JACL Olampions The national JACL held its inaugural gala dinner, "A Salute to Champions;' in D.C. Sept. 12. TIle National Publication of the Japanese American Citizens League _

Fuj~yama Siblings Dedicate Themselves Amidst Racial Tension, to Helping Honduran Orphans JAs Found Acceptance Shin and Cosmo Fujiyama saw a need in this impov• erished country and founded Students Helping Honduras. So far they have raised close to $500,000, founded a school, and ate currently building 75 hous• es. All this and they are recent college grads.

By CAROLNE AOYAGI-STOM Executive Editor

Within the city limits of EI Progreso, Honduras, neon colored lights from the local nightclubs and the famous yellow arches of McDonald's can sometimes mask the abject poverty of its residents. But just a few te miles away in the squatter village' of Siete de Abril, makeshift tin and cardboard homes and the bulging bellies of malnourished children show poverty in stark reality. In this dilapidated community, siblings Shin, 24, and Cosmo Arkansas' Little Rock Fujiyama, 22, have decided to make a difference. And so far they've Central High School Shin Fujiyama, 24, spent the majority done more than anyone could have expected. 1957 integration crisis of his college years helping the chil• . As founders of Students Helping (top) was witnessed dren of the Copprome Orphanage. Honduras (SHH), the Fujiyamas have See FUJIYAMASIPage 6 firsthand by Tosh Oishi (far right in 1958) and brother Kaz Oishi. Young APA Swimmer I Diaries Give a Glimpse Conquers the English Channel I 0 0 Ig on Fifty years after the Little Rock Central High School inte• Kianna Lee overcame sea- r----~---~ Behind Barbwire gration crisis, former JA students reflect on their 'normal' high school experiences. sickness, seaweed attacks Through war, peace and and fear to win a world incarceration, Rev. Daisho By LYNDA LIN record and a new perspec• Tana wrote his innermost 'Assistant Editor tive. feelings in paperbound diaries. Now th~y are get• Kaz Oishi's high school memories are crowded with recollections of long By LYNDA LIN ting translated into English. bus rides through rural Arkansas andtriurnphant moments like winning a Assistant Editor four-year scholarship on a local television show in the 11th grade. His descriptions of his upbringing in the outskirts of the city of little Rock paint Kianna Lee never used to consid• By LYNDA LIN Assistant Editor a picture of an average American working class life - not a footnote in er herself to be very tough. The 12- American history. year-old is terrified of the dark. She PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN LEE Today, this 'American Buddhism' But ~ is almost inextricably linked to history, mainly because he was refuses to watch scary movies and there. After his junior year, Kaz's small high school in the city of Scott was fears getting shots at the doctor's Kianna Lee, 12, started competi• both as an ideal and as a reality, is tive swimming in 2004. on the verge of flourishing. It is a closed down because of low enrollment. The next year, Kaz was bussed to office. But in the water, Kianna is a ~as true honor to be able to give myself Little Rock Central High School; the same year the all-white school fierce competitor with a world famously forced to integrate. record title. In August, Kianna, along with her fully to this new American Buddhism at such a crucial time. - ''That was an interesting .year," said Kaz, 67, who now lives in Colorado Open Water ·Swimmers Albuquerque, New Mexico. . (COWS) teammates became the Rev. Daisho Tana, Jan. 28, 1942. It was a dramatic time for the In 1957, little Rock Central was the epicenter of the civil rights movement youngest relay team in history to when nine black students were denied entrance despite the 1954 U.S. complete the 23.5-mile swim across Buddhist priest living in Lompoc, Calif. War had broken out and suspi• Supreme Court ruling ordering the integration of public schools. The images the English Channel. are indelibly ingrained in history books and the minds of many who lived On a gloomy Aug. 9 moming, cion of Japanese Americans was at a high. But in a time of crisis, Daisho through that period of racial tension - nine stone-faced students walking Kianna slipped into the bone chilling amidst armed police officers, the national guards and an angry crowd. 64-degree water for her journey found a purpose. From the Pearl Harbor attack to Back then it wasn't just the so-called "Little Rock Nine," there were also from Dover, England to Cap Griz three Japanese Americans - brothers Kaz and Tosh Oishi and Frank Nez, France - without a wetsuit. In his days in a Santa Fe, New Mexico intemment camp, Daisho continued Nakamura - who were navigating the halls of Little Rock Central during a order for the record to stick, wetsuits time of tumult. are prohibited, so Kianna swam in a to pen his innermost thoughts and See KIANNA LEEJPage 4 See DIARIESIPage 5 See LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL H.SJPage 3

Bobbys World NPS Hosts . orkshops Letters ...... 2 The National Park Service National ...... 3-6 The 'MADtv' star talks will host JA confinement site Community ...... 5 about comedy and career. workshops seeking public Calendar ...... 14 comment. Obituaries ...... 15 ENTERTAINMENT PAG E 12 S~ :E COMMUNITY PAGE 5 2 SEPT. 21-ocr. 4, 2007 LETTERS! COMMENTARY PACIFIC II CmZEN

~"PACIFIC Lt. Watada and a Possible Name Change ~CITIZEN Letters to , war. Striving for a peaceful world requires creative strate• 250 E. First Street, Ste. 301, gies using our intellect rather Los Angeles, CA. 90012 the Editor Tel: 2131620-1767, than our give-up-your-think• 800/966-6157 ing-and-follow-orders demands Fax: 213/620-1768 An Insult to JA Veterans of war mentality. E-mail: [email protected] We have lost yet another www.pacificcitizen.org National JACL board members dis• I am afraid the national JACL has opened up a can of cuss the Watada resolution Aug. 18. potential leader for resolving Executive Editor:: wonns with theit recent resolution to increase suppert for 1st conflict through peaceful Caroline Y. Aoyagi-Stom Lt. Ehren Watada and I fear that this controversial decision means. Assistant Editor: Thank you to the JACL national will divide the JA community even worse than the aPology Regarding "A Name Change • Lynda Lin board for standing up for civilliber• to the Resisters. There are some points I want to make here: for the JACL?", the JACL grew Office Manager: ties by supporting 1st Lt. Ehren Brian Tanaka '1. When a person joins the military, a new set of military out of the targeting of JAs by Watada! His unwavering courage to Circulation: Eva Lau-Ting laws and regulations take effect. their own fellow- citizens. think and question our immoral war 2. Lt. Watada wants to compare himself to the "resisters of Expanding the inclusiveness of Publisher: Japanese American deserves all our support. . Citizens League (founded 1929) 1765 conscience" from World War We flatly disagree with that the JACL to protect fellow n. In reference to Leo H. Hosada's Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA assertion. Watada's act was an act of military disobedience~ humans can only be a positive , letter about a California National 94115, tel: 415/921-5225 fax: 415/931- not civil disobedience. About the only thing Watada has in action. . 4671, www.jacl.org Guard member's honoring his com• common with the "resisters of conscience" is that they both JACL President: larry Oda mitment, that member lives on in made theit decisions voluntarily. Nat'l Director: Floyd Moo our hearts as a person of integrity EDITH KAWAMOTO FREDERICK 3. Watada and his supporte~ want to claim the war in Iraq Pacific Citizen Board of Directors: and intelligence for questioning the Salinas, Calif. Gil Asakawa, chairperson; Roger is unconstitutional. Though there i~ much opposition to the Ozaki, EDC; Lisa Hanasono, MDC; war in Iraq and the continued troop devloyment there, no Kathy Ishimoto, CCDC; Nelson Nagai, court or the u.s. Congress has declared it unconstitutional. NCWNPDC; Sheldon Arakaki, A Name Change for JACL? PNWDC; Larry Grant, IDC; Ted 4. For Lt. Watada to try to assert the "Nuremberg defense" Namba, PSWDC; Naomi Oren, Youth. as part of his defense in refusing to deploy to Iraq is ludi• I think that unilaterally changing achievements of all these Asian r------, crous to me. Yes, a soldier does have the right to refuse to fol* the name of JACL to Asian groups? It would mean expanding NEWS/AD DEADLINE: FRIDAY low an order which they consider Jo be illegal, however, American Citizens League is a teni• the Pacific Citizen to cover all BEFORE DATE OF ISSUE. deployment to Iraq in itself is not an illegal order. ble idea. Asian matters. Editorials, news and the opinions expressed by columnists other than the 5. The assertion thai this second court-martial is double Consider these facts: The JACL Do you feel that we can handle national JACL president or national Jeopardy baftles me. Someone just watching "Law & Order" membership is mainly JAs. There this unilaterally? Do you think that director do not necessarily reflect JACL or "CourtTV" knows that only if a court trial has gone the are Chinese American, Vietnamese the different groups will join our policy. Events and products advertised In the Pacific CHizen do not carry the full process to an acquittal, does double jeopardy become American, Filipino American, and organization when ' we change our Implicit endorsement of the JACL or involved. other APA organizations. Although name? What will happen to their this publication. We reserve the right to I considered the reilJ.tionship between the national JACL the mission of all of these organiza• . organizations that exist presently? edit articles. L ______~ and the,Nisei veterans prior to the resolution supporting Lt. tions stress l~king after the welfare What about our national board? Watada to have been an uneasy one, 'but now, I can't predict of all APAs, in actuality they are pri• Our staff, districts, chapters will PACIAC CI77ZEN(ISSN: 0030-8579) is what the long-tenn fallout or damage will be from this, I marily interested in the welfare of have to be reorganized; our consti• published semi-monthly except once in December and January by the Japanese know today, I can't join an organization which so brazenly their own racial group. tution will have to be rewritten. American Citizens League, 250 E. First makes decisions which they know will not only divide the Has anybody thought of what the I ..yould recommend keeping the Street, Ste. 301, Los Angeles, CA. 90012 community, but also continue to disenfranchise the proud name change would involve? It JACL as it is and suggest forming a OFFICE HOURS - Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 veterans who gave so much for us to be where we are 'at would mean a complete reorganiza• working coalition of all the existing p.m. Pacific Time. ©2007. today. tion of our JACL. It would mean APA organizations - an umbrella Annual subscription rates: NON• MEMBERS: 1 year-$40, payable in taking care of all the different Asian organization to work for the good of advance. Additional foreign postage per LOREN ISHII nation groups that have people liv• aliAPAs. year (1st class) - Canada and Mexico Commander, Sacramento Nisei Veterans of Foreign Wars ing in the U.S. Do you think JACL $30, Japan and overseas $55. Rrst class (VFW) Post 8985 has the funds and the expertise to ED MrroMA U.S. $20. Periodicals postage paid at Los take care of the problems, the South Bay JACL Angeles, Calif. Pennission: No part of this publication may be reproduced without express"per• mission of the publisher. Copying for COMMENTARY other than personal or intemal reference use without the express permission of P.e. is prohibited. 'One is Silver and the Other is Gold' POSTMASTER: Send address changes By EDWIN ENDOW We will be sending out notices to fonner ber of the JACL. Ber proud parents are to: Pacific Citizen, c/o JACL National Nat'l V.P. of M~mbership Headquarters, 1765 Sutter St., San JACL members from 2005 to the present ask-_ JACLers Nicole Inouye and Eric Kawaguchi FranCiSCO, CA 94115. ing them to rejoin. During the second half of of the SELANOCO chapter. "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is September, each chapter will also contact their It encourages me that folks feel so strongly silver and the other is gold. " lapsed members by telephone to personally about the mission and purpose of JACL to JACL MElVIBERS Most of you have heard ask them to rejoin. introduce their children and grandchildren to Change of Address these words. Many of you If you would like to help out, please contact its traditions. I hope this message does the have probably sung this your chapter president. Most of the time all it same for you. There are still many mountains If you have moved, please jingle around a campfire. takes is a short phone call to do the job because of injustice, ignorance, prejudice, and hate that send information to: I remember the truth of it shows that someone cares enough to person• have to be moved. The bigger and stronger the National JACL the words striking me 45 ally ask. JACL, the better we can move those moun• 1765 Sutter St. . years ago the same as 1\vo new memberships have re-energized tains. San Francisco, CA they do today. It's true my commitment to recruiting new members. So as you think about whom to recruit for that jingles are timeless. Dr. John and Angelina Fujii of the Stockton JACL, remember that jingle. A lapsed member 94115 For the past three years, I have been encour• chapter recently signed up their two-year-old or a new member, they are both important and Allow 6 weeks tor address changes, aging you to get one new member for JACL. daughter Elyse for a life membership! And just count the same. As the membership motto To avoid interruptions in receiving Many of you have done just that and have recently, I had the pleasure of accepting a gift goes, "Every ONE counts" - "One is silver your P.C, please notify your pa;trnas• done a wonderful job. During the month of membership from our former National and the other is gold.". ter to include periodicqls in your September we are embarking on another President Ken Inouye for his granddaughter chcmge of address (USPS Form 3575) membership campaign - one to get back our Amelia who just turned three months old. I Edwin Endow can be reached at vpmember- lapsed members. think that she is currently the youngest mem- [email protected]. . PACIFIC iJ CmZEN NATIONAL SEPT. 21-OCT. 4, 2007 3 'There were a few students that were very vocal and demonstrative against the black students being there. ' .JACL Hosts Inaugural Awards Gala - Frank Nakamura, who attended Little Rock Central By MEILEE WONG Special to the Pacific Citizen

