The 2000 holiday issue: Health and aging

Vol. 131, No. 21, December 2000. 120 pages. View this issue

Health and growing older made up most of this 120-page holiday issue. Writers took up diabetes, heart disease, alternative medicine, caregiving and long-term care. Tracy Uba surveyed alternative medicine and home remedies, Dr. Guy Mayeda explained coronary artery disease, and Howard Terada wrote about the stress carried by Alzheimer’s caregivers. Personal essays came from Joyce Nako, George Hattori, Rev. Leo T. Fong and Grayce Uyehara.

Other pieces looked back. Mas Hashimoto profiled Dr. Masako Kusayanagi Goto Miura, who cared for internees at Manzanar and Topaz, and Tooru Kanazawa wrote about James J. Okubo, a 442nd Regimental Combat Team medic. Harry K. Honda traced JACL’s work on retirement housing for Nisei, and Emily Moto Murase described a planned eldercare project in San Francisco’s Japantown. About 62 of its pages carry holiday greetings, with San Jose, San Mateo and Honolulu among the senders.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Smoking Gun, by Joyce Nako, page 6. Joyce Nako reflects on her decades-long smoking habit, describing how she began at age 13 and continues despite pressure from friends and society to quit, including a deathbed promise to her late husband she has yet to keep. She criticizes the hypocrisy of anti-smoking crusaders and questions why cigarettes remain legal if truly dangerous, defending her right to smoke while acknowledging the health risks.
• East Wind, by Bill Marutani, page 18. Bill Marutani reminisces about the changing dietary practices of Nisei across five life periods, from childhood meals of tsukemono and unusual delicacies to wartime internment camp food and later exposure to Western cuisine. He reflects on the irony that Japanese Americans often ate healthier during economically difficult times than in later prosperous years.
• Age is a Matter of the Mind — If You Don’t Mind It, It Won’t Matter, by Rev. Leo T. Fong, page 26. Rev. Leo T. Fong shares his philosophy on aging gracefully through exercise, nutrition, and mental attitude, drawing on his childhood experiences with racism in Arkansas that motivated him toward physical fitness. He outlines a three-phase exercise program combining flexibility, strength training, and cardiovascular health to combat age-related decline.
• Migraine Headaches and Biofeedback, by Mike Hoshiko, Ph.D., page 35. Mike Hoshiko describes how he successfully used biofeedback techniques to control his own migraine headaches, tracing the history of biofeedback research from the 1960s through pioneers like Dr. Elmer Green. He provides practical guidance for readers to practice simple biofeedback techniques at home using a thermometer and relaxation methods.
• The Sumo Syndrome — Weight and See, by Gil Asakawa, page 37. Gil Asakawa humorously reflects on his own weight gain and compares himself to obese sumo wrestlers, questioning the health implications of their extreme size. He resolves to make a New Year’s commitment to lose 30 pounds despite the challenges of holiday season indulgence.
• Christmas in Hawai’i, by Brian Niiya, page 38. Brian Niiya compares his experiences living in Honolulu versus Southern California, weighing the pros and cons of each location including climate, congestion, and cultural community. He describes how Christmas traditions differ in Hawaii, with downtown Honolulu’s festive decorations and fireworks, while acknowledging that any location’s quality of life depends on personal perspective.
• Healthy Living on Hold, by Christina Shigemura, page 38. Christina Shigemura recounts her frustrating experience navigating her health insurance company’s complicated bureaucracy after being denied coverage for a specialist visit due to an administrative error. She reflects on how language barriers could make such bureaucratic runarounds even more difficult for non-English speakers.
