C. T. AKANA

Dr. C. T. Akana, a native of China, came to Honolulu about 1873. He was trained in the Chinese system of medicine and practiced for 39 years in Honolulu. In later years he specialized in diseases of men and used many herbs imported from China in his treatments. At one time he had a notice in the "Advertiser" which promised "cures where other doctors have failed".

Believing that he had a cure for leprosy, in 1876 Dr. Akana was granted permission by the Board of Health to treat six patients for a period of six months. At the end of this time, the doctor claimed that one of his patients was cured, but on examination by a number of physicians the patient was found to still be suffering from leprosy. Dr. Akana thus joined a distinguished group of medical men who had all held high hopes of curing leprosy and who all had to acknowledge final defeat.

In 1897, on land donated by the Legislature, the Chinese residents built a hospital to treat their countrymen. Dr. Akana was elected the first Superintendent of the institution, a position he held for seven months.

The doctor was married to Kapeka (also spelled Kipeka) Kauka. Six children were born to the Akanas: F. Lang Akana, Patrick Akana, Mrs. M. L. Kaaikala, Sai Lang (Mrs. Henry Aki), and two others whose names are unknown.

Always a leader in the Chinese community, Dr. Akana was elected to the advisory board of the Chinese United Society in 1902, became president of the Sun Chung Kwock Bo Ltd., publishers of a Chinese newspaper and printers, headed the Bow Wong Tong and served for several terms as president of the Chinese Empire Reform Association. Dr. Akana died March 5, 1912, at the age of 78.

In Memoriam Index