The Asian Reporter
Pacific Northwest News q Volume 31 Number 5 q May 3, 2021 q www.asianreporter.com Asian Heritage Month Special Issue
HONORING OUR HERITAGE. During the month of May, we celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. The idea of celebrating the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States began more than 40 years ago, in mid-1977, when a resolution first appeared in the House of Representatives to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage week. Soon after, a similar bill was in- troduced in the senate. Both passed on October 5, 1978 and U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. In 1990, the observance was extended from a week to a month. This year’s heritage month special section begins on page 10. (Illustration by Jonathan Hill)
Please report all hate crimes committed against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The Asian Reporter COVID-19 VACCINE 922 N. Killingsworth St. Portland, OR 97217 USA INFORMATION To learn more about COVID-19 The Asian Reporter is published on the first Monday each month. vaccinations, reach out to: https://vaccinefinder.org Oregon Call 211 or 1-866-698-6155 Visit: covidvaccine.oregon.gov Washington Call (360) 236-4501 or 1-800-525-0127 Visit: covidvaccinewa.org or doh.wa.gov/coronavirus Page 2 n THE ASIAN REPORTER ASIA / PACIFIC May 3, 2021
Bhutan has registered only 1,059 infections, 1 death Bhutan (AP) — The tiny nation of Bhutan is a success story in the Asia-Pacific region despite being poor and sharing land borders with China, where the virus was first detected, and India, which is facing a disaster now. The nation of about 800,000 people has registered only one death and 1,059 infections. Its success is based on the early adoption of lockdowns, quarantines, contact tracing, and other measures, as well as a fast vaccination program this year. More than 480,000 vaccine doses were administered by April 26, government statistics say. Dubai-bred baby sharks released into Persian Gulf FAMOUS FAN. Olympic fan Kyoko Ishikawa shows off her cheering at her home in Tokyo on April 10, 2021. Ishikawa, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The baby sharks, bred at a gargantuan president of an IT company, has attended every Summer Olympics since Barcelona in 1992, becoming famous as an unof- luxury resort on Dubai’s artificial palm-shaped island, had never before ficial “International Olympic Cheerleader.” She relishes joining in with fans from everywhere to cheer for their athletes. Her encountered the open sea. But last month the tiny carpet sharks were jolted out headband reads, “Confident victory.” (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) of their warm pools at the flashy Atlantis Hotel aquarium to travel farther than they ever have in their two years of existence. A team of Dubai conservationists gingerly caught the sharks with nets and moved them into oxidized tanks in a “Super Fan” prepares for Tokyo Ford pick-up truck. Soon, the baby sharks were on the move. The specialists plopped them into big plastic bags and carried their squirming bodies across the Olympics without foreign fans white sandy beach of the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, a short drive from the By Koji Ueda as “Uncle Olympics,” died in 2019. He had hotel. For the past few years, the hotel’s aquarium has sought to contribute to The Associated Press attended every Summer Olympics since 1964, the conservation of native marine species by breeding honeycomb stingray and easily identifiable as the cheering face of OKYO — Kyoko Ishikawa was a brown Arabian carpet sharks before releasing them into the wild, rich with coral Japan. backpacking Japanese student in reefs and mangroves. The team stood shin-deep in the warm waters of the Ishikawa said she first met Yamada at a Barcelona in 1992 when she says a Persian Gulf, surrounded by the small and slowly circling sharks. The creatures T baseball game in Barcelona and served as his “miracle happened.” She managed to buy a are harmless to humans, preferring a diet of snake eels, shrimp, crab, and squid. “deputy” ever since. Now she is on her own, ticket to the opening ceremony of Spain’s For a few minutes, many of the sharks appeared spooked, staying close to the and in very unusual circumstances. But her historic Olympics. shore, before venturing into their vast new home. mission will be the same: to cheer for athletes She said she had only “pocket money” with from around the world on behalf of fans who Indonesian military pays last respects to submarine crew her — maybe $50 — when some local men could not attend. BULELENG, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s military and family members offered her a ticket for that price. The real She said she views the Olympics as a way paid their last respects to the 53 submarine crew members who died when their price might have been 10 times that much, she “for children and young people to experience vessel sank and broke apart in the depths off the resort island of Bali. The isn’t sure. the importance of diversity and identity.” She ceremony included relatives casting flowers into the ocean from a navy hospital “You came all the way from Japan, so have said that was her initial impression when she ship. Indonesia is planning to recover the KRI Nanggala (402) with the help of a fun,” she recalled them saying. first entered Barcelona’s Olympic stadium and Chinese navy ship that’s capable of lifting objects 3,280 feet deep. The navy said “I immediately grabbed that ticket and ran the submarine sank April 21 to a depth of 2,000+ feet, much deeper than its straight into the stadium. When I stepped into saw “the energy created by the melting pot” of collapse depth of 655 feet, at which point water pressure would be greater than the venue and looked around, I got a shock as if many different people. the hull could withstand. President Joko Widodo met the families of the 53 crew struck by lightning.” “The opportunity to have that experience members to express condolences. The German-built diesel-powered submarine The rest, as they say, is history. will be gone this time,” she said. “I feel very had been in service in Indonesia since 1981 and was carrying 49 crew members Ishikawa, who is president of an IT com- disappointed.” q and three gunners as well as its commander, the Defense Ministry said. pany, has attended every Summer Olympics Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago nation with more than 17,000 islands, since then, becoming famous as an unofficial Japan raises emissions has faced growing challenges to its maritime claims in recent years, including “International Olympic Cheerleader.” She reduction target to 46% by 2030 numerous incidents involving Chinese vessels near the Natuna islands. relishes joining in with fans from everywhere By Mari Yamaguchi Myanmar withdraws, Asian club competitions reshuffled to cheer for their athletes. The Associated Press Her cheering style at Olympic venues is KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) well-known among the Japanese. She wears OKYO — Japan’s prime minister has amended the schedule for two tiers of its continental club championships the traditional Japanese costume for festivals announced an ambitious new target for after the Myanmar Football Federation withdrew Hantharwady United FC and and a headband that says “Victory” written in cutting greenhouse-gas emissions last Shan United FC from the 2021 competitions. AFC issued a statement saying its T month, hours before he was to join a virtual competitions committee “noted and acknowledged the challenges as well as the Japanese. In her hands she holds folding fans climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe present complexities caused by the state of emergency in Myanmar and decided emblazoned with the Japanese flag. Biden. