Gina Heslop
Taylor Wily, a talented actor known for his roles in Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I., has passed away at the age of 56, leaving fans, friends, and family heartbroken.
His passing was reported by KITV Island News, but the cause of his death has not been disclosed. Wily, a native of Hawaii, died on Thursday, June 20, and his loss has deeply affected those who knew him and admired his work.
Wily is best remembered for his role as Kamekona Tupuola in Hawaii Five-0, where he appeared in 171 episodes between 2010 and 2020. His portrayal of the lovable and resourceful shrimp truck owner brought joy to millions of viewers.
He also appeared in seven episodes of Magnum P.I. and had roles in other shows and movies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, MacGyver, One West Waikiki, and North Shore. In 2012, he even made a cameo on The Amazing Race.
Before his acting career, Wily was a celebrated sumo wrestler. Weighing nearly 440 pounds, he was one of the largest competitors in the sport.
He made an impressive start in sumo wrestling, remaining undefeated in his first 14 matches. However, due to health concerns, he retired from the sport in 1989.
Producer Peter M. Lenkov, who worked with Wily on Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I., shared an emotional tribute on Instagram. Lenkov expressed his deep sadness, writing, “I am devastated. Heartbroken. I’ll share more later; it’s just too difficult right now.”
Wily leaves behind his wife, Halona, daughter TulaLagalaga Tatalo, and son YoungAsia.
He will be remembered not only for his contributions to entertainment but also for his remarkable journey as an athlete and his larger-than-life personality.
His talent and spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him or watched his work.
