ELLISON S. ONIZUKA MEMORIAL AWARD
This award is presented to an individual whose achievement in Asian and Pacific Island Affairs has significantly impacted the education and equal opportunities of Asian and Pacific Islanders.
To be eligible for this award, one or more of the following criteria must be met. The nominee must have:
- Worked to further the understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Asian and Pacific Islanders.
- Worked to develop and implement a bilingual, multicultural educational program, which has impacted the school system or a large portion of the community.
- Worked to bring about legislative action that affects Asian and Pacific Island people.
- Worked actively with a community to improve the opportunity of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
RECIPIENTS
YEAR | RECIPIENT |
1976 | Robert H. Suzuki, Massachusetts |
1977 | Virgie Chattergy, Hawaii |
1978 | Shirley Librarios, Hawaii |
1979 | Mary Chun Lee Shon, California |
1980 | Ernest Librarios, Hawaii |
1981 | No Award |
1982 | Helen S. Brown, California |
1983 | Irene Hirano, California |
1984 | Tin Myaing Thein, Maryland |
1985 | Helen R. Nagtalon-Miller, Hawaii |
1986 | Rev. Robin B. Connors, S. Carolina |
1987 | Ellison S. Onizuka, Hawaii |
1988 | Sam K. Cikaitoga, Idaho |
1989 | Sue Kumitomi Embrey, California |
1990 | No Award |
1991 | Henry Der, California |
1992 | Mary Tsuruka Tsukamota, California |
1993 | Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, Frank Kitamoto, President |
1994 | Frank DeLima, Hawaii |
1995 | Charles Thompson, Hawaii |
1996 | Laverne Moore, Hawaii |
1997 | Keolanoi Correa Noa, Hawaii |
1998 | Leonelle Akana, Hawaii |
1999 | Alexander Natatani, Hawaii |
2000 | No Award Given |
2001 | Lieu Tran, Utah |
2002 | Loni Ding, California |
2003 | Jean Mitsuko (Togo) Dobashi, Hawaii |
2004 | Michael Yoshii, California |
2005 | Kathryn Xian, Hawaii |
2006 | Sharon Y. Moriwaki Miyashiro, Hawaii |
2007 | Congressman Mike Honda, California |
2008 | S. Haunani Apoliona, Hawaii |
2009 | Dr. Johanna Miller-Lewis, Arkansas |
2010 | State Senator Leland Yee, California |
2011 | No Award Given |
2012 | Stewart Kwoh, California |
2013 | Blaine Kamalani Kia, Hawaii |
2014 | Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Hawaii |
2015 | Richard Lui, New York |
2016 | Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Hawaii |
2017 | Kent Wong, California |
2018 | Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), Washington, D.C. |
2019 | Eddy Zheng, California |
2020 | The Polynesian Voyaging Society, Hawaii |