- Daniel Inouye
Daniel Inouye is the eldest son of Japanese immigrants who worked on the Hawaiian sugar plantations where Daniel was born and raised. He lived in what he described as a Japanese-American ghetto. He went to the local Hawaiian school, at which the student body was 90% ethnic Japanese. As a young boy, Daniel accidentally fell and broke his left arm in a terrible compound fracture. The local doctor, an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, set the arm. It mended, but not well.
- Neil Abercrombie
Neil A. Abercrombie (born June 26, 1938) is an American politician and elder statesman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. He is most notable for his service in the United States House of Representatives representing the First Congressional District of Hawaii (map) since 1991. Abercrombie was born in Buffalo, New York to Vera June and Donald Abercrombie. Upon graduating from Williamsville High School (now Williamsville South High School), …
- Tammy Duckworth
Ladda "Tammy" Duckworth (born March 12 1968) is an Illinois National Guard Major and Iraq War veteran from the U.S. state of Illinois. She was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for the sixth district of Illinois and lost by 2% of the vote in the highly competitive 2006 House election. On 21 November 2006, Duckworth was appointed the director of the Illinois Veterans' Affairs Department by governor Rod Blagojevich.
- Gordon Cooper
Leroy Gordon "Gordo" Cooper, Jr. was an American astronaut. He was one of the original astronauts in Project Mercury, the first manned-space effort by the United States.
- Hiram Fong
Hiram Leong Fong (鄺友良; pinyin: Kuàng Yǒuliáng), formally Yau Leong Fong, was an American businessman and politician from Hawaii. He is most notable for his service as Republican United States Senator from 1959 to 1977, and for being the first Asian American and Chinese American and part Native Hawaiian to be elected as such. In 1964, Fong became the first Asian American to run for his party's nomination for President of the United States.
- Patsy Mink
Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink was an American politician from the U.S. state of Hawaii. Mink was a Japanese American and member of the Democratic Party; she also was the Assistant United States Secretary of State. Mink served in the U.S. House of Representatives for a total of 12 terms, representing Hawaii's second congressional district. While in Congress she was noted for authoring the Title IX Amendment of the Higher Education Act.
- Robert Ballard
Robert Duane Ballard, Ph.D, (born June 30, 1942 in Wichita, Kansas) is an oceanographer most noted for his work in underwater archaeology. He is most famous for the discoveries of the wrecks of the RMS "Titanic" in 1985, the battleship "Bismarck" in 1989, and the wreck of the aircraft carrier USS "Yorktown" in 1998. Most recently he discovered the wreck of John F. Kennedy's PT-109 in 2002 and visited the Solomon Islander natives who saved its crew.
- Michael Okuda
Michael Okuda is a graphic designer who is best known for his work on "Star Trek". In the mid-1980s he designed the look of animated computer displays for the "Enterprise"-A bridge in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home". This led to a staff position on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in 1987 as a scenic artist, adding detail to set designs and props.
- Abbas Milani
Abbas Milani (born 1949) is an Iranian-American historian, Iranologist, and author. Milani is a Visiting Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Iranian Studies Program at Stanford University. He is also a Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution. Milani has found evidence that Persian modernism dates back to more than 1000 years ago. Graduating from Oakland Technical High School in 1966, …
- Lee Jong-Wook
Lee Jong-wook was the Director-General of the World Health Organization for three years. He was born in Seoul, South Korea and died - while in office - in Geneva, Switzerland. Lee obtained a medical degree from Seoul National University, then enrolled at the University of Hawaii to study public health, earning a Master's degree. He joined the WHO in 1983, working on a variety of projects including the Global Programme for Vaccines and Immunizations and Stop TB.
- Leland Yee
Leland Yee (born 1948 in China) is a California State Senator in District 8. Yee's district includes the western half of San Francisco and parts of San Mateo County. Previously, Yee was the California State Assemblyman for the 12th Assembly District and the Supervisor of San Francisco's Sunset District. In 2004, Assemblymember Yee became the first Asian American to be appointed Speaker pro Tempore, …
- R. J. Rummel
Rudolph Joseph Rummel (born October 21, 1932) is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii. He has spent his career assembling data on collective violence and war with a view toward helping their resolution or elimination. Rummel coined the term "democide" for murder by government, his research claiming that six times as many people died of democide during the 20th century than in all that century's wars combined.
- Bienvenido Lumbera
Bienvenido Lumbera is a prizewinning poet, critic and dramatist from the Philippines. He is a National Artist of the Philippines and a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communications. He won numerous literary awards, including the National Book Awards from the National Book Foundation, and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards.
- Ashley Lelie
Ashley Jovon Lelie (born February 16, 1980, in Bellflower, California) is an American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL.
