Hirabayashi’s conviction overturned, and a century-old Seattle expulsion recalled

Vol. 102, No. 7, February 21, 1986. 8 pages. View this issue

The Pacific Citizen reported on U.S. District Judge Donald Voorhees’s ruling that overturned Gordon Hirabayashi’s wartime conviction, finding the government committed “an error of the most fundamental character.” Hirabayashi called it a vindication of his 40-year fight. Representatives Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui said the decision strengthened the chances for redress legislation H.R. 442. The front page also marked the 100th anniversary of the 1886 expulsion of Chinese immigrants from Seattle, where about 300 people marched in remembrance.

Inside, Frank Sato wrote about the legacy of astronaut Ellison Onizuka after the Challenger disaster, and Bill Marutani described a trip to Toronto to meet Japanese Canadians and the parallels with their wartime treatment. Other pages carried Bill Hosokawa on Japanese business families in Denver, Bob Shimabukuro on Hawaiian pidgin, JACL chapter news, and a Rep. Matsui bill on the abbreviation “Jap.”

What’s in this issue

Community

• Century-Old Injustice Recalled as Seattle Marks Chinese Expulsion Centennial, page 1. Seattle held commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the 1886 expulsion of Chinese immigrants from the city, when a mob forced over 400 Chinese residents to the waterfront to be shipped out. About 300 people marched to the sites of the old Chinatown and waterfront, releasing black balloons, while organizers stressed education over blame.
• Saiki to Run for Representative, page 2. Former Hawaii state senator Patricia Saiki announced her candidacy for the 1st District House seat held by Democrat Cecil Heftel, backed by prominent Republicans including Hiram Fong. Saiki, who served in the state legislature and as GOP state chair, faces criticism from fellow Republican Rick Reed over her use of the party chairmanship.
• Discussion on Diseases Slated in San Francisco, page 2. A workshop on osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease will be held in San Francisco’s Japantown, featuring UCSF staff members as speakers. The free event, sponsored by Nisei and Retirement, may also address herpes and AIDS if time permits.
• AAJA Scholarship Forms Available, page 3. The Asian American Journalists Association is accepting scholarship applications for Asian American high school and college students pursuing journalism careers. Last year AAJA awarded $13,800 total to 14 students, with this year’s deadline set for April 14.
• Coro Offers Leadership Course, page 3. The Coro Foundation is accepting applications for a public affairs training course for Bay Area Asian Pacific community leaders running May 17-July 18. The program aims to develop skills in public policy-making and community leadership, with tuition of $250 and financial assistance available.
• USC Scholarships Offered to Asian Pacific Students, page 6. The Asian Pacific American Support Group is offering scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 to Asian Pacific American students at USC for the 1986-87 academic year. Applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with applications due by April 4.
• Professor to Speak on Nikkei Issues in Boston, page 6. UC Berkeley ethnic studies professor Ronald Takaki will discuss being Japanese American in the 1980s at a Boston talk sponsored by the Japan Society. Topics will include the model minority stereotype, the U.S.-Japan trade war’s effects on Asian Americans, and Asian Americans’ growing university presence.
• Reunion Planned for Former New Yorkers, page 7. An April 6 reunion has been planned in Sacramento for Nikkei who once attended the New York Buddhist Church. The event will take place at Florin Buddhist Church during its Spring Bazaar, with participants encouraged to purchase food trays and gather in the multipurpose room.

Obituaries

• Noted Architect Minoru Yamasaki Dies at 73, page 1. Architect Minoru Yamasaki, designer of the World Trade Center towers and other famous buildings, died of cancer in Detroit at age 73. Born in Seattle, he overcame West Coast prejudice to build a celebrated career, though some projects like Pruitt-Igoe later became controversial.
• Komataro Kishi, 107, Believed Oldest Japanese American, Dies, page 8. Komataro Kishi, believed to be the oldest Japanese American on the mainland U.S., died in an apparent accidental bathtub drowning in his Bronx apartment at age 107. He had emigrated from Wakayama in 1890 and worked various jobs including railroad foreman and butler before his death; he is survived by relatives in Wakayama.
• Margaret Saeko Akagi, 67, Killed by Truck in New York, page 8. Margaret Saeko Akagi, vice president of the Mesa Group advertising agency, was struck and killed by a truck near her New York office. She had been interned at Manzanar during WWII and later worked at Doubleday and Franklin Spier, and is survived by her children, sister, and grandchildren.
• William Takeshi Kawai, Former Hokubei Mainichi Columnist, Dies, page 8. William Takeshi Kawai, 68, a former columnist for Hokubei Mainichi, died of cancer in Nagoya while retired in Japan. Born in San Francisco, he served in the Army for twenty years and later worked as a civilian expert with the Army Communication Electronics Engineering agency before his death in Mie-ken.

