Pioneering Hawaii sportswriter Cindy Luis, dies at 70 – Hawaii News Now

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii sports community is mourning the loss of Cindy Luis.
The former Star Advertiser sports writer was a pioneer in the industry.
In 1981, Cindy Luis became the first woman sportswriter at the Honolulu Star Bulletin. Luis covered every sports beat at different times, but she will mostly be known for her coverage of the University of Hawaii women’s sports — including volleyball.
Luis eventually became the first woman sports editor of a newspaper in the State. Over the years, Luis covered multiple UH volleyball national championship teams, three with the Rainbow Wahine and two with the Warriors.
She retired in 2023. A year later, she was inducted into the UH sports circle of honor alongside fellow sports writer Ann Miller.
“We don’t do it for these awards, we do it for our readers,” Luis said in 2023. “So it’s really nice to be recognized, but nothing ever expected.”
News of Cindy’s passing was felt island wide with multiple messages of condolences and love have been posted on social media.
University of Hawaii Athletics saying in part: “It’s a sad day, but we’re thankful for her spirit and professionalism. Rest in Aloha, Cindy. You will be greatly missed, and your impact will live on forever.”
No doubt she’s left an indelible mark on anyone she encountered.
“Losing Cindy so suddenly is a shock for all of us, especially those of us, the many of us who count ourselves as friends,” Star Advertiser sports columnist Dave Reardon said. “I feel like I lost a sister and then also a brother in Bobby Curran in within the span of like around a week and we add Don Robbs in there, an uncle and all in just a few weeks’ time and it’s a natural part of life, of course, but it’s rough for all of us.”
Dave Reardon was a long time colleague of Luis’, he remembers her devotion to her work and the opportunity she gave him to come home.
“She hired me to come back to Hawaii when I was in Florida, they had an opening and she was the sports editor and she took a chance on me.” Reardon said.
Cindy’s memory lives on through her son Tiff Wells, the volleyball play-by-play announcer for ESPN Honolulu.
“Cindy was super talented and she’s also a very kind, generous person, and you know, her legacy lives on in her son Tiff.” Reardon said.
Cindy Luis was 70-years-old.
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