TV reporter found new niche in real estate, restaurant visits

Lyle Galdeira, former TV newscaster and reviewer on the popular television show "Cheap Eats," died early Monday morning.

Galdeira, 59, awoke Monday shortly after midnight complaining of difficulty breathing. City Emergency Medical Services Division personnel tried to revive him, but he died, his family said.

"He was a consummate professional in the newsroom and brought a depth of experience," said John Fink, who as general manager worked with him at KHNL.

"It was fun working with him. … He did some serious stuff and fun stuff."

Galdeira, born in Hono­­lulu, was a graduate of Punahou School and worked in news radio in Oregon after graduating from Pacific University in Oregon.

"He took his work very seriously," wife Kathy Galdeira said. "He prided himself on having great credibility. It was really important to him to have integrity."

She said Galdeira would have preferred to work in radio but made the move to television news when he returned to Hawaii.

He worked at a number of television stations, including KGMB and KITV in the late 1980s, and was known as a versatile reporter, doing investigative as well as funny stories, and including the human side of the news in his reporting.

Chuck Parker, then KHNL news director, said Galdeira had a commanding voice and a work ethic to back it up.

"He could turn a story on a dime. He was aggressive in terms of getting a story. He was reliable and a consummate storyteller," Parker said. "You could turn to him for anything. It didn’t matter what it was."

Galdeira proved flexible and versatile in finding a niche in the popular KHNL "Cheap Eats" program, where he worked with Russell Yama­noha in reviewing restaurants.

The program focusing on quality food and reasonable prices struck a nerve with Hawaii television viewers.

Both Galdeira and Yama­­noha visited the restaurants, interviewing the owners and their customers. Fink said restaurants would be jammed with customers for a week after they were featured on the program.

"We’ll miss him," Fink said. "He was a good guy."

For the past several years, Galdeira worked as an agent for Prudential Real Estate — a new occupation he enjoyed as well because it involved working with people, son Kyle Galdeira said.

Galdeira is also survived by daughter Emma and mother Ann Duncan.

Memorial services are pending.