Incarceration & Redress

• Hirabayashi Celebrates Victory as Court Overturns Wartime Conviction, page 1. Gordon Hirabayashi, who defied WWII curfew and evacuation orders as a university student, saw his conviction overturned when U.S. District Judge Donald Voorhees ruled the government committed ‘an error of the most fundamental character.’ Hirabayashi called the ruling a vindication of his 40-year fight and a victory for American justice, though his curfew conviction was not overturned.
• State Capitol Site of JA Exhibit, page 3. An exhibit titled ‘East to America: A Panorama of Japanese American Experience’ featuring 100 historical photographs is on display at the California State Capitol through March 1. The exhibit coincides with the 44th anniversary of Executive Order 9066’s signing.
• Congressmen Praise Hirabayashi Ruling, See Boost for Redress Bill, page 5. Representatives Norman Mineta and Robert Matsui praised the court ruling overturning Gordon Hirabayashi’s conviction, saying it removes a ‘black stain’ from the nation’s history and strengthens chances for passage of redress legislation H.R. 442. JACL-LEC director Grayce Uyehara and other advocates called the decision an important step toward righting wartime injustices.

Arts & Entertainment

• New Ethnic Plays Presented in L.A., page 3. Three plays by Asian American artists are being presented at L.A. Theatre Center, including Luis Valdez’s satire featuring Patti Yasutake, and two David Hwang plays making their Los Angeles and world premieres. The ensemble cast includes Gerrielani Miyazaki, Nelson Mashita, Phyllis Applegate and Nobu McCarthy.

Commentary

• The Canadian Nisei, by Bill Marutani, page 4. The author describes a trip to Toronto to share impressions of U.S. redress efforts with Japanese Canadians, discovering striking similarities between their wartime experiences and those of Japanese Americans. He details the harsh treatment of Japanese Canadians, including property seizure, forced relocation, and a 1945 ‘loyalty survey’ used to deport thousands to Japan, noting Canada is now also pursuing redress.
• Tanks, Eh, Richard: On Pidgin English and Hawaiian Identity, by Bob Shimabukuro, page 4. The columnist reflects on Hawaiian pidgin English and its cultural significance, discussing books like Richard Kapololu’s ‘Punchbowl Song’ that legitimize pidgin as a literary language. He recounts his own upbringing pressured toward ‘proper’ English before coming to appreciate pidgin’s expressive power through Kapololu’s poetry collection about growing up poor and Portuguese-Hawaiian.
• Overseas Japanese in Denver Enjoy Freedom, Form Community, by Bill Hosokawa, page 5. Despite the energy boom’s end, Japanese business firms continue expanding their presence in Denver, with employees forming the Japanese Business Firms Association for social connection. The columnist attended their New Year’s party, observing how these workers enjoy American freedoms while maintaining cultural ties through activities like a Japanese music guessing game.
• A Familiar Problem: On Identity and Perception, page 5. The author explores the complex identity dilemma facing Japanese Americans, who must navigate being perceived as different while asserting their American identity. The piece examines how language and self-description reflect ongoing tension between ethnic heritage and national belonging, extending to questions about biracial children’s identity.
• Letter: A Satisfied Customer Praises Holiday Issue, by A.C. Moore, page 5. A reader from Cranbury, N.J. writes to praise the 1985 Pacific Citizen Holiday Issue, particularly commending coverage of interracial marriages and astronaut Ellison Onizuka. The letter also urges columnist Bill Marutani to continue writing for the paper.

JACL

• The Onizuka Legacy, by Frank Sato, page 5. JACL National President Frank Sato reflects on the Challenger disaster and the legacy of astronaut Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka, who was the first Japanese American in space. Sato attended the national memorial service in Houston and writes that Onizuka’s courage will inspire future generations of Asian American youth to pursue their dreams.
• NCWNPDC Holds First Quarterly Meeting of 1986, page 6. The Northern California-Western Nevada-Pacific District Council held its first 1986 quarterly meeting in Berkeley, featuring reports from LEC director Grayce Uyehara on upcoming H.R. 442 hearings and Governor Mollie Fujioka on National Board business. The district allocated funds for its Forensics contest and discussed honoring the late Ellison Onizuka and outgoing leader John Tateishi.
• Monterey Peninsula JACL Installs New Officers, page 6. Joan Ouye succeeded David Yamada as president of Monterey Peninsula JACL at a ceremony attended by over 150 people, with State Sen. Henry Mello conducting the installation. The chapter’s Citizenship Award went to Marina councilman Robert Ouye, and featured speaker Eric Saul discussed the Presidio Army Museum and National Japanese American Historical Society.
• Placer County JACL to Install New President, page 6. Placer County JACL will install its new president at a Feb. 22 dinner, with guest speaker Alan Nishi giving a Sansei perspective on the JACL leadership program in Washington D.C. The chapter named numerous other officers and committee chairpersons for the coming year.

National

• Matsui to Co-Sponsor Anti-‘Jap’ Bill, page 6. Rep. Robert Matsui announced his co-sponsorship of legislation authored by Rep. Mike Lowry that would encourage Congress to use ‘Jpn.’ rather than ‘Jap.’ as an abbreviation for Japan or Japanese. Matsui stated the term has racist connotations that should not be countenanced in society.

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