George Ariyoshi, the United States' first Asian American governor, passes away

Hawaii's late Governor George Ariyoshi, 1926-2026.

George Ariyoshi wasn’t just a politician; he was the living embodiment of the "Nisei" dream and a towering figure who shattered the ultimate glass ceiling for Asian Americans. When he passed away April 19 at the age of 100, the nation lost the first person of Asian descent to ever serve as a US governor. 

His journey from the son of Japanese immigrants to the pinnacle of power in Honolulu wasn’t just a personal victory; it was a signal to the entire Asian American community that the halls of government were no longer off-limits. Ariyoshi didn't just walk through the door; he held it open for generations to follow, proving that quiet, disciplined leadership could reshape an entire state’s destiny.

During his 12 years in office, 1974-1986, Ariyoshi transformed Hawaii from a collection of islands finding their post-statehood footing into a modern economic powerhouse. He was a master of the "long game," prioritizing sustainable growth and land-use policies that balanced development with the preservation of Hawaii’s natural beauty. 

Known for his fiscal discipline, he guided the state through its first major economic hurdles with a steady hand that won him the respect of both allies and rivals. He never lost an election, a testament to a leadership style defined by integrity and a refusal to chase short-term headlines at the expense of the state's future.

His legacy was anchored in the Japanese philosophy of kodomo no tame ni—doing things "for the sake of the children." This wasn't just a campaign slogan; it was the lens through which he viewed every policy, from infrastructure to education. 

By the time he retired, he had successfully pivoted Hawaii toward a more global future, strengthening ties with the Asia-Pacific region and ensuring the state was more than just a tourist destination, but a vital bridge between East and West.

The outpouring of grief from Asian American leaders has been a profound reflection of his status as a pioneer. Current Hawaii Governor Josh Green  ordered the state to fly flags at half-staff.

“Governor Ariyoshi devoted his life to Hawaiʻi with humility, discipline and an unwavering sense of responsibility to the people he served,” Green said. “He led our state during a pivotal moment with quiet strength and integrity, and his legacy as a trailblazer and public servant will endure for generations.”

"Governor Ariyoshi helped Hawaii look to the future when he brought communities across our state together to develop the landmark Hawaii State Plan," said US Sen. Mazie Hirono. "His commitment to public service and public discourse endured long after he left the governorship, and I'm grateful to have known him."

US Sen. Brian Schatz echoed these sentiments, calling Ariyoshi a true public servant and a foundational inspiration for anyone in Hawaii looking to enter public life. From the statehouse to the halls of Congress, the consensus is clear: Ariyoshi was the "steady captain" who ensured Hawaii’s ship stayed on course during its most formative decades.

Acting Chief Justice Sabrina McKenna spoke to his role as a mentor, noting his ability to teach others the importance of long-term vision over political expediency. 

Even at 100, Ariyoshi’s influence remained palpable, and his death marks the end of an era for the "Magnum Opus" generation of Asian American trailblazers who turned minority representation into mainstream leadership.

Ariyoshi was the son of immigrants from Japan. He was born in Honolulu, March   12, 1926 and grew up in the city's Kalihi neighborhood.

He served in the US Army as an interpreter during World War II. He graduated from the University of Michigan and eqrned his law degree from the UM Law School.

The late George Ariyoshi is survived by his wife, Jean Miya Hayashi Ariyoshi, whom he married in 1955. He is also survived by their three children: a daughter, Lynn, and two sons, Ryozo and Donn.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Miami Open: Jessica Pegula advances to Round of 16 be beating Lylah Fernandez

Ranked No. 4, Jessica Pegula says the match was "some of the best tennis I've played."

While most media focused on Alexandra Eala's remarkable run at the Miami Open, today featured a match between Korean American Jessica Pegula and Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez with Pegula advancing to the next round.

The high-stakes matchup showcased two of the most prominent Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) figures in professional tennis. Pegula, whose mother was born in Seoul, dominated the baseline to secure a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Fernandez, whose father is of Ecuadorian descent and mother is of Filipino heritage.

