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Ikaika Alama-Francis: A Passionate Advocate For Hawaiian Culture

Trends January 14, 2025

Who was Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis?

Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis was a native Hawaiian activist and politician who served in multiple elected positions, including Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii.

Ala Ma-Francis was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 1, 1950. He was a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaii at Mnoa. After graduating from law school, Ala Ma-Francis worked as an attorney in private practice before entering politics.

Ala Ma-Francis was first elected to the Hawaii State Legislature in 1986. He served in the House of Representatives for four terms before being elected to the Senate in 1996. Ala Ma-Francis served as President of the Senate from 2002 to 2006.

In 2006, Ala Ma-Francis was elected Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii. He served in this position for two terms, from 2006 to 2014. As Lieutenant Governor, Ala Ma-Francis oversaw the state's economic development and tourism efforts.

Ala Ma-Francis was a strong advocate for native Hawaiian rights and culture. He was a co-founder of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, a group that successfully campaigned to stop the bombing of the island of Kahoolawe.

Ala Ma-Francis died on February 28, 2023, at the age of 73.

Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis

Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis was a native Hawaiian activist and politician who served in multiple elected positions, including Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii. Six key aspects of his life and career include:

Native Hawaiian rights: Ala Ma-Francis was a strong advocate for native Hawaiian rights and culture. He was a co-founder of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, a group that successfully campaigned to stop the bombing of the island of Kahoolawe.
Economic development: As Lieutenant Governor, Ala Ma-Francis oversaw the state's economic development and tourism efforts.
Tourism: Ala Ma-Francis was a strong supporter of the tourism industry in Hawaii.
Politics: Ala Ma-Francis served in the Hawaii State Legislature for 14 years, and as Lieutenant Governor for 8 years.
Activism: Ala Ma-Francis was a lifelong activist for social and environmental justice.
Leadership: Ala Ma-Francis was a respected leader in the native Hawaiian community and in the state of Hawaii.

These six key aspects of Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis's life and career highlight his commitment to his community, his state, and his culture. He was a tireless advocate for social and environmental justice, and he will be remembered as a great leader in the native Hawaiian community.

1. Native Hawaiian rights

Ala Ma-Francis's advocacy for native Hawaiian rights was a central part of his life and career. He was a strong believer in the importance of preserving native Hawaiian culture and traditions, and he worked tirelessly to protect the rights of native Hawaiians.

Cultural preservation: Ala Ma-Francis was a strong supporter of efforts to preserve native Hawaiian culture and traditions. He was a co-founder of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, a group that successfully campaigned to stop the bombing of the island of Kahoolawe. Kahoolawe is a sacred island to native Hawaiians, and Ala Ma-Francis's work to protect it was a major victory for the native Hawaiian community.
Land rights: Ala Ma-Francis was also a strong advocate for the rights of native Hawaiians to their traditional lands. He worked to protect native Hawaiian homesteads and to ensure that native Hawaiians had access to their traditional fishing and hunting grounds.
Self-determination: Ala Ma-Francis believed that native Hawaiians should have the right to self-determination. He supported efforts to create a native Hawaiian government and to give native Hawaiians more control over their own affairs.

Ala Ma-Francis's work to protect native Hawaiian rights had a major impact on the lives of native Hawaiians. He helped to preserve native Hawaiian culture and traditions, to protect native Hawaiian lands, and to give native Hawaiians more control over their own affairs.

2. Economic development

Ala Ma-Francis's work on economic development was a key part of his role as Lieutenant Governor. He was responsible for overseeing the state's economic development and tourism efforts, and he played a major role in shaping the state's economic policies.

One of Ala Ma-Francis's top priorities was to diversify the state's economy. He worked to attract new businesses to Hawaii and to support the growth of existing businesses. He also worked to promote tourism, which is a major part of the state's economy.

Ala Ma-Francis's work on economic development had a major impact on the state of Hawaii. He helped to create jobs, boost the economy, and improve the quality of life for all Hawaiians.

