Astronaut. Born in Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force and served as a NASA Mission Specialist Astronaut. At Kennedy Space Center, Florida, January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after the launch taking the life of Onizuka and six other crew members. (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith)