JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE Hawai ‘i Committed to the protection of civil and human rights of all

JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011

Officers Trisha Y. Nakamura The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, JACL-Honolulu & Monsanto Hawai’i present President Liann Ebesugawa 1st Vice President Day of Remembrance - Honouliuli Pilgrimage 2011 Shawn Benton* 2nd Vice President Honouliuli Michael Murata Treasurer Sean Ibara Secretary National Historic Site:

Directors Travis Agustin Dream or Reality? Susan Arnett Alphonso Braggs Sunday, February 27 David Forman Linda Ichiyama 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Craig Jerome Nikki Love Monsanto Kunia Facility Jacce Mikulanec Karen Nakasone Twenty-five seats have been reserved for JACL members. Seats will be assigned on Yoshie Tanabe a first come, first served basis, with priority given to those with a connection to Jamie Yamagata Honouliuli. Legal Counsel Please email Travis Agustin at [email protected] or call Jamie Yamagata at 429- Benjamin A. Kudo, Esq. 3322 to RSVP (please be sure to share your connection to Honouliuli if you have one). Then mail the enclosed Registration and Waiver forms to JACL DOR COM- Advisory Board MITTEE, P.O. BOX 1291, HONOLULU, HI 96807. Allicyn Hikida Tasaka* Clayton Ikei* William Kaneko* Registration is due by February 4. Colbert Matsumoto* Please reply ASAP so we can reserve a seat for you! Alan Murakami* For more information, please see DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, page 8 * JACL Hawai`i Past President www.jaclhawaii.org 1 JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011 Letter from 2008-2010 President by Shawn Benton selling ceded lands to which Ha- Representative Blake Oshiro on waiians have “unrelinquished April 29, 2010, HB 444 was brought First, I would like to say thank you claims” and which are central to the back to the floor and the members to the members of the Honolulu reconciliation process, the State voted to pass HB 444 on final read- Chapter for allowing me to serve as would breach its trust obligation ing. President for the past 2 years. I under Hawai‘i law, resulting in ir- would especially like to thank the reparable harm The Honolulu Executive Officers, who served with to indigenous Chapter also sub- me: VP David Forman, Treasurer H a w a i i a n s . mitted testimony Michael Murata and Secretary Sean JACL and EJS on bills and resolu- Ibara as well as the Board of Direc- asked that the tions, including tors. As some of you may know, the Court leave in- bills recognizing Officers and Board of Directors tact the Hawai‘i Hawaiians as the commit their time to the organiza- S u p r e m e indigenous people tion on a volunteer basis. Even Court's unani- of Hawai‘i and though everyone has other full time mous opinion prohibiting the sale commitments, each and every one of that the lands or exchange of them have allocated time to attend must be pre- ceded lands and meetings, plan events and advocate served intact resolutions urging PHOTO BY CLEM BAUTISTA with unceasing energy and passion. until claims can the full preserva- Without them, I as well as the Hono- be resolved. Un- Shawn Benton gives her end of the tion of the Honou- lulu Chapter would not have made fortunately, on year report at the Annual General liuli Internment Membership Meeting. it through these past two years. To March 31, 2009, Camp as well as the the Officers and Board of Directors, the U.S. Su- issuance of a postal it was truly a privilege to work with preme Court stated that they did not stamp honoring the WWII Japanese all of you. agree with the Hawai‘i Supreme American Nisei soldiers. The Hono- Court’s opinion and held that the lulu Chapter also provided testi- I am proud to say that the Honolulu Apology Resolution of 1993 created mony to the Board of Education on Chapter has continued its tradition no substantive rights for Native proposed amendments to its Civil of being one of the most independ- Hawaiians. Rights Policy and Complaint Proce- ent, progressive and racially diverse dure requesting greater protections Chapters. During my term as Presi- The Honolulu Chapter also contin- for all students against discrimina- dent, we engaged in many efforts. ued its outspoken support for the tion based upon race, color, national rights of the LGBT community by origin, sex, disability, religion, gen- First, our Legal Defense and Advo- urging the passage of the Civil Un- der identity, socio-economic status, cacy committee has advocated for ions bill through testimony and the physical appearance and sexual ori- various issues these past two years. media. When a vote on the bill was entation and proposed amendments In January 2009, JACL joined with deferred on January 29, 2010, the to the administrative rules permit- the Equal Justice Society in filing an Honolulu Chapter expressed its ting searches of student’s lockers amicus brief in the case of State of dismay through a letter to the editor without cause. Hawai‘i v. Office of Hawaiian Af- by pointing out that the legislature fairs. In that case, JACL and EJS hid behind politics instead of stand- The Honolulu Chapter’s Education urged the U.S. Supreme Court to af- ing strong to ensure that no group is Committee also engaged with nu- firm the Hawai‘i Supreme Court’s denied justice because of who they determination that, by unilaterally are. However, through the efforts of Please see SHAWN, page 3