It was a night of splash, sparkle and Mr. Sulu. Guests from across the United States arrived in grand fashion for the Inau~ National JACL Gala THEN AND N()IN: (pic• Kaz Oishi Awards Dinner, "A Salute to tured leb) in his 1958 yearbook Champions," which was held at the photo and in June 2007 (above) JW Marriott in downtown at his daughter's wedding. (L-r) Washington, D.C. on Sept. 12. Kaz, his wife Ann, daughter Hosted by actor George Takei, Meeko Mitsuko Karen Oishi, most famous for his role as Mr. Sulu A JACL GALA: (top roWs I-I): Debee Yamamoto, Floyd Mori, Tamaki son-in-law Dan Blaugrund and on the original series "Star Trek," the Kawakubo, and George Takei; (Second roWs I-I): Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, Kevin Takashi Oishi. event drew about 310 guests who Karen Narasaki, Vance Yoshikawa and Larry Oda. filled, the elegant ballroom nearly to LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL H.S. capacity. Violin virtuoso Tamaki Justice Center, was honored as one detailed his life growing up in of the nation's leading voices advo• (Continued from page 1) Kawakubo provided entertainment Hawaii, his military service and how for · the evening performing three cating for the rights and interests of he launched his career in public serv• who were neither white or black cre• 'Overall, high school was a short pieces by Gershwin and Asian Americans. The JACL high• ice after Hawaii attained statehood. ated fear that their attendance in positive experience.' Tchaikovsky on her Stradivarius. lighted her rise from the blue-collar Baby pictures of Inouye drew gasps schools, colleges, even out in the "I always wondered . how they Former Transportation Secretary suburbs of Seattle to her position and giggles from the guests, and the felt," said Elizabeth Eckford about fields would open the door for Norman Mineta joined the event as today on the vanguard of civil rights. senator was given a standing ovation her JA classmates. Eckford, now 66, blacks to follow the JAs," said the honorary chairman, and intro- · In her acceptance speech,she as he made his way to the stage. was one of the "Little Rock Nine" Gordy. duced JACL officials and VIP atten• thanked the JACL for giving her one Although unable to attend the immortalized in photos on Sept. 4, But when it came time to decide dees with his usual charm. of her first jobs in Washington, D.C. event, Sen. Craig was recognized for 1957, clutching a notebook and whether the JA kids would go to the The awardees for the night, named as the JACL's Washington his accomplishments regarding the calmly walking away from an angry white or black schools, Brown "Champions" by the JACL for their Representative. national historic site at Minidoka. As crowd. stepped up and said the JAs would leadership in the APIA community, The JACL also honored one of the 10 war relocation centers She never had any classes with go tothe white schools. included State Farm Insurance, Ambassador Kato, Japan'srepresen• established by Executive Order Kaz, Tosh or Frank, but she remem• Overall, high school was a posi• Karen Narasaki of the Asian tative to the United States, for his 9066, Craig recognized the impor• contribution to expanding the role of bered seeing them. tive experience, said Tosh, who was American Justice Center, tance of preserving the site for gen• Japanese Americans in U.S. - Japan erations to come and helped to write '''They were always together," she a junior at Little Rock Central when Ambassador Ryozo Kato, Sen. bilateral relations. JACL National and co-sponsor legislation for its said. In the crush of bodies in the it was integrated. He didn't personal• Daniel K. Inouye and Sen. Larry President Larry Oda thanked him for protection. hallways there was always space ly experience or witness any racial Craig. his work as a world diplomat and 'This event really puts JACL back around them and when kids gathered problems - at least none that were Takei described State Farm's protector of Japanese heritage in the on the map. People went away feel• directed at him. activities within the APIA communi• in the auditorium, she noticed there United States. Although Kato him• ing good about themselves and Back then, you were either black ty, including programming by the were always empty seats next to self was called away to Japan, he about the JACL," said Floyd Mori, or you were white. If you weren't JACL, OCA, South East Asian them. provided a short video statement. JACL national director. 'This is a black, then you were accepted as Resource Center and Asian There were only a handful of JA His speech drew applause from the credit to all who helped with the white, said Kaz, who also admitted American Justice Center. JACL rec• families living in Arkansas between ognized State Farm's "deep commit• crowd when he mentioned it was his evening and supported a great cause. to sometimes feeling trapped "some• 1957-59, according to Sondra ment and active involvement in the birthday that day, and that he thought Our committee and program partici• where in no man's land." Gordy, an associate professor of his• APIA community, and for being the award was a great birthday pres• pants went way beyond the call of On the day the "Little Rock Nine" tory at the University of Central champions of physical and financial ent. duty and deserve a very special was supposed to attend Little Rock Arkansas. But the state had histori• safety at the grassroots level." State The final awardee for the night thank you." • cally been inhospitable to Illin,orities Central, Kaz remembers seeing the Farm's Vance Yoshikawa, vice pres• was Sen. Inouye, honored for his outside of housing thousands of JAs national guards and later the U.S. ident for agency, accepted the award efforts as a leader, dedicated public Meilee Wong is the cu"ent Nonnan in the Jerome and Rohwer intern- Army's 101stAirborne Division sur• on the company's behalf. servant and champion for the Asian Y. Mineta Fellow. She can be mentcamps.· round the building. Narasaki, president and executive Pacific American community. reached at jacl.minetafellow "You have to realize that in World "Inside the school, the teachers director of the Asian American Inouye's slideshow presentation @ gmail.com. War II, Japanese Americans were far kept control really well," said Kaz. from welcome to our state - and Frank did not feel intimidated or since Homer Adkins was a former threatened by the troops at all. APA Groups: Chicago Drowning Death is a Hate Crime Klu Klux Klan member when he "It was merely a novel experience A suspect has been charged it was not a hate crime. Midwest Regional Director Bill served as Arkansas' governor during seeing the troops at my school with first-degree murder for "It just appeared to be kind of a Yoshino in a Sept. 10 letter to the World War II, he encouraged rigid though, of course, I understood that the ~wning death of a . random act," said Police Lt. Anthony Chicago Police Department. segregation for the Japanese they were there to control the Vietnamese fisherman. Riccio. Chicago area APA groups held a Sept. 8 vigil at Montrose Harbor on Americans," said Gordy. crowed of parents who were protest• Officials call the act 'ran~ But APA groups argue that there is ing the desegregation. My view of the city's lakefront for a Vietnamese During WWII, JAs were not dom.' a preponderance of evidence of a allowed to serve as laborers outside the student reaction to the black stu• hate crime. Haley was involved in a immigrant while a private funeral service was held on the city's far the two camps, forbidden to buy dents is that they, on the whole, similar incident on July 31 when he By P.e. Staff and Associated Press Northwest Side for Doan. After a land, go to public schools, or even received [the "Little Rock Nine"] pushed another alleged APA in the musical performance, there was a state colleges. peacefully and some even reached water at Montrose Harbor. Chicago police have not yet clas• silent prayer for the family of the out to them in friendship. There Officials said there was a "strong "Very few families remained in sified the Sept. 1 drowning death of victim. were a few students that were very possibility" racism was a motive Arkansas after they had the opportu• a Vietnamese fisherman as a hate Prosecut.ors use hate crimes law to vocal and demonstrative against the because Doan, another man who nity to leave our state," added Gordy. crime, but A~ian Pacific American llpgrade a misdemeanor to a Class 4 was confronted by the same group But for the Oishi family, leaving black students being there," said groups say he was targeted because felony if the offender acted because earlier that morning and a man who Arkansas' after their internment at Frank. of his race. of race, religion, national origin, was pushed into the water weeks Gila River, Arizona, wasn't an From 1958-59, Gov. Orval Du Doan, 62, was fishing by him• gender, sexual orientation or physi• option. They needed work and Faubus closed all high schools in self from a sidewalk at Montrose earlier all were Asian or had Asian cal or mental disability. features. joined the Yada and Nakamura fam• Little Rock to avoid further integra• Harbor when he was shoved into the "Hate crimes cause communities '''There appears to be a pattern of ilies as farmers on the Scott property tion, forcing many students includ• lake. Doan, who could not swim, to feel fearful, vulnerable and isolat• targeting based on race where Asian of Mrs. Alexander Brown. ing Frank and Tosh to transfer to yet quickly drowned. ed. The affected community must American victims were selected another school. John J. Haley, 31 was charged know if it has been the target of a '''The presence of these people from among other fishermen Popu• with first-degree murder and aggra• hate crime because it has an impact lating the harbor," said JACL See LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL H.SJPage 13 vated battery, but police officials say on its members;" said Yoshino .• 4 SEPT. 21-ocT. 4, 2007 NATIONAL PACIFIC a CI11ZEN KIANNA LEE (Continued from page 1) National Newsbytcs simple bathing suit and cap in two By p.c. Staff and Associated Press one-hour shifts with a five-hour wait in between. Archaeologist Set to Tour Tunnels Under The COWS completed the swim Cl1inatown in nine hours and 58 minutes - FRESNO, Calif.-Archaeologist hired by the city to document much faster th~ their original goal Chinatown's underground network of interconnected basements will soon be of 15-18 hours. able to take a look at the tunnels themselves, city officials said. "When you jump in the water, it's Some city officials and Chinatown shopkeepers have long known that a shocking feeling ... your body basements beneath Fresno's historic Chinatown, built from the 1880s kind of freezes up," Kianna said through the early 19QOs, were interconnected. from the warmth of her home in Now the archaeologists are going to get a private tour of the basements to Aurora, Colo. weeks after their help piece together their understanding of the area. The date is not yet avail• record-breaking relay. Kianna Lee swam two legs of able. In the water, Kianna battled crash• the 23.S-mile journey across Any artifacts found during the study that could help shed light on ing waves, seliweed attacks and the the English Channel with her Chinatown's history will be displayed in a future Chinatown museurn. constant threat of jellyfish., While teammates following in a boat closeby (top). Her biggest waiting for her turn to swim, she Lawmaker Charged with Perjury Rejects Plea Deal tried to beat back waves of nausea. cheerleaders are her parents SAN F,RANCISCO-Arookie San Francisco Yes; there were some critical Roger and Karen (/eh) and lawmaker charged with lyfug about where he moments when Kianna briefly toyed brother Ryan. lived so he could run for office rejected a plea with the idea of giving up, but she est when one of her friends dropped offer that would have required him to resign, had something to prove to herself. On Aug. 9 in England, Kianna out. She even asked Kianna's pedia• according to his defense lawyer. When the team reached the finish, was sick to her 'Stomach even before trician to give her any type of med• Pro~utors and Supervisor Ed Jew's lawyer the tears began to flow. she dived into the water for the first ical excuse to keep her daughter out refused to disclose any other details of the pro• "I started crying on the boat," said leg of her swim. Kianna and the of the race. posed deal that would have canceled Jew's crim• Kianna. COWS were on one boat with Roger Nothing worked. When it all came while the rest of her family was on inal trial scheduled to begin on Sept. 28. Swimming with Her Eyes down to it, Kianna needed to do it. another boat cheering her on. Jew faces nine felony counts of perjury and election fraud stemming from "She's a wimp in so many ways," allegations that he was not living in San Francisco when he submitted his Closed In the water, the crashing waves said Karen with a laugh. "But she is made her more seasick. Then the candidacy papers last summer. The city attorney also is seeking permission Before Kianna started training for strong in so many other ways." seaweed came. from the state attorney general to remove Jew from office. the English Channel, most of her To prepare for the journey, Kianna "I was not mentally prepared for swimming was ~legated to pools. trained for two hours a day at least that. I would hit this pack of seaweed Park Opens Over Portion of Big Dig in Boston's But swimming, it seemed, was in her four times a week. They started and start freaking out and crying. Chinatown blood. Her grandmother, Glenna training in wetsuits, but even that Then hit another one," said Kianna. BOSTON-Residents in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood are celebrat• Lee, taught water aerobics for 16 had to go. In April at the first open In the water, each young swimmer ing the opening of a new park over a portion of the ~derground Big Dig years and young Kianna was a fix• water practice at Pelican Lakes, would get tossed around in four-to• highway. ture at the classes. Kianna noticed her teammates were six feet waves. Bui they fought on. Chinatown was one of a several downtown neighborhoods that bore the '''That's how I like to think she doing really well and became nerv• While waiting five hours for the sec• brunt of decades of planning and construction that went into the $14.79 bil• became such a strong swimmer," ous. At first, Kianna was swirnmlng ond leg of her swim, Kianna grew lion highway project. said Glenna, about her granddaugh• with her eyes squeezed shut in fear sicker. , The underground highway replaced the city's old elevated Central Artery ter who started competitive swim• of what she might see. At night, she -" "I threw up- four times," she said. and opened up room for construction of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy ming in the summer of 2004. would lie in bed and wonder would But when it came to her turn Greenway. Last August, Kianna and her par• what happen to her in the dark open again, Kianna with the help of her When finished, the Greenway will feature a series of interconnected parks ents, Roger and Karen, attended a water. teammates, slipped back into the through the heart of the city. neighborhood meeting about putting But soon, her eyes flew open. water. Every time she struggled, her together a team of 12-year-olds to "I think the mental part was much teammates would scream, "We're. conquer the English Channel and Rep. Wu Works to Pass Bill to Help low-Income APA more difficult," she said. almost there!" break the world record. Voni Students . Kianna had fear to overcome, said "I don't think any of us knew Oerman, a world-class swimmer WASHINGTON, D.C.- With Congressman Derman. ''It was a huge develop• about her determination," said who swam the English Channel her• David Wu's support, Congress passed the con• mental year for all the relay mem• Glenna, who later watched her self in 2002, would coach the team. ference report of H.R. 2669, the College Cost bers. For Kianna it was pure desire granddaughter's relay on video and Kianna decided right then she was Reduction and Access Act, a student financial that motivated her." cried while she watched an ashen• going to do it, and Roger was right aid bill that would expand higher education The training hit a snag in the early faced Kianna get helped into her behind her. opportunities for low-income APA students. moming hours of April 22 when the bathing suit and gingerly lowered in "I guess I was being the overzeal• H.R. 2669 would provide grants to institutions phone rang at Kianna's house and the water. ''What gives you that type ous dad or something," said Roger. of higher education to improve and expand serv• delivered the tragic news that Kevin of determination? She's my little "But I've always been confident in ices for low-income APA students. Current law Nash, the father of tearnrriate Sara hero." [Kianna's] physical abilities." • only allows the U.S. Department of Education to provide similar financial Nash, had died during surgery. Since returning from England, the Other family members had mis• assistance to colleges and universities that serve African American, Hispanic, "Kevin was inspirational in the COWS have enjoyed their new givings. Native American, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian students. beginning and I think [his death] celebrity status. They've appeared "When I was first approached H.R. 2669 will soon be considered by the full U.S. House. drove them a little bit more," said on almost every local news channel about this idea, I thought, 'You've Roger. and rubbed elbows with local politi• got to be kidding me,'" said Karen. Attorney to Circulate Petition to End Affirmative As a warm-up to the English cians. But even today, it's difficult Like any mom, Karen worried Action Channel, Kianna and her teammates for the Lees to comprehend that they about every possible risk. In her OKLAHOMA CITY-A former Republican legislative candidate has swam around Alcatraz Island with• have a world record title in the fam• mind, she saw symptoms of filed notice with the Secretary of State's Office of his intent to circulate an out wetsuits in June. The water was ily. Especially for Kianna, who has hypothermia and dangerous preda• initiative petition that a critic says would eliminate affirmative action pro• about 55 degrees, and Glenna stuck returned to her relatively normal tors lurking below the surface of the grams. her big toe briefly in the water to test teenage schedule. water, so she tried everything to get Oklahoma City attorney Devin Resides, who ran unsuccessfully for a state the conditions. She wants to continue open water Kianna to change her mind. ' She House of Representatives seat in 2006, said the proposal "will abolish all "Oh my, I got a foot cramp!" swimming - maybe give Alcatraz bought Kianna a book about the preferences based on the way a person looks." Glenna exclaimed. another whirl. swimmers who failed to navigate the Under state law, the petitioner has 90 days to gather the 138,970 signatures "I have a new perspective of English Channel's choppy waters. needed to qualify for a statewide vote. From England to France myself," she said .• She hoped Kianna would lose inter- Resides said the measure is an "anti-preference initiative.".

