| Bernard Akana | |
| Office: | Mayor of Hawaii County |
| Term Start: | 1988 |
| Term End: | April 12, 1990 |
| Predecessor: | Dante Carpenter |
| Successor: | Larry Tanimoto |
| Birth Date: | 1920 or 1921 |
| Death Date: | April 12, 1990 (age 70) |
| Death Place: | Hilo, Hawaii |
| Profession: | Politician, engineer |
| Party: | Republican Party |
Bernard K. Akana (1920 or 1921 – 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 perennial 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. He "threw no fund-raisers, made no campaign promises, sought no union endorsements and spent only $1,660."[3] However, on 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.[4]