• Man Takes Secret to His Grave, by Cheryl Baun, page 39. This poignant story details the isolated death of Tom, a Chinese doctor who kept his HIV-positive status secret due to fear of stigma, and how APICHA (Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS) provided him care in his final days. The article highlights the challenges of HIV stigma in Asian and Pacific Islander communities and APICHA’s efforts to break the silence through a new multilingual HIV Info-Line.
• Welcome to Honor Thy Children, Inc., by Al Nakatani, page 41. Al Nakatani describes founding Honor Thy Children, Inc. with his wife Jane after losing three sons, two to HIV/AIDS and one to violence, to promote understanding of human denigration and its effects on marginalized youth. He discusses ongoing projects including a documentary film and educational curriculum to support LGBT youth and combat discrimination.
• Organic Farming, by Mike Shinoda, page 55. Mike Shinoda explains the principles and practices of organic farming based on his personal experience growing organic greenhouse tomatoes, addressing common questions about certification, safety, and taste differences compared to conventional farming. He describes how organic farmers rely on sustainable practices like composting and crop rotation rather than manufactured chemicals.
• Be Well, by Kats Kunitsugu, page 64. Kats Kunitsugu reflects on her recent retirement and describes the volunteer work of friends like Betty Yumori at Keiro Retirement Home, highlighting the community spirit of Japanese American seniors who dedicate their free time to helping others. She notes that the happiest retirees are those actively involved in helping their community through organizations like JACCC and Keiro Services.
• Man Takes Secret to His Grave, by Cheryl Baun, page 69. This article continues the story of Tom’s death from AIDS-related complications and the impact on APICHA staff members who honored his memory despite never having met him personally. It emphasizes how fear and stigma, more than the disease itself, often prevent Asian and Pacific Islander AIDS patients from seeking timely care.
• Man Takes Secret to His Grave, by Naomi Kashiwabara, page 72. Naomi Kashiwabara profiles Hiomi ‘Hi’ Nakamura, an 87-year-old robust skin diver from La Jolla, California, who continues to swim and spearfish for halibut despite his advanced age. The article highlights Nakamura’s active lifestyle including competitive swimming and his claim to be the oldest living native of La Jolla.
• Use it or Lose it!, by Grayce Uyehara, page 76. Grayce Uyehara, a longtime JACL redress activist, shares her personal fitness routine at age 81, including daily walking and gardening with her husband Hiroshi, while reflecting on the demographic challenges facing JACL membership. She encourages fellow seniors to maintain active lifestyles through simple activities like walking rather than expensive equipment or classes.
• MPB: Male Pattern Baldness, by Mike Shinoda, page 77. Mike Shinoda humorously discusses male pattern baldness, explaining the genetic factors that determine hair loss inherited from the mother’s side of the family. He reflects on accepting baldness as a natural part of aging, comparing it philosophically to surviving more serious health conditions.
• A Retiree’s Reminiscences, by Budd Fukei, page 94. Budd Fukei reflects on his 40-plus year career in journalism, from his early days at Taihoku newspaper through founding the Northwest Times to serving as an editor at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He recounts covering key JACL redress movement stories and his later work editing the Nisei Veterans Committee Newsletter, including breaking news about Shiro Kashino’s court-martial exoneration.
• Hanging in There, by Dr. Roy M. Nishikawa, page 95. Dr. Roy Nishikawa contemplates mortality and aging at 84, reflecting on the deaths of JACL colleagues and mentors while sharing his philosophy on accepting death with serenity rather than fear. He emphasizes the importance of family, community involvement, and maintaining purpose beyond one’s immediate circle as keys to coping with aging.