2 www.jaclhawaii.org JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011 SHAWN, continued from page 2 enlightening and left a powerful im- twitter. Through twitter, we are able pact on the attendees. I am thankful to send news and reports immedi- merous groups to plan educational to these organizations for including ately. For example, Trisha Naka- events open to the public. On Octo- the Honolulu Chapter and hope that mura, the new president-elect, and I ber 21, 2009, the Honolulu Chapter we continue to collaborate in these attended the JACL National Conven- along with JCCH and the Office of ventures. tion this year in Chicago, Illinois. We Multicultural Student Services at provided our followers with minute- UHM, presented a discussion re- Finally, during these past two years, by-minute updates about the de- examining the criminal case involv- we have been able to bring the bates and business during the Busi- ing Thalia Massie and Joseph Kaha- Honolulu Chapter into the 21st cen- ness Session. We received several hawai and its relevance in modern tury. As you know, the internet, as a “thank yous” from our followers for day Hawai‘i. source of communication, has be- allowing them to be a part of the come a very important aspect in this Convention. To follow us on twitter, More recently, the Honolulu Chapter day and age because it not only go to twitter.com/JACLHonolulu. joined with Equality Hawai‘i Foun- keeps everyone connected, but it al- dation, JCCH and the Honpa lows the exchange of information in In closing, I would like to say thank Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i in an instantaneous fashion. Our new you to the members of the Honolulu presenting a successful program website (www.jaclhawaii.org) allows Chapter for their continued support. with a keynote address by actor us to do this by providing continu- Without all of you, we would not be George Takei. While the event in- ous and updated information to our able to continue to fight for equality cluded both encouraging and unfor- members as well as the public. The and justice for everyone. Thank you. tunate experiences in the Japanese Honolulu Chapter is also part of the American LGBT community, it was social media revolution by using Annual General Membership Meeting Wrap By Liann Ebesugawa & Sean Ibara and commitment to justice by their Jacob is also a freshmen in college, support of civil unions. Board mem- and a graduate of Seabury Hall on Nearly 300 people turned out on bers for the 2010-2012 term were Maui. JACL is proud to be able to Saturday, October 2nd at the Japa- also sworn in by Hawai’i Circuit award scholarship monies each year, nese Cultural Center of Hawai’i for Court Judge Sabrina McKenna. At- thanks in part to those who support JACL’s Annual General Membership tendees were treated to an excellent our silent auction held during each Meeting (AGMM) and Awards video presentation courtesy of Oce- AGMM. Luncheon, co-chaired by Kathryn anic Time Warner Cable which de- Inouye, Bill Kaneko, Colbert Mat- tailed JACL’s long history and some JACL would also like to thank our sumoto and Hoyt Zia and emcee'd of the high profile issues the organi- emcee, Honorary Co-Chairs and by Barbara Tanabe. zation has tackled over the years. corporate sponsors who have sup- ported our organization and its mis- In addition to conducting new busi- JACL also awarded two scholar- sion. We could not have done it ness for the following year, JACL ships to high school students who without them! Be sure to be on the also presented its 2010 Distin- showed a commitment to civil rights look out for our next AGMM event! guished Service Award to State Rep- and social justice. Ennsen Murao is resentative Blake Oshiro and the currently a freshmen at Creighton SEE PICS FROM 2010 AGMM Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Ha- University, and graduated from St. THROUGHOUT