AAPI excellence on Center Court

The world No. 4 proved why she is a perennial contender, using her flat, powerful groundstrokes to keep Fernandez on the defensive. Her win marks the sixth straight year she has reached the Miami Open Round of 16.

Pegula described her game as "some of the best tennis I've played."

Despite the scoreline, the young Filipino Canadian star showed flashes of the grit that took her to the 2021 US Open final. However, she struggled to find answers for Pegula’s nearly flawless first serve, which saw the American win 88% of those points.

While the tournament has been abuzz with the historic performance of Filipina 20-year old Eala, this clash between Pegula and Fernandez underscores the growing depth and influence of the AAPI community at the highest levels of the sport.

Pegula now moves on to face No. 35-ranked Jaqueline Cristian on Monday, 7 p.m.

Quick exit for Naomi Osaka

It’s a tough beat for Naomi Osaka and her legions of fans. The four-time Slam champ is officially out of the 2026 Miami Open after a stunner in the second round.

Despite coming in as the 16th seed, Osaka couldn't find her rhythm against Talia Gibson, an Aussie qualifier who took the match 7–5, 6–4. Naomi’s serve was there—she hammered home 13 aces—but she just couldn't break Gibson, going 0-for-4 on break chances.

But the real story is what happened off the court. After the loss, fan favorite Osaka  got real about the "dilemma" she’s facing. She admitted it’s getting harder and harder to leave her daughter, Shai, for the grind of the tour. She basically told reporters that if she isn't winning, the sacrifice of being away from home isn't worth it.

Add in a lingering back injury that forced her to pull out of the Charleston Open, and the retirement rumors are starting to swirl again. For now, the plan is to rest up and try to regroup for the clay-court season in Europe.

FYI: In the Miami Open's round of 16, the Philippines' Alexandre Eala meets Karolina Muchova Monday, March 23, 11 a.m. EDT.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

FEBRUARY 19: Day of Remembrance has added significance today

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY

It’s February 19, and if you’re feeling a heavy sense of déjà vu, you’re not alone. This Day of Remembrance isn’t just a somber look back at the 84 years since Executive Order 9066 uprooted our community; it’s a flashing red siren about the here and now.

While we usually spend this day honoring those who survived the barbed wire, the 2026 commemorations have a sharper, more urgent edge. From the streets of Little Tokyo to the halls of D.C., the message is clear: the "never again" we’ve been reciting for decades is being put to its ultimate test under the Trump administration.

Here’s why this year’s DOR hits differently:

• The Ghost of 1798: The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and other advocacy groups are sounding the alarm over the White House’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Yes, the exact same law used to justify the WWII incarceration is now being dusted off for mass deportations.

• "Silence Today, Injustice Tomorrow": That’s the official theme of the Los Angeles DOR organized by the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). It’s a direct response to the "erasure and censorship" of our history and a warning that the machinery used against Japanese Americans in 1942 is being rebuilt for immigrant communities today.

• A Slap in the Face: Many in the community haven't forgotten Trump's campaign rhetoric, where he compared the treatment of Jan. 6 defendants to the WWII incarceration—a comparison survivors called "egregiously inaccurate" and a gross insult to those who lost everything.

As survivors like those at Densho point out, the "dangerous logic" that national security justifies stripping away constitutional rights is back in vogue. Whether it’s raids on long-term residents or the targeting of specific ethnic groups, the parallels are no longer just academic—they’re our daily headlines.

On this Day of Remembrance, the community isn't just looking at the past; we’re looking at the neighbor next door, wondering if we’re the only ones who remember how this story ends.

The 2026 Day of Remembrance (DOR) weekend is packed with events across the country, many focusing on the theme of "Neighbors Not Enemies" and resisting modern-day detention and deportation. 

