Kam Fong, born Kam Tong Chun on May 27, 1918, in Honolulu, Hawaii, is best remembered for his iconic portrayal of Chin Ho Kelly, the beloved detective on the original Hawaii Five-O. As a Hawaiian native, Kam Fong brought a sense of authenticity to the role, helping shape the show’s portrayal of Hawaii’s unique cultural landscape. His contribution to Hawaii Five-O solidified his place in television history and made him a key figure in one of TV’s most enduring crime dramas.
While his work on Hawaii Five-O is what most fans recognize him for, Kam Fong’s life story is one of resilience and dedication. From surviving personal tragedies to navigating a path into Hollywood, his journey to fame was anything but typical. His career spanned decades, and he became a cultural icon not only for his portrayal of a local detective but also as a representative of Hawaiian heritage on national television.
Early Life and Personal Tragedy
Kam Fong grew up in a working-class family in Honolulu’s Chinatown district, an area that was rich in cultural diversity and community spirit. The son of Chinese immigrants, Kam Fong experienced a childhood deeply rooted in traditional Chinese values while also embracing the multiculturalism of Hawaii.
Before his career in entertainment, Kam Fong led a life full of unexpected turns and personal hardships. After graduating from high school in 1938, he worked as a printer at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, a local newspaper. However, his life took a dramatic turn when the events of World War II unfolded. On December 7, 1941, Kam Fong witnessed the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor firsthand. He was at work at the time, only about a mile away from the harbor, and his proximity to the tragedy left a deep and lasting impact on him.
The war years were difficult for Kam Fong. In addition to the trauma of Pearl Harbor, he also endured personal heartbreak. In 1944, Kam Fong’s wife and two children were killed in a tragic accident when a pair of U.S. military planes collided in midair over Honolulu, crashing into his family’s home. This loss devastated him, but he ultimately found strength to rebuild his life and continued to pursue new opportunities. He later remarried and began to explore his passion for acting.
Breaking into Acting
Kam Fong’s introduction to acting was somewhat unconventional. After his time at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, he worked for the Honolulu Police Department for 16 years. During his time as an officer, he learned the intricacies of police work, knowledge that would later inform his role as Detective Chin Ho Kelly. His firsthand experience in law enforcement gave him the credibility and insight to portray a detective with an authentic understanding of police procedures and the challenges officers face.
Despite having no formal training in acting, Kam Fong’s unique background and life experiences made him a compelling figure. His entry into show business came in the 1950s when he began appearing in small roles in films and television shows shot in Hawaii. His debut role came in the 1958 film Ghost of the China Sea, and over the next decade, he appeared in a handful of productions that helped him gain recognition in the entertainment industry.
However, it wasn’t until 1968 that Kam Fong’s career truly took off, thanks to a fateful casting call for a new crime drama series that would be filmed entirely in Hawaii.
Hawaii Five-O: The Role of a Lifetime
In 1968, Kam Fong landed the role of Chin Ho Kelly on the CBS crime drama Hawaii Five-O, created by Leonard Freeman. The show centered around Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), the head of a special state police task force charged with fighting crime in Hawaii. Kam Fong’s Chin Ho Kelly was one of the core members of the team, providing a local, knowledgeable presence alongside McGarrett, Danny “Danno” Williams (played by James MacArthur), and Kono Kalakaua (played by Zulu).
Kam Fong’s portrayal of Chin Ho Kelly was crucial to the show’s success, as he represented the local Hawaiian culture and brought a sense of authenticity to the series. His character, a warm and dependable detective, quickly became a fan favorite. Chin Ho Kelly was known for his loyalty to his team, his deep connection to the community, and his willingness to take on any challenge that came his way.
Hawaii Five-O ran for 12 seasons from 1968 to 1980, and Kam Fong appeared in 10 of those seasons. His time on the show made him one of the most recognizable actors in the series, and his portrayal of Chin Ho Kelly earned him a lasting place in the hearts of viewers. The show’s realistic portrayal of police work, combined with its exotic setting and compelling storylines, helped Hawaii Five-O become one of the longest-running police dramas of its time.
While his character was written off at the end of season 10, Kam Fong’s contribution to the show had already cemented his legacy. His catchphrase “Aloha, Steve” from his final episode remains one of the most memorable moments of the series.
Post-Hawaii Five-O and Later Career
After leaving Hawaii Five-O in 1978, Kam Fong took on a few more acting roles, though none reached the same level of prominence as Chin Ho Kelly. He continued to work in television, making guest appearances on shows like Magnum, P.I., another Hawaii-based crime drama. His acting career post-Hawaii Five-O was more low-key, but he remained a beloved figure in Hawaii and among fans of the original series.
In his later years, Kam Fong stayed connected to the Hawaiian community and the entertainment industry through various public appearances and interviews. His connection to Hawaii’s rich cultural history and his role in representing the local Hawaiian population on national television made him an important figure, not only in Hollywood but also in the broader conversation about representation and inclusion in media.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Kam Fong’s contribution to television goes beyond his role as Chin Ho Kelly. He was one of the few actors of Chinese descent to achieve significant success in a major television series during a time when Asian representation on American television was scarce. Through his portrayal of Chin Ho, Kam Fong helped introduce American audiences to a more nuanced and complex representation of Hawaiian and Asian-American characters.
His career also highlighted the potential for Hawaii as a television production hub, setting the stage for future series that would be filmed on the islands. The success of Hawaii Five-O opened the door for shows like Magnum, P.I. and the reboot of Hawaii Five-0, both of which continued to use Hawaii as a backdrop for crime dramas.
Kam Fong passed away on October 18, 2002, at the age of 84 after a battle with lung cancer. Despite his passing, his legacy lives on through reruns of Hawaii Five-O and the lasting impact he made on television. His work continues to be celebrated by fans of the show, and his portrayal of Chin Ho Kelly remains an iconic part of television history. Kam Fong’s life and career serve as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, representation, and the power of storytelling in shaping cultural perceptions.