One year after the passing at age 56 of a well-known local TV personality, his former employer is honoring him with a fellowship in his name.

KITV4 Island News said in a press release that the Robert Kekaula Fellowship is in recognition of Kekaula’s “many contributions to the community and to carry on his legacy in Hawaii broadcasting.”

Kekaula was a managing editor, a news anchor and sports director.

Robert Kekaula 

An entry-level part-time paid position, the RK Fellowship is a one-year program designed to encourage the next generation “to be positive and important influencers” as broadcast journalists.

Fellows will work in the KITV4 News Department but also receive a “broad view of the many aspects” of broadcasting by spending time in other station departments.

“In broadcasting, he learned the ins and outs of the business, from the smallest job to high profile and most influential positions,” the press release says of Kekaula. “He did it all, and always gave back while creating a path that others could follow.”

Applicants must be Hawaiian or born or raised in the islands, though they do not need to be a current resident. Applicants must be currently a college student and be flexible to work any news-gathering shift.

Applications can be submitted to www.kitv.com/RKFellow.

Help Power Local, Nonprofit News.

Across the nation and in Hawaii, news organizations are downsizing and closing their doors due to the ever-rising costs of keeping local journalism alive and well.

While Civil Beat has grown year over year, still only 1% of our readers are donors, and we need your help now more than ever.

Make a gift today of any amount, and your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,500, thanks to a generous group of Civil Beat donors.

About the Author