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the situation constituted an event of force majeure.” More than 700 protesters But Tokyo will be very different. There will and bystanders have been killed by security forces in Myanmar since the Febru- be no fans from abroad to entertain: Local Japan will strive by 2030 to cut its emissions ary 1 coup, according to several detailed estimates. The junta’s own figure is organizers have barred tourists because of the by 46% from 2013 levels, up from its earlier roughly one-third of that. The military also denies using disproportionate force COVID-19 pandemic. Local residents are goal of 26%, to achieve carbon neutrality by to put down what it describes as rioting. With the Myanmar clubs out of the expected to be allowed into venues, but in 2050, a target he announced in October. He regional soccer competitions, AFC has cancelled an AFC Champions League limited numbers. said Japan would further try to push the preliminary stage match between Shan United and Australia’s Melbourne City, Naotoshi Yamada, who was known in Japan Continued on page 5 which now advances directly to a playoff against Cerezo Osaka from Japan. With Hantharwady out of playoff contention in the second-tier AFC Cup, AFC Killingsworth Station Asian Currency decided that FC Chanthabouly of Laos and Brunei’s Kasuka FC will compete. Exchange Rates 2influencers ordered off Bali after fake mask video prank Food Cart Pod Units per U.S. dollar as of 4/30 DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — A U.S.-based YouTuber and a Russian Experience a collection of influencer were ordered off Indonesia’s resort island of Bali after recording Bangladesh Taka····84.45 themselves defying mandatory mask-wearing with some imaginative makeup. food carts featuring a variety Cambodian Riel ····4046.3 of international flavors! China Renminbi ····6.473 Clips of the video created by Josh Paler Lin and Leia Se and posted last month Fijian Dollar ······2.0068 show the two duping supermarket guards with a painted surgical mask after OUTDOOR SEATING IS OPEN! Hong Kong Dollar · · · 7.7664 they were refused entry because Se was unmasked. “Did you notice like no one’s Indian Rupee······74.0 actually looking at you?” Lin exclaimed. “I can’t believe it worked!” he said in the Indonesian Rupiah · · · 14420 video that appears to have been taken down from his social media accounts but Iranian Rial ······42025 Japanese Yen ·····109.32 has since been reposted elsewhere. Lin is a Taiwanese passport holder whose Laos New Kip ·····9.361.2 YouTube channel specializes in prank videos and is followed by 3.4 million fans. Malaysian Ringgit · · · 4.093 Se has more than 25,000 Instagram followers. Although first-time violators of Nepal Rupee ······119.2 Bali’s mask-wearing rule face fines of 1 million rupiah ($70) for foreigners and Pakistani Rupee ····153.8 deportation after a second offense, the police wanted them removed off the Papua N.G. Kina ····3.5298 island immediately. The pair had shown remorse and apologized through Lin’s Philippine Peso·····48.169 Russian Ruble ·····75.171 Instagram video. “I made this video to entertain people because I’m a content Saudi Riyal·······3.7499 creator and it’s my job to entertain people,” Lin said, “However, I did not realize Singapore Dollar ····1.3298 that what I did could actually bring a lot of negative comments,” he said, 1331 N. Killingsworth Street, Portland South Korean Won · · · 1115.7 advising people to always wear masks and invite everyone to help Bali regain its (1 block east of N. Interstate Avenue) Sri Lankan Rupee · · · 196.47 tourism. Jamaruli Manihuruk, who heads the Bali regional office for the Justice Taiwan Dollar ·····27.909 www.killingsworthstationpod.com Thai Baht ·······31.16 and Human Rights Ministry, said that “Foreigners who don’t respect the laws www.facebook.com/KillingsworthStation Vietnam Dong ·····23110 and regulations in Indonesia are facing deportation sanctions.” May 3, 2021 ASIA / PACIFIC THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Japanese businessmen brighten makeup industry amid pandemic By Chisato Tanaka MAKEUP FOR MEN. Yoshihiro Kamichi, a The Associated Press 44-year-old office worker, receives makeup and gets his hair done by a makeup artist at Ikemen-Works, OKYO — The coronavirus pan- a makeup salon for men in Tokyo. The coronavirus demic has pushed many businesses pandemic has been pushing businesses to the edge Tin Japan to the edge of financial in Japan, but some in the men’s beauty industry have ruin, but Takumi Tezuka, who owns a seen an unexpected expansion in their customer base. makeup and hair salon for men in Tokyo, Japanese businessmen in their 40s, 50s, and 60s has seen his customer base expand. who had little interest in cosmetics before the pan- Japanese businessmen in their 40s, 50s, demic are now buying makeup. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) and 60s who had little interest in cosmetics products such as blemish balms and before the pandemic are increasingly foundation. visiting Tezuka’s salon, Ikemen-Works, After Shiseido released makeup filters hoping for a better look in online meetings. for women for online meetings like Zoom A large personal care company, last year, comments from businessmen Shiseido, says one of its male makeup lines flooded in to its social media accounts has seen double-digit growth during the requesting filters for men. pandemic. Company officials give a similar reason: Men, confronted with the sight of Uno, Shiseido’s men’s care brand, is now their faces repeatedly during online expanding its target age for cosmetics from meetings, want to improve what they see. men in their early 20s to men in their 40s. “Before, most of our customers were “Men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s come to expanding in Japan. According to research “I think the coronavirus has created a males in their teens and 20s, but thanks to our salon because they feel they must wear company Fuji Keizai Group, the men’s certain condition that urges businessmen remote work we now have more makeup,” he said. Tezuka said that’s cosmetic market grew from about 600 bil- to be more aware of their skin condition,” businessmen,” said Tezuka. Unlike many because businessmen who work from lion yen ($5.5 billion) to an estimated 623 said Uno’s assistant branding manager, younger men, who want a drastic home have more opportunities to see their billion yen ($5.7 billion) from 2018 to 2019. Yoshiyuki Matsuo. “We have seen double- makeover, older businessmen want to faces during online meetings and have Tezuka said older businessmen tend to digit growth even amid the pandemic.” show a slightly better version of thus started to care more about their looks. spend more money and visit more Matsuo wouldn’t provide more details themselves by using makeup, he said. The men’s beauty industry has been regularly than those in their 20s and 30s. about Uno’s growth. One customer, Yoshihiro Kamichi, 44, To make cosmetics accessible to men, recently came to Tezuka’s salon to buy Japanese cosmetics store Cosme Tokyo makeup for the first time. created an entire section dedicated to male Kamichi chose makeup for his eyelids and unisex makeup items last year at their and had foundation applied to his face. A newly opened shop in front of Harajuku makeup artist carefully trimmed his Station, a trendy Tokyo area. eyebrows and contoured his nose and face One recent customer, Kenta Yamashita, with brown shadow power. 24, a hairdresser, has been using cosmetics “Who is this person? I was surprised at daily. how different I look,” Kamichi said while “There are men who cannot buy cosmetic looking at himself in the mirror. products because it’s hard for them to Shiseido, one of the world’s oldest casually drop in. I think it’s nice we now cosmetics companies, released free online have this section,” Yamashita said. “But I makeup filters that allow male users to wish they would make the section bigger so look like they are wearing men’s beauty that men can more casually drop in.” A legacy to honor, STOUT SINGERS. Members of the Chinese music group Produce Pandas, from left, Husky, Otter, Mr. 17, Cass, and DING strike a pose while practicing dance choreography during rehearsals in Beijing. The Produce roots to remember. Pandas proudly call themselves “the first plus-sized boy band in China.” That’s a radical departure from the industry standard set by Korean super groups such as BTS, whose lanky young members are sometimes referred to in China as “little fresh meat.” (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) “Plus-size” boy band in China seeks to inspire fans BEIJING (AP) — Gathered in a practice fellow contestants on “Youth with You” room, five generously proportioned young began South Korean-style training while men in baggy black sweaters are patting in their teens. their bellies and waggling their arms. While