VOL 35 NO 49 | DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9

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DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016 FREE 34 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Trump taps Elaine Chao for transportation secretary

Community meeting on Donnie Chin’s death focuses on accountability

Photo by John Liu/NWAW

VOL 35 NO 49

Elaine Chao

NEW YORK (AP) — Elaine Chao’s record at the Labor Department suggests she’d have a light hand when it comes to safety regulation as transportation secretary and would seek to shift responsibility from the federal government to states where possible.

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Nov. see CHAO on 4

From left: Rep. Sharon Santos, Seattle Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim, Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Deputy Police Chief Carmen Best, Assistant Chief Robert Merner, and Lt. Scott Moss.

By James Tabafunda NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Still dealing with frustration and sadness over the murder of International District Emergency Center (IDEC) Executive

State representative receives lifetime achievement award

By Vivian Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Having served Washington’s district 37 for nearly 18 years, Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos will be one of eight people to receive a lifetime achievement award as one of the Northwest Asian Weekly’s top contributors to the Asian community.

Cindy Domingo, Chief of Staff to King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, recalled witnessing Santos’ passion, diligence, and inspirational work ethic, while traveling to the United Nations’ 1995 World Conference on Women.

“It was there at that conference and the months leading up to the conference that I saw Sharon’s leadership blossom and her passion for developing a platform of action for a women’s rights agenda,” Domingo said. “She is unstoppable, unflappable, and smart, and a good friend, colleague, and comrade to me and many other women who aspire to be leaders and change agents in this world.”

Elaine Chu, a philanthropic

We’ve known him as Ambassador Gary Locke. We’ve known him as the governor of Washington state. Now, Locke has quietly been pursuing his latest role as private citizen.

Inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address asking what citizens could do for their country, Locke’s altruistic aspirations began at an early age. Locke went to college during the tumultuous time of the Vietnam War protests. There, he fostered a belief that he could make a change in his country through law, rather than violence. He started working with community service organizations, promoting social services, and meeting with government officials on local initiatives. Through his experience and with the support of his community, Locke was eventually encouraged to run for office.

Locke went on to become the first Asian American governor in the continental United States, the first Chinese American Secretary of Commerce, and the first Chinese American to serve as the U.S.

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adviser to the Seattle Foundation, recalled Santos’ strength both as a mentor and as an inspiration. “Sharon is one of those rare individuals you meet that stays in your life forever,” Chu said. “She taught me to challenge myself and go beyond what you could just do now, but also what you can accomplish moving forward.”

During her time in politics, Santos dedicated much of her career to ensuring quality early learning programs for see SANTOS on 12

see CHIN on 16

Making a difference as citizen Locke

By Tim Gruver NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos

Director Donnie Chin, more than 50 residents and business owners in the Chinatown International District (CID) hoped to hear that local law enforcement officials have captured or

ICE RINK HORROR Fish frozen in skating rink spark uproar. » see 4

TOP CONTRIBUTOR

Gary Locke

Ambassador to China. However, for all his successes and glass ceilings broken, Locke recognized that he would not have made it without the accomplishments of those who came before him.

Locke cited Wing Luke and Dolores Sibonga — iconic, local Asian Americans who held office at the city and state levels and broke glass ceilings of their own — for helping make his runs for office easier in an area where Asian Americans make up less than 5 percent of the population. Locke see LOCKE on 4

The Fil-Am star in legal circles. » see 7

THE KILLING ART Knives, sticks .... the unique Filipino martial arts. » see 8

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DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Medal of Freedom

whose parents are from Laos. “Being promoted to Associate Dean is a great honor that provides me additional opportunities to empower our community.”

Saechao is also the founding co-chair of the Southeast Asian Education Coalition (SEAeD), a nonprofit that addresses legislative policy, achievement gaps, and other educational concerns of the Southeast Asian American community. 

34 YEARS

doing what he does best — getting crowds amped with his tunes and jumping energetically on stage. In between the shots of Aoki, there are scenic visuals of Asia, from restaurants to mountains, as well as a showcase of the airline’s in-flight accommodations. 

‘Forgotten War’ veterans receive Ambassador for Peace medals

President Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Maya Lin.

Maya Lin, the artist who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on Nov. 22.

The nation’s highest civilian honor is presented each year to those who “have made especially meritorious contributions.”

Lin, whose parents are from China, told NBC News she was “speechless and so very, very honored.” She also received the National Medal of the Arts from Obama in 2009.

Lin was among the 21 Medal of Freedom recipients this year — along with Bill and Melinda Gates, Ellen DeGeneres, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 

Mienh American promoted at Highline College

Ay Saechao

Ay Saechao has been promoted to Associate Dean for Student Development, Retention and Conduct at Highline College.

