Obama gives condolences to Akaka’s family

Former President Barack Obama has joined the many friends and colleagues of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in sharing condolences and fond remembrances of the longtime politician, who died Friday at age 93.

The Hawaii-born Obama called Akaka “a tireless advocate for working people, veterans, Native Hawaiian rights and the people of Hawaii.”

He said Akaka, the first Native Hawaiian elected to the U.S. Senate, was “one of the first people to welcome me with open arms when we served together in the Senate.”

“He embodied the aloha spirit with compassion and care. Michelle and I send our deep condolences to Millie and his family, and to the people of Hawaii who loved him and whom he loved throughout his life,” Obama said.

During his nearly four-decade political career, Akaka was best known for his advocacy on behalf of Native Hawaiians and veterans. He introduced the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, which would become known as the Akaka Bill, in 2000 in an effort to secure federal recognition for the Native Hawaiian people. The measure never became law but did lead to a 2016 Interior Department administrative rule that allows for federal recognition.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced Monday, according to family spokesman Jesse Broder Van Dyke.