., PACIFIC iii CmZEN NATIONAL/COMMUNIlY SEPT. 21-0CT. 4, 2007 5 'APAs; NPS Hosts dA Confinement Site in the ' Workshops, Seeks Public Comment N The National Park Service will be which sites would be suitable as a their recognition as sites of national ews hosting a series of workshops to dis• national park unit. In 1992, Congress significance led to the establishment cuss how to implement the Japanese directed the agency to conduct a the• of Manzanar National Historic Site By Pacific Citizen Staff Americart confinement sites legisla• matic survey of sites associated with - the first internment camp to tion (Public Law 109-441) that was the confinement of JAs -during become a unit of the NPS in 1992- Democratic Fundraiser Norman Hsu's passed this past December. World War II. followed by the establishment of Bail is Set at $5 Million The goal of the workshops is to The resulting publication of Minidoka Internment National A Colorado judge set bail at $5 million in cash develop criteria for the grant pro• "Confinement and Ethnicity" and Monument in 2001. for Norman Hsu, a Democratic fundraiser who gram and to hear from various com• the completion of the thematic Groups committed to the preser• had sent a suicide note to a New York City-based munity members. Meetings will be National Historic Landmarks study vation and interpretation of these legal organization while he was wanted in a held throughout the country in "Japanese Americans in World War sites also successfully pursued grand theft case. September .and October. In addition 11" provided a list of properties and a National Historic Landmark desig• Hsu, wanted in California on a 1991 grand to attending the various meetings, framework for evaluating related nation for Tule Lake, Topaz, Heart M~ theft case, appeared by video hookup at a hear• written comments are also being sites. Mountain, Amache, and Rohw~r ing, one week after skipping a court date in San welcomed. Grassroots support for the preser• internment camps with assistance from the NPS .• ----""'--~_'_~"'--""'_' Francisco and showing up in Grand Junction on On Dec. 21, 2006, President vation of these properties and for an Amtrak train so sick he had to be hospitalized. George W. Bush signed' into law a Authorities haven't disclosed the nature of his illness, but he was released bill that authorizes up to $38 million Scheduled Public Listening Sessions from a hospital and booked into the Mesa County jail. for the preservation and interpreta• • Seattle, Washington - Sept. 27 • San Diego, California - Oct. 12 His next court date was scheduled for Sept. 19. tion of confinement sites where • Bainbridge Island, ' Washington - • Honolulu, Hawaii - TBA Japanese Americans were detained Sept. 27 • Denver, Colorado - TBA . during World War II. The law directs • Portland, Oregon - Sept. 28 • Salt Lake City, Utah - TBA Shiraki Named the New White House APA Liaison • Sacramento, California - Oct. 8 • Phoenix, Arizona - TBA . the NPS to administer this grant pro• Matt S~ is the new White House Asian Pacific American Liaison. As • San Jose, California - Oct. 9 • Little Rock, Arkansas - TBA gram, once funds are available. • San Francisco, California - Oct 9 . • Dumas,'Arkansas - TBA liaison, Shiraki will be responsible for communicating the president's poli• Through a series of public listen• • Gardena, California.- Oct. 11 • Chicago, lllinois • TBA cies and priorities to the APA community and bringing the needs and con• • Los Angeles, California - Oct. 11 • Washington. D.C. - TBA ing sessions, the NPS is seeking cerns of the community to senior White House staff. He will_also represent comments to help develop criteria the White House at community events. Contact Information for the grant program. The NPS PACIF1C WEST REGION Contact: Kara Miyagishima Shiraki most recently served in the Office of Strategic Initiatives. He has hopes to hear concerns and ideas, • (California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Phone: 303/969-2885 also worked in the'White House Offices of Presidential Correspondence and ' Washington, Hawaii,' and ollier Email: [email protected] and discuss guidelines for the new Intergovernmental Affairs. states not listed below) grant program, the eligibility Contact: Tom Leathennan MIDWEST REGION Phone: 510/817-2701 (Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Wada Receives Sept. 11th Teacher Award requirements, and criteria that will be used to fund projects. Email: [email protected] Nebraska, South Dakota, North Keiko Wada of Shizuoka, Japan is the only foreign recipient of the inau• Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, The NPS first became involved in gural Tribute Center September 11th Teacher Award given Sept. 10 at the (W~~&~~~lq~L ·;' ~d::~hl~cbigan, . IUingis~ the identification, reCognition and ...... >· .... Tribute WTC Visitor Center in New York. preservation of these confinement Arizona, Montana, Texas, Contact: Rachel Franklin-Weekley The award recognizes teachers who make an outstanding effort to discuss sites in the rnid-1980s to determine Oklahoma, New Mexico) Phone: 402/661-1928 the events of 9/11 with their students and create projects that help the students understand their relationship to these events. DIARIES don't give the full extent of people who strove to keep the same tone in Wada, a Kumon instructor, is being recognized for encouraging students to age 30 and up, who built everything his translations. (Continued from page 1) handrnake and send thousands of origami cranes to the Tribute WTC Visitor up only to lose everything," he said. Daisho was in his 40s when he Center as a wish for healing and peace. observations in Japanese in paper• came to the U.S. as part of what is bound diaries totaling up to 1,600 The Man Behind the Words now known as the Buddhist Mineta Becomes Honorary Board Chair pages. Daisho was born in the Meiji Churches of America to serve at Former U.S. Sec. of Transportation Norman Through his writings, we get a Period and wrote in the more gram• California temples including Y. Mineta is chairing _the Association of Asian glimpse of the role of religion - matically difficult type of formal Berkeley. American Investment Managers' honorary particularly Buddhism - in camp Japanese. Because his diaries were "[Daisho] was a part of the prewar board, which includes Dr. Ta-Jin Hsu, founder life, said Dr. Duncan Williams, a so long and complicated, scholars generation Issei. He was very well and CEO of H&Q Asia Pacific; Guy Kawasaki, University of California, Berkeley have not been using them as a refer• educated," said Williams. "He had a managing director of Garage Technology professor of Japan«se Buddhism ence for JA history. mission of spreading the dharma, Ventures; and Ambassador Linda Tsao Yang, who is translating Daisho's diary ''The' grammar is not modern and thought of himself as a cultural chair of the Asian Corporate Governance into English. Japanese grammar," said Williams, ambassador. l!e saw that Japan had Association. "Before the war, Buddhist temples but its level of difficulty helped keep something to offer religiously as The organization, an alliance of successful were the center of community func• Nisei informants from reading his well as culturally." APA leaders, serves as a conduit between APA investment managers and tions. In camp, many people turned innermost thoughts. In an honest, He was also a Japanese language, institutional pension funds. to religion to help support communal descriptive and reflective writing schoolteacher and principal who had life," said Williams, a Shin Issei who style, Daisho describes the fear grip• a strong sense that Buddhist teach• Lee Receives Sept. 11 Memorial Scholarship came to the U.S. to study at 17. He is ping the community and the reac• ings were very important tools for Steven Lee was named the winner of the Pamela Chu MemOlial also an ordained Buddhist p~est in tions of JA groups, including the universal outreach to the non• Scholarship from the Korean-American Scholarship Foundation, a nonprof• the Soto Zen tradition. JACL. Japanese. He also . understood that it fundi:aising organization. Historians have generally ignored Like in any diary, Daisho also Buddhism is culturally shaped - Chu was a victim of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The scholarship will the importance of religion in intern• includes details about daily life. Buddhism in America has to change. cover a portion of ~'s tuition at the University of Georgia, where he is ment camps, but it was extremely On Feb. 3, 1942, he wrote: "I went Gradually, Buddhist· monks enrolled this fall as a first-year law student. irpportant to internees. It linked them shopping today. While I was looking changed their titles to "ministers" back to Japan, said Williams. through the paper, someone came up and temples. became known as Japan's Yosuke Retains Air Guitar World Champi- "We have this thing where we say to me and said, 'Hi Sensei, it must be "churches" in order to fit into the offih~ . '120,000 JAs were put into camps, tough for you these days, but please American landscape. Yosuke Ochi, kept his title,as world champion of the air guitar at a Sept. two-thirds of who were American continue guiding us till the end. '" But even before most JAs were 5-8 competition in Finland. citizens.' Those American citizens "He'll tell you things - his opin• rounded up into internment camps, The 35-year- old Ochi received the highest score among 20 finalists for the were children ... but the voices of ions of other priests - and other the FBI targeted Shinto and Air Guitar World Championships. mom and dad, and grandma and gossipy things. But he also really Buddhist priests. Judges base their decision on how well contestants mimic playing guitar, grandpa have not been recognized. said what he thought in a personal ''To be Buddhist, you were con- as well as an undefined quality qilled "airness." . "Popular accounts of camp life and direct tone," added Williams, See DIARIES/page 13 6 SEPT. 21-OCT. 4, 2007 NATIONAL PACIFIC 51 CmZEN FUJIYAMAS noons, playing a game of soccer gling in Honduras, so nothing is with the orphans or organizing field easy. They are learning how to right (Continued from page 1) trips. Frequently their days e!ld at 11 things." built an education center, bettered p.m. Younger brother Gaku, a student the lives of the children in the Although their days are long at Vrrginia Tech, has headed twice to Copprome Orphanage, installed a and often tedious, with the support . Honduras to help his siblings. He is water system, and are now building of their family - which includes nQW president o.f the school's SHH 75 much-needed homes. All this and two -more siblings - they are chapter. they just recently graduated from determined to plow ahead. "I have never seen anyone that college. '''They love it. My mom, dad, is as devoted to their own organi• '''The children at the orphanages in brother, and cQusin have all visited zation as much as Shin and Honduras had very little to live off Honduras to. see us and to see the Cosmo," said Gaku. "They have of. They were sharing toothbrushes kids," said Shin. both pushed aside their ordinary and shoes. They were sleeping on In the Fujiyama family, vo.lun• lives in o.rder to do what they are the floor because the facilities were teering and bettering mankind doing right now with SHH." seems to -be a family affair. "We love sharing our story and so overcrowded. I knew I had to do Students Helping Honduras Parents Yuichiro and Aoi getting as many peQple, young something," said Shin, a University volunteers (pictured above Fujiyama have traveled to people in particular, to believe that of Mary Washington (UMW) alum• with localS) are working to Honduras to see first hand the we can make a difference," said ni. build news homes in Siete difference their children are rnak• Cosmo, "but that it is an active In the past few years Shin and de Abril. ing. Last Christmas they visited choice." • Cosmo - both fluent in Japanese, the orphans of Copprome. Spanish, and English - have Gaku Fujiyama (pictured "If they see peo.ple who. need help, To start or join a SHH chapter at become pennanent :l;ixtures in Siete righ~ recently visted his sis• they think how they can ~elp," said your university, or to donate: de Abril. Their accomplishments can ter Cosmo at the Yuichiro. "Everyday they are strug- www.StudentsHelpingHonduras.org be seen in every orphan's smiling Copprome Orphanage. face and in the residents' enthusiastic greetings. There's even a "Shin and started crying. That made me cry . Fujiyama School of Hope, ' a name Copprome Orphanage. YAMATOTRAVELBUREAU® and I hugged her really tight and "I think they've (people of Siete (CST No. 1019309-10) chosen by the local residents. i "~lt l rIHI~'" promised to. her that I'll do. whatever de Abril) responded pretty well. 1Kor1<1ldde "Copprome Orphanage was it takes' to make that dream come Unlike big organizations like where my heart was illuminated," TOURS & CRUISES FOR 2007 • true," said Shin. USAID [U.S. Agency fo.r said Cosmo, a recent graduate of the Oct 3-10 Yamato Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Tour· 8 da% visiting Roswell UFO MusetJT1, Car1sbad So far he has kept that promise. International Development] or the Caverns, White Sands National MonlJT1ellt, AbJquerque Ballooo Festival mass ascension, table car to College of William and Mary. ~ By the summer of 2005, Shin had UN, we spend a lot of time with the Sandia Peak, Taos, Durango (Colorado) to board the Narrow Gauge Railway to Silverton, Verde • "Surrounded by 50-plus children for . National Pari< and Gallup. Philippe ThenauH returned to Siete de Abril and this people that we help and get to knQW 24n, for two . weeks, my life was Oct 12·17 YamatoJlDC Northern California Sampler - 6 days rot.rdtrip from San Francisco, visiti1g San time he was joined by his younger them at a personal level," said Shin. charged with an energy and desire to Luis Obispo, San SineoniHearst Castle, Monterey, Napa Valey i'duding ItIlCh aboard the Napa Valley Wine sister. Cosmo. had just finished an Shin and Cosmo recently graduat• Train plus visits to 3 wineries and the Marin Cheese Factory in Petait.ma. Additional nights in San Francisco ~ be the change I wanted to see for internship at a women's rights insti• ed from college - Shin with a can arranged after the tour. Peggy Mikuni these children." tute in neighboring Nicaragua and degree in International Affairs and Oct 3G-Nov. 13 Yamato Deluxe Autumn Tour to Japan -15 days visiting Kagoshima, Kumamoto,. . Hiroshina, 'lOOago, Kyoto and Tokyo. WAiTUST BASIS Peggy Mtkunl an American Studies and Women's decided to. visit Shin in Honduras. Nov. 8-18 Yamato Tour to Oklnawa & Japan -11 days visitf'g Naha, Manza Beach, ~ , Kunamoto, For Carmen and the The squalid cQnditions of the Studies degree for Cosmo. Shin has Nagasaki, Fukuoka and Hiroshima. Ully Nomura Orphans refugee community had the same aspirations to become a pediatrician When Shin speaks about helping effect on CQsmo. Soon after that trip and Cosmo is headed for a career in the people of Honduras, he often the siblings had come up with the law. But they've decided to put their . PROPOSED TOURS FOR 2008 tells the story of a young girl named idea for Students Helping Honduras. education on hold for now, instead Feb.21·26 Yamato Egypt Sampler Tour ·6 days, inctuding 2 niglts in Cairo and 2 nig/lts in Giza, including high. lights of Cairo and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Deluxe accommodations. Grace Sakamoto Cannen. He met the young girl, now "Shin and I knew that our work dedicating the 'next few years to 7~ ~ 10, on his ninth trip to Siete de Abril, was not done after we left·the coun• SHH. Feb. 23-Mar. 3 Yamato Nile Cruise -9 days or as a extension to the Egypt Sampler, 4 nig1I Cruise the Nile on board the luxurious 5-starThe Oberoi Philae. Grace Sakamoto This most recent trip to. Honduras a refugee community whose name try. Our promises to return and to April Yamato Deluxe Spring Tour to Japan Peggy Mikuni translates to "April 7," the date this find long-tenn solutions WQuid not is Shin's 12th visit, a few less for Aprll1-7 Yamato Cherry Blossom Tour· 7 days visiting PhiIa~, Larcaster, Washington, D.C. , MI. Vernon village was fonned after Hurricane go unanswered," said CQsmo. "We Cosmo. AlthQugh they've seen a lot and the U.S. Naval Academy. Uly Nomura May 1·10 Yamato Mackinac Island with Collette Vacations· 10 days visiting Southfietd, Frankermuth, Mitch hit in 1998. knew at this point that the toughest of their ideas come to fruition, they feel there's still a lQt more work to Holland, featuring the Tulip Festivat, Grand Rapids and Mackinac, then to Green Bay, WISCOOSin and Chicago, Cannen lives here selling fruit to battle was ahead - to find a long Illinois . . help her parents feed the family, tenn, sustainable method to assist in do. May 5-10 Yamato Exclusive Southern Cities Tour -6 days visiting New Orleans where you wift visit Oak The Fujiyamas are nQW working Alley Plantation and to Avery Island, horne to Tabasco Sauce; Camp ShelbylHattieshurg where the which includes her two. younger the areas of greatest need." to develQP an English and tutoring 442nG'I00th rnitiIary troops trained; VICksburg to visit the National Miitary Park, site of a Civit ~ar Battle and brothers. Her home is a cardboard Memphis to visit Elvis PresIey's Graceland. lily Nomura shack and each day she wears the Raising Money, Building center at Copprome Orphanage and June 5-17 Yamato Spectacular Scandinavia with Collette Vacations -13 days visiting Stockhom, same blue tank top with the word a village rebuilding project at Siete Sweden, Osto, liIIehanYner, Loon, Stalheim and Bergen, Norway and Copenhagen, Dervnarl<. Hope de Abril- not only building homes Sharon Seto "Clifford" on it. Yet, everyday her July Yamato Tour to Hokkaido Peggy Mikuni Although Shin and Cosmo had but building a community center, face is emblazoned with a smile. Sept 11·21 Yarnato Colors of Canada & New England, aboard Holland America's new ms detennination in abundance, they bringing a water purification system, Shin first traveled to Honduras in Eurodam - 10 days sailing from Quebec toSaguenay , St. Lawrence River, Char1ot1etowniPrince Edward needed money. They asked their fel• and expanding their school. They Island Sydney and HaIifaxlNow Scotia, Bar HarborMaine, Boston, NewportlRhode Island and New '1bl1<. 2004 with the UMW group Campus , Sharon Seto low students fQr help, held bake will alSo. welcome 150 student vol• Christian Community.. Since than he October Yamato Deluxe Autumn Tour to Japan Peggy Mikuni sales and car washes, and organized unteers over the winter break. has made a number of trips helping November Yarnato Tour to China Peggy Mikuni two successful walkathons. SHH "Our biggest responsibility is to to build new roofs for the town's Nov. 2-8 Yamato Southern Chann with Collette Vacations· 7 days visitf'g Charteston and Bealbt, soon became a multi-campus effort provide emotional support and pro• South Carotina, Savamah, Jekylisland and Sl Sinons Island, Georgia and St Augustine and JacksonviIe, families and provide food and cloth• joining together the University of vide as much support and love as we Florida ing for the Qrphans. But when this Mary Washington, College Qf can," said Cosmo. particular trip came to an end, Yamato Travel Bureat..® continues to be a full service travel agency. This means we William and Mary, University of will sell all phases of leisure and corporate travel: airline tickets; .hotel aCCOf'!lmoda• Cannen's tears remained with Shin VIrginia, Vrrginia Tech, and All in the Famlly tions; car rentals; tours; cruises; rail passes, etc. We also have dtscounted airfare to even as he headed back hQme to. many destinations. Please call on our experienced travel consultants for your travel Georgeto.wn University. On this particular morning Shin Falls Church, VIrginia. and tour arrangements. . . Before long the non-profit had and CQsmQ started their workday at Professional Memberships: American Society ofTravel Agents (ASTA), Cruise Unes It made him even more deter• raised close to $500,000. 7 a.m. and by mid-morning they International Association (CUA), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), VACA• mined to return and do more for In the past few years, hundreds Qf were meeting with the maYQr, of El TlON.COM (a national consortium). Cannen and the people of Siete de volunteers have headed to Honduras Progreso to work Qn building per• Pleas visit our website at: www.yamatotravel.com Abril. helping to build new roofs, a school, mits fQr the 75 new homes they will YAMATOTRAVELBUREAU® "[Cannen] told me she had Qne a public bathroom, and a do.rmitory. build. Lunch was spent brainstQnn• 250 East First Street, Suite 1112 dream, that one day her family and Los Angeles, CA 90012-3827 Through their effQrts they have ing with fellow nQn-profit groups in (213) 680-0333 OR (800) 334-4982 all Qf her friends in the village would helped to feed, clothe, and educate the area. They Qften head to the Email: [email protected] have real homes. She hugged me the often fo.rgotten children of the Copprome Orphanage in the after- PACIFIC 51 CmzEN

