Yuri Kochiyama, Fred Korematsu, Haunani-Kay Trask and Duke Kahanamoku are a few of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islander that have changed America’s culture and history.

Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month is from May 1- 31 to celebrate the culture, diversity and contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders bring to the world. Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage Month was originally a week-long celebration starting in 1979 and was later extended to a full month in 1992. The month of May was chosen for the celebration in honor of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the USA on May 10 1869. Throughout history many Asian American and Pacific Isalander men and women have contributed to the rights and freedom of people of color in America. 

“It’s important to give others a sense of hope that it is possible and you can come from really different places in the world and find your own place in the world that’s unique for yourself”.-Amy Tan

Yuri Kochiyama, born May 19th 1921 in Los Angeles California is a Japanese American activist. She grew up in a Japanese internment camp where her spark for advocacy began. Later her father was arrested by the FBI and died. After his death her whole family was incarcerated. After her release she soon met the civil rights activist Malcom X. She spoke out against racial discrimination, the Vietnam war and demanded compensation for released victims of internment camps. She emphasized that for change bold, loud action needed to be done. Later she was one of the last people to hold Malcom X when he was assassinated. She kept speaking out for rights of marginalized groups and Japanese representation till she died. 

“Unless we know ourselves and our history, and other people and their history, there is really no way that we can really have positive kinds of interaction where there is real understanding”.- Yuri Kochiyama

Fred Korematsu, born January 30 1919 in Oakland, California. During World War II his family was forcibly removed and sent to an internment camp. As Fred refused to comply he was arrested on May 30, 1942. He joined the activist movement when The American Civil Liberties Union visited him and asked him to take part in a lawsuit against forceful  military relocation. He was later sent to an internment camp but even after declaring loyalty to the United States she was convicted for violating military orders and charged with a felony. The felony made it extremely hard to find a job so he continued to fight for the rights of Japanese Americans and against Japanese internment camps. Later he received the Presidential Medal Of Honor in 1983 and continued activism until his death.

“I’ll never forget my government treating me like this. And I really hope that this will never happen to anybody else because of the way they…”- Fred Korematsu

Haunani-Kay Trask born October 3 1949 in San Francisco California to a family who advocated for Hawaiian statehood. She was known for speaking out on the colonial occupation of Hawaii, independence and the conservation of Hawaiian culture. While studying at the University of Chicago she joined the activist group the Black Panthers.  She later became a professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to teach about Polynesian women, Hawaiian political movements and the Pacific Islands. 

“You cannot just dance hula and go to Hawaiian language class at night and think you’re going to get a land base. You can’t do that. Cultural people have to become political”.- Haunani-Kay Trask

Duke Kahanamoku was a Hawaiian surfer and swimmer who brought attention to non-white athletes. Born August 24, 1889 in Haleʻākala, Honolulu. In 1911 he broke the record in the 100-yard freestyle finishing in 55.4 seconds. After the world learned of the athlete he is he continued to compete in the 1912 Antwerp Olympics winning his first gold medal. He later continued to compete in the 1920 Olympics becoming the first person to win two 100-meter races in a row. He ended up winning 5 Olympic medals and was known as “The Duke”.

“In Hawaii, we greet friends, loved ones or strangers with Aloha, which means love. Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality, which makes Hawaii renowned as the world’s center of understanding and fellowship. Try meeting or leaving people with Aloha. You’ll be surprised by their reaction. I believe it and it is my creed. Aloha to you.”- Duke Kahanamoku