Beloved “Hawaii Five-0” Actor Taylor Wily Died at 56
Taylor Wily, the actor famous for playing Kamekona Tupuola on CBS’ Hawaii Five-0, has died at 56. The news was confirmed on June 21, 2024, by KITV 4 Island News in Hawaii.
Wily, whose real name was Teila Tuli, passed away on June 20 in Hurricane, Utah. The cause of his death is not yet known, leaving fans and colleagues saddened and surprised.
Wily’s death has deeply affected the entertainment world and his fans. He brought warmth and humor to his character Kamekona, a former criminal who became an entrepreneurial informant, in 171 episodes of “Hawaii Five-0” from 2010 to 2020. His role was a key part of the series and made him beloved by viewers everywhere.
Peter Lenkov, the executive producer of “Hawaii Five-0,” “Magnum P.I.,” and “MacGyver,” shared his sadness on Instagram, posting a photo of himself with Wily and saying, “I am devastated. Heartbroken. I’ll share more feelings later. It’s too hard right now.”
Later, Lenkov added, “T, I loved you from your first audition. You made me want to include you in the show and in my life. You were like family. I will miss you every day, brother.”
Taylor was born on June 14, 1968, in Laie, Hawaii. Before becoming a famous actor, he had a unique journey as a sumo wrestler known as Takamishu.
He won his first 14 matches and was the first foreign-born wrestler to win a championship in the Makushita division. Unfortunately, his sumo career ended early due to a knee injury in 1989.
Transitioning to mixed martial arts, Wily competed in the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in 1993. His larger-than-life presence and charisma soon led him to Hollywood, where he landed his first notable acting role in the 2008 romantic comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Wily’s role as Kamekona was not limited to “Hawaii Five-0.” He reprised the character in seven episodes of the “Magnum P.I.” reboot from 2018 to 2020 and made an appearance in “MacGyver.” His acting credits also include roles in “North Shore,” “Marker,” and an uncredited role in the original “Magnum P.I.” series from 1982.
In 2012, Wily made a memorable appearance on “The Amazing Race” during one of the show’s stops in Hawaii, further showcasing his warm personality and connection to his home state.
He is survived by his wife, Halona, and their two children.
His sister Alyssa shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, posting a video of the family gathering to honor Wily with “Family, Food, Music, and Good Vibes.” The gathering featured Wily’s nephews and nieces singing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” in his memory. “Singing for their uncle tee,” Alyssa captioned the clip, reflecting the family’s deep love and respect for Wily.
The details surrounding Wily’s death remain sparse. According to reports, Wily was in Hurricane, Utah, at the time of his passing. Despite the lack of information about the exact cause, his sudden departure has left a significant impact on his fans and colleagues.
The staff at KITV 4 Island News, who confirmed his death, remembered him fondly as “one of the kindest, gentlest souls” they had ever met.
Former UFC champion Royce Gracie shared his thoughts on social media, writing, “Teila was not just a competitor; he was a pioneer in the world of mixed martial arts and a beloved figure on and off the mat. His spirit and energy will be deeply missed.”
Hawaii Governor Josh Green also expressed his condolences, stating, “Taylor Wily was a cherished member of our community, whose contributions to both sports and entertainment brought pride to Hawaii. Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”