Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 11, 1 November 2021 — Aloha Mai ē! Dr. Jeffrey Akaka Son of Rey. Abraham Akaka and His Ke 'Olu'olu Aloha Message [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha Mai ē! Dr. Jeffrey Akaka Son of Rey. Abraham Akaka and His Ke 'Olu'olu Aloha Message

J LEO 'ELELE V ^ TRUSTEE MESSAGES *

Welina! My eolumn this month features a prominent Native Hawaiian physieian, Dr. Jefffey Lee Akaka's meaning of ALOHA, whose "Ha'i Mana'o" is included in this issue of Ka Wai Ola, and whose accolades are too numerous to mention. Here are just a eouple: "I've known Jeff for over 20 years,from when he *testified in Congressfor better mental heahh

care for First Peoples (. Native Americans). He is a man of extraordinary dedication to our organization, profession and patients." - Frank W. Brown, MD, Chief Quality Officer, Emory University Hospital *Akaka also testified extensively before the Hawai'i State Legislature on this topic "Jeffrey Akaka represents a rare breed of deeply connected and helpful people. His genu-

ine personal connectedness isjust one of many direct influences he has had through political relationships of respect. In fact, Jeffrey's governmental relations muscle has been instrumental in powering through strong headwinds and influences that would have been destructive to our profession and elinieal autonomy. We are gratefulfor his kind, steady-hand-ed influence. More than two decades of energized, centered, andfocused advocacy are displayed on Dr. Akaka's curriculum vitae." - Ken Hopper, MD, MBA, President, Tarrant Chapter ofTexas Society of Psychiatric Physicians Please (ke 'olu'olu) read Dr. Akaka's compassionate Ha'i Mana'o in this issue, as it really should be read by all KWO readers. Dr. JefFrey Akaka's response to me after I replied to him: "Dear Trustee Leina'ala, "Mahalo nui for your kind alert. My late father was the Rev. Abraham Akaka, who just after statehood in March 1959, led the elected leaders of Hawai'i

ffom the 'Iolani Palaee, where he was ehaplain of the Territorial Legislature, to the Kawaiaha'o Church, where he was the eighth pastor, and gave the statehood sermon in whieh he defined ALOHA as: "The unconditional regard for your fellow human being. ALOHA seeks to do good to a person with NO conditions attached, out of a sense of kinship. ALOHA loves even when that love is not returned, and such is the t of God.

'And then he called for Hawai'i to be known as the Aloha State. And now more than ever, especially in this time of COVID and its divisiveness, we need to return to this root of how Hawai'i, as a state, began. "ALOHA and mahalo for all you do, Jeffrey Akaka, MD, Native Hawaiian Physician" Before I leave you during this 1hanksgiving Hau'oli Lā Ho'omaika'i season, I want

to share with you what I feel this word, ALOHA truly means to me. I have always considered it more of a feeling than just a particular meaning. Of course, we all know that it ean mean many things, but to me it is indescribable. It must be experienced to be understood. On a spiritual level, ALOHA is an acknowledgement of the Divinity whieh dwells within and without us. HRS 5-7.5 Aloha Spirit: (a)Aloha Spirit is the coordination of mind and heart within eaeh person. It brings eaeh person to the self. Eaeh person must think and emote good feelings to others. ALOHA also means "mutual regard and affection whieh extends warmth and caring with no obligation in return." Dr. Akaka speaks of his father's sermon about ALOHA as unconditional love - and that "such is the Love of God." Hau'oli Lā Ho'omaika'i, a hui hou, Trustee Leina'ala Ahu Isa ■

Leina'ala Ahu Isa, Ph.D. Vice Chair, Trustee, At-large

Dr. Jeffrey Akaka (left) wilh his unele, the lale Sen. ūaniel Akaka.