Robert Kekaula, a longtime journalist and sportscaster in Hawaii, died Saturday morning surrounded by his family.

Kekaula passed away at 8:25 a.m., according to family members.

In a statement his family said:

“We have heavy hearts this morning as our ‘ohana has lost its mighty wings. 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 beside us and continue to guide us along the way. Mahalo to everyone who touched his life along this journey. Aloha ‘Oe to our father, partner, brother, uncle and friend. We ask for privacy as we get through this difficult time.”

The exact cause of his death is unknown at this time.

A legend in Hawaii sports media, Kekaula started his first job in broadcast journalism at KGMB as a weekend sports producer.

In 1989, he joined KITV as a weekend sports anchor and reporter. He later left the station for KHNL in 1994, and returned to KITV in 1997 to work as sports director.

Kekaula most recently worked as a managing editor at KITV and also provided a play-by-play voice for University of Hawaii football games for Spectrum Sports.

Following the announcement of Kekaula’s death, KITV′s News Director Janice Gin said, “He leaves a legacy of being a great communicator, one who understood people of all walks. He appreciated the human spirit and human potential. He loved Hawaii, and the culture that made him proud to be a native son of the Islands.”