San Francisco Bay Area

• Solidarity Across Borders: Remembering Japanese Incarceration
  • Date & Time: Friday, February 20, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location: UC Berkeley Campus, Tilden Room, MLK Student Union
  • Type: Commemoration and activist gathering.
• Day of Remembrance Interfaith Vigil 2026: Sacred Protection
  • Date & Time: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Location: ICE Field Office, 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco
  • Type: Interfaith vigil and protest.
• Films of Remembrance 2026
  • Date & Time: Saturday–Sunday, February 21–22, 2026
  • Location: AMC Kabuki 8, San Francisco Japantown
  • Type: Film showcase and panel discussions. 

Los Angeles

• 2026 Los Angeles Day of Remembrance: The Power of Action
  • Date & Time: Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: LA Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (Nishi Betsuin), 815 E. 1st Street
  • Type: Community program with live streaming available at JANM.org.
• Short Films Honoring the Day of Remembrance
  • Date & Time: Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:00 PM
  • Location: Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
  • Type: Film screening commemorating the 50th anniversary of the rescindment of EO 9066. 

Seattle & Pacific Northwest

• Day of Remembrance and Resistance (Tacoma Vigil)
  • Date & Time: Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Location: Northwest Detention Center (NWDC), 1623 E. J St, Tacoma
  • Type: Vigil in solidarity with current detainees, hosted by Tsuru for Solidarity.
• Japanese American Remembrance Trail Tour
  • Date & Time: Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Location: Wing Luke Museum, 719 S King St, Seattle
  • Type: Educational historic walking tour. 

Chicago

• Day of Remembrance: "Enough" Screening & Panel
  • Date & Time: Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 2:00 PM
  • Location: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St
  • Type: Docudrama screening followed by a discussion on Redress and present-day state violence.
• Day of Remembrance Vigil at Broadview ICE Facility
• Date & Time: Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 12:00 PM (Noon)
• Location: Broadview ICE Abduction Center, 1930 Beach Street, Broadview, IL
• Type: Direct action protest and vigil; carpools available from Chicago. 
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.

2023 Day of Remembrance: 'Let it not happen again," says Biden

Memories turn into lessons never to be repeated.

During this current time when anti-Asian hate and violence is surging, the Japanese American Day of Remembrance has become everybody's Day of Remembrance.

On Feb. 19, President Biden issued a statement that ended in, "Nidoto Nai Yoni" – to “Let It Not Happen Again” referring to the incarceration of 125,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.

"When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, eighty-one years ago today, it ushered in one of the most shameful periods in American history" said Biden. "The wrongful incarceration of 120,000 Americans of Japanese descent tore families apart. Men, women, and children were forced to abandon their homes, their jobs, their communities, their businesses, and their way of life. 

"They were sent to inhumane concentration camps simply because of their heritage. And in a tragic miscarriage of justice, the Supreme Court upheld these immoral and unconstitutional policies," he continued.

"Despite losing liberty, security, and the fundamental freedoms that rightfully belonged to them, 33,000 Japanese Americans volunteered or were drafted for service in the U.S. military during World War II. While their own families were behind barbed wires, Japanese Americans fought in defense of the nation’s freedom with valor and courage."

In conclusion, Biden said: "The incarceration of Japanese Americans reminds us what happens when racism, fear, and xenophobia go unchecked. As we battle for the soul of our nation, we continue to combat the corrosive effects of hate on our democracy and the intergenerational trauma resulting from it. 

"We reaffirm the Federal Government’s formal apology to Japanese Americans for the suffering inflicted by these policies. And we commit to Nidoto Nai Yoni – to 'Let It Not Happen Again.'”

Observances were held across the nation, as the few remaining survivors tell their stories in the media and classrooms, this dark chapter is being told ad retold so Americans can learn how fragile their civil and human rights are and how xenophobia bubbles just under the thin veneer of civility in the Unite States. 

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, consisting of AANHPI members of Congress and those representing large communities of AANHPI issued their statement via chair Judy Chu, D-CA:

"This Day of Remembrance continues to be significant as xenophobia and fear-mongering are once again leading to anti-Asian hate and racist policies which infringe on the civil rights of Americans. I am proud that over three decades ago, Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 to formally apologize and provide redress to Japanese Americans who were racially targeted and stripped of their rights. However, we as a nation must continue to recognize this shameful part of our country’s history to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes of our past.”