“My experience witnessing friends and family struggle to succeed in school has driven me to strive for educational equity for all students, especially those underrepresented,” said Saechao,

On Nov. 22, President Barack Obama announced his intention to appoint Beth Takekawa to the National Museum and Library Services Board.

Takekawa is Executive Director of the Wing Luke Museum, a position she has held since 2008.

Takekawa served as The Wing’s Beth Takekawa CEO in 2007 and was Associate Director from 1997 to 2006.

She was appointed by the Governor of Washington to serve as a Commissioner on the Washington State Arts Commission from 2009 to 2015, and serves on the board of the Downtown Seattle Association and International District Emergency Center. Takekawa attended the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities and received a B.A. from Hunter College of the City University of New York. 

All Nippon Airways sells experience to North America

Steve Aoki

ANA, Japan’s largest airline, launched its first U.S. marketing campaign on Nov. 17 called “Welcome to Experience Class,” with help from globally renowned deejay Steve Aoki.

Aoki, who happens to be the Guinness World Record’s most traveled artist, appears in the video

Credit: Edmonds Community College

Obama appoints Wing Luke’s Executive Director to national board

From left: Sun K. Lee, veteran Steve Pennington, Edmonds Community College President Dr. Jean Hernandez, Ambassador for Peace medal recipient Paul Poppe, guest, Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith, Washington state Rep. Cindy Ryu, and Ki Seung Cho.

Korean Consulate General Moon Duk-Ho awarded 12 Korean War veterans with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal on Nov. 2 at Edmonds Community College’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony.

The war has long been referred to as “The Forgotten War,” which took place from 1950 to 1953.

Washington state Rep. Cindy Ryu, the first Korean American woman to be mayor of a U.S. city, said the service and sacrifice of both Korean and American soldiers during the Korean War brought democracy and a strengthened economy to her home, in South Korea.

The City of Lynnwood has worked with the Consulate General to establish a sister-city relationship with Damyang, Korea.

Edmonds Community College is home to the college’s Veterans Resource Center. 

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

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Disney’s “Mulan” casting, deadline Dec. 6 Disney is casting two leads for the Disney performance, Mulan. If interested in auditioning, send in your photo and resume, if available, to mulancastingseattle@disneympp. com by Dec. 6. Potential participants must be 18 by May 1, 2017, and must be available April through October of 2017. Those auditioning must be available for the entire shoot and will live in China during the film’s production dates.

Mulan: 18–20 years old. Must be able to speak fluent English. Actor must be athletic, tough, and energetic.

Chen Honhhui: Mid 20s and able to speak fluent English and Mandarin. Actor must be handsome, muscular, and athletic.

This live-action movie is based on the 1998 animated classic Disney movie with the same name. Mulan is about historical Chinese events told through Mulan, Mushu, and friends. When Mulan’s country is besieged and attacked by Gokturk invaders, her father decides to reenlist. She refuses to let him leave alone, so she sneaks out and also joins the army, passing as a man.

WA man wins bronze medal for jade carvings Photo provided by Nathaniel Cook

EDMONDS, WA — Nathaniel Cook, 26, of Edmonds, was awarded the bronze medal for his hand-crafted jade sculptures at Zi Gang Bei, an annual international jade carving exhibition held in Suzhou, China from Nov. 18–20.

All of the nephrite jade Cook used in his sculptures was harvested from Washington state’s Cascade Mountains by local jade mining company, Washington Jade, where Cook is also employed.

Cook was one of the youngest carvers ever to be invited to Zi Gang Bei and presented alongside some of the best-known jade carvers in the world. “To win a medal on my first go was completely unexpected,” said Cook. He submitted two pieces for the competition, but the piece the judges liked best was ‘Oracle,’ an abstract piece made from local Blue Dream Jade and grossular garnet.

Cook plans to return to China next year to participate in the 2017 Zi Gang Bei Exhibition. 

Nathaniel Cook holding one of his creations.

Earlier this year, more than 100,000 supporters signed a petition calling on Disney to cast Asian actors in the movie, arguing that a lack of representation of racial minorities harms not only actors of color, but also people of color in the audience.

This follows several recent casting choices, including Matt Damon in The Great Wall — a movie starring a white man, despite being set in China, British actress Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One in Doctor Strange, and Scarlett Johansson as The Major in Ghost in the Shell. 

Panda cub gets meds in sweet potato after tummy surgery

Oracle

Seattle directing $250,000 to needs of immigrant students SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle says it will spend $250,000 to help address the needs of undocumented immigrants enrolled in the city’s public schools as well as their families.

The decision was part of an executive order signed last week by Mayor Ed Murray. Murray says an “inclusive and equitable city

cabinet,” made up of representatives from city departments, will figure out how to spend the money.

