Daniel Akaka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Akaka
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| United States Senator from Hawaii |
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| In office May 16, 1990 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Spark Matsunaga |
| Succeeded by | Mazie Hirono |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1977 – May 16, 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Patsy Mink |
| Succeeded by | Patsy Mink |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Daniel Kahikina Akaka
September 11, 1924 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii |
| Died | April 6, 2018 (aged 93) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Resting place | National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Chong |
| Children | 5, including Alan |
| Relatives | Abraham Akaka (brother) |
| Education | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (BEd, MEd) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1945–1947 |
| Rank |  Corporal |
| Unit | United States Army Corps of Engineers |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Daniel Kahikina Akaka (September 11, 1924 – April 6, 2018) was an American educator and politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for Hawaii from 1990 to 2013. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Akaka was also the first U.S. Senator who was of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After the war, he went to the University of Hawaii. There, he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees. Before becoming a politician, Akaka was a high school teacher and later a principal. He also worked in various government jobs in the 1970s.
Akaka was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1976. He represented Hawaii's 2nd congressional district for 13 years. In 1990, he was chosen to fill a U.S. Senate seat after Senator Spark Matsunaga passed away. He then won a special election to keep the seat. Akaka was reelected to the Senate three more times. In 2011, he announced he would not run for reelection in 2012.
When Senator Daniel Inouye died in December 2012, Akaka became Hawaii's most senior senator for a short time. He left office on January 3, 2013. Mazie Hirono, a fellow Democrat, took his place.
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Early Life and Education
Daniel Kahikina Akaka was born in Honolulu. His parents were Annie and Kahikina Akaka. His grandfather on his father's side was born in China. His other grandparents were of Native Hawaiian descent. His brother was Rev. Abraham Akaka.
Akaka said that Hawaiian was his "native tongue." He graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1942.
Military Service
During World War II, Akaka served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He was stationed on islands like Saipan and Tinian. He served from 1945 to 1947. He worked as a welder and a mechanic. In 1948, he was a first mate on a ship called the Morning Star.
Family and College
Akaka married Mary Mildred "Millie" Chong on May 22, 1948. They had five children together.
He used the G.I. Bill to pay for college. He earned a Bachelor of Education degree in 1952 from the University of Hawaii. He later received a Master of Education from the same university in 1966.
Starting His Career
Akaka worked as a high school teacher in Honolulu from 1953 to 1960. Then, he became a vice principal. In 1963, he became a head principal.
In 1969, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare hired Akaka. He worked as a chief program planner. Akaka continued to work in government. He held roles like director of the Hawaii Office of Economic Opportunity. He also helped Governor George Ariyoshi with human resources.
Serving in Congress
U.S. House of Representatives
Akaka was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1976. He represented Hawaii's 2nd congressional district. This district covered all of Hawaii outside of central Honolulu. He was reelected seven times, winning by large amounts each time.
U.S. Senate (1990-2013)
In April 1990, Governor John Waihee chose Akaka to serve in the U.S. Senate. This was a temporary appointment after Senator Spark Matsunaga passed away. In November of that year, Akaka was elected to finish Matsunaga's term. He won against U.S. Representative Pat Saiki.
He was reelected in 1994 for a full six-year term. He won with over 70% of the vote. He was reelected again in 2000 with similar ease. For the 2006 election, he faced a strong challenge. However, he won his third full term with 61 percent of the vote.
Key Work in the Senate
During his time in the Senate, Akaka led important committees. He was the Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. He also chaired the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In 1996, Akaka helped pass a law. This law led to many Medals of Honor being given to Asian-American soldiers. These soldiers were from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion. He also helped pass a law to give benefits to Philippine Scouts. These scouts had been denied veterans benefits before.
The Akaka Bill
From 2000 until he retired, Akaka worked on a law called the Akaka Bill. This bill aimed to give sovereignty (self-governance) to Native Hawaiians. Supporters of the bill believed it would help restore self-determination. This was lost when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1893. The bill would recognize Native Hawaiians by the U.S. government.
Some people criticized the bill. They worried it might treat people differently based on their ethnic background. This was because only Native Hawaiians would be part of the new governing group.
Other Votes and Retirement
In October 2002, Akaka voted against using military force in Iraq.
On March 2, 2011, Akaka announced he would not run for reelection. He was 88 years old at the time. He attended his last Senate session on December 12, 2012. He ended his speech with a traditional Hawaiian farewell, "a hui hou" (until we meet again).
Committee Roles
Akaka served on several important Senate committees:
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (He chaired a subcommittee here.)
- Committee on Indian Affairs (He was the Chairman.)
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs
- Congressional Task Force on Native Hawaiian Issues (He was the Chairman.)
Caucus Memberships
Akaka was also part of several groups called caucuses:
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Congressional Biotechnology Caucus
- Congressional Postal Caucus (Vice Chair)
- International Conservation Caucus
- Senate Army Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Senate Sweetener Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Senate Oceans Caucus
Death and Legacy
Akaka passed away on April 6, 2018, at age 93. He died from organ failure. Former president Barack Obama remembered Akaka. He said Akaka was a "tireless advocate for working people, veterans, native Hawaiian rights, and the people of Hawaii." Obama added that Akaka "embodied the aloha spirit with compassion and care."
Images for kids
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Daniel Akaka's signature
See also
- List of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans in the United States Congress
- List of members of the 110th United States Congress who have served in the United States military