The National JACL recently announced its 2007 and West, and my realization that they are inextricably connect• during World War II does not happen again. scholarship winners. The following are recipients ed, was sparked by the atomic breath ray of this terrible yet from the freshman, graduate, undergraduate, law, wonderful creature (Godzilla), and that whatever perspective I Shigeki "Shake" Ushio Memorial creative and performing arts, and financial aid divi• may have on events on the world stage has been achieved by standing on the shoulders of this giant. sions with excerpts from their personal statements. Steven Heleker Snake River Valley Chapter This year, JACLawarded 28 scholarships totaling Patricia & Gail Ishimoto Memorial Boise State University $55,000. Kenji Morimoto All throughout my life I have wanted to FRESHMEN Chicago Chapter do something where I would have a voice. " Brown University (East Asian Studies Recently I have realized that my dream is Henry & Chiyo Kuwahara Memorial major) to become a fibnmaker, something that would allow me to show the world the Jaclyn D'Arcy Over the years of personally infused way I see things, my perspective on life. Every film that I cre• Watsonville-Santa Cruz Chapter Japanese American history, I have ate will have a strong Japanese and Asian influence in much the Princeton University (Biochem major) become the unofficial family archivist, same as every painting is a reflection of its painter. I feel that it weaving together and synthesjzing these is my responsibility as both an aspiring filmmaker and a citizen Around the same time I was in Japanese stories, facts anecdotes, and pictures, to document the history of of the Untied States of America to honor my Asian heritage by school, I became passionate about dance. my family, my ancestral cultural, hoping to understand how this telling of the rich history that Asian Americans have and their Being on an award-winning dance com- · has shaped who I am. I have come to appreciate the JA legacy contributions to U.S. history and culture through their overcom• petition team, I traveled across the country my grandparents and great grandparents have given me and ing of adversity through hard work and integrity. competing in regional and national dance have embraced my ancestral language, a language neither of competitions .... I am the only Asian American on my team. my parents knew. Wanting to share this, I have given many pre• Mas & Majiu Uyesugi Memorial Proud of my Asian appearance, I represent AAs in the dance sentations in history classes about the JA internment during world, and hope to inspire other Asians to join competition World War II and arrange speakers to talk about their intern• Wendi Sekimura ment experiences. dance. Moreover, I plan to pursue a PhD in sports medicine, Berkeley Chapter specializing in prevention treatments for dancers and other ath• Brown University letes so they do not get injured in the future. As my bachan has Masao & Sumako ltano Memorial always told me, everything that I do is a reflection on my As '-the Japanese American author Japanese heritage. I hope to honor my Japanese American her• John Kawamura Yoshiko Uchida observed, it is as though itage by becoming a role model in dance and sports medicine ' Berkeley JACL she is bound to Japan by a "long invisible Brown University thread." As a fourth generation JA, I also Mr. & Mrs. Takahashi Moriuchi feel the tug of that same thread. This tug For the past four years, I have sat on the draws me on a continual journey through which I learn more MariOye board of directors of the Berkeley JACL about the numerous facets of my identity. My passion is exam• New England Chapter acting as the high school youth represen• ining the duality of my cultural identity by exploring my multi• Yale University (English major) tative. During this time I have learned an ple cultures: Japanese and American. Prior to high school, I had incredible amount about the JACL and participated in a number of cultural activities: Japanese summer how it functions. Of all my experiel1ce with the JACL, the most My heritage is easier to honor than to school, private Japanese language lessons, trips to Japan, and an define. I am used to spelling out M-A-R-I rewarding has been my internship at the 2004 national conven• Asian American summer camp. However, being JA has also for strangers, then explaining that my tion in Hawaii. As an intern, I worked behind the scenes at the taught me about racism and diversity and the need for tolerance name is Japanese and I am Japanese convention to make sure thafeverything worked as planned. By and acceptance. Although my cultural identity plays a large role American. I am the I1Ulkizushi and apple attending the delegation meetings, I saw how dozens of chap• in my life, it's not the only thing that defines me: my experi• pie I eat at Thanksgiving dinner, the New England snowflakes ters could come together to make nationwide decisions. It was ence, values, and surroundings are equally influential I catch on my tongue, and the stories I have heard from my amazing to see hundreds of people rallied behind the cause. By grandparents. My grandmother was interned at Poston and my ' being immersed within the JACL community for the entire Mitsuyuki Yonemura Memorial grandfather in Gila, Arizona. week, I learned more about the JACL than I had the past year. Sondra Morishima Sam S. Kuwahara Memorial Gongoro Nakamura Memorial Florin Chapter New York University Elizabeth Uno Kenneth Kato New York Chapter Florin Chapter In my life I hope to be active in the Yale University UCLA community and politics and give a voice not only to the people of the United States I can best honor my Japanese American but also to women and Asian Americans. ... as president of my school's Asian Culture Club, where I have tried not only heritage by ensuring that another group of Through my actions and words, I hope to to foster appreciation of Asian culture but people will never again be treated as the show that a person's capacity and potential has very little to do also to bring an Asian perspective to far internees were in camp. By sharing my with how he or she looks. I do not want others to fall into the ranging discussions on current domestic knowledge and spreading awareness, I trap of labeling me as a one-dimensional character and thus and world affairs: I hope in the future to continue to bridge the can inspire my peers to learn about history and its relevance in underestimating me or those I represent. By eliminating stereo• two communities that were so formative in my identity. I can today's society. As a citizen of the USA, I have the power to types I hope not only to honor my heritage but also help Asians truly say that my fascination with the interplay between East make sure another mistake as dire"as the interment of the JAs as a whole, and give back to the community. 8 SEPT. 21-00: 4, 2007 SCHOlARSHIPS PACIFIC § CIIIZ£N

