Alan Akaka

Alan Akaka (born 1956) is a Hawaiian steel guitarist and educator. The son of former congressman and senator Daniel Akaka, he has taught at several schools and is in charge of the Hawaiian music school Ke Kula Mele. In 2014 he successfully led a petition to prevent the ukulele from being named the official state musical instrument, arguing that the steel guitar was more reflective of Hawaiian tradition.

Biography Alan Akaka was born in 1956 to Daniel Akaka, who was to become representative of Hawaii to the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate. He played clarinet in the high school band at Kamehameha Schools. Of particular importance was an album by the Sons of Hawaii. on a stand-in basis, and eventually became her primary steel guitarist.

Position When Jerry Byrd retired in 1991, Akaka assumed leadership of the Steel Guitar Ho'olaule'a. He is in charge of a Hawaiian music school, Ke Kula Mele.