THIS ISSUE! wai’i for their exemplary courage Louis High School on O‘ahu. Sierra www.jaclhawaii.org 3 JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011 Letter from 2010-2012 President by Trisha Y. Nakamura position that advance social As your new president, I am hon- justice, we’re ored to welcome you to our first focusing on newsletter of 2011. The Honolulu strengthening Chapter of the Japanese American our infrastruc- Citizens League has important work ture to make ahead and great plans for the next sure our organi- two years. zation can con- tinue our work. Over the last few months, our JACL board has met and begun important In November dialogue about our role in Hawai‘i 2010, our Board as we look to the future. Part of this came together at dialogue includes our outreach to a retreat to ex- old friends and new members. The amine the role of PHOTO BY CLEM BAUTISTA common theme that arises from this JACL Honolulu, talk story is that our work is not our commit- Josephine Chang, Trisha Nakamura, Representative Blake over. The brutal history of the incar- ments as board Oshiro and Past President Bill Kaneko ceration as a result of Executive Or- members, and der 9066 still needs to be remem- most importantly what we as JACL gata. And welcome back, Yoshie bered. Those who are disenfran- will be doing in the future. We revis- Tanabe! chised and marginalized still need to ited our JACL history. We talked be supported by strong allies. And story with advisory board members To you, our JACL friends and mem- civil and human rights still need to Colbert Matsumoto, Alan Murakami bers, thank you for your support of be won. and Allicyn Hikida Tasaka. Thank civil and human rights. We hope to you to them for sharing their time, see you at the Day of Remembrance Our big important work starts with perspective and expertise with us. or other JACL events. Please feel free the small important work. The And thank you to Vice President Li- to email me at [email protected] Board is in the process of restructur- ann Ebesugawa for hosting all of us! if you want to learn more! ing and setting up committees. We’ve always had a strong Legal On a personal note, thank you to With your support and our collec- Defense and Advocacy Commit- Shawn Benton, our immediate past tive efforts, JACL Honolulu Chapter tee—that will continue. This com- president, for her leadership for the will proudly continue to be a unique mittee is particularly interested in last two years. And a welcome to and strong voice in Hawai’i for fair- immigration issues and broad civil our new board members, Travis ness, equality and justice. rights. In addition to our ongoing Agustin, Craig Jerome, Nikki Love, work to support strong policies and Jacce Mikulanec and Jamie Yama- “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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PHOTOS BY CLEM BAUTISTA (left to right) JACL supporters Henry Curtis, Kat Brady, Lea Hong and Bill Richardson; Bishop Thomas R. Okano and Alton Miyamoto, President of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai’i, accept the 2010 Distinguished Service Award; the silent auction draws bidders Thank you to the generous sponsors of our Annual General Membership Meeting Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors The Honorable Neil Abercrombie Camaron Miyamoto Coordinator, LGBT Student Services at UH Manoa Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing Citizens for Equal Rights Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. Equality Hawai‘i Friends of Blake Oshiro Island Insurance Company Limited The Honorable Carol Fukunaga Hoyt Zia and Leigh-Ann Miyasato Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel Hawai‘i Medical Service Association Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i The Honorable Kim Coco Iwamoto The Honorable Ann Kobayashi InspirePolitics.com

