Hawaii: Today in History 9/11

9-11-1924 Daniel Akaka, American educator and politician (Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii), born in Honolulu, Hawaii (d. 2018)

Daniel Kahikina Akaka (/əˈkɑːkə/;[2] September 11, 1924 – April 6, 2018) was an American educator and politician who was 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.[3]

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.

Akaka was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1976 to represent Hawaii’s Second Congressional District, and 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 re-elected to three full terms. In March 2011, he announced he would not run for re-election in 2012.[4]

After fellow U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye died on December 17, 2012, Akaka became the state’s senior senator, and briefly remained so until he left office on January 3, 2013. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Mazie Hirono.[

Daniel Kahikina Akaka was born in Honolulu, the son of Annie (née Kahoa) and Kahikina Akaka. His paternal grandfather was born in Swatow, Canton, China during the late Qing Dynasty, and his other grandparents were of Native Hawaiian descent.[6][7] His brother was Rev. Abraham Akaka.[8]

Akaka graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1942. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including service on Saipan and Tinian. He served from 1945 to 1947.[1] He worked as a welder and a mechanic and in 1948 was a first mate on the schooner Morning Star.[9]

Entering college (funded by the G.I. Bill), he earned a bachelor of education in 1952 from the University of Hawaii. He later received a master of education from the same school in 1966. He worked as a high school teacher in Honolulu from 1953 until 1960, when he was then hired as a vice principal. His son Alan Akaka was born in 1956.[10] In 1963, he became head principal.