Bernard Akana
Encyclopedia
Bernard Akana was an American
engineer
and politician
. He served as the Mayor of Hawaii County from 1988 until his death on April 12, 1990.
Akana worked for the Hawaii Electric Light Company as a design planner before his retirement
. He unsuccessfully ran as a candidate for elected office on ten separate elections over the course of twenty years before being elected Mayor of Hawaii County in 1988.
In 1988, Akana challenged incumbent Democratic Hawaii County Mayor Dante Carpenter in the mayoral election. Akana, a Republican, was considered a long shot candidate for the office. However, November 8, 1988, Akana pulled off an upset victory by unseating Carpenter in the election. He was sworn into office in 1988.
Akana died of stomach cancer while in office on April 12, 1990, in Hilo, Hawaii, at the age of 70. Akana's managing director, Larry Tanimoto
, became acting Mayor of Hawaii upon his death. Tanimoto remained in office for eight months until a special mayoral election could be held to fill the remainder of Akana's term in office.
Lorraine Inouye, a member of the Hawaii County Council, was elected to succeed Akana for the remainder of his term. She defeated her nearest rival, Stephen Yamashiro, by just 76 votes to become Mayor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He served as the Mayor of Hawaii County from 1988 until his death on April 12, 1990.
Akana worked for the Hawaii Electric Light Company as a design planner before his retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
. He unsuccessfully ran as a candidate for elected office on ten separate elections over the course of twenty years before being elected Mayor of Hawaii County in 1988.
In 1988, Akana challenged incumbent Democratic Hawaii County Mayor Dante Carpenter in the mayoral election. Akana, a Republican, was considered a long shot candidate for the office. However, November 8, 1988, Akana pulled off an upset victory by unseating Carpenter in the election. He was sworn into office in 1988.
Akana died of stomach cancer while in office on April 12, 1990, in Hilo, Hawaii, at the age of 70. Akana's managing director, Larry Tanimoto
Larry Tanimoto
Larry Tanimoto is an American administrator and politician. Tanimoto became the Mayor of Hawaii County in 1990 following the death of Mayor Bernard Akana....
, became acting Mayor of Hawaii upon his death. Tanimoto remained in office for eight months until a special mayoral election could be held to fill the remainder of Akana's term in office.
Lorraine Inouye, a member of the Hawaii County Council, was elected to succeed Akana for the remainder of his term. She defeated her nearest rival, Stephen Yamashiro, by just 76 votes to become Mayor.