Bernard Akana; Mayor of Hawaii County
Bernard Akana, 70, who was elected Hawaii County mayor in 1988. After losing in 10 tries for public office in 20 years, the Republican Akana pulled off a narrow but stunning upset over incumbent Democrat Dante Carpenter on Nov. 8, 1988. He was a retired design planner for Hawaii Electric Light Co. In Hilo on Thursday of stomach cancer.
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