September 2021
Volume 16 Issue 9
Who are Native Hawaiians?
Hawaii asks travelers to stop visiting
Milk Tea People opens downtown
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PRESIDENT’S NOTE Dear Asian Avenue readers, At the beginning of summer, we had plans to pull together a travel edition as we knew people have been itching to travel again. Unfortunately, due to the Delta variant, many vacation plans are back on hold. We soon learned about the devastating impacts of travel and over-tourism that has occurred in Hawai’i. The Governor has asked Americans to stop visiting the islands at least until the end of October with COVID-19 rates increasing and a lack of resources available for local residents. We interviewed Native Hawaiians, now living in Colorado, for their perspectives and hope you reconsider any travel plans you may have had to the islands this year. Last month, we were focused on educating the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community about Colorado’s redistricting process, which only happens every ten years. It is important to keep communities of interest together for political influence and voice during this process of redrawing districts. While the independent redistricting commissions have wrapped up their public hearings across the state, there are still opportunities to submit your comments online at: redistricting.colorado.gov/public_comments. The Census 2020 data shows that Asians are the fastest growing demographic with a 35.5 percent growth in the US over the last 10 years. In this issue, we share some of the Colorado data and areas where Asian families reside, as well as what the acronym AANHPI means and what ethnic groups are included. Sending positive and healing thoughts to all of you and your families with all that you are juggling this fall. We also wish a smooth transition for the Afghan refugees as they resettle in Colorado. Learn more about ways to help during this time—donate household items, provide job opportunities, or help tutor. Annie Guo VanDan, President | Asian Avenue magazine | asianavemag.com | @asianavemag
Japanese American Incarceration Memorial Legacy Project
Flag Signing Event To: Date: Time: Location: M a n z a n a r
H e a r t
ALL Japanese American WWII Incarceration Camp Internees Sunday, October 3, 2021 10am – 1pm Simpson United Methodist Church - 6001 Wolff Street, Arvada, CO 80003 T u l e
M o u n t a i n
L a k e
P o s t o n
M i n i d o k a
G i l a
T o p a z
R i v e r
R o h w e r
G r a n a d a
J e r o m e
Inspired by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Roberta Hayashi, Karen Korematsu, and Civil Rights Attorney Dale Minami, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Johnny Cepeda Gogo obtained a WWII era, 48-star, American flag with the goal of inviting ALL Japanese American incarceration camp internees to sign the flag. The flag will be donated to the Japanese American Museum of San Jose on Fred Korematsu Day (January 30, 2022). For more information about the flag signing project, please see the following site: http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2021/5/27/flag-signing-project/ ADVANCE REGISTRATION FOR A TIME SLOT IS REQUIRED FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL SIGNERS AND VOLUNTEERS: https://tinyurl.com/signflag
For questions about the event on October 3, please contact StaceyS@SakuraFoundation.org or 303.951.4486. For questions about the Flag Signing Project, please contact Judge Gogo at JGogo@scscourt.org. *This event will follow all Covid-19 requirements. Please wear face coverings/masks and practice physical distancing.
Colorado event sponsored by: Flag photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
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September 2021 | President’s Note
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SEPT 2021 7
EVENTS: Upcoming events to gather in person and virtually
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COVER STORY: Hawai’i faces overtourism as travelers continue to visit despite pleas to stay away
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COVER STORY: Who are Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders?
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FEATURE: Census data shows Asians are the fastest growing racial group FEATURE: 6 ways to help Afghan refugees as they resettle in Colorado
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FEATURE: The National Lao-Hmong Memorial plans to be unveiled on October 2 in Westminster ART: inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE art exhibition, artist talks and workshops begin this month at RedLine TEA CAFE PEEK: Milk Tea People welcomes downtown Denver to experience their matchs and frescas ON SCENE: Asian Chamber hosts summer gala at Botanic Gardens
P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222 Tel: 303.937.6888 E-mail: hello@asianavemag.com www.asianavemag.com
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September 2021 | Table of Contents
2 YEAR 24 Issues for $40 Payment Enclosed Bill Me
President ANNIE GUO VANDAN Editorial Director MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ Graphic Designer/Videographer LIJIN ZHAO Web Designer JASON ZHANG Marketing Manager JOIE HA Editor DAMIAN SIU Staff Writer PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG Intern KIANA MARSAN
on the cover Sara Aulani, Moore a Disney and Maya ResortCraig & Spa enjoy in Kothe Olina, views is of a Mirror popular Laketourist in the destination Indian PeaksinWilderness. Hawai’i. Photo Photo Credit: by: Chance SereviHoriuchi Naqica Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 1932-1449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine.
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ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE
Publisher & Founder CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO
Looking to promote your business? Asian Avenue magazine offers businesses a costeffective way to reach consumers in the Denver/Boulder metro areas and beyond. For more information, call 303.937.6888 or e-mail us at hello@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates. Send story ideas to hello@ asianavemag.com. Asian Avenue magazine is in association with the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.