Rep. Mark Takano, D-CA, whose grandparents were incarcerated during WWII, said: “On this Day of Remembrance, we reflect on the pain and suffering Japanese Americans endured in internment during World War II with the signing of Executive Order 9066. More than 120,000 individuals of Japanese ancestry, including my parents and grandparents, suffered because of unjust fear and discrimination combined with a failure of political leadership. We are a nation that celebrates diversity and equality, and we must remain committed standing as one union, free of prejudice, intolerance, and xenophobia.”

CAPAC Freshman Representative Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) is the granddaughter of an incarceree,said: “When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942, families were torn apart, once valued community members were shunned and subject to rampant xenophobia and racism, and hardworking business owners and workers saw their life's work and everything they owned taken away from them.

"Generations later, the shameful forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry lives on as a painful reminder of how fragile our civil liberties are in times of crisis, and how steadfast we must be to stand up and protect them. As the great granddaughter of an internee, I join my fellow AANHPI brothers and sisters in calling for this Day of Remembrance to serve as a moment of reflection as we band together to ensure these atrocities never happen again,” she said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Miki Sudo reclaims her hot dog-eating crown

SCREEN CAPTURE

Champ Miki Sudo on her way to downing 40 hot dogs in 19 minutes.

Miki Sudo reclaimed her crown as the top dog as the United States' hot dog eating champion.

The Japanese American won her eighth Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest yesterday on America's birthday.

Sudo, 36, didn't match her world record of 48 and one-half hot dogs that she set in 2020 but her 40 franks (with buns) in 10 minutes was enough win the annual contest leaving her nearest rival, Michelle Lesco, in the dust. 

Perennial champion Joey Chestnut won the men's contest, downing 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Since joining the contest in 2014, Las Vegas resident Sudo has never lost. She skipped last year because she was pregnant. She gave birth to her son, Max, days after last year's competition.

“I didn’t know how difficult it might be to compete after having a child,” Sudo told ESPN before the match. “Max is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and Nathan’s is second.”

Miki Sudo won her eighth Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest victory in nine years Monday, returning to the top of the dogpile after sitting out last year’s competition.

The 36-year-old, who sat out the 2021 Hot Dog Eating Contest because she was pregnant, scarfed down 40 dogs and buns — besting the nearest competition by 14.

Sudo led for the entirety of the 10-minute contest, crossing the 10-dog threshold at the minute-forty mark.

The 2021 winner Michelle Lesco came in second place Monday, finishing runner-up to her friend and former roommate for the fourth time.

Sudo, a native of New York City, first competed in the annual Fourth of July tradition in 2014 and has never lost.

She has been Major League Eating’s top-ranked female competitive eater since 2014.

She gave birth to her son Max just days after last year’s competition.

On Monday her husband and fellow competitive eater Nick Wehry foisted the 1-year-old above his head to cheer from the crowd as his wife accepted the contest’s mustard-yellow champion’s belt.

“I didn’t know how difficult it might be to compete after having a child,” Sudo said in a pre-recorded interview shown on ESPN before the match. “Max is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and Nathan’s is second.”  

In the women's division, Miki Sudo reclaimed her crown, finishing 40 hot dogs after missing last year's contest. She reclaimed the pink belt from Michelle Lesco, who ate 26 hot dogs, and Sarah Rodriguez finished third at 23.25.

While it may not have been a record-breaking day for the top eaters in the world, it was a dominant one all the same. The 2022 belt winners will, once again, be Chestnut and Sudo.

Trailblazing California university president resigns

DR. JUDY K. SAKAKI

After six years, Judy K. Sakaki, Ph.D. announced Monday that she will resign as president of Sonoma State University in Northern California.

"After thoughtful reflection and discussions with my family, I made the decision to step away as president of Sonoma State University effective July 31, 2022," Sakaki announced in a June 6 letter to the campus community.  "This will enable a new interim president to be in place for the 2022-23 academic year."