Arts & Entertainment

• The Healing Power of Qi Gong and Reiki, by Ben Hashiba and Joy Nakamura, page 7. The authors explain the history and practice of Wild Goose Qi Gong, a Chinese energy cultivation discipline over 1,000 years old, and Reiki, a Japanese healing art involving the laying on of hands. They describe how combining both practices has personally benefited their family and friends by reducing stress and aiding relaxation.
• Oxygen Bars: A Fad Full of Hot Air?, by Lyndsey Shinoda, page 25. Lyndsey Shinoda visits an oxygen bar in Orange, California, to test the claimed health benefits of breathing scented pure oxygen for a fee. She and a friend experience mild effects but remain skeptical of the bar’s exaggerated health claims, noting the FDA disclaimer stating the product isn’t intended to treat any disease.
• Kimochi: A Senior Care Delivery System That Works, by Linda Jofuku, page 68. Linda Jofuku describes Kimochi, Inc., a San Francisco Japantown-based nonprofit that has provided comprehensive senior services since 1971, addressing the unique needs of elderly Japanese Americans through culturally sensitive programs. The organization has grown to serve broader multicultural communities while maintaining its founding philosophy of filial devotion and community care.

In-Depth

• The Alternative Age of Medicine, by Tracy Uba, page 10. This feature explores the growing popularity of alternative medicine and home remedies among Americans, including old wives’ tales passed down through Japanese American families for ailments like colds, arthritis, and indigestion. It also profiles common herbs like echinacea, garlic, ginger, and ginseng and their purported medicinal benefits.
• A Dying Wife’s Wish, by George Hattori, page 13. George Hattori recounts the final months of his wife Chiyo’s battle with stomach cancer, describing the emotional toll of watching her deteriorate and eventually pass away just before their 50th wedding anniversary. He honors her dying wishes by writing about the ordeal of cancer patients and establishing a memorial scholarship in her name with the West Los Angeles JACL chapter.
• Dr. K: A Doctor to Nikkei Internees, by Mas Hashimoto, page 14. This article profiles Dr. Masako Kusayanagi Goto Miura, one of the first Japanese American women doctors, who provided medical care to internees at Manzanar and Topaz during World War II despite primitive conditions. Now 86, she overcame gender and racial barriers to attend USC medical school and continued practicing medicine for decades after the war.
• The Answer to Healthy Aging: A Little Heart, by Emily Moto Murase, page 15. Emily Moto Murase describes the Kokoro Assisted Living Project, a planned 54-unit facility in San Francisco’s Japantown that aims to provide culturally enriched eldercare while preserving residents’ independence and decision-making. The project, sponsored by the Japanese American Religious Federation, will also partner with Centerfaith to address the spiritual needs of elderly minorities.
• A Walk in My Shoes, by Tracy Reiko Hayame, page 20. Tracy Reiko Hayame, a fourth-generation Japanese American, shares her experiences growing up hearing impaired and how she navigated identity struggles between the deaf and hearing communities while embracing her Japanese heritage. Despite challenges in communication, she found success as a student journalist and takes pride in her achievements despite her disability.
• The Golden Acres, by Harry K. Honda, page 59. Harry Honda chronicles the 25-year history of JACL’s involvement in retirement planning for Nisei, beginning with a 1976 national conference on aging that led to significant senior housing developments across the country. The article includes historical context about the demographics of aging Japanese Americans and profiles key figures who championed senior services within JACL.
• Keys to Fitness: Boosting Immunity, by Sheila Yonemoto, page 65. Physical therapist Sheila Yonemoto discusses how lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, and stress reduction techniques can boost the immune system and improve overall health outcomes for patients. She explains various therapeutic approaches including qi gong, acupressure, and environmental factors like feng shui that influence wellness.