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upcoming events inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE
Ronny Chieng’s Hope You Get Rich Tour
Art Exhibit, Public Lecture & Workshop on Asian America September 10 - October 10, 2021 RedLine Contemporary Art Center 2350 Arapahoe Street, Denver
More information at redlineart.org/invisible-hypervisible inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE, a public humanities project on Asian America, consists of an art exhibition, artist talks, public lectures, and community-building workshops. The theme inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE captures the struggles of Asians and Asian Americans to survive and thrive in the face of strong anti-Asian sentiment. Asians and Asian Americans are alternately made invisible and hypervisible through stereotypes such as “model minorities,” and perpetual foreigners.” Yet, Asian America is remarkably complex due to cultural diversity, various migration routes, and different socioeconomic circumstances. inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE will showcase Asian and Asian American artists, scholars, performers, and community organizers from different ethnic, gender, and geographic backgrounds.
Moon Festival Celebration with OCA Colorado Saturday, September 18 | 4pm to 6pm More information and the Zoom link at ocacolorado.org
Celebrate the Moon Festival virtually with OCA Colorado by watching fantastic entertainment including a Kung Fu Show (Shaolin
Send community events to hello@asianavemag.com.
Hongmei Kung Fu School), QiPao Dance (Sisters’ QiPao Dance Group), Love Under the Moon Performance (Polly), Kids Talent Show (Great Wall Chinese Academy), and Award-winning Chinese Dance (Jasmine Flower Chinese Dance School). The event will breakout into small groups to play games such as riddles and scavenger hunt. 25 lucky winners will also be drawn to win a restaurant gift certicate. Get your Chinese tea and moon cakes ready at home and lets raise our tea cups to cheers for the Moon Festival!
Full Moon Festival Friday, September 24 | 5pm to 9pm Zeppelin Station | 3501 Wazee St, Denver More information at zeppelinstation.com
Friday, September 24 | Begins at 7pm Boulder Theater | 2032 14th St, Boulder Saturday, September 25 | Begins at 7pm Newman Center for the Performing Arts 2344 E Iliff Ave, Denver More information and get tickets at ronnychieng.com
Ronny Chieng, a stand up comedian, actor and correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, is coming to Colorado! He starred in the worldwide hit movie Crazy Rich Asians and on his Netflix stand up comedy special “Asian Comedian Destroys America!”. He stars in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Disney’s Doogie Kamealoha M.D and tech thriller M3GAN.
Flag Signing for Internment Survivors Sunday, October 3 | 10am to 1pm Simpson United Methodist Church 6001 Wolff St, Arvada For more information, contact staceys@sakurafoundation.org Judge Johnny Cepeda Gogo is organizing this The Zeppelin Station will be hosting Not flag signing event for internment survivors Japanese Incarceration Memorial Legacy Project Yo Mama’s Cupcakes,American Tea Street, Pho King to sign a 48-star flag, which has already been Rapidos, Mukja, Yuan Wonton, and Dead signed by hundreds of internees in other Veggies, along with participation from Thai states. This project shows respect to the inKun, Soy Pinoy, and East Side King for an ternees and educates our communities about evening of food, drink, music and celebration To: ALL Japanese American WWII Incarceration Camp Internees Japanese American history and the injustices to come together as an Asian community Date: Sunday, October 3, 2021 for suffered. The flag will be donated to the JapaTime: 10amLocal – 1pm all of Denver to enjoy. Denver DJ Peter nese American Museum of Jose. Location: Simpson United Methodist Church 6001 Wolff Street, Arvada, COSan 80003 Hoang will be onsite to keep the party going! The M a n zevent a n awill r provide T u l destination e L a k e passport P o s t o n G i l a R i v e r G r a n a d a cards for guests to collect stickers as they dine around and support each participating business. Guests with completed passport cards can turn in their cards for an entry into a raffle to win a prize package that will include H e a r t M o u n t a i n M i n i d o k a T o p a z R o h w e r J e r o m e something from each participating business.
Flag Signing Event
Inspired by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Roberta Hayashi, Karen Korematsu, and Civil Rights Attorney Dale Minami, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Johnny Cepeda Gogo Event Calendar | Asian Avenue Magazine obtained a WWII era, 48-star, American flag with the goal of inviting ALL Japanese American
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Aerial view of Waikiki in Honolulu Source: wirestock
BEAUTIFUL HAWAI’I
And its plea to stop visiting By Kiana Marsan
Islands of Hawai’i experience over-tourism during a pandemic Despite escalating COVID-19 positivity rates from breakthrough cases and the variants, as well as a stagnation in vaccine numbers, an alarming number of tourists have flooded Hawai’i and strained its people, land, and resources this summer. In June, over 791,000 people visited the area. They came without quarantining and sometimes without proof of vaccination, even though residents were told to reduce indoor capacities and social gatherings. They stayed in hotels, while the islands ran out of quarantine spaces and put COVID-19 patients on a waitlist. To keep their pools full, the Native Hawaiian population was prohibited from watering their lawns or cleaning their cars. Beaches that were clean and thriving during lockdown became once again polluted and overcrowded. “I am hurt, confused, frustrated, and saddened by the influx of tour-
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September 2021 | Cover Story
ists traveling to Hawai’i,” said Chelsea Cordero, a multiethnic Native Hawaiian residing in Colorado. “With the limited availability of resources, I am in awe of how tourists are placing their individual interests over the wellbeing of the people and the land.” Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa shared similar sentiments about the harm inflicted by the damaged state of her homeland. She is Native Hawaiian and the owner of No Ke Aloha Polynesian Food Truck and Catering. “It is spiritually stressful and disappointing. Native Hawaiians, or Kānaka Maoli, are incredibly connected to the water and deeply rooted with the land. Although it is a trend that has been plaguing the islands for hundreds of years, seeing so many people flooding our lands is still hard to come to terms with on a physical, mental, and spiritual level,” she said. The Hawaii Tourism Authority re-
cently announced its intention to cap the number of visitors staying at Oahu. Last month, Hawai’i Governor David Ige pleaded with tourists from around the world to not visit the islands through at least the end of October. Although the governor’s announcement does not prohibit travelers from visiting Hawaii, he said he is working with airlines, hotels and
Native Hawaiian Chelsea Cordero, who now lives in Colorado, shares a photo from Pu’u Manamana Trail overlooking Kahana Bay
other tourism-related businesses to “do what they could” to curb tourism to the state except for people traveling for essential business. The misguided belief that Hawai’i needs tourism to stay fiscally afloat is capitalist rhetoric that places the money of American tourists over the lives of Native Hawaiians. “Tourism is a servants’ prison that keeps local people in a permanent underclass in our own home. It’s a system that only works when the people who play here are richer than us, [those] who live and work here,” said Kaniela Ing on Twitter. He is Pasifika and the campaign director for People’s Action. Cordero agreed, explaining that tourism has always been destructive to the islands and this has been exacerbated by the pandemic. “The majority of the time, visitors fail to recognize or choose to acknowledge that there is an ethnic group native to Hawai’i and that this place is more than a playground or destination,” she said.
