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Efforts are escalating to preserve the remnants of a once-thriving Japanese American fishing village on Terminal Island, a human-made island in San Pedro Bay. From the early 20th century until the early 1940s, this village was home to over 3,000 Japanese American fishermen and their families who played a pivotal role in the development of Southern California's seafood industry.

These pioneering fishermen, many of them first- and second-generation immigrants known as issei and nisei, brought innovative techniques such as 6-foot bamboo poles and live bait to catch albacore tuna and sardines. Their wives worked in the canneries, cleaning and packaging the catches. However, the community was uprooted and the village demolished during World War II. Today, only two vacant buildings on Tuna Street remain as a testament to this vibrant community, now overshadowed by stacks of shipping containers and industrial cranes.

Recently, the Terminal Islanders Association—a group comprising around 200 former residents and their descendants—has banded together to save these last two buildings. Paul Boyea, a board member of the association, stressed the importance of preserving these structures, calling them an integral part of American history.

Progress has been made in recent months. In February, Councilmember Tim McOsker introduced a motion to designate the buildings as historic-cultural monuments, which would provide protection against demolition. In addition, the National Trust for Historic Preservation included the buildings in its 2023 list of the 11 most endangered historic sites in America. The Cultural Heritage Commission of Los Angeles is set to review this motion in June, potentially advancing it to a City Council vote.

The two buildings on Tuna Street once housed the grocery A. Nakamura Co. and the dry goods store Nanka Shoten. These commercial establishments were established over a century ago and served as vital components of the community. Efforts to preserve them began two decades ago but gained momentum last May when the Port of Los Angeles, which owns much of the island, recommended their demolition to create more storage space.

Port authorities, led by communications director Phillip Sanfield, are collaborating with Terminal Island advocates to consider future plans for the buildings, although no definitive decision has been made. Advocates, including Terry Hara, president of the Terminal Islanders Association, envision converting the buildings into a museum, an education center, or even a general store for port workers.

Reminiscing about the past, former residents recall a close-knit community where families prayed at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, shopped, watched movies, attended dances, and participated in cultural celebrations like mochi pounding and Girls' Day festivals. The island's population in the 1930s was largely comprised of Japanese American fishermen, but it was also home to artists, writers, and lumber workers.

The community's way of life changed drastically after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Many Japanese fishermen were arrested and sent to federal prison on suspicions of espionage, while the remaining residents were given 48 hours to vacate the island. Around 800 people were incarcerated at Manzanar concentration camp. On their return, they found their village had been razed, forcing many to resettle in nearby areas like Long Beach and the South Bay.

In the 1970s, survivors and descendants formed the Terminal Islanders Association to maintain connections through social events and later took on preservation efforts. Today, as the number of surviving residents dwindles—fewer than two dozen remain alive—the association continues to advocate for the preservation of the last tangible links to their heritage.

"This is an American story, good or bad," said Hara. "We need to pass on the experience that took place to our children and grandchildren."