Akaka, Daniel K. (Daniel Kahikina), 1924-2018

Daniel Kahikina Akaka (September 11, 1924 – April 6, 2018) was an American educator and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. Representative from Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 1977 to 1990 and U.S. Senator from Hawaii from 1990 to 2013. Akaka was the first U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

Born in Honolulu, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. He attended the University of Hawaii, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees. Originally a high school teacher, Akaka went on to serve as a principal for six years. In 1969, the Department of Education hired him as a chief program planner. In the 1970s, he served in various governmental positions, most notably as a special assistant in the office of Governor George R. Ariyoshi, where he served from 1975 to 1976.

After both of Hawaii's U.S. Representatrives announced candidacies to replace U.S. Senator Hiram Fong, Akaka ran for the 2nd district seat of Patsy Mink, running away with the election. A liberal Democrat, Akaka tended to vote the party line on the majority of legislation, which helped him advance within the House. Though he often differentiated himself from his party by supporting defense programs largely due to the military bases on Hawaiian soil, Akaka voted with party leadership on issues they deemed essential. From the Appropriations Committee and its Agriculture Subcommittee, Akaka supported the causes of the sugar and pineapple industry, tourism, and environmental protection, issues that loomed large for his constituency. He also continued his advocacy for Native Hawaiians. When Senator Spark Matsunaga died in 1990, Governor John Waihee III appointed Representative Akaka to finish out Matsunaga’s unexpired term.

As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (1990–2013), Akaka helped to expand federal support for veterans and honor their service with education benefits and medal awards. In 1996 he launched a review of World War II records which led to more than 30 medals being distributed in 2000 to retroactively honor the service of Asian-American soldiers, including Senator Daniel Inouye. Throughout his Senate career, Akaka devoted considerable effort to representing Asian Americans broadly and Native Hawaiians specifically. Akaka helped found the Asian Pacific American Caucus in 1994 and briefly served as its secretary. In 1993 Akaka secured congressional and presidential apologies for the U.S.-backed 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

After an intense primary battle in 2006, Akaka decided not to run for re-election in 2012. He retired from Congress at the age of 88 and resided in Pauoa Valley in Honolulu, Hawaii until his death on April 6, 2018.