Produce Pandas excited Bearded with double chins, they shout audiences and sparked discussion about “Hoo-Ha!” in time to upbeat African how a pop idol should look, some taunting drums. also appeared online. The choreography is for the new song Users of China’s Weibo microblog seized “Good Belly,” by Produce Pandas. DING, on the Chinese word for panda, a Your life is filled with love, honor and rituals that will be passed Cass, Husky, Otter, and Mr. 17 weigh an homonym of which appears in the Chinese through many generations. Dignity Memorial® professionals can average of 220 pounds and proudly call name for the Japanese horror movie Ring, assist in helping you pass them on. We are the largest and most themselves “the first plus-sized boy band suggesting that watching them dance was trusted provider of funeral, cemetery and cremation services. in China.” similarly frightening. Let us help you plan ahead so that your personal legacy lives on. That’s a radical departure from the Mr. 17, the band’s main dancer, was the industry standard seen in South Korean oldest contestant in the competition at age super groups such as BTS, whose lanky 31. He had been discovered on Douyin, the young members are sometimes referred to Chinese version of TikTok, where he FINLEY SUNSET HILLS in China as “little fresh meat.” posted clips of himself dancing in pajamas Mortuary & Sunset Hills Memorial Park Yet, it seems to be working for Produce or while holding a bowl of rice. 6801 SW Sunset Hwy. | Portland, OR 97225 Pandas, who rose to fame after making it He nicknamed himself “17” after his 503-292-6654 about halfway through “Youth with You,” favorite age. 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Most of their Continued on page 5 Page 4 n THE ASIAN REPORTER ASIA / PACIFIC May 3, 2021 Nepal’s “God of Sight” eye doctor to expand work beyond border By Binaj Gurubacharya COMPASSIONATE DOCTOR. Dr. Sanduk The Associated Press Ruit performs cataract surgery at the Tilganga Eye Center in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 26, 2021. UMBINI, Nepal — Just next to the Nepal’s “God of Sight” eye doctor, renowned for his Mayadevi temple where Buddha innovative and inexpensive cataract surgery for the Lwas born more than 2,600 years poor, is taking his work beyond the Himalayan moun- ago, hundreds of people lined up outside a tains to other parts of the world to help eliminate un- makeshift hospital on a recent hazy day, necessary blindness. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha) hoping their fading eyesight could be become foggy because the eye is unable to restored. focus properly. As the cataract grows and A day later, these saffron-robed matures, it can eventually block out all Buddhist monks, old farmers, and light. Exposure to harsh ultraviolet housewives were able to see the world radiation, especially at high altitudes as in again because the nation’s renowned eye Nepal, is a major risk factor. surgeon, Dr. Sanduk Ruit, was there with At the surgery camps in Lumbini, patients and family were all praise for the his innovative and inexpensive cataract doctor. surgery that has earned him many Bhola Chai, a 58-year-old office worker awards. who had to retire because of his fading At the visitor center turned into a tem- vision, was thrilled he could finally see porary eye hospital in Lumbini, located again. 180 miles southwest of Nepal’s capital of Himalayan nation, taking with him a team He found that most people would not wear “This surgery has changed my life,” Chai Kathmandu, the assembly line surgery of experts and equipment bringing surgery these glasses and chances of complication said. made it possible for the nearly 400 patients to their villages. were very high. So he pioneered a simple Others who have already benefitted to get Ruit’s surgery in just three days. Ruit has already performed some technique where he removes the cataract from Ruit’s cataract surgery likened him “The whole objective, aim, and my 130,000 cataract surgeries and is now without stitches through small incisions to a god. passion and love is to see there remain no aiming to expand his work, taking it to as and replaces them with a low-cost artificial “The doctor is just not god-sent but he is people with unnecessary blindness in this many countries as possible through a lens. a god for me who has given me a new life,” part of the world,” Ruit, who is also known foundation he has formed with British Ruit’s average surgery costs about $100. said Satindra Nath Tripathi, a farmer who as Nepal’s “God of Sight,” said. “It is impor- philanthropist Tej Kohli which targets The surgery is free for those who can’t benefitted from the surgery. “My world tant that the people do receive equitable 500,000 surgeries in the next five years. afford it. Patients rarely have to spend the was completely dark, but now I have new service, and not that haves receive and Ruit said the idea of the Tej Kohli Ruit night at the hospital. life and new sight.” have nots don’t receive it. I want to make Foundation is to make cataract surgeries Nepal has a limited number of hospitals With his fading eyesight restored, sure that everybody receives it.” in Nepal affordable and accessible to all. and health workers and services are out of Tripathi is already looking forward to Many people in Nepal, most of them “We will scale it up globally to other reach for most people. working on his farm, growing rice, wheat, poor, have benefitted from Ruit’s work parts of the world where it is needed,” he Cataracts, which form a white film that and vegetables. where he founded the Tilganga Institute of said. cloud the eye’s natural lens, commonly “One Good Thing” is a series that highlights Ophthalmology in Kathmandu and Ruit began his work in 1984 when the occur in older people but also sometimes individuals whose actions provide glimmers of regularly visits remote villages high in the surgery was done by removing the entire affect children or young adults. The joy in hard times — stories of people who find a mountains and low lands of the cloudy cataract and giving thick glasses. condition first causes vision to blur or way to make a difference, no matter how small. The world isolates. A New Zealand band plays to 50,000 fans. By Nick Perry ever held at the storied Eden Park rugby stadium. And The Associated Press finding themselves at the apex of world music came as a twist for Six60, which has enjoyed unparalleled success in UCKLAND, New Zealand — Singer Matiu New Zealand but whose forays abroad have ended without Walters grinned as he gazed out over 50,000 damp the breakthroughs they sought. but delirious fans and said those magic words: “So, A Last month’s set by the five-piece band included what’s up Eden Park?” powerful cameos by military musicians ahead of the While much of the world remains hunkered down, the nation honoring its war dead, and Maori performers who band Six60 has been playing to huge crowds in New stretched across the stage while the band switched to Zealand, where social distancing isn’t required after the singing in the Indigenous language. nation stamped out the coronavirus. The band’s tour One fan, Lucy Clumpas, found it a surreal experience to finale in April was billed as the largest concert in the world since the pandemic began. be surrounded by so many people after she spent last year Equally momentous for a band which met while playing living through endless lockdowns in Britain. rugby at university was getting to play the first concert “It’s very important for us as humans to be able to get CORONAVIRUS CONTAINMENT. New Zealand band Six60 together and sing the same songs together,” she said. “It perform in front of 50,000 people at the first-ever concert at Eden Park makes us feel like we’re part of something,” in Auckland, New Zealand, on April 24, 2021. While much of the world Walters, the lead singer, said they desperately want remains hunkered down, Six60 has played to huge crowds in New Zea- their musician friends around the world to be able to play land, where social distancing isn’t required after the nation stamped out live shows again. the coronavirus. (AP Photo/David Rowland) “We know what it’s like to be in lockdown. It sucked. he said. “And the answer was, well, pretty crazy. So let’s And we didn’t know if we’d be able to play gigs again,” he do it.” said in an interview before the show. “But we are It’s been a heady rise for a group which began as a 653 fortunate, for a few reasons, here in New Zealand.” hard-partying student covers band. Their style has Guitarist Ji Fraser said the reception they received evolved and remains difficult to define, blending elements 64 while on the road for their summer tour had been of reggae, pop, rock, and soul. 87 32 incredible. “It was amazing to see how fanatical people Bass guitarist Chris Mac said their fans now span rich were, and excited about being out and seeing live music, and poor, young and old. 94 2 and seeing something to drag them out of a long, brutal “We’re pretty lucky to have become the soundtrack of year,” he said. “It was very special.” people’s lives. Weddings, funerals, birthdays, 31 Walters said they did worry that something could have engagements,” he said, before breaking into laughter. 