The CSU Board of Trustees will thereafter begin a national search for the 8th president of SSU. An interim president will be announced shortly.

Sakaki leaves Sonoma State University under a cloud of controversy. Last month, two state senators called on Sakaki to resign amid a no confidence vote by faculty members. 

The faculty vote came after allegations Sakaki retaliated against an employee who reported sexual harassment by Sakaki's estranged husband. That ended in a settlement that brought negative attention to the school. 

“Serving as Sonoma State President has truly been an honor. After thoughtful reflection and discussions with my family, I made the decision to step away as president of this wonderful campus,” stated President Sakaki.

“I care deeply about Sonoma State and believe this choice will allow the campus community to move forward in a timely manner. I am incredibly grateful to the entire SSU and the North Bay communities for the opportunity to serve during such a challenging and transformative time at Sonoma State. Our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners have been exceptional, and I will forever treasure my time serving as SSU President. I am humbled and honored to have led this campus for the past six years.”

Sakaki leaves a legacy of accomplishments at SSU. She became the seventh president and the second woman to have served as president in its 62 years. She is also the first Japanese American woman to serve as a university president in the United States. 

She led the campus in the aftermath of the destructive Tubbs wildfire where 80 faculty, staff and students lost their homes. Sakaki also lost her home, possessions and nearly her life. 

During her tenure, Dr. Sakaki strengthened community engagement at the university, including at the Green Music Center. 

She opened the Wine Spectator Learning Center and championed the Wine Industry Scholars Program (WISP) where family members of vineyard workers are encouraged to attend college and are provided with 4-year scholarships. 

Sakaki developed a partnership with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Tribal Council that enabled the expansion of the Summer Bridge Program and other initiatives. She created the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and prioritized diversity and inclusion efforts on campus. 

Dr. Sakaki is a double alumna of the CSU, having earned both a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and master’s degree in Educational Psychology from CSU East Bay. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Berkeley.

“Throughout her career in higher education, President Sakaki has demonstrated a steadfast passion for the transformative power of a college degree,” stated Chancellor Jolene Koester. “We are grateful for her many years of service in higher learning including at Sonoma State and Fresno State.”

Wenda Fong, Chair of the CSU Board of Trustees stated, “President Sakaki broke the leadership glass ceiling in academia by being the first Japanese American woman to serve as a university president in the United States.”

“As someone who grew up in East Oakland, who was a first-generation college student, whose parents and grandparents were forced into internment camps because of their Japanese ancestry and who later earned the opportunity to become the first Japanese American woman to lead an American university, I am living proof of the power of higher education," said Dr. Sakaki. "I look forward to my continued involvement in opening doors and transforming the lives of individuals, families and communities through education.” 

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Sports Illustrated cover features Asian American plus-size model

The May cover of Sports Illustrated with Yumi Nu.

Yumi Nu is not the first Asian American to land on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, but she as the first plus-size AANHPI model on the iconic cover, she is breaking multiple barriers.

When she first got the news that she was picked to be on the coveted SI cover, the second-generation Japanese American model didn't know how to react.

"I could not speak," the 25-year-old told the New York Post on Monday following the announcement. "I had full body chills. I was shaking. I was crying. They got me really good."

"It’s amazing. I’m on cloud nine," Nu told the Post. "There is nothing I could prepare for. It’s unexpected. I feel like we’re in a place right now where people are making space for more diversity on magazine covers. It’s a big time for Asian American people in media. I know I play a big role in representation in body diversity and race diversity, and I love to be a role model and representative of the plus-size Asian community."

Nu's mother is the daughter of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki. That means her uncle is internationally renown DJ Steve Aoki and fellow model Devon Aoki.

SI is not the first cover she appeared on. She was on the cover of the coveted September Vogue issue alongside a supermodel posse, but she was also the first Asian curve model to land the cover of Vogue Japan.