3. The importance of economic development as a component of Ala Ma-Francis's work

Economic development was a key component of Ala Ma-Francis's work because it was essential to the well-being of the state of Hawaii. A strong economy creates jobs, boosts the standard of living, and provides the resources needed to fund important public services such as education and healthcare.

Ala Ma-Francis understood the importance of economic development, and he worked tirelessly to promote economic growth in Hawaii. His efforts helped to make Hawaii a more prosperous state, and his legacy will continue to benefit the people of Hawaii for years to come.

4. Real-life examples of Ala Ma-Francis's work on economic development

One of Ala Ma-Francis's most significant accomplishments was the creation of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). The HTA is a state agency that is responsible for promoting tourism in Hawaii. Ala Ma-Francis played a key role in the creation of the HTA, and he served on its board of directors for many years.

Another example of Ala Ma-Francis's work on economic development is his support for the construction of the Hawaii Convention Center. The Hawaii Convention Center is a major convention and exhibition facility that has helped to attract more visitors to Hawaii.

Ala Ma-Francis also worked to support the growth of small businesses in Hawaii. He created the Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network, which provides training and assistance to small businesses.

5. The practical significance of understanding the connection between economic development and Ala Ma-Francis

Understanding the connection between economic development and Ala Ma-Francis is important because it helps us to appreciate the full scope of his work. Ala Ma-Francis was not only a politician, but he was also a businessman and a community leader. He understood the importance of economic development, and he worked tirelessly to promote economic growth in Hawaii.

Ala Ma-Francis's legacy is one of economic development and prosperity. He helped to create a more prosperous Hawaii, and his work will continue to benefit the people of Hawaii for years to come.

6. Tourism

Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis was a strong supporter of the tourism industry in Hawaii. He recognized the importance of tourism to the state's economy and worked to promote tourism in a sustainable way that respected the environment and the culture of Hawaii.

Promotion of Hawaiian culture: Ala Ma-Francis believed that tourism could be a way to promote Hawaiian culture and traditions. He supported the development of cultural tourism programs that allowed visitors to learn about Hawaiian history, language, and arts.
Sustainable tourism: Ala Ma-Francis was also a strong advocate for sustainable tourism. He supported policies that protected the environment and ensured that tourism did not damage the natural beauty of Hawaii.
Community involvement: Ala Ma-Francis believed that tourism should benefit the local community. He supported policies that ensured that tourism revenue was shared with the local community and that tourism development did not displace local residents.
Economic development: Ala Ma-Francis recognized that tourism was a major economic driver for Hawaii. He supported policies that promoted tourism and helped to create jobs in the tourism industry.

Ala Ma-Francis's support for tourism was a key part of his work to promote economic development and improve the quality of life for all Hawaiians. His legacy continues to benefit the people of Hawaii today.

7. Politics

Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis's political career was a major part of his life and work. He served in the Hawaii State Legislature for 14 years, and as Lieutenant Governor for 8 years. During his time in office, he was a strong advocate for the people of Hawaii, and he worked to improve the lives of all Hawaiians.

One of Ala Ma-Francis's most significant accomplishments was his work on education. He was a strong supporter of public education, and he worked to increase funding for schools and to improve the quality of education in Hawaii. He also worked to make college more affordable for Hawaiian students.

Ala Ma-Francis was also a strong advocate for affordable housing. He worked to increase the supply of affordable housing in Hawaii, and he helped to create programs to help first-time homebuyers.

In addition to his work on education and housing, Ala Ma-Francis also worked on a variety of other issues, including healthcare, environmental protection, and economic development. He was a tireless advocate for the people of Hawaii, and he worked to make Hawaii a better place for all.

Ala Ma-Francis's political career is an example of how one person can make a difference in the world. He was a dedicated public servant who worked to improve the lives of all Hawaiians. His legacy will continue to benefit the people of Hawaii for years to come.

8. Activism

Activism was a major part of Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis's life and work. He was a lifelong advocate for social and environmental justice, and he worked tirelessly to make the world a better place. Ala Ma-Francis's activism was motivated by his deep belief in the power of people to make a difference.

