Tuna Canyon, Nisei hot rodders and Watada’s second court-martial

Vol. 144, No. 5, March 16, 2007. 12 pages. View this issue

The Tuna Canyon Detention Center was the main story of this 12-page issue. Community groups are seeking California State Historic Landmark status for the site, where nearly 3,000 people, mostly Issei men labeled “enemy aliens,” were held during World War II, while a possible sale for condominiums looms. A second in-depth piece by Lynda Lin told of Nisei hot rod racers who found acceptance on the dry lakes of California. Caroline Aoyagi-Stom reported on Eddy Zheng’s release after 21 years in prison, and on the death of 442nd veteran Jim Tazoi.

The National page reported that 1st Lt. Ehren Watada’s second court-martial was set for July 16, and four letters to the editor debated his stand. Bainbridge Island announced a 65th anniversary ceremony for the first Japanese Americans removed to camps. Harry Honda wrote on Iwo Jima and Clint Eastwood’s film, and Gil Asakawa asked readers to support the Spring Campaign.

What’s in this issue

Community

• Eddy Zheng Returns to the Free World, by Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, page 1. After 21 years in prison, Eddy Zheng was released into a supervised program to await possible deportation to China, having become a community youth educator during his incarceration. He hopes to start a nonprofit to help APA youth avoid the path he took as a teenager.
• A Newfound Friendship Ends in Tragedy, by Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, page 1. Susan and Janet Hardwick, searching for 442nd veterans who rescued their father from the Lost Battalion, had recently befriended 87-year-old veteran Jim Tazoi before he died in a car accident. Tazoi’s brother Taichi shared memories of Jim’s heroism and their family’s grief over the sudden loss.
• 65th Anniversary Ceremony of First JAs Sent to WWII Internment Camps and Tour of Bainbridge Memorial Set for March 30, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Bainbridge Island will hold a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the forced removal of 227 Japanese Americans, the first group sent to WWII internment camps. The event coincides with a tour of the new Nidoto Nai Yoni memorial, whose construction has raised over $2.4 million and recently gained federal legislative support.
• CASIC Announces Internship Program, by P.C. Staff, page 5. CAUSE launched its 2007 California Asian American Student Internship Coalition Leadership Academy, an eight-week program placing students in offices of elected officials and providing a $1,000 stipend. The program, chaired by Ben Wong, has influenced over 100 past student interns since its inception.
• Asian American Justice Center Releases Groundbreaking Report on Adult Literacy Education in Immigrant Communities, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Asian American Justice Center released a report detailing strategies to improve English language education programs for immigrants, noting that English fluency is critical for economic advancement and civic participation. The report drew on testimony from over 50 experts and was supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
• Japanese High School in Sweetwater Graduates Final Class, by Associated Press, page 5. Tennessee Meiji Gakuin High School, Japan’s first accredited high school in the U.S., graduated its final class after enrollment declined following the Sept. 11 attacks. The 18-year-old boarding school is closing and its property is now for sale.
• Hometown Tribute Honors Mineta; Highway 85 Could Be Renamed in His Honor, by P.C. Staff, page 8. More than 1,000 people gathered in San Jose to honor former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, with speakers including George Takei and Sen. Daniel Inouye. A resolution was announced to rename Highway 85 after Mineta, who already has the San Jose airport named for him.

Sports

• A League of Their Own, by Lynda Lin, page 1. The Boston Asian Football League has grown into a full-contact flag football league of roughly 300 players across 13 teams since its founding in 2005. Beyond competition, the league fosters community bonds and plans to donate proceeds to the Asian American Boston Film Festival.

In-Depth

• Community Groups Work to Place a Mark of History on a Little Known WWII Camp, page 1. The Tuna Canyon Detention Center imprisoned nearly 3,000 people, mostly Issei men labeled ‘enemy aliens,’ during WWII, and community groups are now seeking California State Historic Landmark status for the site. Advocates are racing against a potential sale of the property for condominium development.
• Nisei Hot Rod Racers Made Their Mark in a Racing World Free of Discrimination, by Lynda Lin, page 1. In the 1920s-30s, Nisei racers like Yam Oka, Tunney Shigekuni, and Chickie Hirashima competed at California’s Murdoc Dry Lake and found acceptance in prestigious racing clubs despite the discrimination they faced elsewhere. Writer Tom Madigan spent eight years researching their forgotten stories, some of whom later served in the 442nd RCT or became legendary in racing history.

Commentary

• P.C. Spring Campaign Seeks Reader Support, by Gil Asakawa, page 2. Gil Asakawa urges Pacific Citizen readers to donate to the newspaper’s Spring Campaign, which funds the operational budget and website improvements. He highlights the P.C.’s role as a vital link connecting JACL members to news not covered by mainstream media.
• Reader Chastises AsianWeek’s Eng, by Fred M. Uge, page 2. A letter writer criticizes AsianWeek columnist Kenneth Eng for his ignorant and prejudiced ‘Why I Hate Blacks’ column. The writer argues Asian Americans owe a debt to African Americans for breaking down social barriers that benefited all minorities.
• Watada’s Dilemma, by James Iwashima, page 2. A letter writer expresses support for Lt. Watada’s protest against how the Iraq war began but disagrees with his refusal to deploy, comparing his duty to a fireman’s obligation. The writer argues that pulling out of Iraq without resolution would abandon the Iraqi people.
• Korean War Vet Supports Watada, by Edgar A. Ramaso, page 2. A Korean War veteran expresses support for Lt. Watada, citing Abraham Lincoln’s words on the cowardice of silence. The writer contrasts the clear mission of the Korean War with the confusing and shifting justifications for the Iraq war.
• Watada Is One of Us, by Ex Sugama, page 2. A 442nd veteran responds to a previous letter criticizing Watada, arguing that discipline was second nature to Nisei soldiers rather than a product of strict military discipline. He states the war is an anachronism and declares support for Watada as one of their own.
• Sequel: ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’, by Harry Honda, page 8. Harry Honda reflects on the Battle of Iwo Jima and connects it to Clint Eastwood’s film, sharing stories from veterans including Beans Sogioka’s wartime memorabilia. He also recounts the true story of Yoshikumi Mashiyama, a Japanese soldier whose diary inspired the film’s narrative.

