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Daniel Akaka official Senate photo by U.S. Senate –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Daniel Kahikina Akaka

Daniel Kahikina Akaka is a former Hawaii senator who represented the state for 36 consecutive years. This was an uninterrupted 36 years which serves as a testament to not only his work ethic and quality but dedication to the people of Hawaii.

He was the first American senator of native Hawaiian descent. During his extremely long tenure as senator, he pushed for many crucial bills in the house. He prevailed in his battle for the long-overdue acknowledgment of Asians and Asian Americans who had fought for the US.

Here are some captivating facts about the war veteran, patriot, and Hawaii鈥檚 representative.

1. His Brother Became a Clergyman (Reverend Abraham Akaka)

Abraham Kahikina Akaka (February 21, 1917 鈥� September 10, 1997) by Unknown Author –

Daniel Kahikina Akaka was born on September 11th, 1924 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was the son of Kahikina Akaka (father) and Annie Kahoa (mother). His father was a sugar processor and worked as a molder for Honolulu Ironworks. His mother was a homemaker.

Daniel had seven siblings and they were all raised in a devoutly religious Christian family. His older brother Abraham chose his religion as his career and became a clergyman.

He became a Reverend at Kawaiaha驶o church in Hawaii. Daniel almost followed in his brother鈥檚 footsteps but instead chose to pursue education.

2. Served in The United States Army Corps of Engineers During WWII

In 1942, as WWII was beginning, Akaka was also graduating from Kamehameha Schools in Hawaii. Like most young men back then he was eligible and was enlisted into the war efforts.

He served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1945 to 1947 including service in Saipan and Tinian.  He served as a welder on a schooner vessel called Morning Star.

After the war, He was a beneficiary of the G.I. Bill which funded his university education. In 1952 he graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor of Education. In 1966 he got a master’s degree in Education from the same university.

3. Began His Career as A High School Teacher

A classroom full of students by PublicDomainPictures from

After graduating from Hawaii University in 1952, Akaka got a job as a high school teacher in Honolulu. He worked as a high school teacher from 1953 to 1960 when he was hired as a vice principal. In 1963, he was promoted again to head principal.

After getting his masters in 1966, Akaka was on the look for greener pastures. In 1969, they came as the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Akaka was then hired as the chief program planner.

From 1969 to 1976 he held various government positions. They include; the director of the Hawaii Office of Economic Opportunity, the human resources assistant for Governor George Ariyoshi, and the director of the Progressive Neighborhoods Program.

4. Elected to the House of Representatives In 1976

US Sen Daniel Akaka by US Government –

In 1976, he got his first taste of congress albeit in the lower house when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. Akaka was elected to represent Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district.

The district comprised the entire Hawaii state outside the confines of Honolulu.  Akaka was reelected convincingly seven more times and held the position until 1990.

5. Joined The U.S Senate by Appointment at First

In April 1990, Daniel Akaka was appointed to the U.S Senate by then-Governor John Waihee. His appointment came as a temporary placeholder for Senator Spark Matsunaga who had recently passed away. He became the first U.S. Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry with the appointment.

Official elections were held in November of the same year and Akaka was elected Senator to complete the remaining 4 years of Matsunaga鈥檚 term. In the elections, he defeated Republican Pat Saiki with 53% of the votes.

In 1994 he won the elections to serve his first ever full term as a senator with 70% of all votes. He proceeded to win the elections in 2000 and 2006.

6. Sponsored and Championed the Akaka Bill

During his tenure as a senator, Akaka served in 2 different committees. This includes as Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the United States Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.

However, Akaka was famous for pushing a bill that would allow Native Hawaiians Sovereignty. From 2000 up until his retirement, Akaka sponsored this bill wholeheartedly until it was referred to as the Akaka Bill.

The bill suggests creating a procedure for Native Hawaiians to be recognized by the US government in a manner akin to an Indian tribe. The measure forbids native Hawaiians from participating in gaming or receiving other privileges offered to Indian tribes with federal recognition.

7. One of Time Magazine鈥檚 5 Worst Senators

In April 2006, Time Magazine published an article titled; America鈥檚 Five Worst Senators. Sady for Akaka, he made the list. The other 4 on the list include senators Wayne Allard, Jim Bunning, Conrad Burns, and Mark Dayton.

He was condemned in the article for primarily penning small legislation. “Master of the small resolution and the bill that dies in committee,” was how they described him.

8. Retired In 2012

Former Senator Daniel Akaka in 2013 by Daniel Ramirez –

The 2006 primaries were intense with Akaka facing the first real test in elections since his 1990 special election. However, he managed to edge out a win against Cynthia Thielen.

On March 2nd, 2011, Akaka announced he would not be running for re-election in the 2012 U.S. Senate elections. At 88 years of age, Akaka officially retired from congress.

He attended his final congress session on December 12th, 2012. In his closing speech for his final session, his final words were “a hui hou” which translates to 鈥渦ntil we meet again鈥�.

9. Married Mary Mildred Chong

Senator Daniel Akaka and his wife, Mrs. Millie Akaka by Office of United States Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) –

After returning from the war, Daniel married Mary Mildred Chong in 1948. The couple remained married until he passed away in 2018. Together, they had five children, a daughter, and four sons.

The daughter is known as Millannie Akaka Mattson. The four sons go by the names Daniel Jr., Gerard, Alan, and Nicholas. Before his death, Akaka had many grandchildren as well as great-grandchildren.

10. Died of Organ Failure

On April 6th, 2018, Friday, Former senator Akaka passed away early in the morning. The cause of death for the 93-year-old war and political hero was organ failure.

Former president Barack Obama remembered Akaka as “a tireless advocate for working people, veterans, native Hawaiian rights, and the people of Hawaii.