Daniel K. Akaka, the first person of Hawaiian ancestry to serve in both the U.S. House and Senate, aspired to be a school music teacher and choirmaster.
Born in 1924, youngest of seven children, Akaka became an educator after graduation from the University of Hawai'i in 1952.
He was pulled into politics almost as an afterthought when he was spotted as a leader in 1971 by Gov. John Burns and later became a protege of Gov. George Ariyoshi.
At the urging of Ariyoshi, Akaka ran for and won a U.S. House seat in 1976, where he remained until he was appointed to replace the late Sen. Spark Matsunaga in 1990. He was elected to the Senate in 1992.
He is known for his continuing efforts to pass a namesake bill that would establish a Native Hawaiian governing entity with recognition by the federal government.
But he may be best remembered for authoring what has been called the "apology bill" — landmark legislation acknowledging America's role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and apologizing to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the nation.
Known as a quiet, polite senator and loyal Democrat, Akaka was perpetually among the best-liked U.S. senators. But he also was criticized for accomplishing little in office. In his 81st year, Time magazine listed him as one of the "five worst" members of the Senate, a charge that was itself criticized by Akaka's defenders, including fellow Hawai'i Democrat Sen. Daniel Inouye.
