Danny Yamashiro
Danny Yamashiro (born December 5, 1967) is an American clergyman, author, radio host, and researcher who survived a 400-foot (122 meters) fall from the ridge of the Nuʻuanu Pali in Honolulu, Hawaii, at 18.[1]
Danny Yamashiro | |
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Danny Yamashiro in 2015 | |
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Biola University (BA, MA) Harvard University (ALM) Trinity International University (PhD) |
Occupation | Radio host, evangelist, pastor, author, researcher |
Spouse(s) | Jamie Yamashiro |
Website | DannyYamashiro.org |
Survival story
On December 22, 1985, attempting to rescue his stranded girlfriend from a 20-foot (6 meters) mountain-climbing fall, Danny Yamashiro slipped and fell head first 300 feet (91 meters) and later another 100 feet (31 meters). The second fall took place during an attempted rescue and was captured on film. It aired on newscasts throughout Hawaii. He suffered severe head injuries, skull fractures, multiple tears in his scalp, a shattered ankle, damaged organs, extensive lacerations, and being comatose.[2]
On May 25, 2017, Yamashiro delivered Harvard Extension School's commencement address, titled "Falling 400 Feet."[3]
Personal life
Daniel Keauhou Matsu "Danny" Yamashiro was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.[4] He is an American of Hawaiian, Okinawan, and Chinese ancestry.[4] He is the great grandson of Hawaii detective Chang Apana. He graduated from Iolani School in 1986.[5] He is married to Jamie Yamashiro. They have three children: Allie, Hugh and Luke.[6]
Education
Danny Yamashiro earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a concentration in Government from Harvard Extension School. He graduated on May 25, 2017 at Harvard's 366th commencement.[7] An interview by Harvard described Yamashiro's journey to Cambridge from Honolulu.[8] His thesis, Religious Influences on Crisis Presidential Decision-Making: A New Belief in the Operational Code Analysis of George W. Bush (2017),[9] under the direction of David F. Holland from Harvard Divinity School,[10] was featured at Harvard's annual ALM Thesis Symposium.[11]
He attended the University of Oxford Theology Summer School at Christ Church, Oxford in England (2018, 2019) and earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois (2020).[12]
Yamashiro studied at Chaminade University (1987) in Honolulu, Hawaii, before transferring to Biola University and Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Theology (1991) and Master of Arts in Bible Exposition (1993). His thesis, Jesus Christ in Every Biblical Book (1992), directed by A. Boyd Luter, explored types, symbols, prophecies and pictures of Christ in all 66 books of the Bible.[13]
Professional life
Evangelist and pastor
In 1993, he founded Jesus Christ Is Calling You Evangelistic Ministry, Inc. (JCCY) and launched a series of large-scale revival tent meetings throughout Hawaii. Since 1998, his organization formed Paradise Global Mission and expanded to reach several countries worldwide with medical and dental clinics, sports clinics and numerous forms of humanitarian aid by supporting the work of Christian churches in rural locations.[14]
He was the founding pastor of Christ's Church at Kapolei, affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America, and served as senior pastor for nine years (1998–2007).
Radio host
Yamashiro hosts the program A Slice of The Good Life which airs daily throughout the United States, internationally in Ontario, Canada; Kent, England; and Malaybalay City, Philippines and formerly aired in Greater Los Angeles on Salem Communications 99.5 KKLA-FM.[15] He hosts Hawaii's only locally based daily Christian radio talk show, The Good Life Hawaii, on Salem Communications 99.5 KGU-FM,[16]
Awards and associations
Yamashiro won the Harvard Extension School Commencement Speaker Prize (2017).[17] He was awarded Biola University's Young Alumni Award (2000)[18] and has received numerous certificates of recognition from the Hawaii Senate, Hawaii House of Representatives, Honolulu City Council and the Mayor of Honolulu, Jeremy Harris. Yamashiro was the first ordained clergyman selected for the Pacific Century Fellows and offered a prayer at a celebratory dinner hosted by the Governor of Hawaii, Benjamin Cayetano at the historic "Washington Place" (1999).[19]
Danny Yamashiro is ordained by the Evangelical Free Church of America, and is a member of the National Religious Broadcasters[20] and Luis Palau's Next Generation Alliance of evangelists.[21]
Books
Yamashiro has authored the following books:
- Yamashiro, Danny (1997). Paradise Calls: Spellbinding Story of Hawaii's Evangelist. Jesus Christ Is Calling You, Inc. ISBN 1-890312-00-2.