“With this unintentional or chosen ignorance, people are dismissing an entire group’s history and current conditions, and this action is hurtful.” Polynesians are the aboriginal settlers of the islands of Hawai’i. They formed chiefdoms and trading networks, and in 1795, the Kingdom of Hawai’i was established when Kamehameha the Great brought them under one government. It was internationally recognized, and they entered into treaties with over twenty nations—including the United States. In the 19th century, Christian missionaries created a small class of American elites. They controlled the islands’ sugar industry, contracting laborers from China, Japan, and the Philippines. These businessmen pressured the Kingdom to give them greater control over the government and land, and it culminated in the overthrow of Hawai’i’s last monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani. When the U.S. entered the Spanish-American War and found itself wanting a naval stakehold in the Pacific, Congress proclaimed Hawai’i as an American territory. In 1959, Hawaiians were asked to vote on whether or not they wished to become a state. There was no option for independence. In 1993, Congress issued an apology resolution that acknowledged “the Native Hawaiian people never directly relinquished to the United States their claims to their inherent sovereignty.” This lip service served as momentum for the land back movement being organized by Native Hawaiians, which is
alive and well today. The over-tourism that Hawai’i experiences is the product of this colonization, making the two inseparable. Tourists are the result of a settler mentality that the U.S. is privy to using Hawai’i’s people, land, and resources without regard for the preservation of Native Hawaiian communities. Visiting Hawai’i, while its rightful inhabitants are demanding that Americans leave, is a selfish act that prioritizes the comfort and luxuries of white and non-Native Hawaiian people of color. Native Hawaiians deserve to be given the energy and labor required to learn about and advocate for the issues that directly affect their communities, such as over-tourism. It is especially pertinent to the present moment to understand that they never needed nor wanted the voyeuristic business of American settlers on their land. For those who cannot avoid traveling to the area, consider reading up on the history of Native Hawaiians, supporting locally-owned businesses, and seeking out online resources on how to practice harm-reduction while visiting. This type of community care is the bare minimum to dignifying Hawai’i and its people. Medeiros-Tuilaepa summed this up best, saying: “Hawaiians are a beautiful, talented, cultured and kind people. Being giving and accommodating is so deeply rooted in our way of life, and this should not be taken advantage of or exploited. It should be appreciated and reciprocated in thankfulness and gratitude.”
Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa and her husband Cornelius are owners of No Ke Aloha food truck and restaurant in Aurora Medeiros-Tuilaepa and her family Cover Story | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Visiting Hawai’i Responsibly If you must still go, be a good traveler. As a traveler, you have the kuleana (responsibility) to treat the islands — and its people and wildlife — with aloha and respect. So, if you are still planning a trip to Hawai’i, at least follow these tips on how to travel to the state responsibly.
Choose local. Bishop Museum in Honolulu
Aloha sign at the Daniel K. Inouye Airport Credit: Chance Horiuchi
Information sign at Three Tables Credit: Chance Horiuchi
Polluted Hawai’i beaches
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September 2021 | Cover Story
Support locally owned businesses that prioritize Native knowledge and eco-friendly practices, and are mutually beneficial to visitors and locals. Seek out culturally enriching experiences such as Kualoa Ranch and the Bishop Museum. Book with locally owned adventure companies, and shop at farmers markets instead of big-box retailers. Learn from those who know Hawai’i best. Opt for activities, like lei-making or surfing, led by Native Hawaiians. Learn about Hawaiian history, trials, and tribulations. Don’t be afraid to talk to locals and ask questions. Try traditional foods such as poi (pounded and fermented taro root) and lau lau (pork and butterfish wrapped and steamed in ti and taro leaves) at local spots like Highway Inn, or enjoy an evening out at a restaurant, like Merriman’s, which showcases Hawaii regional cuisine, is mindful of sustainable fishing, and incorporates culturally significant ingredients.
Live Aloha.