National

• Watada’s Second Court-martial Set for July 16, by Melanthia Mitchell, page 3. A second court-martial for 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, who refused deployment to Iraq and criticized the Bush administration, is scheduled to begin July 16 after his first trial ended in mistrial. His lawyer plans to argue the new charges violate double jeopardy protections, while prosecutors maintain the case can proceed.
• Filipino American Veterans Lobby Congresswoman for Benefits, by Associated Press, page 3. Filipino American WWII veterans are lobbying Rep. Mazie Hirono for legislation granting them equal benefits and faster immigration processing for their children. Despite past victories including healthcare access in 2003, thousands of veterans still lack pension benefits equal to their American counterparts.
• First National Asian American Theater Festival to Run in June, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The first-ever National Asian American Theater Festival will be held in New York City June 11-24, featuring more than 25 APA performing arts companies and solo artists. The festival celebrates Asian American artists’ contributions to the nation’s cultural landscape.
• Second Man Pleads Guilty in Attack on Asian Teens, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Paul Heavey pleaded guilty to a hate crime for the racially motivated beating of Asian American teens in August 2006 in New York. He and an accomplice attacked victims with a metal steering wheel lock after ramming their car, and Heavey faces probation and community service.
• State House Passes Bill to Increase Unmarried Partner Benefits, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Hawaii’s state House passed a bill extending health benefits to unmarried domestic partners, including same-sex couples who cannot legally marry. The bill passed 34-6 and now moves to the state Senate.
• Survivors of WWII U.S. Firebombing of Tokyo Sue Japanese Government, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Survivors and bereaved family members of the March 1945 U.S. firebombing of Tokyo filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government seeking $10.3 million in damages. The plaintiffs allege the government failed to assist victims and blame Japan for starting the war.
• AsianWeek’s ‘Why I Hate Blacks’ Columnist Is Fired, by P.C. Staff, page 3. AsianWeek fired 22-year-old columnist Kenneth Eng following the uproar over his column ‘Why I Hate Black People.’ Eng expressed no remorse for the piece in a subsequent television appearance.
• State Programs Could Be in Jeopardy, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A Michigan Civil Rights Commission report found eight of 45 reviewed state programs could be jeopardized by a new law banning certain public affirmative action practices. The law, approved via Proposal 2 in November, bans race and gender preferences in university admissions and government hiring.
• Honda Introduces Bill Supporting Korean Victims of Immigration Fraud, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Rep. Mike Honda introduced HR 1397 to provide relief to Korean immigrants defrauded by a corrupt immigration supervisor who accepted bribes for illegally authorized green cards. The scam affected 275 Korean immigrants.
• APAs in the News, by P.C. Staff, page 4. This roundup covers Gary Yamauchi’s inauguration as Alhambra’s mayor, Linh Nguyen’s appointment as chief deputy director of the California State Lottery, John K. Chan’s new post at UCSF, and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao receiving a National Legislative Award from LULAC. Each feature highlights the professional achievements of Asian Pacific Americans in government, medicine, and business.

Arts & Entertainment

• He’s ‘Tre’ Anti-Romantic, by Lynda Lin, page 9. Filmmaker Eric Byler discusses his new film ‘Tre,’ a spiritual sequel to ‘Charlotte Sometimes’ exploring love, infidelity, and touch among four friends. Byler also discusses his political activism following the ‘Macaca’ slur incident and his upcoming documentary project.

Obituaries

• Katsuji George Hashimoto, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Katsuji George Hashimoto, 76, formerly of Guadalupe, Calif., passed away Feb. 23 in Vista, Calif. He is survived by his brother Tom, sister-in-law Betty, and several nieces and nephews.
• Aiko Nakai, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Aiko Nakai, 85, of Skokie, Ill., passed away and is survived by her six children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and siblings. A memorial service was held March 12 at Lakeview Funeral Home.
• Tatsuo Tanaka, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Tatsuo Tanaka, 79, a Decoto-born Nisei and Gardena resident, passed away Feb. 19 with services held March 3 at Green Hills Memorial Chapel. He is survived by his wife Kozato Kay, two children, grandchildren, and siblings in Japan and Hawaii.
• Miwako Yanamoto, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Miwako Yanamoto, 83, of Los Angeles passed away Dec. 16, 2006, and was laid to rest with her parents at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be sent to the Japanese American National Museum.
• Ted Ohira, by P.C. Staff, page 11. Ted Ohira, 82, a member of the 442nd RCT that rescued the Lost Battalion in the Vosges Mountains in 1944, passed away March 5. He was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars and remained active in veterans organizations, serving on the Go For Broke board of directors.

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.