Vol. 114, No. 17, May 1, 1992. 12 pages. View this issue
The dedication of the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo filled this 12-page issue. Harry Honda covered the ceremonies and the opening exhibit, “Issei Pioneers: Hawaii and the Mainland, 1885-1924,” and also wrote about the restored interior of the old Nishi Hongwanji temple, now the museum’s home. Harry K. Honda’s column looked at Col. Young Oak Kim’s part in founding the museum, and a further story described the exhibit’s curators and designers. Gwen Muranaka reported on Los Angeles police chief designate Willie Williams meeting Asian American leaders.
Other pages covered the Manzanar pilgrimage, held on the 50th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, and a JACL meeting with Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent. Readers will also find an election roundup, an update on the JACL Legacy Fund campaign, and Steven Okazaki’s film “Troubled Paradise.” Commentary came from Bill Hosokawa and Bill Marutani.
What’s in this issue
National
- New L.A. Police Chief Meets with Asian Americans, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. LAPD Chief designate Willie Williams met with Asian American community leaders in Chinatown, discussing his philosophy of making the department reflective of the people it serves. He answered questions on minority hiring, rising crime, and departmental reform.
- 3 JAs Reportedly Beaten at L.A. Beach, page 1. Three Japanese men were assaulted in a beach parking lot while leaving, with suspects allegedly yelling racial slurs including ‘Jap’ and ‘Hawaiian Jap go home.’ Suspects were held for trial pending an arraignment date before a Los Angeles court judge.
JACL
- JACL Officials Meet with Fay Vincent, page 1. JACL National Director Dennis Hayashi and President Cressey Nakagawa met with Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent regarding his apparent opposition to the sale of the Seattle Mariners to a Japanese-led investor group. They raised concerns about a racial double standard given other foreign ownership of MLB teams.
- Legacy Fund Campaign Leads Way at One-Third Point, by Grayce Uyehara, page 3. The JACL Legacy Fund campaign has raised over $3.3 million toward its $10 million goal, with the Mountain Plains District Council leading in percentage of goal achieved. The article discusses the importance of the fund for continuing redress advocacy and the Civil Rights Education Fund.
- 1000 Club Growing, Getting Stronger, page 10. The national 1000 Club, founded 45 years ago, now has more than 2,000 members supporting JACL operations, with the Life Trust Fund growing to over 800 members and $400,000 in assets. Reduced membership rates of $500 and $1,000 are set to expire at the August 1992 convention.
In-Depth
- A Home for History: Museum Plans Dedication May 1 with Festivities, Dignitaries, Opening of Issei Pioneers Exhibit, by Harry Honda, page 1. The Japanese American National Museum held dedication ceremonies in Little Tokyo, with Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu attending the inaugural events. The museum’s premiere exhibit, ‘Issei Pioneers: Hawaii and the Mainland, 1885-1924,’ features artifacts including a Henry Sugimoto painting and Toyo Miyatake’s camera.
- Old Nishi Temple Interior Restored, by Harry K. Honda, page 5. Restoration work on the historic Nishi Hongwanji temple building was completed in time for the JANM’s grand opening, preserving original design elements like chandeliers, floors, and ornamental ironwork. The building now houses museum offices, exhibit space, and a gift shop while meeting modern museum standards for climate control and security.
- Abiko Family Papers Donated to UCLA, page 7. Lily Abiko of San Francisco donated the Abiko Family Papers, 42 boxes of historical materials, to UCLA’s Japanese American Research Project collection. The papers document the prominent Abiko family’s role in Japanese immigration history, including newspaper publishing and community leadership dating back to 1885.
- Issei Pioneers Exhibit Features Rare Artifacts and Talent, page 12. The JANM’s inaugural exhibit brought together top curators and designers, including chief curator Dr. Jim Hirabayashi and exhibit designers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to create an innovative ‘islands’ display concept. The exhibit features soundscapes, video footage from home movies, and artifacts from Issei pioneers, opening to the public May 15.
Incarceration & Redress
- A Journey of Mixed Emotions: Manzanar Pilgrimage 1992, by Sally Kim, page 1. The annual pilgrimage to Manzanar drew close to 2,000 people this year, coinciding with the camp’s recent designation as a national historic site and the 50th anniversary of Executive Order 9066. Former internees like Osamu Ikegami, Ben Hoshino, and Rik Yoshizawa shared memories of camp life, loss, and the importance of remembering the internment experience.
