Akaka called Van Dyke a “very dear friend” and an “inspiration.”

“Hawaii has lost a steadfast advocate for Native Hawaiian and civil rights, a leading expert on Hawaiian land and water rights law, and a tireless defender of public lands and natural resources,” Akaka wrote. “The world has lost a man with a brilliant legal mind and compassionate heart, readily willing to travel great distances to promote and uphold international human rights and to preserve and protect the environment.”

Van Dyke’s son works in Akaka’s Washington office.