Hanayagi Rokumie Memorial My experiences have led me to believe admirable, ethical, and beneficial to others. I've come to realize the 'best way for me to honor my Asian that this is a perpetual war [for social justice] that every society Annie Noguchi heritage as an American citizen is by prac• struggles with. As a war, there are many battles that will be lost, Florin Chapter ticing medicine in the United States and to as well as ~on, along the way. Furthermore, focus must not be UCBerkeley continue to serve as a bridge between distraught by setbacks, as persistence will lead to progress and Japan and the U.S. through humanitarian• victory may take years upon years to reach. I honor my Asian American heritage by ism jUld leadership. I am drawn to medi• ensuring that it is not forgptten. I share my cine because of its humanitarian and inter• Reverend H. John Yamashita Memorial heritage with others through cultural disl::iplmary nature; the combination of intellectQal. curiosity Graduate Scholarship activities - as the lead.dancer of the Ban and philanthropy the field represents is lirnitl~ ~~s no Eum Korean Dance ~4 ~ 1;}~ Trou~, ,as cultural, racial, or ethnic boundaries. Service irabout synipathy Elli Nagai-Rothe it taiko student at Koyasan Temple, and as.aJapanese Minyo and giving; humanitarianism is about empathy and empOwer- Berkeley Chapter dance student with Sakura Minyo Doo K06 Kai. ' Last ment. I want to be a humanitarian. ". December, I helped to coordinate a JACL Youth trip to San I believe I can best honor my Asian her• Francisco for" a mochi workshop, Japanese American camp art Minoru Yasui Memorial Graduate itage by fostering equity and standing up exhibit, and' Japantown shopping. For years, I've shared my Scholarship against social and civil injustice, to be a heritage by writing a monthly column for the San Francisco• change-maker committed to peace based Nichi Bei Times newspaper. Since age twelve, I've high• Leslie Tamura through meaningful dialogue. The dra• lighted the importance of cultural events and issues affecting , FresnoJACL matic increase of racial profiling and Asian American youth today. Northwestern University (JournaIism) xenophobia in the United States post 9/11 is eerily reminiscent of the culture of fear that fueled mass displacement of thou• Whjle it is the responsibility of every sands of Japanese American citizens from their homes into GRADUATE individual to contribute to the social dis• internment camps during WWll. The JA community proved cussion of cultural identity and preserva• their loyalty and maintained their dignity in spite of this blatant Henry & Chiyo Kuwahara Memorial tion, my current involvement with the exploitation of civil rights. Despite such grave injustice com• Graduate Scholarship APA community has motivated me to mitted against him and his family, my great uncle George went continue the dialogue through my developing skills as a jour• to fight in the 442nd Regiment and received a Purple Heart nalist. With so many stereotypes surrounding the "Asian medal for his service - an act that continually 'inspires me and Rachel Endo American," more individuals need to realize that the APA com• influences my perception of social justice. OmahaJACL munity has influenced and helped mold the American identity, University of Dlinois (AA Studies and and this is only possible by further involvement and conversa• Multicultural Education) tions about the dynamic APA community. DENTISTRY I believe that the only hope for chang• ing attitudes or transforming structures is 'Henry & Chiyo Kuwahara Dr. Kiyoshi Sonoda Memorial Dentistry through a combination of activism and Memorial Graduate Scholarship education. Since a large portion of con• Scholarship temporary and historical educational research either excludes Asian Americans in discussion on multicultural education, or Ryan portrays incomplete, incorrect, or outright offensive informa• Chin Congratulations • • • tion about AA children and families, I find teaching moments Seattle rewarding because I am directly able to address some of these JACL . '. to all the scholarship recipients AND glaring errors and omissions...... If I can even reach out to a Seattle University (Business applicants. Your accomplishments are Administration) few people, I am satisfied knowing that they will more than considerable and admirable. Your likely change their practices based on what they learned from me. However, I still have a long ways to go, as I wish to reach During my brief life, I have successful efforts reflect well on you, your out to more people through the power of my teaching. made it a priority to focus on families and your community. Best wishes issues of social justice. in all your future endeavors. Nisaburo Aibara Memorial Graduate Pursumg social justice is my Scholarship way of honoring my values as CAROL KAWAMOTO, N,ational JACl VICe an Asian American - it President for Planning & Development Yohko Murakami allows me to help others San Francisco JACL receive the same opportuni- DAVID KAWAMOTO, National JACl Stanford University (Medicine) ties and freedoms that I've received in a manner that is SchoIa'ship Cornrmtee Chair

