Reclaiming Terminal Island: A Living Legacy

K-12 STEAM education

San Gabriel Valley Long Beach South Bay Gateway Cities West LA County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) San Fernando Valley Central LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Reclaiming Terminal Island: A Living Legacy addresses the erasure and underrepresentation of Japanese American history, specifically the vibrant community that once thrived on Terminal Island before World War II. Despite their vital contributions to the fishing industry and local culture, the residents of Terminal Island were the first Japanese Americans forcibly removed from their homes and interned, resulting in the loss of their community, culture, and physical environment. Generations later, many people—especially youth—are unaware of this history due to the lack of visible reminders and engaging educational resources. By leveraging augmented reality to bring the once-thriving Tuna Street back to life, we aim to confront this historical amnesia, honor those affected by forced removal, and foster understanding, empathy, and dialogue within the broader community. This project remembers and celebrates the people of Terminal Island and their contribution to Los Angeles history.

This grant will support an innovative project that uses augmented reality to bring the lost Japanese American community of Terminal Island back to life. In the early 1940s, nearly 3,000 Japanese and Japanese American residents built a vibrant neighborhood on Terminal Island and contributed significantly to the local fishing industry. Tragically, they were the first group forcibly removed and sent to internment camps during World War II, and their community was destroyed.
Our project addresses this historical erasure by digitally reconstructing the homes, shops, and gathering places that once filled Terminal Island. Through AR, participants—especially youth—can walk through the recreated streets, experience the daily life and culture of former residents, and hear their stories in their voices. Interactive features and first-person narratives will help visitors understand both the community’s resilience and the lasting impact of forced removal.
We will launch the project with a community event that brings together descendants, local residents, educators, and students to honor those who once called Tuna Street home. Ongoing activations will ensure that this history remains visible and accessible. By making these stories tangible, our initiative fills gaps left by traditional education and physical erasure, fostering empathy, intergenerational dialogue, and a deeper understanding of how our shared past shapes the present.

If this project is successful, LA County will be a place where the history and contributions of Japanese Americans from Terminal Island are widely recognized and valued. Young people and community members will have a deeper understanding of the region’s diverse heritage, fostering empathy and respect for those affected by injustice, including immigrants to America. The project will create new opportunities for intergenerational dialogue and civic engagement, inspiring other communities to preserve and share their own untold stories. By making local history more visible and accessible through technology, LA County will become a leader in inclusive storytelling, community healing, and cultural preservation.