243gone wrong — that their gigs could have turned into “You know, gender-reveal parties, which are all the rage.” super-spreader events. But he said there was not much to As the band’s popularity grew in New Zealand, it 42 17 do other than play by the rules and follow the government became a kind of sport for critics to knock them for being 79guidelines. too bland. Walters said criticism of success remains a The band formed 13 years ago, after they started problem in New Zealand, and was something that 563 jamming in their rugby changing rooms, making their annoyed him at the time. But he said it also energized the concert at the hallowed ground of the nation’s All Blacks band. HARDDifficulty level: Hard #65364 # 51 rugby team feel like completing a circle. “We are very serious about the music,” he said. “It’s Instructions: Fill in the grid so that the digits 1 The band had pushed for changes to civic rules to allow important for us to express an emotion and tell a story, through 9 appear one time each in every row, col- concerts at Eden Park, but not all the neighbors were and for our songs to be healing and magnetic for people. umn, and 3x3 box. happy. One who objected was former Prime Minister Because, it’s not a fluke that we’re playing to 50,000 Helen Clark, who said at the time that the concerts would people.” 586742139 represent a “home invasion” of noise. The band has been trying to get more recognition Solution to 791683254 “But the people wanted it. And the people spoke,” abroad, although six months spent in Germany and a U.S. last issue’s 432591867 248317695 Walters said. The singer added that Clark would have record deal both ended in disaster, as recounted in a puzzle 679254318 been welcomed at the concert. “Six60 is for everyone. And behind-the-scenes documentary about the band, Six60: Puzzle #87231 (Medium) 153968742 maybe if she came and enjoyed herself, she’d have a Till The Lights Go Out. 817435926 change of heart.” But the band is ready to give it another shot, with a tour All solutions available at 365829471 Promoter Brent Eccles said they got permission to use of Europe and the U.K. planned for November. They hope
The past year has been hard on all of us, as we put on masks and spent more Call your provider to make time alone. But now it’s time to get the an appointment. Or contact care you and your family need. Go for a CareOregon Customer Service walk, connect with friends, watch your if you have questions. favorite show, take time for yourself. Make time for your health: For your health care needs, providers Reach us 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. are ready for annual checkups, well- May is National Women’s Monday through Friday at child visits, mental health appointments, Health Month 503-416-4100, 800-224-4840 dental exams and more. And they offer or TTY 711. safe in-person, phone and video options. Call your provider and get the All free to CareOregon members. care you need to stay healthy: We can also help you schedule ⊲ Schedule your annual checkup to stay the COVID-19 vaccine. on top of your health. Call us at 503-488-2818. ⊲ Get care appropriate for your age, like the HPV vaccine or a mammogram to help prevent cancer. ⊲ If you’re pregnant or gave birth recently, get prenatal and postpartum care. ⊲ Visit the dentist to maintain good oral health. Healthy teeth are even more important if you’re pregnant, have diabetes or have other health issues.
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Volume 31 Number 5 May 3, 2021 ISSN: 1094-9453
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Correspondence: Two notable women The Asian Reporter welcomes reader response and participation. Please send all correspondence to: Mail: 922 N Killingsworth Street, Suite 2D or the last 23 years, I’ve had the pleasure of multicultural arts center that also produced a full Portland, OR 97217-2220 interviewing thousands of artists locally season of theatre and offered neighborhood youth Phone: (503) 283-4440 ** Fax: (503) 283-4445 Fand nationally for Stage & Studio. Recently arts programs and summer camps. Even after IFCC News Department e-mail: [email protected] I had lively conversations with two notable women closed its programming, Wong remained an for the podcast: Roberta Wong and Subashini advocate and supporter of other artists as well as for SUBSCRIPTION RATES (U.S. rates only) Ganesan. One has had a lifelong impact on local arts the preservation of Chinatown history. Most Individual subscription (sent bulk rate): and Chinatown history; the other is currently recently, she worked with artist Horatio Law, who q One year: $16 q Two years: $26 working as the Creative curated Wong, Ellen George, Laureate of Portland. and Lynn Yarne in an Individual subscription (sent first class mail): I spoke with conceptual exhibition titled “Descendent q One year: $24 q Two years: $44 artist Roberta Wong on March Threads” at the Portland 15, 2021, the day six Asian Chinatown Museum, where Office subscription (5 copies to one address): women and two others were she is now an arts adviser. q One year: $65 q Two years: $110 killed in Atlanta, Georgia. We Another artist I felt talked about her earlier work fortunate to visit with recently Institutional subscription (25 copies to one address): that challenged the stereo- Conceptual artist Roberta Wong, left, is seen in is Subashini Ganesan. She’s q One year: $125 q Two years: $225 types of and racism aimed at front of her “Chinks” installation. (Photo courtesy an artist, arts administrator, NEW SUBSCRIBER / ADDRESS CORRECTION Asian Americans and Pacific of the artist) Pictured in the right photo is current and the current Creative Islanders (AAPI). Sadly, her Creative Laureate of Portland, Subashini Ganesan. Laureate of Portland. In 2018, INFORMATION FORM: work is still relevant con- (Photo/Intisar Abioto) Ganesan was selected as the sidering the rise of anti-AAPI hate and violence first woman of color to represent the city’s creative Subscriber’s name: across the U.S. community. As the cultural ambassador of Port- Company name: Wong really shook up audiences with her art land, she conducted surveys to help artists define installations during the ’80s and into the ’90s. In the need for affordable creative spaces, organized Address: “All Orientals Look Alike,” she put photos of Asian arts and culture community events (including the City, State, ZIP: Americans together on an altar and dared people to “Walk with Refugees and Immigrants”), and Phone: tell them apart. Her “All American” piece featured a co-founded and organized a COVID-19 emergency Fax: chopping block with an Asian man’s queue severed relief fund for artists and the struggling art E-mail: by a cleaver. That piece still strikes a nerve in me community between March and July 2020. every time I hear about another incident of Ganesan choreographs and performs original Mail with payment or Fax with credit card information to: anti-Asian racism. With “Chinks,” she created her dance drawn from her foundation in The Asian Reporter, Attn: Subscription Dept., 922 N Killingsworth Street, Suite 2D, Portland, OR 97217-2220 largest installation: A nearly five-foot high stack of Bharatanatyam. Over the years, her original works Phone: (503) 283-4440 * Fax: (503) 283-4445 library books with holes to indicate the lack of have been presented by local arts organizations q q q education on AAPI — and really all multicultural — such as the Portland Institute for Contemporary For VISA or Mastercard payment only: history. Her work directly defies