaiian cast members that provide a much more nuanced view of the set dynamics than the official CBS press releases from the 70s.
- Watch for the "Kono episodes": Specifically look for episodes in Season 2 and 3 where Kono goes undercover. These are the moments where Zulu really got to show his range beyond just being the "big guy" on the team.
- Support Native Hawaiian Casting: The best way to honor Zulu’s legacy is to support modern productions that prioritize authentic casting. He broke the door down; the least we can do is keep it open.
Zulu remains a complicated figure. He wasn't perfect, and his career ended on a sour note that he likely regretted. But you can't talk about the history of television in the 20th century without talking about the big man from the Big Island who showed the world what Hawaii really looked like. He was more than just a character on a screen. He was a pioneer.
The story of the original Five-O team serves as a reminder that the best television is often a lightning-in-a-bottle mix of personalities that shouldn't work together but somehow do. Zulu was the grounding force of that mixture. Even decades after his final episode aired, his presence is felt every time that famous theme song kicks in. Whether you call him Gilbert Kauhi or Kono, his place in TV history is permanent.