Aloha is much more than a slogan. It is believed to be a way of life that Hawaiian ancestors passed down through stories, songs, caring for each other, and welcoming, open arms. The simple act of greeting each other, strangers or friends, with sincerity and saying ‘Aloha’ — on the street, on the beach, in hotels, on hiking trails, on highways — manifests that spirit and keeps the love and light of
Hawaii alive for visitors and local people alike. ‘Aloha aku, Aloha mai’ (‘love given, love received’).” Bring your best manners. ’Please,’ ‘thank you,’ and a well-intentioned shaka go a long way. Greeting neighbors, bringing them food, and keeping the noise to a minimum are also ways to show respect.
Follow the signs.
Follow the posted signs and local alerts, laws, and authorities. Some sites and species are protected for cultural and ecological reasons; weather can change quickly, and terrain and ocean conditions may be more dangerous than they appear. Check the weather and surf reports, stay on marked trails and in designated viewing areas, and don’t cross private property. Although some states have relaxed their rules, Hawaii’s hospitals have limited capacity and resources, and everyone is still expected to wear masks indoors — regardless of vaccination status.
Take care of the land.
The concept of malama ‘aina (caring for the land) is at the heart of Hawaiian culture. Visitors to Hawaii share this responsibility. The islands’ ecology is fragile, natural resources are limited, and several endangered species. Reduce your footprint by using only what you need, wearing reef-safe sunscreen, picking up trash you find at the beach or in the ocean, avoiding single-use plastic, opting for human-powered activities (such as outrigger canoe paddling or surfing), carrying a reusable water bottle and bag, leaving the natural landscape as it is (don’t remove lava rocks and seashells, for example) and keeping a distance from wildlife.
Who What is
?
AANHPI You may have noticed this new acronym floating around and Googled what it means — AANHPI. This year, a proclamation from The White House, recognized the month of May, previously known as Asian American Pacific Islander Month, as Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It states: “We recognize the history and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) across our Nation. In the midst of a difficult year of pain and fear, we reflect on the tradition of leadership, resilience, and courage shown by AANHPI communities, and recommit to the struggle for AANHPI equity.” The national shift to using AANHPI has been led by health organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Office of Minority Health. This distinction acknowledges the unique experiences of Native Hawaiians as separate from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Native Hawaiians are the Indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands. Two-thirds of Native Hawaiians (roughly 238,000) reside in the state of Hawai’i, and the rest are scattered among other states, especially in the
American Southwest and California. The traditional name of the Hawaiian people is Kānaka Maoli. The Hawaiian language (or ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) was once the primary language of the Native Hawaiian people. These days both English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi are the official languages of the State of Hawai’i. The Hawaiian language has been promoted for revival by a state program of cultural preservation that includes the opening of Hawaiian language immersion schools, and the establishment of a Hawaiian language department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. As a result, Hawaiian language learning has climbed among all races in Hawaiʻi. The U.S. Census separates Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander from Asian in the race category and provides a definition of: a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. It includes people who reported their race as Fijian, Guamanian or Chamorro, Marshallese, Native Hawaiian, Samoan Tongan, and Other Pacific Islander. Asian is defined as: a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent. The U.S. Census
also further asks for ethnic heritage such as Korean, Thai, or Nepalese. This disaggregation helps better understand the unique issues affecting the diverse populations under the AANHPI bucket, as there are more than 40 countries represented. Furthermore, while “Asian” includes those who are from South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka), many South Asians do not identify with the term, which typically refers to those from East Asia (considered China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Mongolia). In an effort to be more inclusive, universities and colleges have been leading the way with the term APIDA— Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, as a pan-ethnic classification that intentionally includes South Asians (Desi). However, some believe that the term “Desi” refers exclusively to Indians and excludes other South Asians. It also seems to primarily identify a section of dominant, upper-caste Indians. While many dislike government and bureaucratic classifications, the data helps better understand the needs of specific groups of people. These terms are intended to be inclusive, but oftentimes leave out groups or individuals that don’t identify with them. Language is important and ever-evolving. AANHPI | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Asians are fastest growing racial group
Census Tracts with 4% or more Asian in Arapahoe County See more maps at coequitycompass.org
Asian American groups change between 2015 and 2019 from Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) estimates.
The Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities continue to grow steadily, the 2020 census data showed. In Colorado, the counties that have the highest percent of Asians are: Broomfield at 9%, Arapahoe at 8.4%, and Douglas at 7.6%. There is a also relatively large Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (NHPI) population in Northeast Denver due to the increase in migration of Pacific Islanders, many from Micronesia, that work at Denver International Airport. The data released in July, revealed almost 20 million people in the United States identified as “Asian,” and another 4 million checked boxes as “Asian” combined with another race group, for a total of 7.2 percent of the population. Another 0.5 percent of the population identifies as “Native Hawaiian” and “Other Pacific Islander” alone or in combination with another race group. Asian Americans in Colorado by County Larimer
Larimer
Boulder Adams JeffersonDenver Arapahoe
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September 2021 | Feature
Weld
Boulder Adams JeffersonDenver Arapahoe
Douglas
Pueblo
The results make the Asian population the fastest growing racial group in the United States at 35.5 percent. In addition to the uptick, the Asian population has become geographically diverse with wide variations in income, citizenship status and political preference. In 1990, the country’s Asian population numbered 6.6 million and was largely concentrated in a few pockets in cities on the coasts. Thirty years later, those enclaves have grown significantly, and the Asian population is more spread out, with families building lives in the suburbs of the South and in rural areas of the Midwest. Nearly 60 percent of all people of Asian descent, including those who are mixed race, were born outside the United States, and a majority are naturalized citizens. A vast majority of Asians in the United States are citizens, either naturalized or U.S.-born.
