Kekaula returns,
signs with KITV

After his firing from KHNL
last month, the sportscaster is back
where he started his career

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

Sports reporter Robert Kekaula is making "one big promise" to Hawaii viewers before he returns to television tonight on KITV-Channel 4 following his firing last month from KHNL for a newsroom altercation.

"If it ever happens in my career again I'll run the Honolulu Marathon buck naked, definitely," Kekaula, 32, told the Star-Bulletin last night after signing a two-year contract with the station where he started his broadcasting career several years ago.

"I made a mistake (at KHNL) and I've learned my lesson. I ask people to please give me a chance and judge my work."

Kekaula's new contract with the ABC affiliate has him back as a weekday sports reporter and weekend sports anchor. Ironically, Kekaula will work under current KITV sports director Shawn Ching, who replaced Kekaula when he moved to KHNL.

Neither Kekaula nor KITV general manager Mike Rosenberg would discuss Kekaula's salary, but sources said it is far less than the $100,000 annual salary he was earning at KHNL-News8, the NBC affiliate, under a five-year contract.

"KITV has given me a second chance; the opportunity and the salary is very fair considering my situation," Kekaula said.

He is expected to anchor tonight's 10 p.m. sports because Ching is doing play-by-play OIA football, Rosenberg said.

Kekaula, who had been at KHNL for nearly three years, was fired Oct. 19 after he grabbed an executive news producer by the neck in the newsroom. The altercation started over recurring technical problems during Kekaula's noon newscast but was exacerbated when the producer allegedly called the much-larger Kekaula a name, several witnesses said.

Rosenberg has been assured by Kekaula that it won't happen again.

"There is always concern about an incident like this," Rosenberg said. "I think the (KHNL) incident was blown out of proportion, but then I wasn't the guy getting choked. Robert does not have a history of being abusive."

Meanwhile, the contract of sports reporter Rick Agan will not be renewed when it expires at the end of January.

"I feel badly about this," Rosenberg said. "He interned with us . . . and then we moved him up to a regular job and he's done great. But we had to make a choice to make this opportunity happen."

Kekaula is a "very talented" personality who "brings out strong reactions in people" in interviews, Rosenberg said.

"When someone becomes available that you think can help you be the best newscast in town with the best ratings, you have to go after them," Rosenberg said. "Robert is someone who can helps us get to that position."

Kekaula's hiring was simplified because he was willing to take "a step back" in returning to a reporting position, Rosenberg said.

"Basically he's starting his career over," he said.

An anonymous letter typed on KITV stationery received earlier this week by the Star-Bulletin said, among other things, that Kekaula's return to KITV was not welcomed by some staff members.

"We know that Robert may not be welcomed back with open arms from everybody," said Rosenberg, who has seen a copy of the letter. "But most of the people who feel that way are the most loyal ones to KITV and felt he left us for greed.

"The main reason Robert went to KHNL was not the money but the opportunity to do play-by-play of UH sports. It was something we could not offer Robert and it was a wonderful opportunity for him."

Kekaula served as a football analyst for KFVE, KHNL's sister station, and was hosting a Sunday night sports show for KHNL when he was fired.

It's not yet been determined which three week days Kekaula will be working beside his weekend assignment. His new contract offers no future promises of promotions, Kekaula said.