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STAR-ADVERTISER FILE
U.S. senator Daniel Akaka has been trying since 2000 to win passage of the federal legislation.
HONOLULU » U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka told a crowd at the Native Hawaiian Convention in Honolulu that it’s important to remember to live Hawaiian values and draw courage from those that came before.
Akaka told attendees in a speech Thursday that they should focus their work on advancing Hawaiian self-determination and self-sufficiency. He encouraged those listening to strive to extend aloha in all they do, saying they’ll find aloha returned to them.
Akaka spoke at the convention for the last time as a sitting senator. The 88-year-old is retiring in January.
He quoted Queen Liliuokalani as saying there was time to save the heritage of Hawaiians and one must never to cease to act because of a fear of failure.
The senator says the queen’s words have guided his conduct and service.