The Japanese American Citizens League, Honolulu Chapter, would like to congratulate Ennsen David Joshua Murao (’10 Saint Louis Emerging High School) and Sierra Jayne Jacob (’10 Seabury Hall) as the win- ners of the JACL Honolulu Chapter’s 2010 Emerging Leader Schol- Leader arship Award. Each student received $1,000 to be used for college tuition and expenses. The students were required to submit a rigor- ous written application as well as demonstrate their commitment to Scholarship civil rights and social justice. Murao intends to major in Pharmacol- ogy and Jacob will major in Education/English.

Award Applications for the 2011 Emerging Leader Scholarship Award will by Linda Ichiyama be available in February on our website. www.jaclhawaii.org 5 JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011 JACL Honolulu Chapter Continues to Monitor Pacific Aviation Museum by Trisha Y. Nakamura codeword for justifying mass in- Tanabe and past president David ternment in the aftermath of the 9/ Forman, JACL Honolulu urged the The JACL Honolulu Chapter since 11 terrorist attack on our country. Pacific Aviation Museum to change 2007 has been working to right a Chapter One of the widely pro- its exhibit and the language used to wrong at the Pacific Aviation Mu- moted book In Defense of Internment describe the events on Ni‘ihau. The seum. The issue first began with the by Michelle Malkin describes the museum agreed to convene an Ex- “Ni‘ihau Zero Incident” and contin- events on Ni‘ihau in an inflamma- hibit Study Group that included ues with a fund solicitation letter tory way. It quotes dubious and Franklin Odo, Oswald Stender, sent by the museum that trivializes clouded sources and rushes to the Geoffrey White, Ken Sumida, Irene the incarceration of Japanese Ameri- conclusion that the ‘Ni‘ihau Inci- Hirano and Burl Burlingame. cans during World War II. dent’ represented a significant cause for the authorization and use of Ex- The group of experts recommended The museum has incorrectly cited ecutive Order 9066.” that the initial language in the dis- the Ni‘ihau Incident as a basis for play claiming that the Japanese pilot validating Executive Order 9066. As JACL’ers Yoshie Tanabe and David and Nisei Ni‘ihau resident “con- David Forman notes in an open let- Forman urge changes to exhibit spired” was unnecessarily mislead- ter to the Pacific Aviation Museum ing. The experts encouraged the in March 2008, “To understand why The Pacific Aviation Museum in- Museum to focus on the aviation the JACL Board is so deeply of- cludes a “Ni‘ihau Zero Incident” ex- aspects of the incident rather than fended by the exhibit, it is necessary hibit that features the wreckage of a imply disloyalty. The group further to understand the way the Ni`ihau Japanese Zero Plane. As part of the recommended that the museum story has been distorted through exhibit, docents share a story of a “design its exhibit so they do not time to become a codeword for anti- Japanese pilot who was forced to reinforce historical bias.” Japanese American sentiment. This land his plane on Ni‘ihau. A Nisei is not only a matter of historical, but resident on the island is said to have JACL's national organization re- also of contemporary concern, be- aided the pilot. cently joined the Honolulu chapter's cause the so-called ‘Ni‘ihau Incident’ has been resurrected as a hot-button In 2007, led by board member Yoshie Please see PAM, page 7

PHOTOS BY KAREN NAKASONE (left to right) Past President Allicyn Hikida Tasaka and Judy & Bill Kern; Barbara Tanabe, Tom Coffman and John Radcliffe; Liann Ebesugawa, Past President Karen Nakasone, Sean Ibara and Susan Arnett. 6 www.jaclhawaii.org JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011