Nu's journey has not been easy. Not only did she have to contend of being Asian in a predominantly white community, she also had to overcome the fetish some men have for Asian women. Intersecting with those issues is the western standards of beauty that insists on a certain body size and figure.

She grew up in a predominantly white area in Maryland. She tells Yahoo of her struggles to accept her multifaceted identity and to embrace her different cultures. It took some time for Nu to realize that all of these things were intertwined.

While learning to embrace her body and her multicultural identity, introducing a more inclusive standard of beauty to Asian countries and the US has become a cause for Nu.

"I've shoved down this part of my identity and being Asian for the longest time because it wasn't really popular to be anything that wasn't white until a few years ago," she tells Yahoo. 

"I think so many people of color are going through that process of like, 'OK, now the media is accepting us,' which plays a huge role in how we feel about ourselves and in a messed up way, it's given a lot of people permission to finally feel proud where they came from," Nu says. "But when I started thinking about that and processing it and going to therapy and talking about cultural and generational trauma and how that affects my behavior and my problems that reoccur on a day to day and the way I feel about my body, a lot was clicking."

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Model Yumi Nu during the photo shoot in Montenegro.

The annual swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated hits the newsstands on Thursday, May 19, smack dab in the middle of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The swimsuit issue, which features 28 women this year and four multiple covers. The other cover models are Kim Kardasian, Ciara and Maye Musk.

"I'm trying my best to understand the magnitude because I think if I really think about it, I would not get off the floor," Nu shares with Yahoo. "I'm still learning and healing through so many things myself. I'm in a good place and I feel powerful and I'm ready to be a role model in that sense. But I'm also just honored and humbled."

"Sports Illustrated was definitely the start of this huge wave that I am riding right now," says Nu, "... the fact that they took a chance on me and I'm here again ... I've had way quite a long journey so far, but it also feels like it's just the beginning."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Japanese American National Museum honor 30 Changemakers under 30

 

"30" is the magic number for the Japanese American National Museum as it honors 
30 Changemakers under 30 years old at JANM’s 30th Anniversary Benefit on April 30. 

Established in 1985, JANM promotes the understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.

JANM opened to the public in the former Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, in 1992. 

The Changemakers were selected for their extraordinary contributions to advance JANM’s mission through the arts, business, culture, education, politics, sports, and technology.

Emma Anderson is a radio DJ, podcaster, and software engineer focused on uplifting Okinawan stories and traditions.

Erin Aoyama is the co-director of the Japanese American Memoryscape Project whose work explores the possibilities of justice-informed historical storytelling, and a JANM Curatorial Researcher.

Kaitlyn Chu is an entrepreneurial product designer and creative storyteller who impacts lives and takes action on current issues through various mediums and community organizations.

Kraig Fujii is an immersive technology designer specializing in virtual and augmented reality. He has worked with clients such as Sony, the Los Angeles Times, and JANM.

Dina Alyce Fusaye Furumoto educates the public on the tangible experience of Japanese Americans and creates inclusive environments.

Keila Sachi Gaballo is an artist and philanthropic entrepreneur with a passion for mental health education, diverse representation, and embodied social justice.

Jonathan van Harmelen is a PhD student at UC Santa Cruz specializing in the history of Japanese American incarceration.

Sara Hutter, the 2015 Nisei Week queen, is the community relations coordinator at The J. Morey Company, Inc. Insurance Agents & Brokers, where she nurtures relationships with communities that the company serves.

Bryce Ikemura, a partnership manager at TDW+Co, a multicultural marketing agency with a focus on Asian audiences, is the board chair of Kizuna and a board member at large for the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute.

Brandon Ishikata is an artist and university instructor at the University of Illinois Chicago who has held leadership positions with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

Nolan Minoru Jimbo is the Marjorie Susman Curatorial Fellow at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, where he organizes exhibitions and performances with contemporary artists.

Justin Kawaguchi is the current co-chair of Okaeri: A Nikkei LGBTQ+ Community. He also serves on the National Board of the JACL.

