Richard Kekuni Akana Blaisdell (March 11, 1925 – February 12, 2016), was professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Honolulu, and a longtime organizer in the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement.
[2] He was the convener for the 1993 Kanaka Maoli People's Tribunal, which documented U.S. abuses throughout all major islands in great detail before an international panel of judges, and the primary organizer of Ka Pākaukau (literally, "the Table"), an ongoing forum for dialogue surrounding Kānaka Maoli sovereignty and Hawaiian independence.
Senator Daniel K. Akaka during World War II, Blaisdell was awarded a BA cum laude from the University of Redlands in 1945 (Class Officer, Football Team), a classmate of Warren Christopher, Secretary of State for President Clinton, and an MD from the University of Chicago School of Medicine in 1948.
He then returned to the University of Chicago in 1955 to complete a fellowship in hematology (research on iron enzymes and preleukemia), and he was appointed to the faculty as instructor in 1957 and assistant professor of medicine in 1958.
He served on the 1986-1988 University of Hawai'i System Ka'u (Hawaiian Studies) Task Force and, in 1987-1989, as acting interim director of the then-created University of Hawaiʻi Center for Hawaiian Studies.2 1970 Blaisdell served on the Hui Hanai (Queen Lili'uokalanai Children's Center Auxiliary) Board of Directors, as president, 1980-1982.
The criteria for selection are, "First, the designee must demonstrate continuous growth in his or her field; second, the potential Living Treasure must have made significant contributions toward a more humane and fraternal society (and this perhaps is the most important criteria); and finally, he or she must have shown an on-going striving for excellence and a high level of accomplishment."
Honorees are nominated by members of the general public by August 1 of each year, and chosen by a committee designated by the temple.
Asian and Pacific Island American Health Forum Lifetime Achievement Award in San Francisco 1998.
Recipient of the Republic of Palau Joint House and Senate Commendation Resolution and Pacific Basin Medical Association Recognition and Appreciation Award.
The award recognizes an individual of Hawaiian ancestry whose accomplishments and life have portrayed the idea of high achievement in such fields as art, music, dance, education, science, community service, government, religion, business or sport.
The award is named after David Malo whose accomplishments and life exemplify the ideal of high achievement and community service for the betterment of the world around us.
Today, the tool is used as Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce’s symbol representing each honoree’s keen sense of firmly rooted values, business acumen, skill, and dedication to service – key ingredients for sustaining success in modern Hawai‘i, while maintaining ancient traditions and values.
In 1984, Blaisdell helped to found Na 'Oiwi O Hawai'i with the goal of promoting Kanaka Maoli Independence.
As a major speaker, Blaisdell emphasized that the health of Kanaka Maoli is connected to the 'āina, and to preservation of cultural traditions and knowledge of one's own history and way of life.
In 1986, Blaisdell joined the board of Na Pu'uwai, a Native Hawaiian Health Care organization of the island of Moloka'i, with Emmett Aluli and Helen O'Connor.
Na Pu'uwai became the Moloka'i-Lana'i Native Health Care System and conducted a study that demonstrated that the traditional Kanaka Maoli diet lowered blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thereby reducing risk for heart disease.
Blaisdell served on the Dissertation committees for nearly a dozen Native Hawaiian PhD candidates, including Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa and Kamana'opono Crabbe.
The following year, E Ola Mau became an organization of Native Hawaiian Health professionals formed to implement the recommendations of the report.
Blaisdell was among members of E Ola Mau who testified for the Native Hawaiian Health Bill before the US Congress in 1986, 1987 and 1988.
The bill was passed in October 1988 with final language provided by members of EOM to establish five Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems on five islands.
Blaisdell credits Puhipau Ahmad and Soli Niheu for inviting him to help start the Sovereignty Movement in the 1960s.
Ahmad (Na Maka O Ka Aina) became the "eyes" of the movement, documenting evictions of Native Hawaiians from their homes at Sand Island and elsewhere.
Asian and Pacific Island American Health Forum Lifetime Achievement Award in San Francisco 1998.
Recipient of the Republic of Palau Joint House and Senate Commendation Resolution and Pacific Basin Medical Association Recognition and Appreciation Award.
O'O Award, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce 1Hawaiian Historical Society, October 20, 2006; 2Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association; 3Biography Richard Kekuni Blaisdell, Peace Journal November 1996;