Paul T. Bannai Papers, 1946-2016

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Summary

Abstract:
The Paul T. Bannai Papers (1946-2016) contain materials related to the life of Paul T. Bannai (1920-2019). Topics include his service in WWII, time as a California legislator, work with veterans, community service, and events with various Japanese-American organizations.
Extent:
40 boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

The Paul T. Bannai Papers contains materials related to the life of Paul T. Bannai (1920-2019).

Topics include his service in WWII as part of the 442nd battallion, time as a California politician, work with veterans, his incarceration at Manzanar, organizing reunions for veterans as well as fellow Manzanar internees, various community events, numerous Japanese-American organizations he was a part of, and other materials pertaining to his community involvement particularly in the Gardena, CA area. Each series contains mixed media, as items from the collection come from scrapbooks and photo albums of his life events and works. The bulk of the collection is of various events that Bannai chaired or attended involving his work with the Japanese-American veterans community, as well as other events from his time in office.

Types of materials include photographs, event programs, campaign ephemera, veterans ephemera, pamphlets, certificates, newspaper clippings, scrapbook pages, DVDs, and video tapes.

Biographical / historical:

Paul Takeo Bannai was born on July 4, 1920 in Colorado. His parents were Japanese immigrants who moved throughout the American Southwest before settling in Boyle Heights, CA. Despite being an American citizens, Paul and his family were incarcerated at Manzanar War Relocation Center during WWII due to Executive Order 9066. In order to leave the camp, he worked on a beet farm and later enlisted in the military where he served on the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. During his last visit to Manazanar before leaving for the war he met the woman he would eventually marry, Hideko Matsuno, after his return.

Upon returning to California, Paul took the prejudice he faced and turned it into a platform to build his community. He was very involved in the Japanese American community in Los Angeles and participated in various cultural events as an organizer. He was elected to the Gardena City Council in 1972 where he served for a short time before setting his sights on higher political goals.

In 1973, Bannai was elected as a California Assemblyman (67th district 1973-1974, 53rd district 1974-1980), becoming the first Japanese American legislator in the state. He served as the first director for the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC), and became essential in the redress and reparations process towards Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during WWII. After serving three terms as Assemblyman, he was appointed chief director of the Memorial Affairs Department of the Veterans Administration by President Ronald Reagan (1981-1985).

Upon his return to civilian life, Paul remained active within his various communities. He participated in church service, was active in the Boy Scouts of America, and other civic clubs. He was also integral in the creation of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), served on the board for other Japanese-American organizations throughout Southern California, and particpated and organized yearly reunions for Nisei veterans until his passing in 2019.

Processing information:

Items from this collection were donated in 2021. They were partially processed by Don Bannai, Paul's son. Student workers from CSUDH continued this work. Final arrangements and finding aid were completed by Michaela Bayona in March 2025.

Arrangement:

The Paul T. Bannai Papers have been arranged into 7 top level series. The series are as follows:

Series I: Paul T. Bannai Series II Veterans Affairs Series III: Incarceration/Holding Centers/Forced Removal Series IV: Nisei Events Series V: Nikkei Events Series VI: Japanese American Organizations Series VII: General Community Events/Miscellaneous

Folders within sub-series are arranged in date order. Undated items can be found at the beginning of each sub-series. Some series may contain boxes with ephemera.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
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