Cole Yujiro Kawana is the founder and president of Japanese American Stories, a nonprofit that develops artificial intelligence avatars to help preserve and share the oral histories of Japanese Americans who lived through World War II.

Aidan Kosaka is the acting director of NHoops, a league designed to bring college-age students to Little Tokyo and support small businesses in the area. He was selected to be a logo creator for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Emiko Otera Kranz is earning her MA in Asian American Studies and MPH in Community Health Sciences from UCLA with research centered on racial health equity and community-centered health practices.

Kenji Kuramitsu is a psychotherapist and writer who draws from experiences in antiracism organizing and theological education to provide attuned mental health and spiritual care in clinical, retreat, and movement settings.

Kristi Mieko Lin is an artist and principal landscape architect at Falling Waters Landscape in San Diego, California.

Devon Matsumoto is a youth advocate at an organization dedicated to ending the school to prison pipeline and a community organizer for San Jose Nikkei Resisters and the Young Buddhist Editorial.

Kota Mizutani is the press secretary for Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor.

Nina Nakao is the virtual learning coordinator at JANM, where she develops and sustains nationwide programming for students grades 1–12, college, and adult groups.

Alec Nakashima is the founder and creative director of AKASHI-KAMA, a fashion and lifestyle brand which showcases the point of view of Asian Americans, and multiple cultures creating something new over time.

Megan Tomiko Ono is a corporate social responsibility project lead at American Honda Motor Co., Inc.,an advocate for youth, and current board member for Kizuna who is committed to empowering the next generation of global citizens.

Mariko Rooks is pursuing a master’s at Yale University. She serves as the JACL’s National Student/Youth Council’s Eastern District Representative.

Miya Sommers is the assistant director of Asian Pacific American Student Development at UC Berkeley and is earning a master’s in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University.

Miye Ella Sugino is a Japanese-Korean American artist whose work distills inexpressible topics—like memory, displacement, and loss—into an image.

Vinicius Taguchi is a Japanese-Brazilian American serving as the president of the JACL Twin Cities Chapter and the first vice-governor of the JACL Midwest District.

Kai Vanderlip, a junior at Tesla STEM high school in Washington, founded a literature project that added six picture books about the incarceration to elementary school libraries in his school district and reached 14,000 students.

Matthew Weisbly is the current education and communications coordinator for the JACL National in Los Angeles.

Joy Emi Yamaguchi is a Yonsei community organizer, abolitionist, and the public programs supervisor at JANM curating and overseeing the calendar of events highlighting the Museum’s mission and exhibitions.

Derek T. Yamashita is the creative director of The Hidden Japan, which promotes the deeper sides of Japan beyond the big cities by working with local communities and the government to address a wide range issues holding these regions back.

This year's benefit is the 30th Anniversary celebration which will also highlight the relevance and universality of JANM’s mission and look ahead to the Museum’s next 30 years as it continues to apply history’s hard-won lessons and innovative strategies to reimagine the museum experience, inspire the next generation, and continue the struggle for inclusion and social justice. 

The Benefit will be emceed by Frank Buckley, co-anchor of KTLA 5 Morning News in Los Angeles, and Erin Aoyama, co-director of the Japanese American Memoryscape Project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• The 30th Anniversary Benefit virtual program will be livestreaming on JANM’s YouTube channel, @janmdotorg, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 30.

• Register at janm30th.givesmart.com to participate in the Online Auction and Bid for Education.

• Visit janm.org/30th-benefit to find out how to participate in the Online Auction, make a Bid for Education, and enter the 2022 Lexus Opportunity Drawing. 

• JANM’s Bid For Education program makes field trips to JANM possible for more than 12,000 primary and secondary school students and teachers every year. Contributions to this program help JANM welcome students back to the Museum and grow JANM’s new virtual visit program that successfully launched last year. Contributions can be made online through janm30th.givesmart.com, by mail, or by phone. Funds raised from the 2022 Lexus Opportunity Drawing will support educational programming and outreach at JANM.

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