PAM, continued from page 6 Americans compared to the deadly sent a retraction letter to all recipi- attack on our forces in Hawaii.” ents because the original letter did efforts to review this issue and en- not express their views or feelings sure the Exhibit Study Group’s rec- The letter not only provides false about the history of Japanese ommendations are carried out. information, it minimizes the incar- Americans during World War II. ceration of Japanese Americans The Museum representatives also JACL National Members Share during World War II and fails to stated their belief that changes Fundraising Letter connect the important military serv- made to their storyboards after the ice of Japanese Americans in the Exhibit Study Group’s recommen- In October 2010, Clyde Nakayama 442nd Regimental Combat Team, dations were sufficient. and Chip Larouche, Pacific North- the 100th Infantry Battalion, and the west District Governor, shared a Military Intelligence Service. The JACL group continues to dis- fundraising letter sent by the Pacific cuss next steps and will work to Aviation Museum. The letter gener- JACL Honolulu members worked make sure potential mischaracteri- ally warns that the legacy of the with Greg Marutani, Patty Wada zations about the Ni‘ihau incident sacrifices made at Pearl Harbor dur- and Ron Katsuyama, Vice President and Japanese Americans during ing World War II by US service of Public Affairs to draft and send a World War II are monitored and members is at risk and shares that letter to the museum raising con- corrected. We cannot afford others “in today’s high school and even cerns about the exhibit and the let- to use mistruths to sanction wrongs college level American History text ter. The museum sent a response in done to Japanese Americans in books, double the attention is given December 2010 apologizing for World War II and wrongs done to to the internment of Japanese “any consternation that the letter others now in the name of national may have caused” and noted they security.

Legal Defense and Advocacy Committee Focused on Making a Difference by Jacce Mikulanec housing, legal assistance and health Honouliuli camp and elsewhere con- care. Moreover, COFA migrants are tinue to be important work for JACL. The New Year has brought with it a facing curtailed health benefits and renewed focus by JACL-Honolulu’s competition for resources within the Civil Unions: The state of Hawai’i is Legal Defense and Advocacy Com- safety structure set up to help them. on the brink of becoming one of a mittee to bring attention to a number While our state faces woeful budget- handful of states to grant equal rights of important issues that are at the core ary cuts, we can’t let economic dispar- to couples regardless of gender. Equal of JACL’s mission to highlight threats ity result in the neediest of our com- rights for citizens in our state have, to civil rights in our community. We munity bearing most of the burden. and will continue to be, a focus for will focus on instances of explicit and JACL-Honolulu. subtle discrimination facing Asian Day of Remembrance: JACL–Hono- and Pacific Island communities, and lulu continues to support the ongoing We hope our advocacy around these other minorities. These issues include work that highlights the internment issues heightens the attention given to the following: of Hawai’i residents as a result of Ex- them in public discourse, and by our ecutive Order 9066. We will support own JACL members. We look forward Immigrant Rights: Hawaii’s immi- work to document, explain and syn- to updating you on our progress. Best grant populations face serious chal- thesize the internment experience at wishes for a happy and healthy 2011. lenges with regard to employment, www.jaclhawaii.org 7 JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011 Day of Remembrance by Denise Park Honouliuli Special