peoples’ concepts of Art (PICA), Performance Works NW, Ten Tiny what it means to be Asian American. Wong even Dances, Portland Center Stage, and Third Angle Name (as it appears on the card): contested an assumption in a grant proposal to the New Music. Type of card (circle): VISA Mastercard Metropolitan Arts Commission (the precursor of the In 2010, Ganesan founded New Expressive Card number: Security code: Regional Arts & Culture Council) that slated all Works (N.E.W.), a performing arts venue in Expiration date: Address of card: Asian artists under the “folk arts” category. Portland that celebrates multicultural independent As the daughter of a family that for decades performing artists who teach, are in residency, or The last four issues of The Asian Reporter are available owned and operated the Tuck Lung restaurant in create new works. She also started a residency for pick up free at our office 24 hours a day at Chinatown (until its closure in 1991, according to program at N.E.W. that offers eight choreographers 922 N Killingsworth Street, Suite 2D, Portland, Oregon. Wong), Wong grew up working in the kitchen as six months of free rehearsal space, a stipend, and an support staff until she went to college in 1975. It’s no Back issues of The Asian Reporter opportunity to showcase their new works. may be ordered by mail at the following rates: First copy: $1.50 small wonder that as an artist she also gravitated An unpaid position with a stipend for expenses, Additional copies ordered at the same time: $1.00 each toward supporting other artists by volunteering at her role as Creative Laureate of Portland has Send orders to: Asian Reporter Back Issues, nonprofits such as the rental sales gallery at the allowed her to advocate for arts practitioners and 922 N. Killingsworth St., Portland, OR 97217-2220 Portland Art Museum. A few years later she was work to bring together funders, business people, approached about starting a new Black, Indi- and artists to improve the health of the arts The Asian Reporter welcomes reader response and genous, and People of Color (BIPOC) arts gallery at community. She’ll step down on June 30, 2021 as participation. If you have a comment on a story the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC). the city searches for its next Creative Laureate. We we have printed, or have an Asian-related personal For 15 years, Wong operated and curated the art were lucky to have her, especially during the or community focus idea, please contact us. gallery at IFCC, back when it was a vibrant Continued on page 7 Please include a contact name, address, and phone number on all correspondence. Thank you. Opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of this publication. May 3, 2021 U.S.A. THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 7 From Thailand to Gautier, monk transforms home into temple By Isabelle Taft HOME TRANSFORMATION. Thai New The Sun-Herald Year festival attendees pour water on the monks at Wat Buddhametta Mahabaramee in Gautier, ILOXI, Miss. (AP) — Pisit Mississippi, on April 11, 2021. During Songkran, Opnititanit left Thailand and water symbolizes the washing away of wrongdoing Beventually found his way to a few and bad things from the past year. (Isabelle Taft/ acres of land next to a cow pasture on The Sun Herald via AP) Martin Bluff Road in Gautier. were serving in the Vietnam War. The Buddhist monk could have stayed in Khotwong’s temple in New Orleans was his home country, where 95% of people established in 2009. Historically, Thai practice Theravada Buddhism. Instead, Buddhists in Mississippi have travelled to his devotion led him to the Mississippi Louisiana or Alabama for festivals and Gulf Coast by way of New Orleans. events. Since Wat Buddhametta Mahabaramee Finding a monk who could establish a opened in July 2016, Opnititanit and temple in Mississippi was a challenge, he fellow monks and volunteers have said. transformed a typical suburban home, Joe Khotwong is a legal advisor to Wat adding a gable tile roof in the traditional Buddhametta Mahabaramee in Gautier style and an intricately carved wooden and head monk at Wat Wimuttayaram in porch. A sign outside advertises the New Orleans. He visited the Gautier Sunday sales of Thai food, which is how “And then the community throws water dominant religion in Laos and Cambodia, temple for Songkran on April 11, 2021. most of Wat Buddhametta’s non-Buddhist at each other,” Ritano said. “It means and Wat Buddhametta Mahabaramee A monk on a mission neighbors get to know the place. you’re clean.” serves community members with roots in Then, Opnititanit, who had been at The temple is the only Therevada Family reunions those countries. There are some Khotwong’s New Orleans temple, decided Buddhist temple in Mississippi and one of and water fights Vietnamese attendees, too, but most to move to Gautier. The location was good, a handful on the Gulf Coast. Wirinda Rongdech, 24, was among the Vietnamese Buddhists align with within a three-hour drive of small Thai “It’s not just a religious place, it’s more visitors to Wat Buddhametta Mahayana Buddhism, and on the Coast, communities in Florida, Alabama, like a community center, for gathering, Mahabaramee. Rongdech is from southern most Vietnamese Americans are Catholic. Mississippi, and Louisiana. And, to a eating good food, and enjoying life,” said Thailand but has been studying and The first Theravada Buddhists arrived missionary of Theravada Buddhism, Monsiri Jintasawang, whose mother has working in New Orleans. A Thai-born in the Gulf South in the 1970s as refugees setting up a temple where there was none been involved with the temple since it colleague invited her to join their trip. after the Vietnam War. held appeal. opened. “I just wanted to see how a Thai temple Some of them eventually made their way In addition to regular prayers and Jintasawang lives in Las Vegas, but she in America looks,” she said. to the Gulf Coast. Cambodians arrived in participating in festivals, Opnititanit and drove her RV across the country to help out It was different from the Songkran Alabama around Bayou La Batre in 1975 his colleagues teach visitors, including at the temple’s celebration of Songkran, celebration in Thailand, where part of the and soon built their own temples. Laotians non-Buddhists, about Buddhism and the Thai New Year. The festival on a festivities is huge water fights. The and Vietnamese came to work in the meditation. recent Sunday brought people from holiday falls during the hottest part of the seafood industry there, too. He also oversees the physical expansion Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and year in Thailand, so the water is not only a Biloxi’s thriving Vietnamese community and remodelling of the temple. His Florida to the temple to pray, share food, symbol of ablution but also welcome relief established its own Catholic church and construction skills are self-taught via and seek blessings for the new year. from the heat. Buddhist temple. YouTube and internet research. Rita Ritano, who was born in Bangkok, In big cities like Bangkok, people arm U.S. Census data breaks down national Every week, volunteers cook and sell came from New Orleans. A Thai temple themselves with water guns and buckets, origin for some of Mississippi’s roughly dishes like pad Thai and papaya salad to there held a celebration last month. There and the water fights turn into huge street 30,000 Asian residents, showing that help raise money for the temple’s was also one in New Iberia, Louisiana, and parties. As Rongdech put it, people “get about 7,000 Mississippians have roots in expansion. several around Irvington, Alabama, home drunk and get wet.” India and about 11,000 in Vietnam. But The landscaping and decorations in to a Cambodian and Lao community. The holiday falls on April 13 but is the census doesn’t have a separate box for front of the temple were all imported from Because the temple communities all celebrated through the 15th, and Cambodians, Laotians, and Thais to Thailand, said Khotwong. The temple over the Gulf South are relatively small, everything shuts down so people can go check. Instead, they are gathered with community is planning to build a the new year celebrations are staggered so home to be with their families. other nationalities under the umbrella multi-purpose center, and the monks will people like Ritano and monks can attend “The most important thing, the key, is “other Asian,” which encompasses about once again handle the construction. all of them. reunion,” said Joe Khotwong, a legal ad- 2,000 people in the state. “There is no money,” Khotwong said. On an afternoon in mid-April, the monks visor to Wat Buddhametta Mahabaramee The census estimates there are about “We devote our life to serve Buddhism. of Wat Buddhametta and colleagues from and head monk at Wat Wimuttayaram 10,000 “other Asians” in Louisiana and That’s our return, not money.” New Orleans sat outside the temple Buddhist Temple in New Orleans. 