Hawaii Five-O Actor, Taylor Wily Dies At 56

Taylor Wily, known for his memorable role as Kamekona on the CBS revival of “Hawaii Five-0,” has passed away at the age of 56. Wily, who began his career as a sumo wrestler and UFC fighter, transitioned to acting and became a beloved figure in the television series that ran for 10 seasons.

Wily’s manager, Michael Henderson, confirmed the actor’s death on Thursday, attributing it to natural causes. Honolulu’s KITV4 Island News was the first to report the sad news.

Wily, born Teila Tuli, brought to life the character of Kamekona, an entrepreneur and informant, who became a fan favourite for his charm and wit. His contribution to the show was significant, endearing him to both the cast and viewers.

“Hawaii Five-0” showrunner Peter M. Lenkov expressed his grief in an Instagram post, sharing a photo of himself with Wily and writing, “I am devastated. Heartbroken. I’ll post some detailed feelings later. Just too hard right now.” This sentiment reflects the deep loss felt by those who worked closely with Wily.

Wily’s career spanned various fields, starting as a sumo wrestler before moving into mixed martial arts and then acting. His versatility and talent allowed him to transition seamlessly between these disciplines, earning respect and admiration in each.