Watso 'I~-Santa cruz Con8ratu(ations . ,JAn congt'01ulates J"adyn beArcy LesUe! on her exceptional QccompiishtrMmts. We are 50 yroud of you. Love, 'Mom,'Dad, 'Kenny &' 'Bradfey A\CIFiC ilCIlIZEN SQiOlARSHIPS SEPT.. 21.ocT. 4. 2007 9

Peter Shigeki Frandsen scale, I am perfecting my teaching skills by completing training Mt Olympus JACL to become a classroom speaker. This way, I will be abie to reach Alice Yuriko Endo Memorial Undergraduate Columbia University (Dentistry) more people and spark interest in the historical topic by ~ving Scholarship a personal touch to the history lesson. .. Now, this personal statement is not a Yukiko Ishiwata forum to discuss the places in the world Kenji Kajiwara Memorial Undergraduate. New York JACL that I have traveled, but rather travelogue Scholarship :.,..."~ Queens College, City University of ,.. of thoughts and lessons that I have taken . " New York (Music) from a broad exposure to the world, locally and globally. I Greg Koike Stillman believe it is the responsibility of those that have the ability to Salt Lake City JACL With a newfound self-confidence, I look after and assist those that do not To me, this is the defini• University of Utah (Medicine) now have formed a free Japanese lan• tion of community and the hallmark of citize~bip, Th':ls if we guage tutoring service on the Queens as Japanese Americans are to influence those communities, It is this characteristic of commitment College campus with my colleagues. This locally and globally, that we reside within, w.e must first gamer that younger generations should focus on. service is the first time in Queens College history. My fellow as much information and experience that we can. Yet, this is not Being able to commit to something means musicians and I gave a recital of Japanese songs. Though my the end, but rather the vehicle to stimulate change with 'our you are able to internalize goals and see an contributions to society may be minimal, I know that I can acquired understanding and knowledge. This will make ootter idea through to the very end. I don't sug• make a great impact with my subtlety. This is my way of hon• citizens and more solid communities in all the places in which gest that in order to honor our Asian heritage everyone should oring my ASIan heritage. we participate. As JAs, we have a distinct advantage to access be committed to cultural preservation, or JACLinvolvement, or this information and these experiences because of our unique civil rights advocacy. I do suggest that honor will be given to Saburo Kido Memorial Undergraduate ancestry that established the solid framework upon which we our Asian heritage if commitment is displayed in whatever Scholarship must build and propagate our ideals. aspect of life the individual is pursuing. This can be commit• ment to family, commitment to your career, commitment to Jennifer Nishizaki your education, or commitment to one's religion. I honor my F10rinJACL DERGAADUATE heritage by striving for the same dedication, in aspects of my UC Berkeley (Education) life, which my grandparents had in theirs. I believe in this Henry & Chiyo Kuwahara Memorial because through commitment comes strength and with strength Everyday, 1,000 WWIl veterans are Undergraduate Scholarship I will be able to face the challenge of daily l,ife and ensure suc• dying, many without getting the.opportu• cess. nity to pass on their stories to their. chil• Stevie Hatakeyama dren and their grandchildren. I think it is SonomaJACL Nobuko R. Kodama Fong Memorial our responsibility as citizens of the U.S. to Sonoma State University (Nursing) Undergraduate Scholarship honor our unique JA history and heritage by keeping these sto• ries alive. There needs to be fairer and more comprehensive Education includes the education of Karin Hayashida coverage of the JA experience in history classes. Films like both myself and of others. By learning all Boise Valley JACL '''The War" will help to spread the word in classrooms and that I can about Asian past experiences in Albertson College of Idaho households across America, but it is also up to us to ensure that America, I honor the people who lived in (Biology/Chemistry) these stories, these heroes, don't fade into oblivion. That is why a trying time in history. More specifically, my children, my friends, my family will all know the story of it is especially important to me that I learn about the past of my As an American citizen, I am a person my grandpa and my family. For the rest of my life, I will carry direct ancestors. I realize that it is their struggles and triumphs of mixed cultures. The United States is these stories with me, remembering, and passing on the history that have paved the way for my successful college student life. known as the so-called "melting pot" not . to everyone I meet. Learning about my herimge gives me a heightened self-aware• just for races, but.for cultures as well. I am ness and an increased sense of self. In return, I thank them by a Japanese American citizen, and while I have grown up with Sam S. Kuwahara Memorial Undergraduate educating others about JA history. This is not done in an overt the American culture I still honor my Japanese heritage. There Scholarship and preachy fashion. Instead, it is done through answering the are many forms of honor, but the most important to me is my inquiry of the people who surround me. If a lesson comes up in concept of familY, and values. By building a family network Chris Batalon history class or a topic arises in conversation related to the JA based on the values I have learned from my parents and grand• Seattle JACL experience, I am happy to throw in some fun facts. On a larger parents I arn honoring my Asian hentage. University of Washington

THE Honoring one's Asian heritage can be Congratulations U UNIVERSITY difficult in the society we live in today. I · OF UTA'H feel the two most responsive ways to do Greg! sO are: 1) staying connected with your cul• ture and keeping it always in your family You'll make a great Chief of Staff c(() JI11~g]rooll11urJloolltJl (() ][11§ Love, Davd, Mom, Wendy, Marc & Grandma lLoolluurceJl ~ We &lye so -pyouol of tj0U! Love, OTD ." Mo VlIt VlItet, FROM THE Pet-pet, 6Vl1t~ Ckic:C:t90 Ckc.pt.ey - C1 yet ~ol VlItet www.jaclchicago.org et ~ol C1 yet ~ol-pet 10 SEPT. 21-OCT. 4, 2007

