It is not easy to give of yourself, making sacrifices for the benefit of others and dedicating time to issues that one would rather leave on the back burner. However, for former U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, giving back to the community with the “Spirit of Aloha” is what he lives for.

On April 27, Sen. Akaka read “I Love My New Toy” by Mo Willems and Bill Martin Jr.’s “Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?” to the Academy Junior Kindergarten class to honor his great-granddaughter, a member of the class.

During Akaka’s career, he was recognized with the “Human and Civil Rights Award” for his work with education, integrating Native Hawaiian language and culture into schools and creating programs for Head Start, a non-profit organization that delivers “need-based human services to the economically challenged.”

While serving in the Senate, Akaka vowed to become “an example of the ‘Spirit of Aloha.’”

After retiring from politics in 2012, Akaka continues to serve his community. He is currently working with the National Kidney Foundation to establish a program to educate the people about kidney disease and hopes to help establish a center dedicated to the cause in July.

An advocate of conservation, Akaka will bring the World Conference of Conservation of Nature, a convention on nature conservation and diversity, to the Hawaii Convention Center this year. The plan is for more than 8,000 attendees to join the discussion.

Even with an impressive list of achievements, nothing will stop Akaka from supporting his fellow Americans.

“As I look back, I think I’ve done well in using my life to make positive changes for people. But, there is so much more to do,” Akaka said. “Life is great when you help people.”