10 Apr 2018

Tributes flow for first native-Hawaiian senator

From , 6:02 am on 10 April 2018

Tributes are flowing in Hawaii and around the Pacific following the death of former United States senator, Daniel Akaka last week on Friday.

Senator Akaka served in the US Army at the end of the Second World War, before becoming an educator and then Democrat politician in 1976.

He was the first native Hawaiian to be elected to the US Senate and he represented Hawaii for 36 years in Congress.

Among his many achievements, he successfully pushed for the belated recognition of Asians and Asian-Americans who had fought for the US during World War II.

He's also known for pushing a bill named after him [Akaka Bill] for almost a decade which establishes a process for US federal recognition of Native Hawaiians.

Hawaii state senator Kaiali'i Kahele spoke to Sara Vui-Talitu and says it's a huge loss.

Daniel Akaka, the first native Hawaiian to be elected to the United States Senate

Daniel Akaka, the first native Hawaiian to be elected to the United States Senate Photo: Facebook