Taylor Wily, the actor best known for “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum P.I.” has passed away.
The actor who also had a sumo career in the 80’s was 56 years-old.
Wily was asumo wrestler and mixed martial artist from Laie, Hawaii. Of American Samoan descent, Wiley was known for his recurring role as Kamekona Tupuola on “Hawaii Five-0,” which was also a recurring character on “Magnum P.I.”
His family posted the following statement on Facebook:
Celebrating the Life of Uncle Taylor Wily
A Childhood Full of Dreams and Inspiration
As a kid, I was truly fortunate to have Uncle T stay with us at our home for a while. Back then, he would talk about his dreams of becoming an actor and his desire to provide for his family. Fast forward to the first episode of Hawaii 5-0 that I saw him appear in, and I got really emotional. So much time had passed between his vision of being an actor and when it finally happened. I remember him always encouraging us to never give up on our dreams, no matter how long it takes. He was a living example of perseverance and dedication.
Striving for Greatness
Uncle T always demanded the best from us. Being average was never good enough; he pushed us to be great in everything we did. I remember the times he would gather Micah, Josh, Latoya, Karla Tavey, Mona, Aida, June, Annie, Tina, and many others on the basketball court. We had some intense battles, and those moments made us better in the long run. Our relationships as brothers and sisters grew stronger, creating an unbreakable bond. Alongside him, Uncle Aisa also coached us to always compete, do our best, and strive for greatness. I am truly blessed for these experiences—they set us apart!
A Motivational Speaker at Heart
I believe Uncle T could have become a motivational speaker because the advice he gave me still resonates deeply. He used to say, “Sole little sose, you have one life to live. Live your life how you want and who cares what people say. If things get serious, you know us LB’s are right behind you—just send the call and that’s all!” I am truly grateful for the time I spent with this OG LB during my childhood with my uncles. Love you, Uncle T. I miss and love you. Three Fingers to the sky, Laie Boys For Life. NEVER ABOVE YOU, NEVER BELOW YOU, SIDE BY SIDE. LAIEBOYS FOR LIFE!
