College football world remembers Hawaii icon Robert Kekaula after his passing
By Keith Farner
Published:
The college football world lost a broadcasting icon on Saturday when Robert Kekaula, known for calling Hawaii football games, passed away.
Kekaula was KITV’s assistant news director and Spectrum Sports’ play-by-play announcer for Hawaii football telecasts. As the Star Advertiser reported, he delivered reports with the vibrancy to match his bright custom-tailored aloha shirts. His contacts were so strong in the UH sports community that colleagues nicknamed him the “General Manager.”
Kekaula also was a talented musician and composer. His friendship circle did not have boundaries. Kekaula was embraced by the music community to law enforcement.
“We have heavy hearts this morning as our ‘ohana has lost its mighty wings,” the Kekaula family wrote 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.
“Our wings are broken but we will fly again one day. And Robert will fly besides us and continue to guide us along the way. Mahalo to everyone who touched his life along his journey. Aloha ‘oe to our father, partner, brother, uncle, friend. We ask for privacy as we get through this difficult time.”
RIP to one of the greats of college football broadcasting. Robert Kekaula helped make countless Hawaiian football fans. The way names like “Pisa Tinoisamoa” rolled off his tongue was almost musical pic.twitter.com/n3Bj7qnbv6
— Mare (Adam) of Koreatown (@ManOfSnacktion) June 19, 2021
💙Rest in Aloha Robert Kekaula💙. We will miss your music and broadcasting 😢🌺
— Leilika (@Lei_Lika) June 19, 2021
Rest In Aloha Robert Kekaula, the play- by-play voice of Hawai’i football. Mahalo for your legacy and for helping to pave the way for local sports journalists #Imua. https://t.co/JiXdwaDKE6
— Colt Almodova (@ColtAlmodova) June 19, 2021
Absolute legend in Hawaii Sports, as a young sports reporter, he was one of my idols. My condolences to his ohana and @KITV4 https://t.co/QnvO3SGkw2
— Kyle Chinen (@KyleChinen) June 19, 2021
Hawaii lost Colt Brennan and Robert Kekaula this year. Just completely devastating for the ohana.
— Nik Streng (@NikStreng) 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
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
