Labor expert Michael Nauyokas, who handled thousands of mediation cases in Hawaii and was a nationally recognized lawyer, died at his Diamond Head home on Monday night or Tuesday morning.

A friend who spoke to Nauyokas’ girlfriend and asked not to be identified confirmed the death. Nauyokas is recognized by Best Lawyers, a national, peer-review publication of the legal profession.

“We’re all in a state of shock,” said Tracey Wiltgen, executive director of the Mediation Center of the Pacific, which recognized Nauyokas with a lifetime achievement award in May. “This was somebody who gave a lot. It’s a real loss.”