Former Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka, who represented Hawaii
in Congress for nearly four decades and was regarded as a champion of Native
Hawaiian culture, died early Friday morning. He was 93.
Jon Yoshimura, Akaka’s former communications director,
confirmed Akaka’s death on Friday afternoon. He said Akaka died just before 5
a.m.
Akaka had been hospitalized in November because of a leg
infection, according to Yoshimura. He recovered from that, went into rehab and
was walking around, Yoshimura said. But about a month ago, Akaka had a medical
event that required he return to the hospital, Yoshimura said.
“When he went back to the hospital, that’s when his
condition steadily worsened,” he said.
Condolences came in from elected officials who paid tribute
to the former educator and principal who served in Congress for 36 years.
U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, said in a statement
that Akaka embodied the Aloha Spirit.
“He dedicated his life to serving the people of Hawaii as an
educator, and in the U.S. Army, state government, the U.S. House, and the U.S.
Senate,” Hirono said. “In Congress, Senator Akaka’s care, empathy, and
collegiality served as an example for us all.”
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, echoed Hirono’s
sentiment.
“He treated everyone equally, with kindness, respect &
love - no matter who they were or how they treated him,” she tweeted in part.
Regarded as a champion of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians,
and Pacific Islanders during his time in Washington, Akaka sponsored
legislation to enhance Hawaiian education programs and a resolution
acknowledging the U.S. government's role in overthrowing the Kingdom of Hawaii
in 1893. He was the first U.S. senator of Native Hawaiian descent, according to
NBC affiliate Hawaii News Now.
In 2014, he received the National Education Association
Human and Civil Rights Award, recognized as a ground-breaking educator who
introduced Native Hawaiian language and culture into schools.
“The word ‘No’ was never in Senator Akaka’s vocabulary,”
said NEA/Hawaii State Teachers Association member Laverne Ferandes Moore at the
time. “He spent his career in Congress finding ways to better the lives of
Asian and Pacific Islanders.”
Married with five children, Akaka announced in 2011 at the
age of 86 that he would not seek reelection at the end of his term.
In a 2012 interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd, Akaka discussed
that decision, saying he was looking forward to going back home. In addition to
his five children, Akaka said then that he had 15 grandchildren and 15
great-grandchildren, with more of the latter on the way.
“When I went there, I didn’t know them,” Akaka said,
referring to a trip back to Hawaii in 2011. “I had to ask their names, who’s
their parents.”
Akaka said in a statement at the time that choosing to
retire was “a very difficult decision.”
"However, I feel that the end of this Congress is the
right time for me to step aside,” he said.
In his NBC exit interview, Akaka offered a piece of advice
to his successors, one that is uniquely Hawaiian.
“I feel that since I came here, one of the things I’ve tried
to do — and done it as much as I can — was to bring about a feeling here, of a
spirit, that comes from Hawaii, that we call Aloha spirit,” he said, “because
it opens things up, it cuts down fences, it helps people to feel the need to
work with each other.”
“I hope those who will succeed us here will continue that,”
Akaka said.
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