Posted on: Tuesday, July 23, 2002

Teacher to be arraigned on child pornography charges

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A popular kumu hula and longtime teacher at Waiau Elementary will be arraigned Thursday in federal court on a charge of possessing child pornography.

Keith K. Akana, 45, was indicted on the charge by a federal grand jury July 17. If convicted, Akana could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

He is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Kevin Chang Thursday. Akana, reached at his Pearl City home yesterday, declined to comment.

The indictment accuses Akana of possessing computer files that contained "visual depictions of minors engaged in explicit conduct." Akana had possession of the material on April 13, 2002, the indictment said.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Customs Service and the FBI.

Akana has been a teacher at Waiau since 1987 and served as interim vice principal in the 2000-2001 school year. He began teaching in the school's Hawaiian language immersion program in 1989.

Waiau principal Judith Elliott said the school is on summer break, but teachers will report to work next week. At that time, she said, Akana will be placed on paid leave of absence.

"It makes us all very sad that he has been indicted," Elliott said. "For us, the decisions that we have to make in the future will be based on the safety and the welfare of the children, and that will be foremost in our minds as we move ahead through the investigation and any further action."

Akana is kumu hula of Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lani, a winning halau at this year's Merrie Monarch Festival, and has served as president of 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i, a Hawaiian language organization.