Hiroto Hirashima facts for kids

Hiroto "Hiro" Hirashima (born July 11, 1910 – died November 23, 2007) was an important Japanese American civil rights activist. He worked hard to get equal rights for Japanese American bowlers and other minority groups. At that time, many non-white people were not allowed to join the American Bowling Congress (ABC).

Who Was Hiroto Hirashima?

Hiroto Hirashima was a dedicated person who believed in fairness for everyone. He helped change rules that stopped people from bowling just because of their background. His actions made a big difference in the world of bowling.

Fighting for Fair Play

Before 1950, the American Bowling Congress (ABC) had rules that kept out non-white bowlers. This was called a "racial barrier." Hiroto Hirashima helped remove this unfair rule. After the barrier was gone, he quickly got nine teams of Nisei bowlers ready. (Nisei are Japanese Americans born in America.) These teams competed in the 1954 ABC Tournament in Seattle.

A Leader in Bowling

Hiroto Hirashima became a very important figure in bowling. In 1963, he was chosen to join the ABC board of directors. This was a big step, as he was the first minority person to serve on the board. He served on the ABC Board of Directors for over 30 years.

He also started two important bowling groups. He founded the Hawaii State Bowling Association. He also created the Oahu Bowling Association. These groups helped organize and support bowlers in Hawaii.

Honored for His Work

Hiroto Hirashima received many awards for his efforts. In 1995, he was added to the USBC Hall of Fame. He was recognized as an ABC Pioneer. That same year, he was also made an ABC life member.

He was born in Kaneohe, Hawaii. In 1997, Governor Ben Cayetano inducted him into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. His legacy shows how one person can make a huge impact on fairness and equality in sports.