Hawaii on TV, a thank you to readers, and the road to the JACL convention

Vol. 139, No. 1, July 2, 2004. 12 pages. View this issue

New television shows set in Hawaii, including FOX’s ‘North Shore,’ the WB’s ‘Rocky Point’ and NBC’s ‘Hawaii,’ drew criticism on the front page from Caroline Aoyagi, because few or no Asian Pacific Islander American actors appeared in them. John Tateishi opened the JACL’s Mid-Year Fund Raising Campaign. Madison J. Gray reported on Army chaplain James Yee’s first public appearance since his exoneration, and Lynda Lin wrote about Nishi Hongwanji Temple in Little Tokyo and its effort to reach younger members.

On page 2, Aoyagi thanked readers for raising $10,330 in the Spring Campaign. JACL leaders answered Bill Parcells’ use of a slur in a news conference, and a letter looked back at Reagan’s signing of the Civil Liberties Bill. Ryan Chin examined the national budget ahead of the convention in Honolulu, and Harry K. Honda recalled the 100th Infantry Battalion’s push toward Rome. Sports and film coverage fill pages 7 and 9.

What’s in this issue

National

• TV Networks’ Current Fascination With Hawaii Often Doesn’t Translate Into More Roles for APAs, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 1. New TV shows set in Hawaii, including FOX’s ‘North Shore,’ the WB’s ‘Rocky Point,’ and NBC’s ‘Hawaii,’ feature few or no Asian Pacific Islander American actors despite Hawaii’s majority APIA population. Actors, activists, and industry insiders criticize the networks for failing to reflect the real demographics of the state.’
• Muslim Chaplain Makes First Public Appearance Since Exoneration, by Madison J. Gray, page 1. Army chaplain James Yee made his first public appearance since being exonerated of espionage charges related to his work at Guantanamo Bay, thanking supporters of civil liberties at a Chinatown benefit. Yee was imprisoned for 76 days before charges were dropped, and his case drew support from Asian American and Muslim American communities and several members of Congress.
• Corzine, Other Democrats Sponsor Law to Address Patriot Act ‘Abuses’, by Wayne Parry, page 3. Senator Jon Corzine and four other Senate Democrats introduced the Civil Liberties Restoration Act to address perceived excesses of the USA Patriot Act, including ending special registration programs targeting Middle Eastern immigrants. Critics and supporters debated whether the bill would compromise national security or better protect civil liberties.
• Michigan Anti-affirmative Action Campaign Will Target ’06 Election, by Associated Press, page 3. The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative announced it will delay its ballot proposal banning affirmative action at public universities and agencies to the 2006 election rather than this November. Organizers need at least 317,757 petition signatures, and supporters of affirmative action remain skeptical of the group’s intentions.
• Beheadings Fuel Fresh Backlash Against Muslims, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. The beheadings of American businessmen in the Middle East, including former New Jerseyan Paul Johnson, sparked increased hate mail and vandalism against Arab Americans and Muslims. One threatening letter invoked comparisons to Japanese American internment during World War II.
• Calhoun County Shows Language Diversity, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. A survey found 26 different languages spoken in Calhoun County, Alabama, attributed to Jacksonville State University’s International House and Fort McClellan. The finding surprised many who assumed the region was linguistically isolated.
• Senate Committee Approves Study of Pacific Homeland Security Base, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. A Senate committee unanimously approved a bill to study establishing a Pacific region within the Department of Homeland Security covering Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. Pacific territories. Senator Daniel Inouye emphasized the need to secure air and sea links given Hawaii’s isolated location.
• Ten Hmong Begin Long Trek to Washington, by P.C. Staff and Associated Press, page 4. Zong Khang Yang led ten local residents on a 1,150-mile walk from St. Paul to Washington, D.C. to draw attention to the plight of Hmong people in Laos. The group hopes to encourage U.N. peacekeeping intervention and pressure the Laotian government to allow humanitarian aid.
• Kato Named First Judge of Color to Head State Judge’s Association, by P.C. Staff, page 4. King County District Court Judge Eileen Kato was elected president of the Washington State District and Municipal Court Judge’s Association, becoming the first judge of color to lead the organization. Chelan County Judge Alicia Nakata was also chosen as president-elect of the same association.
• MALDEF and ADC Honor Paul Igasaki, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Paul M. Igasaki was honored by both MALDEF and the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee for his work on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He received awards recognizing his contributions to the Latino community and his initiatives protecting Arab Americans from post-9/11 backlash.
• JA Vets Honored by French Gov’t on 60th Anniversary of Liberation of France, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Nisei veterans Yeiichi (Kelly) Kuwayama and Jimmie Kanaya of the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team were awarded France’s Knight of the Legion of Honor on the 60th anniversary of France’s liberation. Senator Daniel Akaka praised the veterans as representatives of the brave Japanese Americans who fought for freedom despite discrimination at home.

JACL

• JACL Launches Midyear Campaign, by John Tateishi, page 1. JACL Executive Director John Tateishi explains the origins and importance of the organization’s annual Mid-Year Fund Raising Campaign, noting that membership renewals slow during summer months affecting cash flow. He asks members to contribute whatever they can to support JACL’s ongoing work.
• JACL Applauds Senate Vote on Hate Crimes Bill, by P.C. Staff, page 3. JACL praised the Senate’s bipartisan 65-33 vote to approve the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which extends federal hate crime protections based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and disability. JACL leaders said the legislation would give local law enforcement more resources to combat hate crimes.
• Investing in a Vision for the Future, by Ryan Chin, page 4. JACL National VP of Membership Ryan Chin examines the upcoming national budget ahead of convention, highlighting concerns about reliance on ‘soft money’ like grants and fundraising versus stable membership dues. He urges chapters to carefully review the budget and prioritize funding programs that attract new members.

