Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 10, 1 October 1997 — Aloha to Kahu Abraham Akaka [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha to Kahu Abraham Akaka

by Paula Durbln Pastor emeritus of Kawaiaha'o Church, Kahu Abraham Kahikina Akaka died Sept. 10 at Queen's Hospital of complications from an aortic aneurysm. He was 80 years old. Revered by both Hawaiians and the community, Kahu represented to many a beacon of faith and toleranee. He expressed his guiding spiritual principles with the phrases "Aloha ke Akua, ho'olōkahi me ke aloha," or "God is love, eome together with love." He liked to illustrate his mcssage with the image of a canoe steadily following a star or the sound of 'ukulele strings playing in harmony. Born in Pauoa Valley the third of eight children, Kahu Akaka graduated from McKinley High School and Illinois Wesleyan University. He was the first Hawaiian īo receive a bachelor of divinity degree from the University of Chicago Theological Seminary, whieh, in 1958, awarded him an honorary doctorate.

Before taking his position at Kawaia'hao in 1957, Kahu Akaka served in churches throughout the state, beginning on Kaua'i. He was ordained in Waimea and performcd his first wedding there. The young couple was from Ni'ihau and became the parents of Kaua'i Trustee Moses Keale. "Kahu Akaka organized the torchlight march that led to passage of the bills to recover land for Hawaiians in the 1960s," Trustee Keale recallcd. "Hc has now passed his spiritual eommitment along with the torch to us, his disciples." Although he officially retired in 1984, he was active as a minister until his death. Kahu Akaka is survived by his wife Mary Louise; son Jeffrey; daughters Fenner Marie, Pualani Suzanne, Sarah and Sandra; brothers Mark, Daniel and John; sister Susan; and eight grandchildren. He was honored at services held Sept. 19 at Kawaiaha'o and his funeral was held the following day. ■

PHOĪO COURTESY: ANNE MOORE

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Kahu Akaka dedicated his life to servng Akua, the Hawaiian people and the entire communrty.