Bernard Akana

Bernard Akana
Mayor of Hawaii County
In office
1988  April 12, 1990
Preceded by Dante Carpenter
Succeeded by Larry Tanimoto
Personal details
Born ?
Died April 12, 1990 (age 70)
Hilo, Hawaii
Political party Republican
Profession Politician, engineer

Bernard Akana (? - April 12, 1990) was an American engineer and politician. He served as the Mayor of Hawaii County from 1988 until his death on April 12, 1990.[1][2]

Akana worked for the Hawaii Electric Light Company as a design planner before his retirement.[1] 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.[1]

In 1988, Akana challenged incumbent Democratic Hawaii County Mayor Dante Carpenter in the mayoral election.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1][2] Akana's managing director, Larry Tanimoto, became acting Mayor of Hawaii upon his death.[2] 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.[2]

Lorraine Inouye, a member of the Hawaii County Council, was elected to succeed Akana for the remainder of his term.[2] She defeated her nearest rival, Stephen Yamashiro, by just 76 votes to become mayor.[3]

References

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