traditions, and 2) doing community work to promote identity Portland JACL and ethnic heritage, because up and coming generations are Lewis and Clark or Willamette University (Law) In each arena, it is critical to have attorneys who advocate for going to be so jumbled as to where to fit in and we need lead• the most vulnerable, and for communities ers to help them see the bigger picture. My parents and grandparents also to be empowered to assert their funda• charged me - albeit indirectly, of course mental rights. I am inspired and commit• Dr. Thomas T. Yatabe Memorial - with learning to be humble and at the ted to working on both purposes, and Undergraduate Scholarship same time, being proud of our -:Japanese .view it as a powerful strategy to achieve background. I hope I have well served the social justice and empower the Asian and Laurel Uenaka JA and APA communities, but feel there is Pacific Islander American community, as west Valley JACL more I need to accomplish. Perhaps the well as other marginalized communities. California State University, 'Chico thread that has led me to this point began The convergence of my experiences and (Child Development and Liberal in 1942 and with injustice. However, as I my values pushes me to develop my skills in order to strongly Studies) continue to follow the path, I do so now with dedication, a sense serve and empower the APIA community. I have Witnessed of hope, and an eagerness to learn and grow as a member of a firsthand how lawyers positively change people's lives and I will honor my heritage in the future by new community, the community oflaw. With continued support society as a whole, and I am deeply moved to be a part of this passing on what I know to my future chil• from the JACL, I am confident I will be able to further my edu• effort. dren. They will learn firsthand what it cation, achieve my dream and continue to give back to our com• means to be Japanese American. The key to honoring a heritage munities. is to keep that heritage alive for future generations to be a part STUDENT AID of. This can only be done with an appreciation of one's culture's Professor Sho Sato Memorial Law past by creating a bond between the older and younger genera• Scholarship Abe & Esther Hagiwara Memorial Student tions with an appreciation of our elders. Aid Award Brandon Mita Chicago JACL Lily Anne Yumi Welty . ~ PERFORMING ARTS Howard University (Law) Ventura County JACL UC Santa Barbara (History) Aiko Susanna Hiratsuka Memorial As an aspiring civil rights attorney and Performing Arts Scholarship advocate for social justice, I hope that in The Japanese American experience the future, I remember my roots and the highlights community, perseverance, his• struggle past generations have gone torical memory and education as pillars of Yukari Watanabe through to get us where we are today. I success in the United States. It is the effec• New York JACL hope that I will honor my Asian heritage by seeing myself as a tiveness and efficiency of our community in these areas that Manhattan School of Music (Music) person of color in a pluralistic American society. It is my wish provide an example to American society. To best honor my to be like Yuri Kochiyama, Grace Lee Boggs, and Philip Vera Asian heritage is to continue this tradition and set an example By taking advantage of our great abili• Cruz who stand beside Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and in my community, both the Asian American community and my ty, I am trying to blend the Japanese music Cesar Chavez to usher in a new day for America's youth. This local community.• sense into AmericanlWestern music in my is because, I am honored to be a citizen of the greatest country case it is Jazz. Creating a great Jazz with in the world where we are free to express ourselves and free to On behalf of the ruitional JACL Scholarship Committee the Japanese musical sense will be a great pursue our greatest happiness without fear of retribution or.con• Chair David Kawamoto would like to thank the Chicago chap• way to honor my heritage. sequence. I can honor my Asian heritage by embracing myself ter and the Central California District Council for their signif• as an Asian American . . icant assistance with the 2007 national scholarship program. Chicago chapter volunteers were Ron Yoshino (chair), Pat LAW' Mary Reiko Osaka Memorial Law Harada, Joyce Morimoto, lisa Sakai, Pat Yuzawa-Rubin, Ellie Scholarship Olin, and George Wong. Central California District Council Thomas T. Hayashi Memorial Law volunteers were Bobbi Hanada (chair), Ralph Kumano, and Scholarship Miya Saika Chen Bob Taniguchi. JACL thanks them for their time and effort in Berkeley JACL screening the hundreds of applications. Michelle Sugahiro American University (Law) Because of the excellent quality of all the applications sub• mittedfrom throughout the national JACL na"owing the selec• tion to the 28 recipients was a very difficult task. Also, with only Congratulations, limited staffassistance, all ofthe processing ofthe applications, Congratulations follow up communications with applicants and the verification Karin! process with recipients were handled by volunteers. Miya! Love, Dad, Mom, We're so very proud and Kristin FLORIN JACL congratulates of you for pursuing a 2007 National JACL Scholarship law degree to further Recipients ... Sondra Morishima your commitment Con9ratulations~ Jennifer Nishizaki to social justice .. Annie Noguchi Ke'1ii! Elizabeth Uno Thank you to Florin Chapter's Scholarship Chairperson Ruth Seo and her Committee for their dedication. Love, www.florinjacl.com Dad, Mom, and Emiko PACIFIC II CrnZEN VOICES SEPT. 21-OCT. 4, 2007 II

• CHERYL WATAMVRA MARTINEZ • • HARRY HONDA • VERY TRULY YOURS ABROAD VIEW . Sizing up PANA' After 25 Years: The 'North• Little Tokyo in Germany South Fever'

NE "personal" beat this former P.c. editor has enjoyed were the live in the city of Cologne, Germany. About 50 I get home and open up the can or package, I am chew• O PANA conventions since the first one in Mexico City in 1981. Chuck I kilometers north of us is the city of Duesseldorf. ing on something I recognize. This has not always been Kubokawa (Sequoia JACL), who headed JACL's international rela• Although it isn't really very far away, to a Cologne the case. tions committee, invited one Nisei from Toronto (George Irnai) and two from resident, it is another world, filled with residents we As it turns out, there are several different types of Mexico City (Carlos Kasuga and Enrique Shibayama) to relate their respective regard as "snobby" and "arrogant." If you can imagine, nori for wrapping rice. Some have not been so tasty. lives in the community. they even have a different name for beer! Of course, But not to be daunted, I continue on a trial-and-error Though the national JACL's travel program was officially discontinued, Duesseldorfers think of us as "low class" and "rude," basis to try my luck. This particular store also has a there were 80 in that first JACL contingent to PANA. Afterwards, some of us although I can't imagine why. All this rivalry goes back very inviting selection of fresh slabs of sushi and pre• visited Texmico, an abandoned hacienda halfway from Mexico City to some centuries, I've heard, to the times when Romans cooked teriyaki chicken. They even have fresh ika and Acapulco that served as a wwn internment place for Japanese who were told inhabited Cologne, made it the great city that it is today, tako, which are my favorites. by the Mexican govemment to move 100 km Wand away from the U.S. bor• and initiated the jealous feelings Duesseldorf has for The only big problem for me is standing at the count• der. Cologne. er trying to order something: When it's my turn, I am Swapping personal wwn experiences with Japanese in other countries You wouldn't think that Germany could be home to asked something in Japanese, no doubt along the lines began at a PANA convention. They still remain as currency in the Nikkei great Japanese food, which is even better than what I've of ''What can I help you with?" But being unsure, I world. had in San Francisco. But it is. The reason is because first say in German that I am very sbrry but I don't Dusseldorf hosts Europe's third largest Japanese expa• speak Japanese. This is always greeted with an aston• The 'Fever' from the South triate population. London is home to the most Japanese ished reaction, which must be akin to, "You sure look Whatever interest about Japanese in Latin America was mostly academic. living outside of their horne country, with Paris coming Japanese, are you mentally deficient or pretending not Among JACLers, they read a 22-week series in the Pacific Citizen in the in a close second. to understand us?" In any case, with lots of finger 1950s by Univ. of Utah professor of anthropology Dr. Elmer Smith on How did this happen? After World War IT, th~ pointing, because most of the clerks don't speak Japanese in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Peru. Photographs by Toge Japanese were interested in possibilities of working German, I manage to get my order in. Bujihira of New York accompanied the entire series in the 1973 P.c. Holiday with German industrial companies. The location on the After all that shopping, I am usually famished and Issue. . . Rhine River was also ideal for transportation routes. run over to tpy favorite restaurant, Na Ni Wa. This is an An ever-present topic at PANA conventions has been "Nikkei identity" and Today, all sorts of Japanese industries have settled in "inexpensive" Japanese restaurant, specializing in noo• it was fully explored at the 14th COPAN! (COnvenci6n PAnamericana NIkkeI) Dusseldorf, including those in the Japanese banking, dles. By inexpensive, I mean a bowl of udon costs in July at Sao Paulo with delegates from the Yokohama-based Association of insurance~ and shipping areas. Additionally, service • about 12 dollars. And tea isn't free. Still, In Germany Nikkei and Japanese Aboard (Kaigai Nikkeijin Kyokai). companies have cropped up to serve those business that is cheap for a Japanese meal. This restaurant is so In homogeneous Japan, the term "Nikkei" once reserved to mean "emi• people and their families. Therefore there are lots of popular, that it is rare when a line hasn't formed outside grant," has changed to include dekosegi or foreign-born Nisei who came to really gr:eat Japanese restaurants and shops in an area the door. But the wait, is worth it, and you know it's a live and work in Japan from the 1980s, according to keynote speaker Prof. known as Little Tokyo on the Rhine. great place by, the many Japanese who are also waiting Kotaro Horisaka of Sophia University, Tokyo, on the convention theme, The Japanese area is packed into a densely crowded in line. "Contributions of Nikkei to the Progress of Their Societies" area around Irnmermann Street, home to several gro• Oh, now I've rambled on so much about Little In America, the term Nikkei is inclusive of all persons of Japanese ancestry, cery stores, gift shops, bookstores, clothing stores, a Tokyo, that I didn't have time to mention the EKO even "children of international marriages and of corporate Japanese employees Nikko Hotel and many restaurants. 0)1 any Saturday House of Japanese Culture, across the Rhine in the sub• who have gone abroad and decided to stay," as Horisaka would identify. morning the streets are filled with Japanese families urb of Niederkassel. It has a real J apapese Buddhist doing their weekly shopping. temple, a serene Japanese garden and an original tea• And Counting the Hapa Nikkei I prefer one of the larger grocery stores because of house. But on the other hand, I have to tempt you with In Mexico, the question was "how can Nisei transfer their heritage to the their premium choice of Japanese delicacies. something for a future article, so I'll stop here with the younger generation?" There are 25,000 Japanese in Mexico, according to their . Unfortunately, since I am probably the only "Japanese" thought of steaming udon urging me to soon make HOth anniversary celebration report last year of Japanese immigration. And by who can't read the labels, the storeowners haven't got• another trip to Duesseldorf. • adding Nikkei of mixed marriages where Spanish is the first language, the ten around to changing the labels to English. And with number is around 70,000, many of whom live in the state of Chiapas where food terms, my German is sometimes a bit lacking. So I You can reach Cheryl Watamura Martinez at: the first Japanese landed in 1896. try to identify the pictures on the labels and hope when [email protected] In Argentina, the first Japanese group came from Okinawa in 1908 through Brazil. Others from Peru conquered the snow-covered Andes, walking down to Mendoza in the 191Os. Dekosegi returning now from Japan are able to pro• mote cultural connections with govemment, contribute to schools and the care of elders. HEY_ GUESS WHAr?! In Bolivia, Nikkei are ''well-regarded'' as a class addressing community problems in health and education. Their identity has been maintained through THERE'S TALK OF NAME language schools and promotion of cultural heritage since the 1950s in Santa CHANGE FOR JA.CL!!! Cruz, where PANA held its convention in 2003. The first Japanese came in 1899 to work in the rubber plantations in the tropic north. The lone Kaigai Nikkeijin Kai delegate from Jakarta, Heru S. Eto noted there are 300 different ethnic communities in Indonesia today. Promoting edu• cation awareness of Japanese language is a real problem, but working with a college in Tokushima, Japan, has been worthwhile in this effort.