However, the order also reaffirms another longstanding practice: see FUND on 12

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Smithsonian National Zoo’s giant panda cub Bei Bei is getting antibiotics and antacids via sweet potatoes after surgery to remove bamboo stuck in his intestine.

The Washington Post reports the zoo says the panda cub is “bright, alert and responsive” following surgery. The paper reported on Nov. 28 that the 1-year-old Bei Bei is “successfully nursing” and eating apples and softened biscuits. Not in his diet for now: bamboo.

The Smithsonian said previously that “lifesaving” surgery was performed on Nov. 25 after an ultrasound revealed a blockage at the top of the small intestine. Zoo officials had noticed the panda showed signs of stomach discomfort and nausea on Thanksgiving day, and was sleeping more than normal and not eating. 

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DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

34 YEARS

■ WORLD NEWS

5,000 fish in ice at Japan skating rink sparks uproar

By Kaori Hitomi ASSOCIATED PRESS TOKYO (AP) — An amusement park in western Japan sparked an uproar after it displayed about 5,000 dead fish in the ice at a skating rink, forcing the park to close the attraction.

Space World received a flood of criticism on social media after opening the rink on Nov. 12. It was closed on Nov. 27.

About 25 different kinds of fish could be seen under the 820-foot-

LOCKE from 1 hopes to leave behind the same legacy for aspiring Asian American politicians.

“When I became King County executive, and later governor, it was important to do as good a job as possible,” said Locke. “If I could do a good job, I could inspire other Asian Americans to run for office. And if I could be an effective governor of the state of Washington, I could motivate others — other Asian Americans — to run and make it easier for them to win.”

And on Dec. 2, the Northwest Asian Weekly will honor Locke with a Life Achievement Award in its annual Top Contributors awards dinner.

Held at the House of Hong Restaurant in Chinatown, the Top Contributors event recognizes individuals who’ve gone above and beyond in community-building and social justice work for the local Asian community.

On living in the present

Since stepping down from his role as the U.S. Ambassador to China in 2014, Locke’s attention has turned to his consulting business, which focuses on cross-border trade and investment.

He is also an adviser and consultant at international law firm David Wright Tremaine LLP, in their China and governmental-relations practice groups.

Additionally, Locke has a demanding speaking schedule, and often travels to give speeches on U.S. and China relations to universities, companies, and financial conferences. But most importantly, said Locke, he’s used this time off from public service to relax, recharge, and enjoy his return home to the Pacific Northwest, while spending quality time with family and friends.

In his last interview with Northwest Asian Weekly, Locke said he was supporting Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.

Despite the election’s results, Locke

CHAO from 1 29 that Chao was his choice for the Cabinet post. “Secretary Chao’s extensive record of strong leadership and her expertise are invaluable assets in our mission to rebuild our infrastructure in a fiscally responsible manner,” Trump said in a statement released by his campaign.

Chao said Trump “has outlined a clear vision to transform our country’s infrastructure, accelerate economic growth and productivity, and create good paying jobs across the country.”

Chao, 63, was labor secretary under President George W. Bush and the first Asian-American woman to serve in a president’s Cabinet. She also is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, which might be of some help if Trump is to fulfill his promise of generating $1 trillion in infrastructure spending.

Chao’s record suggests she’d be skeptical of new safety regulations and may attempt to roll back existing regulations. Under Chao, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration didn’t issue a single significant new safety regulation for four years, and mine safety inspectors were cut and inspections reduced, said Thomas McGarity, a University of Texas law professor and author of “Freedom to Harm,” a book about the labor department that includes Chao’s tenure.

Among the pressing issues facing the next transportation secretary will be how to boost the nation’s aging infrastructure so that it can accommodate population growth and not become a drag on the economy, modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system, ensuring that new transportation technologies are adopted in a safe manner and responding to a surge in traffic fatalities.

Whether it’s integrating drones into the national airspace, deploying self-driving cars or “some other new technology, she’s not going to be especially inclined to

long ice circuit. The park in the city of Kitakyushu opened the “Ice Aquarium” as an “attraction never heard about.”

Japanese broadcaster NHK showed the fish frozen in ice on a blue floor, so it looked like they were swimming below the ice.

Some formed a school to spell out “HELLO” or make an arrowshaped sign in the ice.

The general manager of Space World, Toshimi Takeda, said many critical messages were posted on social media, some condemning

said this disappointment doesn’t mean that supporters should sit back, but rather, should continue to fight for policies at the local level that Secretary Clinton would’ve enacted nationally.

“Just because [President-elect Donald] Trump won doesn’t mean we in Washington state shouldn’t try to address the concerns of everyday workingclass families,” Locke said. He hopes issues like making education more affordable, fighting green gas emissions and climate change, and finding ways to increase the availability of affordable housing, will be key concerns locally.

