Ah Jook Leong Ku - First Asian American Associated Press Journalist, passes away

Tuesday, August 14, 2007


“Ah Jook Leong Ku was a groundbreaking young reporter in the 1940s, covering life in China and the government of President Chiang Kai-Shek for the Associated Press.

She was the first Asian-American reporter for the wire service and the first Asian-American female writer for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

But she was best known for her later decades as a feisty advocate for freedom of information and journalism standards. Ku was a founding member of the Honolulu Community-Media Council and served for 25 years as its unpaid administrative secretary.

Ku, 97, died Monday in Leahi Hospital.” - Read more about Ah Jook Leong Ku at the starbulletin