8,000 in Alabama. Opnititanit spends many days working behind seven statues of the Buddha, one “When children leave their parents for Thai immigrants to the U.S. came in front of the temple. It’s cheap, and it for each day of the week. Attendees filled work in the city, they come back for the mostly for economic reasons — Ritano gives him a chance to meet people who cups of water and poured them on statues New Year,” he said. arrived 40 years ago as a student. Some of might be wondering about the statues of of the Buddha and then on the monks. Theravada Buddhism the longest-standing members of the the Buddha on Martin Bluff Road. In Thailand, people mark the holiday by in the gulf south community in Mississippi are women who “Every day, people stop by,” he said. going to the temple to pray, make Theravada Buddhism is also the met their American husbands when they “The temple is for everyone in the world.” donations to the monks, and acknowledge wrongdoings during the last year. Diversity study: MLB earns bonuses for hiring milestones By Aaron Beard of the 2020 season. of Black players (7.6%) showed a slight Two notable women The Associated Press “Obviously we want increased increase, while the report pointed to the Continued from page 6 percentages of women and people of color,” potential to grow that figure by noting new diversity study finds Major Lapchick said in an interview with The Black players made up 17.6% of first-round coronavirus pandemic, which has League Baseball (MLB) with Associated Press. “That’s the goal of the devastated most of the arts. slightly lower scores for racial and picks in the amateur draft between 2012 A racial and gender report card, to move and 2020 (51 of 289). During this Heritage Month 2021, I gender hiring but earning bonuses for want to celebrate these two notable women social justice initiatives and hiring those things. And it hasn’t moved very The report said more work was needed at in the arts, but also all AAPI women whose milestones. much with baseball this year.” the team levels. That’s where only one of history is often untold despite their The report card from The Institute for Instead, Lapchick focused on what he nine grades for racial hiring stood at an A undeniable contributions to our Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) called “breakthroughs” that led or better, with people of color making up community. To listen to both interviews, issued an overall grade of C-plus for MLB, researchers to award bonus points in the 40.5% of coaches. The study issued a please visit
Memphis Zoo welcomes baby deer from rare species California OKs first Filipino By Corinne S. Kennedy Memphis Commercial Appeal American as attorney general By Don Thompson EMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Considered extinct in The Associated Press the wild, the Memphis Zoo welcomed a baby MPère David’s Deer in March. The zoo is one of a ACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers last handful of U.S. zoos that houses the rare species. month approved the state’s first Filipino American The male fawn was born at the zoo on March 27 amid Sto hold the top law enforcement job in the nation’s severe storms passing through the Mid-South. Due to his most populous state, saying the progressive Democrat is arrival in the midst of the wild weather, zoo staff gave the taking office during a critical debate over racial justice fawn the name Gale. and the changing role of police. Gale, born to mother Piper and father Freddie, is the Rob Bonta becomes California’s second attorney second Père David’s Deer born at the zoo in the past two general of Asian descent, after Kamala Harris. Harris’ years. rise to U.S. senator and now vice president illustrates the “Gale is doing well and getting to know the other prominence of the job. members of his herd, including his sister April, who “It’s the right choice at the right time,” said Democratic [recently] turned one year old,” zoo staff said. “His favorite senator Dave Min. “Our Asian-American community is thing to do is snuggle up in his pile of hay and watch the experiencing unprecedented levels of hate and violence. ducks splash in the pond in his exhibit.” We’ve seen at the same time that our state and nation are The fawn is outside in his habitat daily for zoo visitors to grappling with a wide array of challenges on racial unrest, see. domestic terrorism, a surge in gun violence, and the need FILIPINO FIRST. Attorney General Rob Bonta, left, hugs his The International Union for Conservation of Nature for meaningful law enforcement reforms.” mother, Cynthia Bonta, after he was sworn in as California’s 34th (IUCN) still classifies the deer species as extinct in the In March, governor Gavin Newsom, also a Democrat, wild. According to the IUCN, the species is native to China Attorney General by governor Gavin Newsom during a ceremony on nominated Bonta, 49, an assemblyman from the east San and lived in grasslands and wetlands. April 23, 2021, in Sacramento, California. The Alameda Democrat is Francisco Bay Area city of Alameda, to succeed Xavier The The deer are named after a French missionary who the first Filipino American to hold the office. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./ Becerra. He resigned to become the U.S. Health and Sacramento Bee via AP, Pool) discovered one of the last wild herds of the deer at a park Human Services secretary. officials next year. in China in 1865, the Memphis Zoo said. He sent several of The assembly approved Bonta’s nomination on a 62-0 He takes office during a time of “a very strong the deer to zoos in Europe and the wild herd was later vote with Republicans abstaining, while the senate wiped out by a flood. examining of our justice system and whether it has really followed on a 29-6 rollcall with three additional Père David’s Deer currently live in zoos and several truly been just,” said Democratic senator Nancy Skinner. Republicans not voting. wildlife reserves around the world. Conservationists Bonta will be responsible for enforcing laws that the GOP caucus chairwoman senator Patricia Bates said started reintroducing the species into the wild in China in legislature has recently enacted “through the lens of Republicans remain concerned about Bonta’s progressive 1985 and efforts to build back up the wild population are racial equity,” Skinner said, including a law requiring his ongoing. According to the Memphis Zoo, the deer are track record since he was elected to the Assembly in 2012, office to investigate police shootings that result in the referred to in China as “‘sze pu shiang,’ which means ‘none but were reassured by his promise “that he is very deaths of unarmed civilians. of the four.’” committed to a bipartisan role on issues that do affect our Bonta said after his confirmation that he views the “This name refers to the deer’s unique appearance as it constituents.” attorney general as “the people’s attorney.” looks like it has the neck of a camel, the hooves of a cow, Republicans didn’t support his nomination, Bates said, “To fight for everyday folks, the vulnerable, the the tail of a donkey, and the antlers of a deer,” the zoo said. “but do want to recognize a commitment and a passion voiceless, the disadvantaged, those who need a champion, “Their branched antlers are also unique in that the long that he will bring to this assignment, and we wish him those who are hurting, being abused, and to push back and tines point backward. Another unique feature of these well and we very much look forward to working with him fight back against those in power who are overreaching deer is their hooves — they are webbed to aid in in the coming years.” that power or abusing that power,” he said. “That’s the swimming.” Bonta will be up for election with other statewide job.”
