Al Harrington played Detective Ben Kokua on the original Hawaii Five-0 from 1968 – 1980 and returned as Mamo Kahike in the reboot from 2011 – 2018.
His wife Rose announced the veteran actor died September 21 at the age of 85, reports KHON.
“Al was truly a gift from God, she said in a statement. “He loved his community and even more, his culture. It was his greatest honor to represent his people on-screen, and to serve them off-screen.”
Wrap reports Harrington recently appeared as Uncle John on the new Disney+ series Doogie Kamealoha MD. He’s also been seen on Magnum, PI, Charlie’s Angels, The Jeffersons and Scrubs. He appeared on the big screen in feature films including Forrest Gump and White Fang 2.
Harrington moved to Hawaii after being born in America Samoa. He graduated from Stanford with a history degree and went on to teach at the University of Hawaii after graduating.
His agent Gregory David Mayo remembers him not only as a colleague, but as a friend.
“Al became a close friend and mentor to me in my own career and life. Al uplifted me to find my faith again….and for that alone, I am truly grateful,” he said.
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As a kid who followed Stanford football I remember him as a running back known as Hula Hips Harrington, alliteratively alluring phrase.