Pacific Islanders in Colorado by County
Weld
El Paso
Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander groups change between 2015 and 2019 from Census Bureau ACS estimates.
Douglas Mesa
El Paso Pueblo
Census Tracts with 4% or more Asian
Community learns about Colorado’s redistricting process Preliminary maps show Asian communities divided in some areas. Twin Dragon Restaurant in Denver attracted 40 community members on August 24 to engage in a discussion about Colorado’s redistricting process. Led by Joie Ha, Co-Founder of CORE DEI, participants learned about the importance of the process and how the preliminary maps would impact Asian, Native Hawaiian (NH), and Pacific Islander (PI) communities in Colorado. Every ten years, new lines are drawn for national Congressional districts and for state Legislative districts. It is vital that communities of interest (ethnicity, race, economic groups) are not split in ways that dilute their power. In other words, when communities that have a shared interest are split into two districts, they have less political power than they would if the district lines were drawn to keep them together. Ha reviewed maps showing the areas
of Colorado with the highest populations of Asians and NHPIs; this includes Denver, Arapahoe, Adams, and El Paso Counties. The new proposed State House District 1 and 2 splits Little Saigon in Denver along South Federal Boulevard. There are many Asian American businesses and workers that commute to this area and depend on Little Saigon for their preservation of culture and financial livelihoods. The restaurant’s owner Mama Shiou welcomed guests to Twin Dragon. Her son Joe Jefferson, presiding judge in Englewood, also attended the event. He shared a few words encouraging attendees to get involved in civic engagement. During the discussion, Ha provided information on how to give public comments or testimonies to the
independent redistricting commissions. The commissions are currently still accepting comments submitted online at redistricting.colorado.gov. Asian Eats is organized by the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network to bring the AANHPI (Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander) community together to learn and share knowledge on various topics affeting the community. Participants dine together at an Asian-owned eateries while networking and learning from experts in the field. The next event will be on Tuesday, September 21 with a discussion about Afghan refugee resettlement in Colorado. The restaurant is to be determined.
Redistricting | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Families board a U.S. Air Force plane at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 24, 2021. Source: US Marine Corps
Afghan refugees have begun to arrive in Colorado. “Our state and local communities are proud partners in global humanitarian and refugee resettlement efforts, and Colorado has long partnered with the federal government to play our part,” said Governor Polis in a letter to President Biden last month. Upon arrival, refugees will work with one of the three local resettlement agencies to secure basic needs, including housing, food, job placement and case management, as well as a health screening. The three Colorado agencies that work directly with the federal office of Refugee Resettlement include: Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM), the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Denver and the African Community Center. Coloradans have already jumped in to help with donation drives popping up around the state. Here are ways to welcome the newly arrived Afghan families: ONE. Donate household items | Organizations have compiled lists of items needed to help refugees settle into their new homes. Items include household goods, baby supplies, hygiene products, bike safety and donations to help someone looking for work. The IRC has donation lists with instructions on how to package and schedule a drop-off time. You can also order items from their Amazon Wish List. LFSRM has donation lists for an apartment bin checklist, baby baskets, welcome baskets and hygiene baskets. TWO. Volunteer your time | Volunteer services are needed through Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service including airport pick-ups, apartment set-ups,
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September 2021 | Feature
or bringing a meal. The IRC also has volunteer opportunities at: www.rescue.org/volunteer-opportunities/ denver-co. THREE. Provide a job | For businesses or companies, offering a refugee a job is one of the most foundational ways to help someone start their life anew, according to the Denver chapter of the International Rescue Committee. If your company is hiring, e-mail Barbara. Guglielminotti@rescue.org with Denver’s International Rescue Committee. FOUR. Tutor youth | Volunteer for the LFSRM in-home tutoring program that matches participants with a high school-aged refugee. Tutors will likely help their students with basic literacy and subject competency but tasks could vary based on the needs of the child. The commitment is one hour per week for the duration of a semester. Learn more at: www.lfsrm.org/programs-and-services/refugees/refugee-asylee-volunteer-program. FIVE. Deliver food | The IRC is looking for volunteers to pick up food boxes from Metro Caring or Project Worthmore locations and deliver food to up to five homebound families in the Denver Metro area. The committee estimates the time commitment to be two to three hours per week. SIX. Learn about the Afghan culture and history Take time to research and read about Afghanistan, its people, and its history. This includes their values of hospitality towards others and loyalty towards family. Explore Afghan cuisine, including karahi and kabobs from Afghan Kabob in Westminster and enjoy the homemade Afghan bread from Edris International Market in Aurora. Above all, be kind.
