[1][2] In a Congressional Record tribute to his brother, Senator Daniel Akaka described a devout Christian home life that included prayer, scripture reading, and hymns in the Hawaiian language.

[3] During the administration of territorial governor Wallace Rider Farrington, he and his wife Catharine opened their home to the public twice a month.

[6] While a student at Illinois Wesleyan University, Akaka embarked on a speaking tour as part of the YMCA Interracial youth cabinet.

"[12] While a ship's passenger on a return voyage from the mainland United States, he delivered a guest sermon with his recurring theme of racial harmony.

He likened various races of the earth to ukulele strings, each unique in its pitch, but creating beautiful results when played together as one.

[13] Kawaiahaʻo's historic status, and its location across the street from ʻIolani Palace and the Hawaii State Capitol, gave Akaka high visibility.

[9][14] After the successful 1970 return of the Apollo 13 astronauts, President Richard Nixon and his wife attended services at Kawaiahao.

Akaka strummed his ukulele throughout his sermon, with background accompaniment from the church choir, and Nixon invited him to lead a service at the White House.

[15] Akaka was known for his blessing ceremonies, so much so that Charles Hillinger of the Los Angeles Times nicknamed him "Hawaii's official blesser."

The next day, Akaka's sermon before the congregation repeated the legislative nickname, "I would like today to speak the message of self-affirmation: that we take courage to be what we truly are, the Aloha State.

[29] He retired from Kawaiahaʻo Church in 1984, and began to channel his energies to The Reverend Akaka Ministries Foundation, established to provide assistance to individuals and organizations on a local and global basis.