For most of us, putting a few trained addiction counselors, often right from home. dollars on a wager adds some Treatment is effective. Caring, trained professionals are ready and waiting to provide the tools to cope and to heal. excitement and some innocent And, best of all, it’s free. fun to the games we enjoy. Playing online games or getting together over a few Most people who get started with OPGR rounds of Mahjong often makes for some report that they only wish they had done so time well spent. sooner. The program helps see you through some of the challenges ahead and gives you Unfortunately for some, what starts the confidence and the support structure to out as a way to pass time becomes a habit feel better. All it takes is a phone call, a text that’s difficult to break. And after a challeng- or an online chat to put you on the path ing year, continued isolation could make the toward the calm and fulfillment situation worse. Between a lack of support you deserve. systems and the desire for a return to nor- malcy, the urge to bet more than you can afford can become hard to resist.
Here in Oregon, help is available. Through the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource (OPGR), gamblers — and those who love them — can get support from May 3, 2021 U.S.A. THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 9 Senate OKs bill to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans By Mary Clare Jalonick BIPARTISAN DENUNCIATION. In this April The Associated Press 15, 2021 file photo, President Joe Biden, center, accompanied by, from left, Vice President Kamala ASHINGTON — The senate on Harris, senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Mark April 22 overwhelmingly passed Takano (D-Calif.), Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and Rep. Wa bill that would help combat the Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), speaks during a meeting with rise of hate crimes against Asian Ameri- members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American cans and Pacific Islanders, a bipartisan Caucus Executive Committee at the White House in denunciation of such violence during the Washington. The senate on April 22 overwhelmingly coronavirus pandemic and a modest step passed a bill that would help combat the rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, toward legislating in a chamber where a bipartisan denunciation of such violence during the most of President Joe Biden’s agenda has coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) stalled. The measure would expedite the review and grant money for states to set up hate of hate crimes at the Justice Department crime hotlines. and provide support for local law enforce- The revised bill would also replace ment in response to thousands of reported language in the original legislation that violent incidents in the past year. Police Trump. example of the hate crimes bill will extend called for “guidance describing best have seen a noted uptick in such crimes, Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth, a to an infrastructure package that has so practices to mitigate racially dis- including the February death of an former Army helicopter pilot who lost her far divided the parties. criminatory language in describing the 84-year-old man who was pushed to the legs during a 2004 attack in Iraq, said she Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer COVID-19 pandemic.” The legislation ground near his home in San Francisco, a had been asked what country she was from (D-N.Y.), said the legislation shows that would instead require the government to young family that was injured in a Texas while wearing her U.S. military uniform. the chamber can work in a bipartisan issue guidance aimed at “raising grocery store attack last year, and the Duckworth, the first member of congress fashion, and he aims to make that happen awareness of hate crimes during the killing of six Asian women in shootings in born in Thailand, said there is more work as much as possible. “That doesn’t mean pandemic” to address some GOP concerns Atlanta. to be done, but the bill’s passage tells the we forgo our principles. It doesn’t mean about policing speech. The names of the six women killed in community that “we will stand with you we cut back on the boldness that is Republicans agreed to back the Georgia are listed in the bill, which passed and we will protect you.” needed,” he said. “It means we try to work compromise bill after the senate also voted the senate on a 94-1 vote. Biden applauded It’s unclear whether the bipartisan bill with our Republican colleagues wherever on and rejected a series of GOP the measure, tweeting, “Acts of hate is a sign of things to come in the senate, we can.” amendments, including efforts to prevent against Asian Americans are wrong, where Republicans and Democrats have But unlike many of the larger, more discrimination against Asian Americans un-American, and must stop.” The house is fundamental differences and often controversial policy issues Democrats in college admissions and reporting about expected to consider similar legislation in struggle to work together. Under an hope to tackle in their new majority, efforts restrictions on religious exercise during the coming weeks. agreement struck by senate leaders at the to combat the rising violence against Asian the pandemic. Democratic senator Mazie Hirono of start of the year, Republicans and Americans and Pacific Islanders have Only one Republican, Missouri senator Hawai‘i, the legislation’s lead sponsor, Democrats pledged to at least try to debate almost universal backing. More than 3,000 Josh Hawley, voted against the bill. In a said the measure is incredibly important bills and see if they could reach agreement incidents have been reported to Stop AAPI statement, Hawley said he believed the to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, through the legislative process. The hate Hate, a California-based reporting center legislation was too broad, and “my view is “who have often felt very invisible in our crimes legislation is the first byproduct of for such crimes, and its partner advocacy it’s dangerous to simply give the federal country, always seen as foreign, always that agreement. Some said it doesn’t need groups since mid-March 2020. government open-ended authority to seen as the other.” She said the message of to be the last. Republicans said they agreed with the define a whole new class of federal hate the legislation is as important as its Hirono said it is her “sincere hope that premise of the legislation and signalled crime incidents.” content and substance. we can channel and sustain the bipartisan they were willing to back it with minor Representative Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Hirono, the first Asian-American work done on this important piece of changes, an unusual sign of comity amid introduced a similar bill in the house, woman elected to the senate, said the legislation” to a larger bill that would frequent standstills in the polarized which she says is expected to be considered attacks are “a predictable and foreseeable change policing laws, which senate senate. Hirono worked closely with in May. consequence” of racist and inflammatory Republicans are negotiating with house senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to “For more than a year, Asian Americans language that has been used against Democrats. South Dakota senator John incorporate some additional Republican all across our nation have been screaming Asians during the pandemic, including Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said ahead of and bipartisan provisions, including out for help,” Meng said, and the senate slurs used by former President Donald the vote that he hopes the bipartisan better reporting of hate crimes nationally showed that “they heard our pleas.” Newly discovered fish species named after Hawai‘i researcher HONOLULU (AP) — A new species of A new paper in the Journal of Fish discovery was valuable because the new Bowen has been a research scientist at fish has been discovered during a research Biology names the new type of fish, which species can now be managed differently