Longtime Hawaii sports broadcaster Jim Leahey dies at 80

Jim Leahey, who began his career calling University of Hawaii athletics nearly 60 years ago, passed away on Monday. He was 80.

Leahey called thousands of Hawaii games in his career across numerous sports, beginning with working as the P.A. announcer for the inaugural Rainbow Classic in 1964. He took over the Hawaii play-by-play duties in 1973 — after working alongside his father, Chuck, as an analyst on radio broadcasts — and began calling televised Hawaii games — KGMB, KFVE, and OCSports — in 1984. He was inducted into the University of Hawaii’s Sports Circle of Honor in 2016 and retired in 2018.

University of Hawaii athletics released a statement on Monday:

We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Leahey, who was the voice of University of Hawai’i sports for more than four decades. Jim was there for our biggest moments. His iconic and colorful calls have been stamped into our collective memories. Jim was eloquent, knowledgeable and more than anything was a fierce supporter of this state and its great culture and sports teams. A giant in the industry, Jim took the broadcasting torch from his father Chuck and has since passed it on to his son Kanoa. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Leahey ‘ohana during this difficult time. 

The Hawaii sports community is devastated by the news, and plenty of fans have shared tributes, including some of Leahey’s iconic calls:

https://twitter.com/HawaiiAthletics/status/1620214060393586688

https://twitter.com/RobDeMelloKHON/status/1620183187346571287

I feel very privileged to be able to say Jim Leahey and I were more than just friends. We shared 13 unforgettable football seasons doing University of Hawaiʻi games on radio and television. pic.twitter.com/Gr6Zkc5VFn

— Mayor Rick Blangiardi (@MayorRickHNL) January 30, 2023

“EXCUSE ME WHILE I KISS THE SKY!”

Rest in paradise, Jim Leahey ❤️ pic.twitter.com/t12NWhJiax

— Fuchsia (@fyoosha) January 31, 2023

As a sportscaster, Jim Leahey had the rare ability to know when to be silent and to allow fans to just enjoy the moment. RIP Legend, thank you for your lifetime dedication to Hawaii sports. pic.twitter.com/dOLL0f2SOA

— HI-Sports Forever (@HISportsForever) January 30, 2023

The passion that Jim Leahey had for Hawaii sports will forever be unmatched. Growing up he made all of us become Hawaii fans for life. RIP Legend. pic.twitter.com/JRuRHJvg6l

— HI-Sports Forever (@HISportsForever) January 30, 2023

Rest in peace to the legend and the voice of Hawaii sports, Jim Leahey. His iconic voice and play calling will forever be engrained in Hawaii sports history. https://t.co/TBlLE5oFyn

— HI-Sports Forever (@HISportsForever) January 30, 2023

Jim’s son, Kanoa, is now the TV play-by-play voice for Rainbow Warriors sports. For nearly a decade, they co-hosted a weekly sports talk show, Leahey and Leahey.

[Hawaii Athletics; Hawaii News Now; KHON2; Photo Credit: Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi]