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First, thank you, Sen. Daniel Akaka, for being an example and an inspiration to me on how to live with strength, kindness, humility and aloha. And, thank you for being a leader who exemplified those qualities on a state, national and even global level.

To share a personal story, I worked for him for six years.

One day after maybe four years, I was with him alone while waiting for a ride from one event to another. I felt comfortable enough with him, so I shared a kind of cocky thought that I was thinking, which was actually a hint that maybe I was due a little pay raise.

I said to him that I was grateful to have worked for him because it was such a great learning experience. I added that by now with all that I have learned I must have achieved at least the equivalent of a master’s degree!

He raised an eyebrow and took in what I said for a moment. He probably sensed where I was coming from.

Instead of agreeing or disagreeing, he addressed what I said with the following: “I will tell you the same thing that my parents told me. The most important thing you can learn is this: ‘Ke Akua aloha. Aloha ke Akua. God is love. Love is God. Either way you say it, it means the same same thing.’”

He added, “Those words were spoken by my parents every day in our house when we were growing up.”

Left Speechless

Needless to say, my attempt to soften him up for a pay-raise request was completely shut down. Moreover, I was left speechless thinking about the what he had shared with me. And I am sure that me not talking did not bother him.

Seriously, his words were of greater value than a pay raise. In the following moments and days I felt a great affection for him. I felt like he gave me the kind of admonishment that a father would share with a son.

At once, I missed my own father who was about his age and 5,000 miles away in Hawaii. And, at the same time I felt sorry for his children who were around my age and also far away in Hawaii, missing the aloha and wisdom that he could be sharing with them.

Ke Akua aloha. Aloha ke Akua. After that day, I have tried to let those words influence my life, and at times I have tried to share that concept with friends, especially those in anger or pain. I hope it makes a difference as it did for me. Mahalo again, Sen. Akaka.

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