Akaka's Retirement: Native Hawaiians To Lose Advocate In Washington
Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawaii, will retire from the U.S. Senate this year, marking the end of his 35 years in Congress.
Akaka, 87, served 13 years in the House of Representatives before his 22 year-long career in the Senate, where he is the only Native Hawaiian. As a longtime advocate for greater federal recognition of Native Hawaiians, his departure could prove worrisome for indigenous rights in the United States.