With this in mind, Locke is currently working with civic groups on an initiative to address the disconnect between local residents looking for jobs and Seattle-area companies that cannot find nearby talent and are recruiting employees out-of-state.

“I’m interested in helping with the efforts of providing more intensive job training — to our own citizens, our

second-guess the industry when they say that this will be safe,” McGarity said.

As labor secretary, her job was to protect the nation’s workforce, including setting safety standards and addressing issues related to wages and retirement. She updated overtime regulations for “white-collar” workers and rules intended to force unions to disclose more details on their financial condition to members.

Chao is “a strong advocate of letting the markets function as they will, not intervening into private sector arrangements,” McGarity said.

Mitch Bainwol, president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, applauded Trump’s selection of Chao as “a superb choice.”

“Big issues await,” he said. “The traditional regulatory approach is increasingly challenged to keep pace with the rapid rate of innovation in our sector.”

More recently, Chao had been on the board of directors for Bloomberg Philanthropies, run by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. She resigned last year after learning the organization planned to expand an environmental initiative to shutter coal-fired power plants.

Almost 90 percent of Kentucky’s electricity comes from coal, and her ties to the organization were used against McConnell in his Senate race.

Chao came to the United States from Taiwan with her family at age 8. Her family settled in New York, where her father, James Si-Cheng Chao, became a wealthy shipping magnate.

Chao received her undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard. She went on to become head of the Peace Corps and deputy secretary at the Transportation Department. She was head of the United Way of America and worked at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington think tank, before becoming labor secretary. 

the concept as abusing living things.

Takeda said that the fish in the ice had been intended “to give the feel of the ocean to the ice skating rink,” and that the amusement park is “extremely remorseful to have invoked such unpleasant feelings.”

Space World said the fish were purchased from a fish market, and were dead before the water was frozen. The operator plans to hold a memorial service for the fish once they’re taken out of the ice. 

community seeking work — and matching them up with all these great companies in-state that have so many unfulfilled positions.”

Locke is also working closely with local organizations to redevelop underutilized lands for senior housing and commercial development.

Although he cannot divulge where, Locke hopes the project will address several growth objectives, such as ushering in new businesses, creating jobs, and bringing affordable housing to the urban area.

Although he has no current plans to return to public service, these projects speak to what Locke misses most about holding office: “I miss management. I love public policy. I very much enjoy revitalizing organizations and making them more effective. I’m just a political junkie.”  Gary Locke will be honored on Dec. 2 at the Northwest Asian Weekly’s annual Top Contributors Awards Dinner, held at the House of Hong Restaurant in Chinatown.

Vivian can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

YOUR VOICE

■ WORLD NEWS

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

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Woman in Japan reclaims dad, US identity in 6-decade journey

By Ken Moritsugu ASSOCIATED PRESS KASHIWA, Japan (AP) — At a public bath in a Yokohama slum in the 1950s, a red-haired girl scrubs her skin with a pumice stone, hard, to try to get the white out.

Other kids sometimes taunt her. “American, American.”

She yells back, “I’m Japanese!”

She is told she was abandoned. Only much later would she learn that her family had been a casualty of anti-Asian immigration policy in the United States. Her American father got Congress to pass a special bill that would have allowed her to enter the U.S., yet she went most of her 67 years without knowing that.

“So many coincidences happened in my life,” she said in an interview at her house outside Tokyo. “But altogether, you know, I managed to put the whole story, that now I’m

settled, and I have peace of mind. Thank goodness that I don’t have to live with two people anymore.”

Those two people are Mary Ann Vaughn, the girl she was born as, and Marianne Wilson, the girl that fate made her.

Her father, Texas-born James Vaughn, arrived in Japan in early 1946. The 20-year-old civilian was assigned to a U.S. military base in Yokohama. He met 16-year-old Vivienne Wilson working in the PX to help support her family. Their daughter, Mary Ann Vaughn, was born in a Yokohama hospital on April 17, 1949.

It was an ill-fated romance. The military denied Vaughn permission to marry Wilson, based on U.S. immigration law, because she was half-Japanese. Back in the U.S., he wrote to Congress, which passed a law allowing Wilson and her daughter to enter the U.S. It was dated Aug. 5, 1950.

That very day Vivienne Wilson died of tuberculosis.

Mary Ann was 16 months old.

Wilson’s family asked her nanny to take care of Mary Ann until her father returned. He never did.

She didn’t know she was American. In fact, she was taught to be terrified of Americans. But ultimately, an organization set up to help orphans left behind by American soldiers found her.

In letters to the Swedish consul in Tokyo in 1955, the group reported that Mary Ann’s nanny wanted to adopt her, but questioned whether that was advisable, given her impoverished circumstances.

Sweden decided it should find a home for her, and a custody battle ensued. The court ruled in Sweden’s favor in 1958.

