Question: We’re curious where Robert Kekaula went after his fellow anchor newscaster Paula Akana left for her new job. We don’t see him anymore on the KITV newscast. Where did he go?

Answer: You are one of several readers asking about Kekaula, who was replaced as news anchor at KITV this summer, after co-anchor Akana left the station to become executive director of Iolani Palace. The duo had co-anchored KITV’s 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts since 2017. Kekaula remains with the station, just not in the anchor’s seat.

“Robert Kekaula is a valuable member of the KITV4 Island News team. While viewers have missed his smiling face at the anchor desk, they are benefiting from his expertise. Since leaving the anchor desk in July, Robert has been actively involved behind the scenes focused on improving our storytelling, writing and producing our daily newscasts. In his new role, Robert is involved in guiding our coverage and coaching newer reporters,” Janice S. Gin, news director of KITV4 Island News, said in an email. “Robert continues to report on the evening newscasts with special features, such as his popular series ‘Made in Hawaii.’ Robert is also working on several other special reports and as host of several special projects for the station.”

Kekaula, who’s been with the station since 1997, was the sports director for years before ascending to news anchor, according to KITV’s website.

We also reached out to him directly, but received no response.

Since July, Brenton Awa and Mika Miyashima have co-anchored the 6 and 10 p.m. weekday newscasts. (Awa co-anchors with Moanike’ala Nabarro at 5 p.m.)

Other readers have asked about Miyashima. (Akana received an on-air sendoff, as her new position at Iolani Palace was announced well before her departure.)

Miyashima, who was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Utah, has extended family in Hawaii and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Hawaii, according to the KITV news website.

“She got an early taste of broadcasting as an intern with the KITV sports team covering basketball and football games. Immediately after graduation, she went to Los Angeles to start her career and eventually returned to Hawaii to join KITV in 2016,” Gin said.

Before being promoted in July, Miyashima did the weather for KITV’s weekend morning newscast and during the week worked as a “multi-media journalist,” producing, writing, shooting and editing her own stories, Gin said.

KITV’s website describes her as an outdoor adventurer and world traveler who’s been to at least 20 countries.

Viewers may be more familiar with Awa, who grew up in Kaaawa, was a champion wrestler at Kahuku High School and returned to Hawaii shortly after graduating from Clarion University in Pennsylvania, according to the KITV website.

KITV4 hired him as a reporter in April 2013 and he moved up the ranks, to weekend morning anchor, 5 p.m. anchor and, since July, anchor or co-anchor of all the weekday evening or nightly newscasts.

Mahalo

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Mahalo

I would like to thank the Maui Little League Team for representing and making Hawaii proud. You all did your best. You are all winners to me. — Debbie K.

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