National

• Dealing With Diabetes, by P.C. Staff, page 21. This article discusses the National Diabetes Education Program’s campaign to address the growing problem of diabetes among Asian Pacific Americans, detailing statistics on prevalence, types of diabetes, and risk factors specific to this population. It provides guidance on managing diabetes through diet, exercise, and monitoring key health indicators like blood sugar and cholesterol.
• Daily Foot Care Can Prevent Diabetes-Related Amputations, by P.C. Staff, page 22. The article reports that diabetes-related lower limb amputations have risen sharply, with nearly half being preventable through proper foot care. It outlines specific daily foot care recommendations from the National Diabetes Education Program to reduce complications from nerve damage and poor circulation.
• Chest Pain and the Heart, by Dr. Guy Mayeda, page 30. Dr. Guy Mayeda provides a comprehensive overview of coronary artery disease, explaining how atherosclerosis develops and affects Japanese Americans at higher rates after immigrating to the U.S. due to dietary changes. He details diagnostic tests, treatment options including angioplasty and bypass surgery, and preventive measures to reduce heart attack risk.
• Medical Marijuana — Should it be Legal?, by Lyndsey Shinoda, page 34. This article examines the ongoing legal battle over medical marijuana use, featuring cancer patient Rick Devereux’s experience using marijuana to combat chemotherapy side effects after prescription Merinol failed. It explores the conflict between California’s Proposition 215 allowing medical marijuana and federal laws that still classify it as illegal, including a pending Supreme Court case.
• Alzheimer’s ‘Second Victim’, by Howard Terada, page 42. Howard Terada discusses the significant stress burden placed on Alzheimer’s caregivers, often called the disease’s ‘hidden’ or ‘second victim,’ and outlines nine warning signs of caregiver stress. He provides ten practical strategies from the Alzheimer’s Association to help caregivers manage stress while caring for loved ones with the disease.
• Studies Track Health Trends Among Japanese Americans, by P.C. Staff, page 45. This article summarizes findings from the Honolulu Heart Program, a 30-year study tracking health outcomes among Japanese American men in Hawaii, revealing trends in heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and other conditions. The research has provided crucial data on how early adulthood health status predicts later health outcomes in this population.
• Mental Health Issues in the Asian Pacific American Communities, by K. Patrick Okura, page 47. K. Patrick Okura recounts his career establishing mental health programs for Asian Pacific Americans starting with his 1971 appointment at NIMH, describing the chaotic but pivotal first national APA mental health conference in San Francisco. He details the establishment of several key organizations including the Pacific Asian Coalition, Asian American Psychology Association, and AADAP that resulted from this early advocacy work.
• Asian/Pacific Islander Stem Cell Recruitment Drives, by P.C. Staff, page 54. This article tells the story of Cammy Lee, a leukemia survivor who found a matching bone marrow donor and subsequently founded the Cammy Lee Leukemia Foundation to recruit more Asian Pacific Islander American donors. The foundation has registered over 15,000 potential volunteer donors since 1993 to address the severe shortage of minority donors in the national registry.
• Diabetics from Naomi Tanikawa’s Kitchen, by Martha Nakagawa, page 81. This piece profiles Naomi Tanikawa, a retired certified diabetes educator who continues teaching diabetes management classes to seniors despite retirement, and shares several of her diabetic-friendly recipes. Tanikawa’s family history includes wartime internment at Tule Lake and Amache, and she remains dedicated to educating the public about diabetes risks in Asian American communities.
• Your Health and Long-term Care, by Marian L. Bayham, page 102. Marian Bayham, a long-term care insurance specialist, presents statistics on the likelihood of needing long-term care and argues for the importance of long-term care insurance to protect families from financial devastation. She outlines the limitations of Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage for long-term care and advocates for proactive planning before a crisis occurs.
• WWII Combat Medic James J. Okubo, by Tooru Kanazawa, page 113. This article details the heroic actions of James Okubo, a 442nd Regimental Combat Team medic being considered for a Medal of Honor upgrade for his battlefield heroism during the rescue of the ‘Lost Battalion’ in 1944. Okubo repeatedly risked his life under heavy fire to treat and evacuate wounded soldiers, including one dramatic rescue from a burning tank under direct enemy fire.

Community

• A Senior Care Delivery System That Works, by Linda Jofuku, page 73. This continuation describes Yu-Ai Kai’s partnership with the Minority Senior Service Providers Consortium in San Jose to secure tobacco settlement funding for a wellness program serving culturally diverse senior populations. The initiative represents collaborative resource-sharing among multiple ethnic community organizations to address healthcare disparities among aging minorities.
• Health and Wellness for JACLers, by Fred K. Oshima, page 95. Fred Oshima describes how Salinas Valley JACL members stay healthy through diet featuring local produce and regular golf outings, highlighting fellow JACL member Ted Ikemoto’s golf swing as an example of proper form. The piece showcases the intersection of the region’s agricultural abundance and recreational fitness culture among local JACLers.

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