Ad Disclosure
Beloved sportscaster, Hawaii football broadcaster Robert Kekaula passes away
Published:
A legendary figure in Hawaii sports and college football has passed away.
Robert Kekaula, 56, died suddenly on Saturday morning, according to a report from KITV.com. He was the managing editor at KITV4 and also served as the play-by-play voice of Hawaii football.
“We have heavy hearts this morning as our ‘ohana has lost its mighty wings,” the Kekaula family said in a statement. “Robert Kaleimomi Kekaula passed peacefully at 8:25 a.m. surrounded by his family. He lived his life his own way and was so much to so many people. His heart was full of love for his family, sports, and most of all, music.”
The University of Hawaii’s athletic department also released a statement on Kekaula’s passing.
“In over 25 years covering Rainbow Warrior Football on both radio and television, Robert witnessed our biggest wins and most painful losses,” the statement says. “Not only was he an announcer, but he was a friend to many of our coaches, student-athletes, and staff members. UH Athletics has truly lost one of our own. Rest in Aloha, Robert.”
Many in the college football world reacted to the tragic news over the weekend:
BREAKING: This morning at 8:25 a.m., one of KITV'4s 'ohana, Robert Kekaula, suddenly passed.
He was the Managing Editor at the station, but played a huge role in the lives of many — even described as a 'warrior.'https://t.co/afxV5iGq1C pic.twitter.com/hWf4Mew0kU
— Island News (@KITV4) June 19, 2021
Statement from UH Athletics on the passing of longtime sportscaster and @HawaiiFootball announcer Robert Kekaula.
Rest in Aloha, Robert. pic.twitter.com/BKLajMrueb
— Hawaii Athletics (@HawaiiAthletics) June 19, 2021
RIP Robert Kekaula.
A legend in the college football world.
Hang his Hawaiian shirts in the rafters. pic.twitter.com/kRlwYz4ius
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) June 19, 2021
Hawaii legend Robert Kekaula has passed away. Talented sportscaster, gifted musician, awesome family man, great friend and mentor. Rest in aloha. #HawaiiFootball #HawaiiMBB #HawaiiAthletics
— Stephen Tsai (@StephenTsai) June 19, 2021
A trailblazer and a warrior, Robert Kekaula's passion for Hawaii and its people – especially his beloved Rainbow Warriors – always shown through in his decades covering the news. His voice was a welcome presence in homes across our state, including my own. Rest in aloha, Robert. pic.twitter.com/LElP7aFWMJ
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) June 20, 2021
Robert Kekaula is one of those characters that made college football so unique, fun and special.
Between this and the death of Colt Brennan, what a tragic time for Hawaii football. pic.twitter.com/zB1P7UZYzF
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) June 20, 2021
Our hearts are broken to hear the passing of our beloved brother, Robert Kekaula. Rest in love my brother! Rainbow Warrior 4eva!!!
— Ken Niumatalolo (@ken_niumatalolo) June 20, 2021
RIP Robert Kekaula. Probably my favorite call of his. This was an electric 2:30 AM back in 2018. pic.twitter.com/O9iryPSqYK
— The Burger Pauper (@OmarRashonBorja) June 19, 2021
The Robert Kekaula news is deflating. Such a terrific presence on late night Hawaii broadcasts.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) June 19, 2021
We are saddened to hear of the passing of one of the greats, Robert Kekaula. He had a wonderful passion for his home state, and he was always wonderful to work with during TV games with Hawai’i. Peace and prayers to all who knew him. #RIP https://t.co/OVzI8N8E0y
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) June 20, 2021
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB