Today, all Hawaiʻi mourns the loss of a great Native Hawaiian statesman, a true servant of the people. During his lifetime of service to Hawaiʻi, Senator Daniel Kahikina Akaka reminded us that the best way to lead in these islands, whether in the 21st century or in the time of our kūpuna, is through the Hawaiian values of haʻahaʻa (humility), pono and aloha. As the first and only Native Hawaiian to serve in the U.S. Senate, he was a tireless champion of Native Hawaiians and our rights as an indigenous people. We mahalo you, Senator Akaka, for making Hawaiʻi a better place and extend our aloha to Aunty Millie and the rest of the Akaka ʻohana.
ʻAʻohe pulu he waʻa nui, e hele ʻoe ma ka ʻili kai i ke ala ʻaʻole i hoʻi mai. Ke aloha nui.
The person who protects those in the canoe from getting wet embarks on the journey of no return. We bid you much aloha.