Community
- Election Roundup, by Gwen Muranaka, page 1. A rundown of Japanese American, Korean American, and other Asian American candidates running for various California and national offices in the wake of the 1990 census and redistricting. The piece covers candidates for Congress, State Senate, State Assembly, and county positions across California and other states.
- Asian American Center Planned for Utah, page 3. Lou Tong, director of the Utah Office of Asian and Polynesian Affairs, hopes to build an Asian American cultural center on a bankrupt housing development site in Salt Lake City. The proposed center, estimated to cost $25-28 million, would include a museum and office space for the Asian Association of Utah.
- Nishi in ’45 Was Residence, Clinic, page 5. During WWII, the closed Nishi Hongwanji temple served as a residence for African Americans who came for defense work. In 1945 it was leased to the interracial First Street Clinic and also provided space for returning Japanese American businesses.
- Lecturers Set for JANM Series, page 5. A monthly lecture series accompanying the JANM’s Issei Pioneers exhibit will feature scholars including Dr. Gary Okihiro, Dr. Gail Nomura, Dr. Ron Takaki, and Professor Yuji Ichioka. The series will run monthly through April 1993 at the JACCC.
- Alaskan Resort Offers Vacation for Singles, by Tyler Tanaka, page 8. Alaska Quality Lodges is hosting a singles-only week at Whales Resort in late August, featuring fishing excursions, whale watching, and various recreational amenities. The article details the lodge’s facilities including a recreation room, gourmet dining, and outdoor activities.
Commentary
- Korean Leads Way in Museum Effort, by Harry K. Honda, page 4. Col. Young Oak Kim, a Korean American war hero of the 100th Infantry Battalion, played a key role in founding the 100th/442nd/MIS Museum Foundation, forerunner to the Japanese American National Museum. The column traces Kim’s wartime heroics, post-war struggles with pain, and his community service leading to the museum’s creation.
- East Wind: Sequel – Henry from Koyukuk River Valley, by Bill Hosokawa, page 9. Hosokawa continues his search for information about Henry, a half-Indian, half-Japanese youth evacuated from Alaska during WWII, with new details emerging from readers about his father Jim Minemo and his later life in Anchorage. Despite leads from multiple sources, direct contact with Henry himself remains elusive as he has not discussed his Japanese heritage with his own family.
- From the Frying Pan: Banking on Congress, by Bill Marutani, page 9. Marutani offers a wry take on the House banking overdraft scandal, arguing the controversy is overblown since congressmen covered their own overdrafts with personal funds. He compares the situation to his own minor banking mishaps and reflects on the media’s sensationalism.
- Wants Business to Speak Up Against Japan-Bashing, by Kazu Iijima, page 9. A letter writer criticizes the silence of American businesses profiting from trade with Japan amid rising ‘Japan bashing,’ drawing parallels to pre-internment era prejudice. The writer calls on JACL and the press to publicize job and economic data supporting U.S.-Japan trade relationships.
- Calls for End to Memorial Bickering, by Yeamu Murakame, page 9. A letter writer shares her emotional experience finding her siblings’ names on the War Memorial list of veterans and urges the community to stop bickering over the memorial’s planning. She emphasizes the memorial’s importance in honoring the accomplishments of the 100th/442nd/MIS veterans.
Arts & Entertainment
- Okazaki Film Is Call to Save Hawaiian Culture, by Gwen Muranaka, page 6. Steven Okazaki’s new documentary ‘Troubled Paradise’ follows native Hawaiian activists fighting government and land developers to preserve native Hawaiian culture. The film contrasts tourist images of Hawaii with the poverty and low life expectancy faced by native Hawaiians.
- Movie Reviews: Passed Away and Other Films, by Gwen Muranaka, page 6. A review of ‘Passed Away’ starring Bob Hoskins finds the ensemble comedy about a family funeral overstuffed with characters but anchored by strong performances. Also reviewed are ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ and ‘Lawnmower Man,’ both currently in theaters.
- Okazaki Reflects on Hawaiian Rights and Asian American Responsibility, by Gwen Muranaka, page 12. Continuing coverage of ‘Troubled Paradise’ explores parallels between Native Hawaiian and Native American struggles against colonial aggression and land loss. The reviewer notes discomfort that Asian Americans were depicted as antagonists in land disputes, urging Japanese Americans to support civil rights for all groups.
Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.