In the State of Sao Paulo NIKKEI FROM NORI'H and South America gathered with Japanese from Japan in mid-July in Sao Paulo, Brazil-where 1.8 million Nikkei live in the state of the same name (about the size, I estimate, of the state of Wisconsin - around 400 and 450 miles at the most distant points) and 80 percent of them in metropolitan Sao Paulo of 14 million . . So, how many Nikkei live in Wisconsin today? About 5,000? And the last U.S. Census tallied 800,000 Nikkei (Hapa included) in the nation .• , - , 12 SEPT. 21-0CT. 4, 2007 ENTERTAINMENT PACIFIC e= CmZEN cross between '''The Sarah Silverman Jolla Comedy Store and saw a sign. Show" and Bobby's own wild life It said "Dishwasher Wanted," so ("I get beat and stuff in the show . Bobby answered. At the Comedy because I always do. This punk beat Store, manager Fred Bums told me up three times last week"). The Bobby he was funny and should try . Comedy Central show will also standup. tackle social issues like the differ• ences- between Blacks and Koreans. His 'Movie Career' "Hasn't 'Rush Hour' helped us at "I don't have one," said Bobby all?" he deadpanned. about his big screen career. "As an Asian "Let's talk about the failure American guy, I feel 'They cut the of 'Kickin it Old Skool.' like we still don't budget by 40 Did you see it?" have a voice on tele• No, we didn't. But nei• vision. We're getting percent. it s ther did many Americans. Almost on shows like Daniel The Jamie Kennedy come• Dae Kim [in 'Lost'] not going to dy about some misfit but he speaks be the same breakdancers - including Korean most of the .Bobby as Aki Terasaki Famous time ... show. ' failed miserably at the box "I. feel like two office. Television comedian-shmedian. years from now - Bobby Lee, "I put all my eggs in that sketch comedy will about budget cuts movie," he said glumly. Bobby Lee wants to it all, now. be more open to at 'MADtv' Bobby also auditioned Indians and Asians ------,- for the role of Harold, as in By LYNDA LIN and other people. I'm proof that the "Harold and Kumar' go to White Assistant Editor D .S. is a melting pot. ~ ' . Castle," but he Iostto John Cho, who according to Bobby, lobbied the Humble Beginnings filmmakers to cast him as Kenneth obby Lee is sick to his stomach. His brother warned him about this ' buzzed to perfonn, so we have to The San Diego, Calif. native did- Park, the squeaky clean Ivy League ~ • West Los Angeles late-night sushi place that advertises itself to be have him drink in the alley," joked n't alway fit in and wasn't always student role that was originally being a party every night. Bobby. ''They're just really naturally funny. For a time in his 20s, Bobby offered to "some Canadian kid." "Now there is a party in my stomach," he groaned. funny people. I had problems with was in a band called "Laxton's He has a cameo in Judd Apatow's But it's nothing a Red Bull and cigarettes can't cure. The 33-year-old them growing up, but as an adult, I Superb," a type of apple. forthcoming "Pineapple Express" Korean American comedian takes long drags in between thoughts and waxes find them amusing." "It was the worst band ever. I had ("I have .like five lines.") and has philosophical about his career. But his excitement for the new long hair down to my ass. I literally completed shooting "Killer" Pad," This is Bobby's seventh year on Fox's Saturday night comedy sketch season is tempered with frustration. thought I was going to be a rock star. where he plays a transvestite real show, "MADtv," making him the second longest running cast member ''They cut the budget by 40 per• I could barely play the piano." estate agent. behind Michael McDonald. The cast begins shooting in.a few weeks and cent. It's not going to be the same He started waiting tables and "It's never going to see the light of Bobby has mixed feelings. show. But maybe it'll be better and stalking two white girls. day." . "I feel like it's been a long time. I hate the smell. You know how when you more raw because we're fighting for ''Those were the dark years. All I So what does Bobby have to do to haven't been someplace in a long time, you walk in and there's a familiar our lives," said Bobby. He pauses for did was read poetry and Kierkegaard catch another break? smell? Like at your parents' house . ~ . or in Korean houses, you have the a long drag of his cigarette. and think about suicide," he said "I'm still an underground comedi• smell of kim chi and dad's feet." "Obviously, I want this show to last. laughing. "I have like 28 first -an," .he said. "Everything is a ques• It's like home to me. I want it to cousins and I'm the only one that . tion mark.". The Seven-Year Itch flourish." didn't graduate from college. I never Bobby's Laa', : Bobby has come a long way in seven seasons. He Nonetheless, he's currently writ• . got good grades. I always wanted to For more information: Many Faces • struggled in the first few seasons, mostly because the ing a pilot for Comedy Central, party." www.madtv.com. • self-described ''full-blown drug addict in high school" which is set to shoot during the film• Seven years on • One day, he walked by the La www.myspace.com/iambobbylee . 'MADtv'has • relapsed when he first joined the cast. ing of "MADtv." The show will be a . spawned many • ''When I first got to '¥ADtv,' I literally could not identities. : get on. It was a really painful time, Now I can take a .. dump on someone's dressing room floor and say 'how • about that, huh?''' • "I fought for it," Bobby continued. He's been sober • for four years now. : Sketch comedy shows aren't traditionally a fertile • breeding ground for minorities, especially Asian • Pacific Americans. Steve Park made it onto the cast of AS CONNIE CHUNG : "In Living Color," but only lasted for a season. • Comparatively, Bobby is not only a veteran, but also ~ • demigod. • From Bobby's twisted mind came some of the most Since 1947 • memorable APA characters in television history: Tank, • an overcompensating APA racer who tries to pick up The JACL Health Trust : chicks with his souped-up Daewoo, and bumbling • translator Bae Sung (whose tagline "Uh-oh! Hot Has offered Health Care PARolJYlNG 'HEROES': Dog!" drives Bobby mad). Coverage to '. But seven years of parodying television personali• JACL Members • ties like Connie Chung and political despots like Kim • Jong-ll may be losing its luster. Bobby will start the • new season without four returning cast mates, includ• To protect you and your family from even the : ing longtime collaborator, Ike Barinholtz. common accidents and illnesses the JACL Health • "I gotta' get out of there," said Bobby. .. Trust provides Blue Cross of California health BUM> KUNG FUMASTER : Looking for the Next Level insurance coverage. Blue Cross of California has • It's not that he's biting the hand that feeds him• been providing health coverage to Californians for : Bobby is excited for season 13. He promises to bring over 66 years. Blue Cross is committed to keeping .. more "24 with Bobby Lee" and "Blind Kung Fu you connected to quality health care services. • Master" sketches and looks forward to working with : his friend and new cast member, Johnny Sanchez. . .. He also plans to feature more of his real-life parents, To learn more about the plan and how to become a .. who last season flew from Phoenix to Los Angeles to member please call the JACL Health Trust AS KIM JONG IL : share .camera time with their son. at 1-877-848-4875. ______...;. * "My dad is a functioning alcoholic. He needs to be PACIFIC II CIllZEN NATIONAL SEPT. 21-OCT. 4, 2007 13 DIARIES remained intact," said Akira Tana, After Daisho's death in 1972, the Williams hopes to finish translat• Daisho's youngest son. "His faith is family wanted to have the diaries ing the dairies in 2008 for publica• (Continued from page 5) what probably helped him survive." translated into English. By chance, tion, but the project does not have a sidered anti-American or not pro• Akira met Williams in Cambridge publisher yet. Translating Daisho's Rev. Daisho American," said Williams. Many Found in 1hmslation Mass., when Williams was going to diaries into English is only one of his Tana is pic• JAs burned their pictures and litera• Thirty years ago, Tomoe, Daisho's graduate school at Harvard Univer- many projects that examine the role tured here in ture from Japan and converted to wife who was an accomplish-ed sity. . of faith in the time of settlement and his late 50s. Christianity in hopes of escaping tanka poet, transcribed the original "Duncan expressed an interest in war. _His books, "Issei Buddhism" persecution. entries and had them published in my father's diaries so I loaned him and "Camp Dhanna," are bpth slated For Williams, translating the diary But hy March 1942, Daisho was Japan. copies of them," said Akira. "It turns to come out in 2008. entries has brought him closer to the living behind barbwire separated "I recall her daily routine of early out after many years after a. chance The role of religion is huge in this man behind the words. from his wife and children. He was morning exercise and time spent meeting, that Duncan's interest in time of JA history, said Williams, "He had optimism even in the interned primarily at a Northern transcribing before her day even the translations are finally coming to who also pointed out that up to the most dire of situations," Williams Santa Fe, New Mexico camp run by started," said Akira, a San Francisco• fruition and is finally becoming a time of the Pearl Harbor attack, 70 said. "He did his best to live every the Department of Justice. In incar• based jazz musician. "My mother reality." percent of JAs in the mainland were day in a righteous way." • ceration, his entries remain opti• would oftentimes share her joy in He has edited the diaries and taken Buddhist. During the War, the lOOth mistic. transcribing as she felt she was reliv• out more mundane entries, but they BattaIion and the-442nd RCT were For more infonnation on Daisho "Considering the life he lead prior ing the days with her husband clearly give a glimpse into a man of not allowed to have Buddhist chap• Tana s diaries or other books by Dr. to, during and after World War n, it together, though they were physical• faith incarcerated during a time of lains even though a majority of the Duncan Williams, contact him is incredible that his pride and honor ly separated during that time." war, said Akira. men in the troops were Buddhist. directly at; [email protected]. LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL H.S. "It's all so ironic," he said. He's working on an article about (Continued from page 3) his life in Conway, Arkansas for a 'It's all so ironic' defense. September art exhibit. He titled it, Aside from Frank, Kaz and Tosh, Richard was only three-years-old ''The Day America Stood Still." there was Richard Yada, who was a when he left his desolate birthplace Life has moved on for all of Little few years younger than the other JA - Rohwer. As children, camp was• Rock Central's JAs. Tosh recently boys. n't such a bad place. He remembers became a grandfather and Frank The integration was a "non-event" kids felt it was a great place because keeps busy working for Boeing after for Richard. The year before. he was they played together. serving in the U.S. Air Force. supposed to attend, the doors of "As one looks back on it, you get In New Mexico, Kaz enjoys a full Little Rock Central were closed to angry," said Richard, the only one of life with his family and_his work as all students, so Richard was bussed the original group of JAs who con• an engineer with the Sandia National to a high school in North Little tinues to live in Little Rock where he Laboratories. Rock. is a certified public accountant with "You have to work for everything "We talked about it during lu~ch Smith Barney. "They took my par• you get. Life goes on," said Richard. and between classes," said Yada ents, made them sell everything, and "I always say that it is amazing about the integration. But one year sent them to a concentration camp that between 1945 and 1957 to 58, later, the controvj!rsial historic where I was born. the Japanese Americans acceptance moment faded back into people's ''Then the U.S. tried to kill my by white Arkansans came quite memories. grandparents, who were living in quickly when acceptance,of African In his hometown, Yada said he felt Hiroshima at the time with an atom• Americans in the South is still a bat• segme~ts more like part of the majority. ic bomb," he continued. The U.S. tle in some of society - to "I was pretty well accepted in the successfully killed a cousin, who this day," said Gordy.• junior high school." was found with her skin peeling off For more information about Sondra He can only remember one inci• lying on the side of the road. Gordy's forthcoming book about the dent, where some classmates taunted Then during the Vietnam War, closure of Little Rock schools from him with some racial name-calling, Richard joined the Air Force and 1958-59: www.thelostyear.comlproj• but his peers stepped up to his flew B-52s for the U.S. ect.htm

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