- Mat McBriar
Mat McBriar (born July 8, 1979 in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian American football punter for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. McBriar began as an Australian rules football player, playing Australian rules for Brighton Grammar School. At one stage, he entered a junior superkick competition, finishing 3rd overall. He later moved to Hawaii, and was signed as an undrafted free agent by NFL's Dallas Cowboys from the University of Hawaii.
- Cynthia Thielen
Cynthia Thielen is a Republican member of the Hawaii House of Representatives and was the Republican nominee for United States Senate in 2006, challenging incumbent Democrat Daniel Akaka. She lost to Akaka, 62% to 35%, in the general election. Thielen was born in Honolulu and attended the University of Hawaii, graduating with a degree in law. She is a founding member of the Law Review. Thielen has served as State Representative since 1990, …
- Calvin Say
Calvin K.Y. Say (born February 1, 1952 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is a politician of the United States. He currently serves as Speaker of the House in the Hawaii State House of Representatives of the Hawaii State Legislature. Calvin Say (from the state page) Born: February 1, 1952 Personal Married to wife Cora; children Geoffrey and Jared Education: St. Louis High School; University of Hawaii at Manoa, BEd Business: President, Kotake Shokai, Ltd.
- Timmy Chang
Timothy Kealii'okaaina Awa Chang (born October 9, 1981 in Waipahu, Hawaii) is an American football quarterback famous for leading the Warriors of University of Hawai'i. He is of mixed Hawaiian, Chinese, and Spanish descent. He is currently a quarterback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL in 2005, but was cut in training camp. That year, Chang also played in the preseason for the Detroit Lions but did not make the final roster.
- Wah Kau Kong
United States Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant Wah Kau Kong (born ca. 1919 in Honolulu, Hawaii; killed in action over Blomberg, Germany, February 22, 1944) was the first Chinese American fighter pilot. Kong graduated from McKinley High School and the University of Hawaii and was working towards his master's degree in chemistry when he volunteered for military duty.
- Jason Jones
Jason Jones is currently the grassroots director for Senator Sam Brownback's presidential campaign. In 2006, he was Public Relations Director for the world’s largest international pro-life organization, Human Life International. Jones began working in the in the pro-life movement while he was attending the University of Hawaii. He formed the Pro-Life Student Union and was chairman of the Hawaii chapter of Young Americans for Freedom, …
- Harry Kim
Harry Kim is the mayor of Hawaii County. He was elected in 2000. Kim grew up in Keaau (also known by its older name of Ola'a). He attended Ola'a School and Hilo High School. He then attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Southern Oregon University. He served in the U.S. Army as a medic and was a teacher and coach. Kim was best known for his longtime position as County Director of Civil Defense, a relatively high-profile position which, …
- Jesse Sapolu
Manase Jesse Sapolu (born March 10, 1961, Laie, Hawai'i) is a former football player in the National Football League. Sapolu played both center and offensive guard, and spent his entire career in a San Francisco 49ers uniform. Jesse Sapolu attended Farrington High School and the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Standing 6 feet 4 inches, 278 lbs., was selected by the Oakland Invaders in the 17th round (199th pick overall) of 1983 USFL draft, …
- Mike Eng
Michael F. Eng was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2006 and represents the 49th District. He is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He previously served on the Monterey Park City Council and was Mayor from 2004-2005. Mike has a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree from the University of Hawaii and a JD from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the Senior Partner and founder of the law firm of Eng & Nishimura, …
- Keiko Bonk
Keiko Cecilia Bonk (born July 13, 1954) is an American activist, artist, musician and politician working in the state of Hawaii. She was the highest ranking elected Green Party member in the United States, having been the first from the party elected to a countywide leadership position. She served the County of Hawaii as its chairman from 1995 to 1996. With the support of presidential candidate Ralph Nader, Bonk achieved strong showings campaigning for county mayor.
- Jeff Ulbrich
Jeff Ulbrich (born on February 17, 1977 in San Jose, California) is a player in the NFL. He plays the linebacker position. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 3rd round (86th overall) in the 2000 NFL Draft. He went to University of Hawaii. Ulbrich is a converted baseball player with good instincts and intelligence. He is a big hitter and a high-effort type. He doesn't make many mistakes and does well in zone coverage. He is limited in man coverage.
- Isaac Sopoaga
Isaac "ICEBOX" Sopoaga (born on September 4, 1981 in Pago Pago, American Samoa) is a player in the NFL. He plays the nose tackle position. He was one of the strongest players in the draft, performing 42 bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds, bested only by Igor Olshansky's 43 in NFL testing history, but has yet to translate such strength to the playing field. He went to University of Hawaii.
- Jason Elam
Jason Elam (born March 8, 1970 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida) is an American football player, currently a placekicker with the Denver Broncos. He is a devout Christian.
