Comedian Paul Ogata of Hawai'i won first place in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. Advertiser library photo | May 2005

"It feels really good to be the first Asian winner, in a time when Asians are largely marginalized by media and show business," said Ogata, who competed against a field of 30 finalists at the Cache Creek Casino, in Brooks, Calif. "It feels good to make a dent. Not for me, but for Asians in general."

The win capped three weeks of nonstop travel, he said, with performances at venues "as far south as Monterey and as far north as Chico. Right now, I am completely burned out, but it was worth it."

Past winners include Dana Carvey of "Saturday Night Live" fame, Marsha Warfield of "Night Court" and movie star Sinbad. Guess who reached past finals but didn't win? Dane Cook, Robin Williams and Ellen DeGeneres. The lone Asian stand-up to place (at No. 4) was Henry Cho, in 1989.

"I'm not an activist or anything but I think it's important when Asian Americans make an impact in the entertainment business in a non-William Hung ("American Idol") way," said Ogata.

In 2004, Ogata was named the Funniest Asian Comedian and since has been playing comedy venues here and abroad. His last Hawai'i appearance was in August, when he performed with Larry Thomas, the infamous "Soup Nazi" from "Seinfeld."