the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology at study funded by the National Science looks similar to other deepwater snappers than its deepwater snapper counterparts. the University of Hawai‘i since 2003. He Foundation and the University of Hawai‘i found in Hawai‘i but is genetically “The discovery of the new species has leads a research lab that has used genetics Sea Grant College Program that focused different. important implications for fisheries to aid the conservation and biodiversity of on deepwater snappers. Both fish species are bright pink in color management, especially in areas where marine fishes. The new species was named Etelis and occur at depths of 650 to 1,300 feet both species occur together, since it’s “It is particularly fitting to name this boweni by the research team in recognition (about 200 to 400 meters) across the important for different species to be species after Brian since he specializes in of Brian Bowen, a research professor from Indian and Pacific oceans, the newspaper managed separately,” Andrews said in a fish genetics, and it was the genetic data the University of Hawai‘i who has spent reported. statement. that led to its discovery,” Andrews said. more than three decades studying marine The Etelis boweni grows much larger fish, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser than its counterparts in Hawai‘i and has reported. smaller eyes. Department of Consumer & Business Services Bowen called the naming “an honor of a Kim Andrews, the scientist who led the lifetime.” international research team, said the Office for Injured Workers: For timely updates and to read additional stories, visit
The Asian Reporter is published on the first Monday each month. Please report all hate crimes News page advertising deadlines for our next two issues are: committed against Asian June 7, 2021 edition: Space reservations due: Wednesday, June 2 at 1:00pm Americans and Pacific Islanders. Artwork due: Thursday, June 3 at 1:00pm
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Parks and nature Arts and events Garbage and recycling Land and transportation Oregon Zoo Page 12 n THE ASIAN REPORTER Asian Heritage Issue May 3, 2021 The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee tells the inspiring story of a groundbreaking Portland native The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee GROUNDBREAKING PORTLAND PILOT. Hazel Ying Lee By Julie Leung was the first Chinese-American woman to fly for the U.S. military during The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Illustrations by Julie Kwon World War II. In Julie Leung’s book, Lee, readers both young and old meet Hazel and learn how tough and de- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2021 termined she was throughout her life. Hardcover, 48 pages, $18.99 By Jody Lim than a year, she earned her flying license. But what could The Asian Reporter she do with a flying license? “Americans didn’t want to hire the Chinese,” author azel Ying Lee was the first Chinese-American Leung writes. “And who would hire a Chinese girl pilot?” Hwoman to fly for the U.S. military during World When the U.S. entered World War II, all available male War II. In Julie Leung’s book, The Fearless pilots were called to fly overseas and Hazel jumped on the Flights of Hazel Ying Lee, with illustrations by Julie opportunity immediately, becoming the U.S. military’s Kwon, readers both young and old meet Hazel and learn first Chinese-American pilot flying for the Women how tough and determined she was throughout her life. Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program. “Hazel Ying Lee was born fearless. She was not afraid of The women in the WASP program were not allowed to wind or water, as the old Cantonese saying goes.” So fight on the frontlines, but their work was still quite dan- begins this engaging book, which tells the story of a gerous, as she and her fellow pilots tested new planes as groundbreaker. they came off the assembly line to find defects. When Hazel was young, she would race her brothers, Throughout her life, Hazel was aware of and had to deal always pushing herself to be the best she could be. When with discrimination. While flying, though, “No one could she became tired, she would catch her breath while sitting see her eyes, hair, or skin color … Up here, people were on the grass and looking at the sky. Occasionally on sunny just tiny specks against a vast land.” days, a silver plane would “streak across the clouds. She To learn more about the life of Hazel Ying Lee, find a wondered what it might be like to move so fast her feet copy of Julie Leung’s wonderful book. The Fearless Flights couldn’t touch the ground.” of Hazel Ying Lee is aimed at children between four and Despite pushback from her family, and the fact that in After Hazel experienced flying for the first time, she eight years old, but it would be enjoyed by anyone who 1932, only one percent of pilots were women, Hazel never looked back. She worked as an elevator operator at a enjoys a true story about a woman with grit and declared, “I will be a pilot.” department store in order to pay for flying lessons. In less perseverance who followed her dream. Japanese American Museum of Oregon to open at the Naito Center in the Old Town Loft building A LEADING Continued from page 11 Dry Goods Store, which was originally established in TRUSTED 1905; a small model of Nihonmachi (Japantown), which shows the location and name of many of the businesses FRANCHISOR OF that existed at the time; the original dentist chair of Dr. Kiyofusa Kayama, whose office was located in the COMMERCIAL Merchant Hotel on Third Avenue and Davis Street in the 1930s; and a model of the internment barracks CLEANING imprisoned Americans of Japanese descent were forced to live in during World War II. SERVICES, A new highlight is the historic jail cell where Minoru Yasui spent nine months in solitary confinement for purposely violating the military curfew imposed on WANTS YOU! Japanese Americans prior to their forced removal and unjust incarceration during the war. The cell was Own your own business today. GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION. The new Japanese Ameri- removed from the Multnomah County Jail and recently No experience needed. can Museum of Oregon is scheduled to open this month at its new loca- relocated to the museum. Also featured is Yasui’s actual Low cost start-up. tion at the Naito Center. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for Presidential Medal of Freedom that was awarded to him In-house financing available. Thursday, May 6 at 5:00pm. The event will be held virtually because of posthumously in 2015. pandemic precautions. The celebration will feature a sneak peak of the Another new feature is a search tool by NGX Interactive exhibits as well as special guest appearances and performances. Mem- that allows museum-goers to look up the specific locations bers of the community who would like to participate should sign up at CALL TO FIND OUT HOW TODAY! where families were imprisoned behind barbed wire in
® Visitors to the new Japanese American Museum of future. Oregon will learn more about the lives of Portlanders — In addition to the unveiling of the new museum, in-person visitors will also able to see the museum’s latest We’re open! exhibit, “Grace, Grit & Gaman.” Those viewing the Serving food to go! museum in person will need to buy timed tickets in GRASS-FED advance; the ticketing system is not yet online but will be v Pho v Fried Rice soon. Face coverings, social distancing, increased BEEF FOR SALE v BBQ Vermicelli Bowls cleaning, and other pandemic safety protocols will be v Potstickers strictly followed and enforced. v Salad Rolls JAMO is located at the Naito Center, which is located at v Egg Rolls the base of the Old Town Loft building near the corner of v Vietnamese Sandwiches N.W. Fourth Avenue and Flanders Street (411 N.W. v Vietnamese Coffee Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97209). To learn more, call v Thai Iced Tea (503) 224-1458 or visit
Please report all hate crimes committed against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
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