Under a compromise with the Swedish Embassy, the see VAUGHN on 13

Dalai Lama: ‘I have no worries’ about Trump’s election

By Ganbat Namjilsangarav and Grace Brown ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dalai Lama

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said on Nov. 23 that he has “no worries” about Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president, adding that he expects the businessman will

align his future policies with global realities.

The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner’s remarks were his most extensive yet regarding the election of the real estate tycoon and reality television star who has called for putting America’s concerns first and shown little interest in Washington’s traditional espousal of global

Police stop bus carrying 120 live cobras in central Vietnam HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Police have seized 120 live cobras being carried in boxes on a bus in Vietnam in violation of a law banning transportation of products dangerous to people.

Thanh Nien state newspaper reported the bus with four passengers was stopped by police in the central province of Dak Nong on Nov. 23.

The cobras, weighing a combined 484 pounds, were contained in 15 plastic boxes.

The driver told police he was hired to transport the cobras from the northern province of Vinh Phuc to the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City.

The bus and the snakes were transferred to a district police station for handling.

Police were not available for comment and it wasn’t clear if arrests were made.

Cobra is eaten as a delicacy in Vietnam and is used in traditional medicines. 

Snow falls in November in Tokyo for first time in 54 years TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo residents woke up on Nov. 24 to the first November snowfall in more than 50 years.

An unusually cold air mass brought wet snow to Japan’s capital. Above-freezing temperatures kept the snow from sticking in most places, though it did accumulate on sidewalks and cars in Tokyo’s far western

suburbs.

Meteorologists forecast up to 1 inch would fall, and more in the mountains northwest of Tokyo.

The snow caused minor train delays during the morning commute.

The last time it snowed in central Tokyo in November was 1962. 

democracy and social justice.

Commenting at the conclusion of a four-day visit to Mongolia, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism said he looks forward to seeing Trump at some point following the Jan. 20 inauguration. Such meetings usually draw protests from Beijing, which accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking to split Tibet from China.

The 81-year-old monk said he has always regarded the U.S. as the leader of the “free world” and wasn’t concerned about remarks made by Trump during the election campaign. Some of those comments have been cited as offensive to Muslims, Hispanics, and other U.S. see TRUMP on 14

asianweekly northwest

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DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

34 YEARS

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR DEC 1

IN-NW DIGITAL INNOVATION SERIES: CREATING A SUCCESSFUL MULTICHANNEL STRATEGY Microsoft Events Center, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 1301 5th Ave. Ste. 1500, Seattle 12–1:30 p.m. $35–$90 206-389-7278 FIRST THURSDAY FREE ADMISSION TO THE WING LUKE ASIAN MUSEUM The Wing, International District Free wingluke.org FIRST THURSDAY FREE ADMISSION TO THE SEATTLE ART MUSEUM The Seattle Art Museum, downtown Free seattleartmuseum.org

1–4 KING STREET MAKERS MARKET, GIFT-CENTRIC POP-UP 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Plank & Grain Furnitore Co./ Seattle’s International District facebook.com/ kingstreetmakersmarket

1–17 NORTHWEST POP UP EXHIBITION, FEATURING ART

BY AKIO TAKAMORI AND OTHERS James Harris Gallery 604 2nd Ave., Seattle

206-903-6220 jamesharrisgallery.com

2 TOP CONTRIBUTORS TO THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AWARDS DINNER House of Hong Restaurant, Seattle’s Chinatown 6 p.m.–9 p.m. $75–$85 nwasianweekly.com/ topcontributors

3 FREE TO FAMILIES: ADMISSION TO SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle Free seattleartmuseum.org/visit/ asian-art-museum MULTICULTURAL HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFT FAIR St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1610 S. King St., Seattle 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

206-323-5250, stpeterseattle. org

4 CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP North Seattle College, 9600 College Way N., Seattle 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

206-386-9090, citizenship@ seattle.gov GOPOKE GRAND ALOHA OPENING 625 S. King St., Seattle 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

4, 5 & 8

12

“SPIRITED AWAY: 15TH ANNIVERSARY” For location and tickets, check out fathomevents.com/event/ spirited-away

NAAAP VOLUNTEERS HOLIDAY POTLUCK Bellevue Towers, 500 106th Ave. N.E., Bellevue 6–9 p.m. naaapseattle.org

8 CITIZENSHIP JOURNALISM: WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY? A WORKSHOP 21 Progress, 409 Maynard Ave. S., #202, Seattle $10–$25 brownpapertickets.com/ event/2715799 FREE ADMISSION TO SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle 5–9 p.m.