- Mark Tuinei
Mark Pulemau Tuinei (March 31, 1960 - May 6, 1999) was an offensive lineman for the professional American football team, the Dallas Cowboys. He played for the exceptional span of 15 years (1983-1997) and his ability to protect quarterback Troy Aikman and to run-block for running back Emmitt Smith helped them win Super Bowls in 1993, 1994, and 1996 and the NFC East Division in 1985 and 1992-96. He was also selected for the Pro Bowl in 1994 and 1995.
- Carole Kai
Carole Kai is an entertainer and philanthropist from Hawaii. She is best known for being the co-founder of the Great Aloha Run, one of the largest road races and charity benefits in Hawaii. Born Carole Shimizu in Honolulu, Hawaii, she was a graduate of McKinley High School in Honolulu. In the 1970s, she was one of the original members of the Hawaiian music group The Fabulous Krush. Later, in the late 1990s, she and local singers Loyal Garner, Melveen Leed, …
- Simeon R. Acoba Jr.
Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. (born March 11, 1944), has been an Associate Justice on the Hawaii State Supreme Court since 2000. He is the third Filipino-American in the United States to hold a seat on a state Supreme Court. Acoba is currently serving his first ten-year term, which expires in 2010. Acoba is a member of the Hawaii Democratic Party. Acoba graduated from Farrington High School in 1962. He later attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, …
- John D. Waihee III
John David Waihe'e III (born May 19, 1946) served as the fourth Governor of Hawaii from 1986 to 1994. He was the first American of Native Hawaiian descent to be elected to the office from any state of the United States. After his tenure in the governor's office, Waihee became a nationally prominent attorney and lobbyist.
- Clayton Hee
Clayton Hee (born March 14, 1953) is a Native Hawaiian politician. Currently a Hawaii state senator, Hee serves as chairman of the state Senate's Higher Education Committee. Hee is half Chinese and half Hawaiian. He is married to Lynne Waters and has an older brother, Al. After graduating from The Kamehameha Schools and attaining degrees at the University of Hawaii, Hee served as state representative from 1982 to 1984 for the district encompassing Molokai, Lanai, …
- Lois-Ann Yamanaka
Lois-Ann Yamanaka is a Japanese American poet and novelist from Hawaiʻi. Many of her critically acclaimed literary works are written in Hawaiian Pidgin, and some of her writing has dealt with controversial ethnic issues. In particular, her works confront themes of Asian American families and the local culture of Hawaii. Among her principal works are: * "Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre", …
- Ralph Bingham Cloward
Ralph Bingham Cloward (born in Salt Lake City, Utah, September 24, 1908, died November 13, 2000) was an American neurosurgeon. He attended the University of Hawaii, finished college in Utah in 1930, thereafter medical school in Utah and finished his degree as a medical doctor at Rush Medical School in Chicago in 1934. He attended as a resident at the University of Chicago under Dr. Bailey.
- Ron Hall
Ronald Edwin Hall (born March 15, 1964 in Fort Huachuca, Arizona), is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 4th round of the 1987 NFL Draft. A 6'4", 238 lbs. tight end from the University of Hawaii, Hall played in 9 NFL seasons from 1987 to 1995. Ron Hall died in Costa Rica, May 19,2007.
- Mari Matsuda
Mari Matsuda (born 1956) is an American lawyer, activist, and law professor at Georgetown University Law Center, specializing in the fields of torts, constitutional law, legal history, feminist theory, critical race theory, and civil rights law.
- Kenneth P. Moritsugu
Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritsugu PHSCC, M.D., M.P.H., is currently the acting United States Surgeon General. A third-generation Japanese-American, he was appointed the Deputy Surgeon General on October 1, 1998 and named acting surgeon general on July 31, 2006. He received his bachelor's degree in 1967 from the University of Hawaii, his M.D. from the George Washington University School of Medicine in 1971, …
- Kirby Wright
Kirby Wright is an American writer best known for his coming of age island novel "Punahou Blues" and the epic novel "Moloka'i Nui Ahina", which is based on the life and times of Wright's paniolo grandmother. Both novels deal with the racial tensions between haoles (whites) and the indigenous Hawaiians, and illustrate the challenge for characters who, as the product of mixed-race marriages, must try to bridge the two cultures and overcome prejudice from both camps.
- Kristina Anapau
Kristina Anapau is an American actress and model. She was born and raised on the island of Hawaiʻi, the Big Island. Shortly after graduating from high school at fifteen and entering the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, she was cast in the Oʻahu-filmed television movie "Escape From Atlantis". This was the start of her career in show business. She also starred as Cassidy Merteuil in "Cruel Intentions 3" and was a cover model for "Stuff" magazine.
- James Apana
James Apana, popularly known as Kimo Apana, served as Mayor of the County of Maui in Hawaii from 1998 to 2002. Born in Wailuku, he graduated from Kamehameha Schools and obtained a speech degree at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Upon ending his studies, Apana was hired by the Hawai'i State Legislature to be its budget analyst while at the same time, he managed a family business.