Ellison Shoji Onizuka (June 24, 1946 - January 28, 1986) was a Japanese American astronaut from Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii who died during the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger, where he was serving as Mission Specialist for mission STS-51-L. He was the first Asian American to reach space.

Ellison Shoji Onizuka (June 24, 1946 - January 28, 1986) was a Japanese American astronaut from Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii who died during the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger, where he was serving as Mission Specialist for mission STS-51-L. He was the first Asian American to reach space.