Free seattleartmuseum.org/visit/ asian-art-museum

LEARN CONVERSATIONAL MANDARIN CHINESE IN SOUTH SEATTLE Highline College, 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines 6:30–8 p.m. ce.highline.edu 206-592-3785

EMERGENCY WORLD DANCE PARTY Filipino Community of Seattle, 5740 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle 5–9:30 p.m.

HING HAY ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR Hing Hay Coworks, 409B Maynard Ave. S., Seattle 11 a.m.–5 p.m. facebook.com/ events/617623475111609 ASIAN ART MUSEUM COMMUNITY MEETING, ON ITS RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PLANS Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle 1–2:30 p.m. facebook.com/ events/662945873865378

Mario headed to parks: Nintendo and Universal join forces

15–31

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■ NATION

17 & 18 HOLIDAY MAHOUTO MARKET Nagomi Tea House, 519 6th Ave. S. Ste. 200, Seattle 12–5 p.m.

18 THE FINAL JK POP Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., Seattle 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

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By Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Universal Parks & Resorts and Nintendo are joining forces to add video game characters to the theme park company’s resorts.

Company officials said on Nov. 29 that Nintendo-themed areas will be added to Universal parks in Orlando, Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan.

Few other details were given, including when they would open and the types of experience that would be offered.

A Universal spokesman didn’t respond to an email seeking further details.

A news release says the Nintendo areas will include attractions, restaurants and shops.

The areas will open separately at the parks over the next several years. 

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YOUR VOICE

■ TOP CONTRIBUTORS HONOREE

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A DIY approach: John Laney became a lawyer instead of hiring one

By Arlene Kiyomi Dennistoun NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY When small business owners need expert repair, be it plumbing or electrical work, if they’re skilled, they DIY, or they call in the experts — the plumber or electrician.

Likewise, when small business owners are overwhelmed with understanding the maze of rules and laws imposed by the state and all the risks and insurance requirements, they typically rely on the expert — an experienced attorney.

Not John Laney.

After his first year at the Seattle University School of Law, Laney was in the top 6 percent of his class of 357 students. Laney made the dean’s list, was the associate editor of the school’s law review, and graduated magna cum laude. Stoel Rives, LLP, the sixth largest law firm in Seattle, recruited Laney out of law school. People who know the rigors of law school understand Laney’s achievements puts him in an elite class of attorneys.

Laney is also the only Filipino American attorney at his law firm with Fortune 500 clients practicing in the area of mergers, acquisitions, and debt financing. “You won’t find other Filipino Americans doing high-end corporate work.

It’s just me.”

The legal community has recognized Laney’s achievements numerous times. Washington Super Lawyers has named him a “rising star” for the past three years.

Lawyers of Color included him on its “Hot List” in 2013.

But being honored by the Northwest Asian Weekly is “quite a bit more monumental to me than being honored by a legal publication.” Laney explained legal magazines appeal to a closed community — attorneys, whereas the Northwest Asian Weekly’s audience is much broader. Laney said he is “incredibly humbled.” “This paper is always in our house.

It’s one of those things we always pick up when we go to

a “college lifestyle.” Laney laughed about how he saw students sleeping in and participating in activities outside of school — luxuries he couldn’t afford.

When Laney decided to go to law school, he sold the care home he co-owned and went to school at night, while continuing to work in the adult home care industry during the day. Laney also took advantage of every opportunity to get involved in externships and internships and landed a three-month stint at the King County Prosecutor’s Office. He worked in the criminal division, felony unit, prosecuting elder abuse and sex crimes.

All the awful facts he poured over all day long, particularly the ones involving crimes against children, stuck with him and he wasn’t able to go home and “turn that off.” At the time, Laney was the father of six girls, all under 10 years old. He was grateful that the cases that see LANEY on 12 John Laney

the Asian market. I want our kids to realize that if your mother worked in a cafeteria and your father worked in a shipyard, you can still do anything you want to do.”

Laney’s interest in kids is understandable. He and his wife have seven daughters and a son. He rattled off their ages — 16, 15, 14, 12, 10, eight (Laney’s son), six, and four.

His kids go to Catholic school, where the joke is he has the most kids at the school. Laney was 20 when he had his first child, while attending the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

He had a child to care for, while attending college and coowned and operated an adult care home. He had no time for extracurricular activities and wasn’t able to experience

■ PICTORIAL

SEAHAWKS

help small businesses

The Ethnic Seattle Holiday Pop-up Market on Nov. 26 at Hing Hay Park featured local minority and immigrant owned businesses. Seahawks legends Steve Largent and Walter Jones signed autographs, took photos, and handed out swag.

John Liu on an ice-sculptured sleigh.

PHOTOS BY GEORGE LIU/NWAW

Steve Largent (left) and Walter Jones.

Dr. Michael Chan and wife Amanda and family pose for a photo with Steve Largent.

A long line to meet former Seahawks players Steve Largent and Walter Jones.