Resources Study. (e) “Early Honouliuli History” by Brian Niiya, JCCH director of pro- Shad Kane, author of the Cultural Reprinted from jcch.com with per- gram development, will give an Kapolei blog mission from the Japanese Cultural overview of the Hawai‘i Internment Center of Hawai‘i Story and show a short video titled (f) A public scoping session led by “Honouliuli: Hawai‘i’s Hidden In- National Park Service Planner Su- In collaboration with the Japanese ternment Camp,” produced for the zanne Bott American Citizens League – Hono- Cultural Center by Kinetic Produc- lulu Chapter and Monsanto Ha- tions and directed by Ryan Kawa- (g) A teacher workshop highlighting wai’i, the Cultural Center will pre- moto. There will also be brief pres- the Hawai‘i internment instructional sent the 2011 Day of Remembrance entations by the creators of the way- units (DOR) and second Honouliuli Pil- side exhibition, Arnold Hiura and grimage titled “Honouliuli National Stephan Doi of MBFT Productions. Note: All attendees will also have Historic Site: Dream or Reality?” the opportunity to visit the Honou- The event is scheduled for Sunday, After lunch, Senator Will Espero liuli Site. February 27 from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm will share his insight into the his- at the new Monsanto facility in Ku- torical and cultural significance of a Days of Remembrance are held an- nia. historic national site, such as nually around the country on or Honouliuli, to the growing Kapolei around February 19 to commemo- The all-day event will include up- community. There will be a variety rate the issuing of Executive Order dates on the status of the site, a key- of breakout sessions, along with 9066 by President Franklin D. Roo- note speech by acclaimed historian small group tours of the Honouliuli sevelt on February 19, 1942. This Gary Ohikiro, breakout sessions on site. A partial list of the breakout Executive Order authorized the various Hawai‘i internment-related sessions includes: mass exclusion and detention of all topics, the debut of the new Hawai‘i Japanese Americans on the west Internment wayside exhibition and (a) “Forgotten Internees Remem- coast during World War II. In Ha- an opportunity to visit the Honou- bered: German Americans at the wai‘i the event is held between Feb- liuli camp site. Honouliuli Detention Camp” by ruary 19 and March 1, the latter date Professor Alan Rosenfeld of the marking the anniversary of the The day will be divided into two University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu opening of the Honouliuli detention parts. The morning session will be (UHWO) camp on March 1, 1943. This pil- attended by all and will begin with grimage follows the successful first Professor Okihiro’s keynote address (b) UHWO’s Multi-Disciplinary Re- pilgrimage to Honouliuli in 2008. titled “Honouliuli: Remembering search & Education of Honouliuli for Democracy’s Sake.” Okihiro is a Internment Camp by UHWO pro- Due to space restrictions, reserva- professor of International and Pub- fessors and students tions are required to attend the lic Affairs at Columbia University event. First priority for the event and the author of 10 books, includ- (c) “Family Torn Apart: The In- goes to teachers and internee family ing Cane Fires: The Anti-Japanese ternment Story of the Otokichi members. The cost of the event is Movement in Hawai‘i, 1865-1945 Ozaki Family” by Gail Honda $10, $8 for JCCH/JACL members, There will also be a presentation by and includes lunch and bus trans- Frank Hays, Pacific area director of (d) “From Injustice to Service” – the portation from the Cultural Center the National Park Service titled internment experiences of Reverend or the Kunia Park & Ride. “Historic National Parks and Their Paul Osumi by Norman Osumi Impact on People”; he will also pro- vide an update on the ongoing Please see DOR, page 9