Building the National Lao-Hmong Memorial Begins Join the unveiling of the design of the National Lao-Hmong Memorial on Saturday, October 2. The National Lao-Hmong Memorial Foundation was formed to establish a compelling memorial that honors the service and sacrifices of the “Lao-Hmong people” (Lao, Hmong, Lue, U-Mien, and Thi Dam), during and following the U.S Secret War in Laos. The memorial will be located in Westminster, Colo., adjacent to the U.S. Armed Forces Tribute Garden at the City Park. Despite having grown up as farmers without a formal education, Hmong pilots learned quickly, earning the admiration of the CIA and the pilots and crews in Air America. Lao-Hmong soldiers and airmen fought valiantly during the “Secret War” in Laos, oftentimes alongside Americans hired by the CIA and covert forces of the U.S. Government. Boys as young as 10 were conscripted to join their fighting forces. As a result, American fighting forces in Vietnam were largely shielded from pincer attacks from Laos by the Hmong and other Laotian fighting forces. There is no way to know all the American lives saved in Vietnam because of the Hmong, but it’s safe to say in the thousands. 30,000 Hmong people and 728 Americans and their allies died during the Secret War. In 1975, the U.S. withdrew from Vietnam and Laos. It was a sad chapter in U.S. history that we turned our back on our Hmong allies and left them to a despotic communist government bent on genocide. 10,000 Hmong people managed to escape to refugee camps in Thailand and eventually emigrated to the U.S. and other friendly countries. 90,000 stayed behind. Today, almost 500,000 people of Lao Hmong descent live, work, and take pride in being U.S. citizens. The Foundation purchased a T-28 in 2020. The plane has been renovated and is currently being utilized to bring attention to
to the Lao-Hmong Memorial at air shows and other events. Eventually, the plane will be decommissioned and become part of the memorial. Stories of the flying skills of these young flyers are legend amongst combat aviators. Their daring skill and fearlessness in defending their families and homeland are an important part of the history of the Secret War and the war in Vietnam,” said John J. Horan, Chairman of the Lao-Hmong Memorial Foundation. Horan invites community members to support: “I hope you agree this memorial is important to honor our Hmong allies and to inform generations to come.” Learn more at: lao-hmongmemorial.org. The National Lao-Hmong Memorial Committee and the Lao-Hmong Community of Colorado cordially invite you to: The unveiling of the design of the National Lao-Hmong Memorial and the presentation of the centerpiece of the memorial, a North American T-28 Aircraft
Saturday, October 2 | 10am to 2pm Ceremony at 11am Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport 11715 Airport Way, Broomfield, CO Introduction by Colorado’s 7th District Congressman The Honorable Ed Perlmutter Join in honoring the memory of the tens of thousands of Lao-Hmong SGU Soldiers, Pilots, and Civilians who perished while supporting the United States in Vietnam. RSVP at: lao-hmongmemorial.org/rsvp. Feature | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Jennifer Ling Datchuk
Sammy Seung-min Lee
inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE A r t E x h i bit , P u bl i c L e c t u r e & Wo rk sh o p o n A s i a n A m e r i c a
September 10 - October 10, 2021 RedLine Contemporary Art Center, 2350 Arapahoe Street, Denver inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE, a public humanities project on Asian America, consists of an art exhibition, artist talks, public lectures, and community-building workshops. The theme inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE captures the struggles of Asians and Asian Americans to survive and thrive in the face of strong anti-Asian sentiment. Asians and Asian Americans are alternately made invisible and hypervisible through stereotypes such as “model minorities,” “honorary whites,” “perpetual foreigners,” and “enemy aliens.” Yet, Asian America is remarkably complex due to cultural diversity, various migration routes, and different socioeconomic circumstances. inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE will showcase Asian and Asian American artists, scholars, performers, and community organizers from different ethnic, gender, and geographic backgrounds. inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE will feature works by: Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Yikui (Coy) Gu, Tsogo Mijid, Sammy Seung-min Lee, Yong Soon Min, Renluka Maharaj, Tuan Andrew Nguyen, Suchitra Mattai, Scott Tsuchitani, Maryrose Cobarrubias Mendoza, and Joo Yeon Woo. Public lectures will help place the exhibition within a social, cultural, and political context. A panel on Asian American feminism will feature Dr. Nami Kim (Professor of Religious Studies, Spelman College), and Dr. K Christine Pae (Associate Professor of Religion and Women’s and Gender Studies, Denison University). In addition to educating the public, inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE aims to build community. It will offer workshops by partnering with Denver-based Community Organizing for Radical Empathy and Asian Roundtable of Colorado. RedLine Contemporary Art Center is a nonprofit that fosters education and engagement between artists and communities to create positive social change. It is open to the public from 11am to 5pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Admission is FREE, with a suggested donation of $5 for adults, $3 for students and youth. There is limited private parking with one handicap accessible space, and free street parking. inVISIBLE | hyperVISIBLE is curated by Boram Jeong, Boyung Lee, Sammy Lee, and Chad Shomura. Contact the curatorial committee at invisible.hypervisible@gmail.com or visit www.redlineart.org/invisible-hypervisible.