Participants helped support small businesses at the Holiday Pop Up Market.

Steve Largent signing autographs.

asianweekly northwest

8

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

34 YEARS

Courtesy: Belton Lubas

Courtesy: Belton Lubas

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Killing Art: Filipino martial arts

Belton Lubas demonstrates using a stick against a man armed with a knife.

Bringing down an assailant with a knife.

By Jason Cruz NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

According to some historians, the martial art has been around for over 2,000 years and predates many other types of martial arts. All three forms include open hand and weapons such as sticks, knives, and bladed weapons. The martial art was a necessity for the Filipino people, as the island country had to fend off invaders and local conflict.

Thus, it became more of a fighting system which incorporated common resources in usually close-quarter, combative situations.

Lubas indicated that to this day, many combat special forces either train in the Philippines or utilize the techniques in training for combat.

Ferdinand Magellan, whose expedition arrived to the Philippines in 1521, met Filipino warriors led by the legendary Lapu-Lapu.

Denzel Washington, Matt Damon, and Melissa McCarthy have all trained in Filipino martial arts (FMA) for action roles in movies.

It’s an art that is known for self-defense techniques and the bluntness of its attacks.

“You’ve probably seen it, and didn’t even know it,” said Belton Lubas, a high-level practitioner and FMA instructor in Bellevue.

While it may not be well-known, FMA has been used in many popular movies. “When you look at action films, the satisfaction of wanting to see that violence is what is attractive,” explained Lubas.

Due to the “dark” nature of the system,

Lubas describes FMA as a “killing art.”

“There are no points, it’s straight to the point,” explained Lubas.

In practice, FMA includes the use of sticks, blunt objects, and blades. The stick is the symbol of the blade. “When you practice with the stick, you practice with the lines [involved in stabbing or slicing your opponent with a blade]” said Lubas. It is a very combateffective art and is known for its use of adapting to situations, overcoming dangers, and improvising the use of weapons when needed.

The martial art was developed in the Philippines and cultivated by different regions and families, although the three most popular forms are Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali.

Instead of conceding their way of life to the Spanish, Lapu-Lapu led the Filipinos against the Spanish expansion. It was the Battle of Mactan in which the Filipinos utilized the martial arts against the Spanish forces, which were armed with rifles and crossbows. LapuLapu’s warriors wounded Magellan and eventually killed him in battle.

For Lubas, his martial arts career began in 1994 when he was in San Jose, Calif.

However, he did not get involved with FMA until 2007. Lubas, who is Filipino and originally from Guam, recalls the story of seeing an individual doing stick work. The instructor asked him if Lubas was Filipino. see KILLING ART on 15

YOUR VOICE

■ AT THE MOVIES

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

Ringo Lam’s

“SKY ON FIRE”

majestic, but arid

Moana is the first Disney film to depict Polynesian culture, and activists had been

“Sky on Fire” stars fast-rising Hong Kong action actor Daniel Wu (originally from California). The film isn’t really about his character — the head of security at a topsecret medical research facility. The film isn’t really about Joseph Chang, as the headstrong truck driver Chia-Chia, or Amber Kuo as his sister, struggling with cancer. The movie doesn’t make itself about any human beings.

It’s devoted to towering skyscrapers, droning helicopters, fast cars with screeching tires, and swallowing darkness to highlight all the above. Bullets fly. Smoke fills the screen.

Humanity itself seems very much lost at the bottom of the mix.

Ringo Lam

Ringo Lam made a name for himself with dynamic, intense, and matter-of-factly overthe-top Hong Kong films, notably “City on Fire,” from which Quentin Tarantino liberally liberated ideas when he made his breakthrough “Reservoir Dogs.” Tarantino, though, remembered to keep his crooks (and the occasional undercover cop) fascinating

through their kinetic dialogue about everything from life, to death, to Top 40 radio in the 1970s.

Lam’s done a better job with his onscreen people over the long haul. But here, he forgot to give them humanity. They function as props.

We don’t especially care where the topsecret formula to cure disease came from, or who tries to steal it, or why. Round and round it goes, sinking in subterfuge, and the only sign of significance is from Kuo as Jen, the sick woman. She looks quite plausibly sick but in that overdriven manner, silent on the surface but roiling beneath it, that you see in much high drama. She’s an exaggerated figure, and like everybody else onscreen, it’s hard to get to know her.

So the cure-all, plotted for, stolen, and then kicked around for the remainder of the film’s 100 minutes, proves no more than a MacGuffin. The MacGuffin — a term popularized by Alfred Hitchcock — is some prize (or sometimes, some goal, instead of a physical object), which distinguishes itself in a story, simply because the major characters want it. It does not have to have any particular meaning in and of itself. It does not have to mean anything outside the story. The storyteller must arrange for such things.

