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

<p>Daniel Kahikina Akaka (/əˈkɑːkə/; September 11, 1924 – April 6, 2018) was an American educator and politician who served as a United States Senator from Hawaii from 1990 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Akaka was the first U.S. Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Akaka was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1976 to represent Hawaii's 2nd congressional district; he served for 13 years. In 1990, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate to succeed the deceased Spark Matsunaga, subsequently winning the special election to complete Matsunaga's term. He would later be reelected to three full terms. In March 2011, he announced he would not run for reelection in 2012.</p>

<p>After fellow U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye died on December 17, 2012, Akaka became the state's senior senator for 2 weeks until he left office on January 3, 2013. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Mazie Hirono.</p>

<p>As the first Native Hawaiian in the U.S. Senate, Daniel K. Akaka used his genial nature and influence in committee to effect change on the national stage. During his 36 years of service in the House and Senate, Akaka built up significant loyalty in Hawaii and within the Democratic Party. However, success eluded him on his signature piece of legislation, a law elevating Native Hawaiians to tribal status with all the privileges commensurate with that designation. “I am not a born politician,” Akaka said of his congressional experience. “People tell me I have to be feisty to get my way in Congress. But that’s not my style. I use my Hawaiian abilities and the spirit of Aloha that brings people together.”</p>

<p>Daniel Kahikina Akaka was born on September 11, 1924, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of Kahikina Akaka and Annie Kahoa. His ethnic Chinese father processed sugar and worked as a molder for the Honolulu Ironworks. His Native Hawaiian mother was a homemaker who raised Daniel and his seven brothers and sisters. The family lived in a two-bedroom home with a separate building for the kitchen, cooking on a wood stove. Akaka’s family was devoutly religious, a quality that stayed with Akaka throughout his life. He briefly considered following his older brother, Abraham, into the ministry before committing himself to education. He remained close with Abraham, whom he invited to act as a guest chaplain in the House in 1977 and the Senate in 1991.</p>

<p>Akaka attended public schools in Honolulu and graduated from the Kamehameha School for Boys in 1942. After high school, he followed in his father’s footsteps and began working as a civilian welder and mechanic for the Hawaiian Electric Company. He joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers upon being drafted in 1945 and received an honorable discharge from the Army in 1947. He then served as the first mate on the schooner Morning Star out of Hawaii for a year. In 1948 Akaka married Mary Mildred Chong, with whom he had five children, Alan, Millannie, Daniel Jr., Nicholas, and Gerard.</p>

AKAKA, Daniel Kahikina, a Senator and a Representative from Hawaii; born in Honolulu, Hawaii, September 11, 1924; attended the public schools of Hawaii; graduated, Kamehameha School for Boys (high school) 1942; University of Hawaii: B.E., education 1952; professional certificate in secondary education 1953; professional school administrator's certificate 1961; M.E., education 1966; served in United States Army 1945-1947; teacher 1953-1960; vice principal 1960; principal 1963-1971, all in Hawaii; program specialist, Compensatory Education 1968-1971; director, Hawaii Office of Economic Opportunity 1971-1974; special assistant, Hawaii Office of the Governor 1975-1976; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-fifth and to the six succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1977, until May 16, 1990, when he resigned; appointed to the United States Senate on April 28, 1990, effective May 16, 1990, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Spark Masayuki Matsunaga; elected by special election on November 6, 1990, as a Democrat to complete the term ending January 3, 1995; reelected in 1994, 2000, and 2006, and served from May 16, 1990, to January 3, 2013; chair, Committee on Veterans Affairs (One Hundred Tenth and One Hundred Eleventh Congresses), Committee on Indian Affairs (One Hundred Twelfth Congress); was not a candidate for reelection to the Senate in 2012; was a resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, until his death on April 6, 2018.