Scott Tsuchitani
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September 2021 | Art
Suchitra Mattai
Tsogo Mijid
My Love for You Is Always By GILLIAN SZE Illustrated by MICHELLE LEE
Hardcover | $16.99 Published by Philomel Books 32 Pages | 4-8 years
CHiLDREN’S BOOKS
Warm like tea? Sweeter than red dates? A mother shares her love for her child as the two prepare a delicious meal together. What is love? a child wonders. What does it feel like, smell like, taste like? How does it move? How long does it last? And as she prepares a traditional Chinese meal for her family, the child’s mother replies: her love for him is rosy as wolfberries, warm like tea, sweeter than the red dates she puts in his soup. It shines through the water like its own brilliant sun. It goes round and round with no beginning and no end. Because a mother’s love for a child is always there, warm and soft, broad and tender. In this tender story that pairs beautifully poetic words with brilliantly stunning art, a mother’s love comes alive on the page and wraps readers in its warm embrace. Gillian Sze (gilliansze.com) is the author of multiple poetry collections, as well as a bedtime story for children (The Night is Deep and Wide). She studied creative writing at Concordia University and received a PhD in études anglaises from Université de Montréal. Originally from Winnipeg, Gillian now lives with her family in Montreal, where she teaches creative writing and literature. Follow Gillian on Twitter and Instagram @gilliansze. Michelle Lee (mklillustration.com) studied printmaking and biology at UC Berkeley and earned her MS in education at the University of Pennsylvania while working as a K-8 science teacher. When not illustrating picture books, Michelle works as a freelance illustrator/designer and maintains a children’s clothing line she co-founded. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband. Follow Michelle on Instagram @fromthebear.
I Dream of Popo By LIVIA BLACKBURNE | Illustrated by: JULIA KUO When a young girl and her family emigrate from Taiwan to America, she leaves behind her beloved popo, her grandmother. She misses her popo every day, but even if their visits are fleeting, their love is ever true and strong. This delicate, emotionally rich picture book celebrates a special connection that crosses time zones and oceans as Popo and her granddaughter hold each other in their hearts forever. I dream with Popo as she rocks me in her arms. I wave at Popo before I board my flight. I talk to Popo from across the sea. I tell Popo about my adventures. Chinese-American Livia Blackburne is a New York Times bestselling author who wrote her first novel while researching the neuroscience of reading at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is the author of Midnight Thief (An Indies Introduce New Voices selection) and Rosemarked (A YALSA Teens Top Ten nominee).
Hardcover | $18.99 Published by Roaring Brook Press 40 Pages | 4-8 years
Book Previews | Asian Avenue Magazine
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A B A O B B A A O B B B BO BO
ROCKIN’ EVERYWHERE
Shout out to the bubble tea shops that have “popped” up recently! Pun intended! We can’t wait to try all these beverages across town. Congrats to all of the business owners and staff!
Happy Lemon 1931 Sheridan Blvd Unit Q Edgewater, CO 80214 happylemoncolorado.com
Sharetea Highlands Ranch 9579 S University Blvd, Ste 180 Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 @shareteahighlandsranch
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September 2021 | Tea Cafe Peek
Boba Touch 3107 E Colfax Ave Denver, CO 80206 bobatouch.com
Wa Cha Milk Tea 14200 E Alameda Ave, #1039B Aurora, CO 80012 wacha-milktea.com
Zero Degrees 9760 Grant St Ste 70, Thornton, CO 80229 @zerodegreesthornton
Sharetea Aurora 2495 S Havana St, Suite #D Aurora, CO 80014 @shareteaaurora
MILK TEA PEOPLE
opens in Downtown Denver with lattes, frescas and tonic teas!
Thai Tea Strawberry Matcha Latte
1641 Market St. Suite 133, Denver, CO 80202 Tel: 719-551-9270
After a five year process, co-founders of Milk Tea People, Kevin Ung and Tim Gardner, were more than excited to open their doors on July 9, 2021. The two travelled to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Chicago, to explore tea shop innovations, but it was their trip to Kyoto, Japan that inspired their craft beverages at Milk Tea People. It was in Kyoto that they learned how to organically process and harvest tea leaves and grind matcha from a tea farmer. They witnessed a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and wanted to take the cultural practices back to Colorado. Now, in BaseCamp at Market Station, you will find Kevin hand whisking
@milkteapeople | milkteapeople.com
the matcha beverages and Tim welcoming visitors to enjoy tea samples. A dream come true, they are proud to offer drinks using the highest quality ingredients. Milk Tea People continues to work closely with loose tea leaves suppliers in Japan, which gives farmers 100% of the price paid for tea. Through this collaborative effort in working directly with the farmers, the tea leaves are properly sourced and as a result, approximately 95% of their loose tea leaves are certified organic. Enjoy unique drinks, including the bubbly tonics that infuse jasmine green tea with splashes of San Pellegrino, or frescas that include refreshing blueberries and lime.