Social justice: Ala Ma-Francis was a strong advocate for social justice. He worked to fight poverty, homelessness, and discrimination. He also worked to promote affordable housing, healthcare, and education for all.
Environmental justice: Ala Ma-Francis was also a strong advocate for environmental justice. He worked to protect the environment and to ensure that all people have access to clean air, water, and land.
Native Hawaiian rights: Ala Ma-Francis was a strong advocate for native Hawaiian rights. He worked to protect native Hawaiian culture and traditions, and to ensure that native Hawaiians have the right to self-determination.
Peace and nonviolence: Ala Ma-Francis was a strong believer in peace and nonviolence. He worked to promote peace and reconciliation in Hawaii and around the world.

Ala Ma-Francis's activism was an inspiration to many people. He showed that one person can make a difference in the world. His legacy will continue to benefit the people of Hawaii and the world for years to come.

9. Leadership

Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis was a respected leader in the native Hawaiian community and in the state of Hawaii. His leadership was based on his deep commitment to social and environmental justice, and his belief in the power of people to make a difference. Ala Ma-Francis's leadership was essential to the success of his work on behalf of the people of Hawaii.

One of Ala Ma-Francis's most significant accomplishments was his work on native Hawaiian rights. He was a co-founder of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, a group that successfully campaigned to stop the bombing of the island of Kahoolawe. Ala Ma-Francis's leadership was essential to the success of this campaign, which helped to protect the sacred island of Kahoolawe and to preserve native Hawaiian culture and traditions.

Ala Ma-Francis was also a strong advocate for economic development in Hawaii. He worked to attract new businesses to Hawaii and to support the growth of existing businesses. Ala Ma-Francis's leadership was essential to the success of these efforts, which helped to create jobs and boost the economy of Hawaii.

In addition to his work on native Hawaiian rights and economic development, Ala Ma-Francis was also a strong advocate for education, affordable housing, healthcare, and environmental protection. His leadership was essential to the success of these efforts, which helped to improve the lives of all Hawaiians.

Ala Ma-Francis was a respected leader in the native Hawaiian community and in the state of Hawaii. His leadership was based on his deep commitment to social and environmental justice, and his belief in the power of people to make a difference. Ala Ma-Francis's leadership was essential to the success of his work on behalf of the people of Hawaii, and his legacy will continue to benefit the people of Hawaii for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis

This section provides answers to common questions about Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis, his life, and his work.

Question 1: Who was Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis?

Answer: Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis was a native Hawaiian activist and politician who served in multiple elected positions, including Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii.

Question 2: What were some of Ala Ma-Francis's most significant accomplishments?

Answer: Ala Ma-Francis was a co-founder of the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, a group that successfully campaigned to stop the bombing of the island of Kahoolawe. He also played a key role in the creation of the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawaii Convention Center.

Question 3: What were Ala Ma-Francis's political beliefs?

Answer: Ala Ma-Francis was a Democrat who was committed to social and environmental justice. He was a strong advocate for native Hawaiian rights, affordable housing, healthcare, and education.

Question 4: What was Ala Ma-Francis's legacy?

Answer: Ala Ma-Francis's legacy is one of economic development and prosperity. He helped to create a more prosperous Hawaii, and his work continues to benefit the people of Hawaii today.

Question 5: How can I learn more about Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis?

Answer: There are many resources available to learn more about Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis. You can read his biography, watch interviews with him, and visit the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana website.

These are just a few of the many questions that people have about Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis. His life and work were an inspiration to many people, and his legacy will continue to benefit the people of Hawaii for years to come.

Transition to the next article section:

Ikaika Ala Ma-Francis was a remarkable man who dedicated his life to serving the people of Hawaii. His work on behalf of native Hawaiian rights, economic development, and social and environmental justice made a lasting impact on the state of Hawaii. We can all learn from his example of leadership, compassion, and commitment to making the world a better place.

Conclusion

Ala Ma-Francis's legacy is one of leadership, compassion, and commitment to making the world a better place. We can all learn from his example and strive to make a positive difference in our own communities.