In-Depth

• Nishi Hongwanji Temple Faces Challenge of Attracting Younger Members, by Lynda Lin, page 1. As Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo approaches its 100th anniversary, it faces declining membership and difficulty attracting younger generations despite surviving internment and post-war changes. The temple is adapting by offering bilingual services and social programs while still serving as a spiritual anchor for many families.

Commentary

• A Huge Thank You to Our Readers, by Caroline Aoyagi, page 2. The Pacific Citizen’s Executive Editor thanks readers for surpassing the $10,000 goal in the paper’s Spring Campaign fundraiser, raising $10,330 from over 83 donors. The funds will go toward new equipment and general operations amid financial struggles facing national JACL.
• An Open Letter to John Tateishi and Dale Minami, by Wiki Kawakami, page 2. A letter writer from Pocatello, Idaho thanks JACL leaders for their swift response denouncing Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells’ use of the slur ‘Jap’ in a news conference. The writer hopes for continued efforts to also change offensive place names like ‘Jap Road’ and ‘Jap Lane’ in Texas.
• Reagan’s Legacy, by Gordon O. Yamacauna Hott, page 2. A letter writer reflects on President Reagan’s signing of the Civil Liberties Bill HR22 while criticizing his broader policy legacy for creating social and economic divisions in America. The writer argues that Reagan’s era eroded a national sense of community despite the positive redress achievement.
• P.C.’s New Look, page 2. A KING TV anchor from Seattle writes in to praise the Pacific Citizen’s newspaper redesign, calling it cleaner and more modern. The writer congratulates the paper on making the publication more appealing to read.
• Bazaar Season Lessons, by Jessica Kawamura, page 5. A youth JACL member reflects on her family’s experience joining a Japanese American church bazaar community and draws parallels to declining membership and leadership transition challenges facing JACL. She argues that welcoming newcomers and engaging younger generations is critical to the future of both bazaars and JA organizations.
• June 5, 1944: Fall of Rome/’D-Day’, by Harry K. Honda, page 8. Columnist Harry Honda recounts the 100th Infantry Battalion’s role in the campaign to liberate Rome in June 1944, detailing key battles and the frustration Nisei soldiers felt when ordered to halt just before entering the city. The piece draws on historical accounts from several books documenting the unit’s WWII service.

Community

• Eugene, Oregon to Build JA Art Memorial, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Eugene Japanese American Memorial Committee is working with the city of Eugene to build a public art memorial at the Hult Center for Performing Arts, the site where JAs from western Oregon were forced to board trains to internment camps. Fundraising chairperson Alice Endo-Aikens hopes the memorial will preserve historical memory and prevent similar injustices against other groups.

Arts & Entertainment

• JACL 75th Anniversary Convention to Present Native Hawaiian Cultural Experts, by David Forman, page 6. The JACL National Convention in Honolulu will open with a traditional Hawaiian oli chant performed by cultural expert Vicky Holt Takamine, along with hula workshops and a panel on Native Hawaiian rights. Distinguished panelists include Haunani Apoliona and Robert G. Klein among others discussing Hawaiian cultural preservation.
• Carnage in Translation, by Lynda Lin, page 9. Hollywood is remaking numerous Asian horror films, including ‘The Grudge’ and ‘The Ring,’ often replacing Asian actors and cultural elements with American ones, sparking debate about what is lost in translation. Producer Roy Lee defends the practice as necessary for U.S. audiences, while critics argue it strips films of their original cultural nuance and political depth.
• Ju-On: The Grudge, by P.C. Staff, page 9. A film review praises the Japanese horror film ‘Ju-On: The Grudge’ for its relentless scares and unique structure focusing on the perspective of vengeful ghosts. The reviewer highlights the film’s effective pacing and tension as it follows a home care worker who unleashes a family curse.

Sports

• In ‘Sport’ of Competitive Eating Wiry Japanese Rules, by P.C. and Associated Press, page 7. Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi trains to defend his three-time championship title at Coney Island’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. Japanese eaters have dominated the competition since 1997, with Kobayashi becoming a celebrity in Japan earning significant prize money.
• Suzuki Propels Cal State Fullerton to Victory, by P.C. and Associated Press, page 7. Maui native Kurt Suzuki’s RBI single in the seventh inning helped Cal State Fullerton defeat Texas 3-2 to win the College World Series national championship. The Titans overcame a rocky start to the season to complete a surprising championship run.
• 52nd Meet Showcases Young Athletes, by P.C. Staff, page 7. The 52nd Annual JACL Junior Olympics track and field meet at Chabot College featured Julia Chiang being named Outstanding Athlete after breaking a 200 meter record and nearly matching a long jump record. San Francisco won the overall team title, with three additional meet records broken in younger divisions.
• Saiki Gets First LPGA Tour Win, by P.C. and Associated Press, page 7. Kim Saiki won her first LPGA Tour title after 12 years on tour, shooting a final round 71 to win the Rochester LPGA by four strokes. The 38-year-old Californian had previously been a runner-up four times since joining the tour in 1992.

Obituaries

• Acclaimed Hawaiian Musician ‘Auntie Martha’ Dead at 97, by Associated Press, page 11. Martha Poepoe Hohu, a celebrated Hawaiian conductor, composer and organist known as ‘Auntie Martha,’ died at age 97 in Honolulu. She received numerous honors including a Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award and served as choir director at Kaumakapili Church for 67 years.
• Kiyo Nakamura, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Kiyo Nakamura of Salt Lake City died June 10 at age 88, remembered as a devoted wife, mother, and active member of Business and Professional Women organization. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Richard Nakamura, three children, and five grandchildren.

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