<Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Actor, musician, comedian </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Years active </Th> <Td> 1968--1997 </Td> </Tr> <P> Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi (October 17, 1937--May 3, 2004), also known by the stage names 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 . </P> <P> Kauhi was born in Hilo on the "Big Island" of Hawaii . 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 well after his brief television career . Kauhi was an accomplished surfer; he was known in Hawaii by the honorific "Waikiki Beach Boy ." </P>

Who played kono on the original hawaii five-o