- Yamashiro, Danny (1998). Know Your Future Today. Jesus Christ Is Calling You, Inc. ISBN 1-890312-01-0.
- Yamashiro, Danny (2000). Spiritual Reshaping of a Christian Hawaii. Keauhou Press. ISBN 1-890312-02-9.
- Yamashiro, Danny (2003). The Good Life: Encouragement You Need When You Need It. Kerygma Publishing. ISBN 1-890312-05-3.
- Yamashiro, Danny (2004). Building Blocks for Better Living. Kerygma Publishing. ISBN 1-890312-06-1.
- Yamashiro, Danny (2007). Discover the Champion in You. Kerygma Publishing. ISBN 978-1890312-04-6.
- Yamashiro, Danny (2008). Successful Evangelism 100% of the Time. Kerygma Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815219-0-9.
- Yamashiro, Danny (2011). Paradise Calls: A Spellbinding Story of Survival and Hope from Hawaii's Evangelist. White Mountain Castle Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-0-9815219-3-0.
- Yamashiro, Danny (2012). Winner's Edge. White Mountain Castle Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-0-9847027-0-1.
- Yamashiro, Danny (2016). Unleashing The Greatness in You. White Mountain Castle Publishing, LLC.
References
- "Iolani Bull_spring 2002_04" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- Honolulu Star Bulletin, December 22, 1993 Pali fall puts youth in Christ's hands
- "Danny Yamashiro Receives Standing Ovation at Harvard Commencement for 'Falling 400 Feet' » NRB Christian Communicators Impacting The World". nrb.org. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- name="Paradise Calls"
- "Iolani Bulletin: The Summer Break of a Lifetime". www.iolanibulletin.org. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
- ""Goodbye Danny" - Kalihi Union Church". Kalihi Union Church. July 13, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
- "Harvard Gazette » Harvard Awards 10 Honorary Degrees: Recognizes Principal Speaker Mark Zuckerberg Among Others Top in Their Field". news.harvard.edu. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- "Harvard Extension School » Daniel Yamashiro: Student Spotlight". extension.harvard.edu. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- "Digital Access To Scholarship At Harvard » Religious Influences on Crisis Presidential Decision-Making: A New Belief in the Operational Code Analysis of George W. Bush" (PDF). dash.harvard.edu. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- "Harvard Extension School » Daniel Yamashiro: Student Spotlight". extension.harvard.edu. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- "Harvard College » ALM Thesis Symposium". college.harvard.edu. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- "Danny Yamashiro". 995theword.com. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- Jesus Christ in every biblical book. OCLC World Cat. OCLC 27409715.
- "The Summer Break of a Lifetime". Iolani Bulletin. July 24, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 16, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "KGU-FM – Honolulu, HI – Life Changing Christian Radio broadcasts, Programs, Ministries and stations – Listen Online to Christian Teaching and Talk". Kguradio.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- "isites.harvard.edu » Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2016-2017 Student Prize Recipients" (PDF). Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- "Biola Magazine » Where Are They Now?". magazine.biola.edu. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- "ALUMNI 1997 – present". Pacific Century Fellows. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
- "Members--A » NRB Christian Communicators Impacting The World". nrb.org. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- "Luis Palau Association » nga evangelists w to z". Palau.org. Retrieved October 20, 2011.