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DOR, continued from page 8 program is part of Education Japanese American Confinement through Cultural & Historical Or- Sites Grant Program and from the Funding for the Day of Remem- ganizations (ECHO), a collaborative Island Insurance Foundation. brance / Honouliuli Pilgrimage 2011 education partnership of museums is provided by a grant from the and cultural institutions in Hawai‘i, JACL MEMBERS: Please email Education through Cultural and Alaska, Massachusetts and Missis- T r a v i s A g u s t i n a t Historical Organizations program, sippi. Support is provided by the [email protected] or call Jamie Monsanto Hawai’i, the Honolulu U.S. Department of Education, Of- Yamagata at 429-3322 for reserva- Japanese Junior Chamber of Com- fice of Innovation and Improvement. tions (please see page 1 for details). merce and the ‘Iolani Community Funding for the wayside exhibition Action Network. This project/ is provided by a grant from the

PHOTOS BY CLEM BAUTISTA & KAREN NAKASONE (top row, left to right) Governor Neil Abercrombie & Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz join the JACL for the afternoon; Debbie Shimizu, Representative Chris Lee & Past President Allicyn Hikida Tasaka; Councilmember Ann Kobayashi & Dale Kobayashi; (middle row, left to right) Past President Colbert Matsumoto & Rene Koga enjoy a conversation; JACL 2010-12 Board of Directors; Alan Murakami, Jackie Young & Vanessa Chong; (bottom row, left to right) Retired Hawai’i Justice Steven Levinson; Senator Roz Baker, Bill Hoshijo & friend; John Radcliffe, US Representative Colleen Hanabusa and Yoshie Tanabe www.jaclhawaii.org 9 JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011 Islamaphobia and Homophobia Focus of JACL Sponsored Forum by Jacce Mikulanec on prejudice facing people of Islamic faith in urban, multi-cultural communities, the recent radicalization of JACL Honolulu co-sponsored a forum organized and Islam and the extension of that radicalization to homo- hosted by the William S. Richardson School of Law’s sexuality, and how new interfaith discussion is helping Lambda Legal Association. The forum featured a panel to break the stereotypes and prejudice facing both popu- discussion on December 2nd examining prejudice facing lations in post 9/11 America. the Islamic and gay communities in this country. Thank you to the Lambda Law Student organization for The event, standing room only, was well attended by law inviting JACL to support this thought-provoking and students and community members. Discussants focused important forum.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ADAM CHANG Panelists and organizers of Giving Voice: Overcoming Islamaphobia and Homophobia.

Board Member Feature of the Asian American Movement, and my understand- ing of the struggles and achievements that have blazed a Travis Agustin trail for young Asian Americans like myself. At my law school graduation Harold Koh, legal advisor of the State 1. What attracted you to Department, simply said to my fellow graduates, "to go JACL? where you are most needed". I returned home to Ha- wai’i, motivated and inspired to serve the community I was attracted to the role that that has shaped my life. The JACL Honolulu chapter JACL has played in achieving met my expectations of an active organization that has milestones in fighting for the played a significant role advancing civil rights for Asian civil rights of Asian Ameri- Americans in Hawai’i for a long time. cans. Through law school I was involved with the Na- 2. What civil and human rights issues are you most in- tional Asian Pacific American terested in? Why? Law Student Association serving as its Northeast Re- gional Director where I worked with the National Asian I am most interested in advocating for immigrant rights Pacific American Bar Association to plan its annual con- vention. Those experiences heightened my awareness Please see TRAVIS, page 11 10 www.jaclhawaii.org JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011 JACL Honors the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Trisha Y. Nakamura The parade’s theme was “We must learn to live together Our chapter proudly joined the Martin Luther King, Jr. as brothers, or perish together as fools.” Our contingent Coalition of Hawai’i in its 23rd annual parade to honor of 21 was diverse, echoing the theme celebrating diver- the legacy of Dr. King. The parade featured more than sity and unity. From our most junior folks (Trent, Abbie, fifty contingents including the Hawai’i Civil Rights Ellie & Shylar) to our most advanced activists, our Commission, Local 5, ILWU, HSTA, the American group had fun holding the massive banner the entire Friends Service Committee and the NAACP. way. Perhaps we’ll see you next year!

TRAVIS, continued from issues surrounding the immi- page 10 grant population, from access to basic health care, to navigating issues because the immigrant the complex immigration laws, to population in Hawai’i is an Human Trafficking and Domestic extremely vulnerable seg- Abuse. ment of society that is essen- tial to the vitality and success 3. In the next five years, where of Hawaii's community. I am do you hope JACL will be? motivated by my Filipino Grandparents' immigration In the next five years I hope experience which has in- JACL will consist of a new gen- PHOTOS BY JAMIE YAMAGATA spired me to focus my ener- eration of young advocates with Abbie and Ellie march in the MLK parade. gies on advocating for immi- a vision that will continue the grant rights. There are many legacy that the JACL has built. www.jaclhawaii.org JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011

Founded in 1929, JACL is the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization with a 25,000 membership base. JACL has 112 chapters nationwide, 4 regional offices, a Washington, D.C. office and a na- tional headquarters in San Francisco. JACL’s mission is to secure and uphold the human and civil rights of Japanese Americans and all Americans while preserving our cultural heritage and values. Find us online at: www.jaclhawaii.org www.jacl.org

Help us be green! Please email [email protected] if you’d like to receive the newsletter by

email instead of by US mail. PHOTO BY JAMIE YAMAGATA

JACL-Honolulu Chapter January 2011 P.O. BOX 1291 HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I 96807