Tea Cafe Peek | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Reimagining A More Resilient UN System With Taiwan In It After more than 200 million infections and over 4 million deaths and counting, the COVID-19 pandemic has raged across the globe. This has created a profoundly devastating socio-economic impact on our interconnected world, with virtually no countries spared. The pandemic has disrupted global trade, exacerbated poverty, impeded education, and compromised gender equality, with middle to low income nations bearing the brunt of the burden. As many countries brace for another spike of the virus, prompted by the highly contagious Delta variant, the world looks up to the United Nations (UN) to ramp up comprehensive efforts to resolve the crisis, ensure better recovery, and rebuild sustainably. This is a daunting task that requires all hands on deck. It is time for the global body to welcome Taiwan, a valuable and worthy partner that stands ready to lend a helping hand. Over the past few months, Taiwan, like many other countries, has been dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases after almost a year of success in containing the virus. Yet, it got a handle on the situation and emerged even more ready to work with allies and partners to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic. Taiwan’s effective response to the pandemic, its rapid capacity expansion to meet global supply chain demand, and its substantive assistance toward partner countries around the world all speak to the fact that there is no lack of compelling reasons for Taiwan to play a constructive role in the UN system. However, under pressure from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the UN and its specialized agencies continue to reject Taiwan, citing the 1971 UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 (XXVI) as a legal basis for this exclusion. But the language of the resolution is crystal clear: it merely addresses the issue of China’s representation in the UN; there is no mention of Chinese claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, nor does it authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan in the UN sys-
tem. The fact is, the PRC has never governed Taiwan. This is the reality and status quo across the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwanese people can only be represented on the international stage by their popularly elected government. By falsely equating the language of the resolution with Beijing’s “one China Principle,” the PRC is arbitrarily imposing its political views on the UN. The absurdity doesn’t end there. This exclusion also obstructs the participation of Taiwan’s civil society. Taiwanese passport holders are denied access to UN premises, both for tours and meetings, while Taiwanese journalists cannot obtain accreditation to cover UN events. The only reason for this discriminatory treatment is their nationality. Barring members of Taiwan’s civil society from the UN defeats the ideal of multilateralism, contravenes the UN’s founding principles of promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and hampers the UN’s overall efforts. For six decades, Taiwan has been providing assistance to partner countries around the world. Since the adoption of the UN 2030 Agenda, it has focused on helping partners achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and, more recently, engage in antipandemic response and postpandemic recovery. Meanwhile, at home, Taiwan has fulfilled its SDGs in gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and good health and well-being, among others. Our innovative, community-based solutions are harnessing public-private partnerships for the benefit of society as a whole. The World Happiness Report 2021, released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranked Taiwan the happiest in East Asia, and 24th in the world. The ranking indicates how the people of a country feel about the social support they receive, and reflects in large part a country’s implementation of the SDGs. Taiwan is willing to pass on its experience and work with global partners to build a better and more resilient future for all.
By Jaushieh Joseph Wu Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of China (Taiwan)
At a time when the world is sounding the clarion call for climate actions and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Taiwan is actively charting a roadmap toward the goal, and has drafted dedicated legislation to facilitate this process. Climate change knows no borders, and concerted efforts are a must if we want a sustainable future. Taiwan knows this, and is working on the best ways to turn the challenges of carbon reduction into new opportunities. In his oath of office in June this year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed our shared vulnerability and interconnectedness. He said that the UN, and the states and people it serves, can only benefit from bringing others to the table. Denying partners that have the ability to contribute is a moral and material loss to the world as we seek to recover better together. Taiwan is a force for good. Now is the time to bring Taiwan to the table and let Taiwan help.
Taiwan Update | Asian Avenue Magazine
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Members of the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership attend the ACC Gala at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Fran Campbell, President/CEO of Asian Chamber of Commerce shares how the organization quickly pivoted to support the business community at the onset of the pandemic.
Colorado’s Asian Business Community Network and Reconnect at the Asian Chamber of Commerce Summer Gala The Asian Chamber of Commerce (ACC) celebrated its summer gala at the Denver Botanic Gardens on Friday, August 20. The outdoor space allowed community members and business representatives to connect after a year of virtual events. ACC Board Chair Travis Tom welcomed guests and introduced the gala programming, while other board members volunteered at the wine pull, raffle and silent auction tables. Guests enjoyed an array of eats including Thai chicken lettuce wraps, spring rolls, and tofu skewers, while mingling under the large covered tent.
From left: Annie VanDan (President, Asian Avenue Magazine), Fran Campbell (President/CEO, Asian Chamber of Commerce), Patty Quinn (Program Manager, Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families), Pam Sweetser (Executive Director, Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families), Harry Budisidharta (Executive Director, Asian Pacific Development Center, Chance Horiuchi (Executive Director, Havana Business Improvement District)
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September 2021 | On Scene
President & CEO Fran Campbell shared her gratitude for the support of ACC members, partners, and sponsors that allowed ACC to provide services to Colorado’s Asianowned small businesses. The ACC continues to support businesses in their recovery efforts. Special guests in attendance included Congressman Jason Crow, Consul General of Japan Midori Takeuchi, and Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Jerry Chang. Pre-recorded messages from Governor Jared Polis and Mayor Michael Hancock were also played during the event.
From left: Derek Okubo (Executive Director, Agency for Human Rights & Community Partnerships at City and County of Denver), DJ Ida (Executive Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Association), Stacey Shigaya (Program Director, Sakura Foundation), Midori Takeuchi (Consul General of Japan in Denver), Kelly Yamasaki (Principal, OZ Architecture)
Discussion About Barriers to Getting Vaccinated in the Asian Community Held in Aurora
June Homdayjanakul shares data about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy
Amuda Mishra, event organizer; June Homdayjanakul, speaker; Annie VanDan
At China Cafe II in Aurora, community members enjoyed an Asian Eats dinner in support of the Asian-owned restaurant on Tuesday, August 5. The evening’s discussion about COVID-19 vaccinations in the Asian community was led by June Homdayjanakul, a DrPH student at the Colorado School of Public Health. She shared barriers to getting vaccinated in the Asian community include
a lack of trust, misinformation, fear of side effects, and apathy. She noted the difference between vaccine hesitant and vaccine amenable populations. Hesitant refers to the refusal or delay of acceptance of vaccines. Amenable refers to being open to getting vaccinated. In the coming months, she will be conducting surveys and focus groups to better understand barriers in the Asian community.
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