Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 6, 1 June 2012 — UH awards honorary degree to Akaka [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

UH awards honorary degree to Akaka

By Lisa Asato Retiring U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka received an honorary degree from the University of Hawai'i - capping off a lifetime of dedication to education Akaka, the first Native Hawaiian in the U.S. Senate, received the honor at commencement ceremonies for master's and doctor's degrees May 12 at the Stan Sheriff Center, at the same ceremony where his nieee Melissa Akaka received her doctor of philosophy. The UH Board of Regents awarded honorary doctorates of humane letters to Akaka and Kyoto-born Japanese novelist Haiuki Murakami, a visiting professor in UH-Mānoa's East Asian Languages and Literatures Department. Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw presented a hand-made poi pounder to both men, saying the tool was used in Hawaiian culture to make poi "for the nourishment for the people of the 'āina." "These two individuals have both nourished all of us through their

many contributions," she said, adding, "These gifts symbolize our aloha for Mr. Murakami and Senator Akaka and recognize their outstanding lifetime contributions to education and our community. They have enriched the lives of so many and we are all deeply grateful." OHA trustees, managers and staff also paid tribute to Akaka with the chant "Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino," whieh was first composed by OHA staff as a song for the Hawaiian nation. Akaka will be retiring after 22 years in the Senate and 14 years in the U.S. House. Lor the past decade, he has championed the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act in the Senate, where he serves as chair of the Indian Affairs Committee, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and senior member and past chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Akaka, a war veteran and former teacher and principal in Hawai'i's puhlie school system, earned his bachelor's and master's degrees, both in education, from UH-Mānoa. ■

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EDUCATION

Sen. Daniel Akaka, center, with Hawai'inuiākea School of Hawaiian Language Dean Maenette Benham, left, then-UH-Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and School of Social Work Dean Noreen Mokuau. - Photos: LisaAsato