Author Archives: Koji Steven Sakai

About Koji Steven Sakai

Writer/Producer Koji Steven Sakai is the founder of Little Nalu Pictures LLC and the CEO of CHOPSO (www.CHOPSO.com), the first Asian English streaming video service. He has written five feature films that have been produced, including the indie hit, The People I’ve Slept With. He also produced three feature films, a one hour comedy special currently on Netflix, and Comedy InvAsian, a live and filmed series featuring the nation’s top Asian American comedians. Koji’s debut novel, Romeo & Juliet Vs. Zombies, was released in paperback in 2015 and in audiobook in 2016 and his graphic novel, 442, was released in 2017. In addition, he is currently an adjunct professor in screenwriting at International Technological University in San Jose.

APA Spotlight: Ellen Somekawa, Executive Director, Asian Americans United

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

Ellen Somekawa is a third-generation Japanese American from Minneapolis. There she was an activist in the Asian American student movement, the anti-apartheid movement, the anti-nuclear movement and the movement against uranium mining and for indigenous land rights in the Black Hills. Continue reading →

Posted in APA Spotlight, Discrimination, Education, Politics | 4 Comments

Do Asians Hate Asian Americans?

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

I was reading the Los Angeles Times earlier and came across an article about Gary Locke’s nomination as ambassador to China and the feelings of the Chinese toward a Chinese American like Locke. It struck a nerve with me and … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Observations | 106 Comments

APA Spotlight: Curtis Chin, Board Member, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

Curtis Chin is an award-winning writer and producer who has written for ABC, the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and more. As a [Curtis Chin Blue] community activist, he co-founded the Asian American Writers Workshop and Asian Pacific Americans for Progress. He has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, NPR, Newsweek and other media outlet. Continue reading →

Posted in APA Spotlight, Community, Entertainment, TV | Leave a comment

A Response to Slaying the Dragon Reloaded

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

[EDITORS NOTE: Koji is a writer and producer for the movie The People I’ve Slept With.] Quentin Lee, my friend and the director of my film, The People I’ve Slept With, wrote an article on the API blog, You Offend … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Observations | 5 Comments

APA Spotlight: Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director, East West Players

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

Tim has been artistic director of East West Players since 1993 and affiliated with the organization since 1980 in various capacities from actor to director to producer. Continue reading →

Posted in APA Spotlight, Entertainment, The Arts | Leave a comment

APA Spotlight: Harry Mok, Editor in Chief, Hyphen Magazine

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

APA Spotlight is a weekly interview of Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APAI) community leaders. It is a spotlight on individuals who have dedicated their careers to issues surrounding the APAI community with the goal of bringing much deserved recognition to their work and cause(s). Continue reading →

Posted in APA Spotlight | 1 Comment

Ask an Asian: Are the Majority of Young Japanese Americans Part White?

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

Every so often, we here at 8Asians get e-mails asking for advice. Here is one such e-mail received last week: I found this quote on Andrew Sullivan’s blog: “a large majority of Japanese-Americans born in the 1980s and 1990s have … Continue reading →

Posted in Ask an Asian, Family, Lifestyles | 44 Comments

APA Spotlight: Stephen Gong, Executive Director, Center for Asian American Media

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

Stephen Gong is the Executive Director of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), a leading media and cultural non-profit organization located in San Francisco. Continue reading →

Posted in APA Spotlight | Leave a comment

APA Spotlight: Karen Narasaki, President and Executive Director of the Asian American Justice Center

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

Karen K. Narasaki is the President and Executive Director of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), one of the nation’s leading voices advocating for the rights and interests of Asian Americans Continue reading →

Posted in APA Spotlight, Nonprofit, Politics | Leave a comment

APA Spotlight: Wayne Ho, Executive Director, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

Wayne Ho is the executive director of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF). He is responsible for leading the nation’s only pan-Asian children’s advocacy organization by overseeing agency administration, program oversight, board relations, staff supervision, community partnerships, and fundraising to improve the health and well-being of Asian Pacific American children and families. Continue reading →

Posted in APA Spotlight | Leave a comment

APA Spotlight: Marshall Wong, Co-Chair of the API Equality-LA

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

Marshall Wong is a native of Los Angeles and has worked for the L.A. County Human Relations Commission since 1999. He authors an annual report on hate crime and coordinates the agency’s anti-hate crime programs. Previously, he held positions with the Smithsonian Institution and in the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C. Continue reading →

Posted in APA Spotlight | 3 Comments

Asian and Asian American Serial Killers

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Koji Steven Sakai

I’ve always been fascinated by serial killers. There’s something both creepy and scary about them. To me, they are symbols of the worst humans can do but proof that most of us aren’t THAT bad. Because this is 8Asians, I thought I’d do some research on Asian/Asian American serial killers. Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments