A memorial service for Cec Heftel, former Hawaii congressman and broadcast industry leader, will be held March 28 at Hawaii Theatre.

The public is invited to attend the service from 2 to 3:30 p.m., said Doug Carlson, spokesman for the family.

“;It's Mrs. (Rebecca) Heftel's intention that it be a joyful remembrance of all he did for Hawaii and for broadcasting in particular.”;

Heftel, 85, died Feb. 4 in San Diego. He represented Hawaii's 1st District in Congress from 1976 to 1986. He also served one term on the state Board of Education and did not run for re-election in 2008. Heftel is remembered as a broadcasting pioneer on the mainland as well as Hawaii. He bought the KGMB radio and TV stations in 1965. He created local programming such as the “;Checkers and Pogo”; show, the “;J Akuhead Pupule”; radio talk show by Hal Lewis, and the news team anchored by Bob Sevey.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to charity.