Ringo Lam got his MacGuffin, and he got his spectacle. Too bad he left subtler, nobler things on some forgotten mental plane. Or the proverbial cutting-room floor.  “Sky on Fire” opens Dec. 2 at Regal Meridian Cinemas, 1501 7th Avenue, Seattle.

Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

northwest

9

Disney’s Moana, first Polynesian princess, sails to the top of the box office

By John Liu NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

asianweekly

voicing their concerns for months that the movie would be an inaccurate portrayal of their culture. Activists pointed out that the demigod Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, reinforced a negative stereotype that Pacific Islanders were overweight.

Even before the first trailers were released, Disney spent years researching the see MOANA on 12

asianweekly northwest

10

34 YEARS

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

OPINION

My family affairs

A journey to Hong Kong marked by sadness and loss “You have to be in Hong Kong in early November,” my brother said, when he called me from Texas in late September.

So I embarked on a 12-day trip to Hong Kong, one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life.

I should have said no. What my brother didn’t know was I needed to be in America, watching and covering the presidential election. Nor did I tell him that I wanted to postpone the trip until mid-December, as I was organizing a 380-guest dinner honoring former Ambassador to China Gary Locke, Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, and others.

I didn’t share that I was mentally not ready to send my mother to a nursing home three months ahead of schedule. It took two years to convince myself that putting her in a home was the right thing to do. Yet, I didn’t give much thought about the process — how to tell her was another story.

Our original plan was to go to Hong Kong next February (at the end of Lunar New Year) to celebrate my mother’s birthday before she entered a nursing home.

I expected the trip to be joyless and depressing. Can someone help us to do the dirty job of explaining to mom that her kids were moving her to a nursing home? That would be a “death sentence” to her.

Years ago, I applied for a green card for her to stay in the United States. Later, she forfeited her permanent residency status.

Hong Kong’s lifestyle was more suitable for her, she said, due to her cultural and language barrier. Since my stepfather passed away in 2002, she has lived in Hong Kong with a foreign maid. It’s common in Hong Kong to hire a Filipino, Thai, or Indonesian maid.

The urgency for dispatching her to a nursing home was the progression of her Alzheimer’s disease. The other reason was the lack of professional care. In the past few years, we couldn’t carry a five-minute conversation on the phone. The last two years, she avoided a phone conversation because she lost her hearing aids (many times). It cost $800 in U.S. dollars for each ear. She would ask the same question 100 times and forget the answer, even if I told her 20 times.

It is unbearable to watch mom, once a beauty in her prime, diminished to an old lady with a hollow face, and sunken eyes full of fear and confusion. Her mind is lost, twisted, and never calm. Old friends praised my mother’s model figure in the past. It is heartbreaking to see her body shrink, and her feet limp. She can walk, but lacks the will to get out of the wheelchair. And her maid spoils her, pushing her in the wheelchair all the time.

She used to be two inches taller than me, and now, it’s the opposite.

Mom has exhausted her options. Being careless with her finances, she is now penniless. I am ashamed to say that some relatives were stealing from her, while others distanced themselves from her, knowing that she doesn’t have any money. If you’re wondering why didn’t I advise her on her money, it was because she would have been suspicious of anyone who asked about her savings.

Instead of paying for her expensive apartment and maid, my brother and I decided to use the money for a nursing home.

The stigma for seniors to enter nursing

homes is prevalent in Asia. Relatives question your lack of traditional Asian values: What kind of kids are you to send aging parents to homes? Aren’t you supposed to take care of them? Don’t you know you are committing a cardinal sin — showing no filial piety?

At the risk of facing disapproval from our relatives, my brother and I did what was right for mom, and he had found a good nursing home in Hong Kong. He also enrolled mom in a reputable dementia center so she can get out of the nursing home once a week. The center provides a meal, engages seniors in many activities, including drawing, coloring, doing simple math, exercising, and dancing.

Mom and a social worker in a laughing class (4th day in the nursing home).

One of my mom’s drawings of a panda.

The transition process

We knew that mom would rather die than go to a home, so we mapped out our strategies to deal with her resistance.

On Nov. 9, my husband and I caught a redeye flight to Hong Kong, landing in the city in the morning of Nov. 11.

When mom saw me, she was ecstatic — screaming, crying, and clapping like a happy little girl getting her first doll.

We kept our decision to ourselves. We never mentioned the term “nursing home” to her, and we requested that relatives do the same. We told mom that the landlord wanted the apartment back and she would move to a new place. That part was true. Her lease expired on Nov. 14.

Photos by Assunta Ng/NWAW

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Mahjong time (first day at the nursing home).

It was unpleasant to sort out her stuff as piles of boxes and stacks of photo albums brought back my childhood traumas. We decided what to throw away, move, store, or

donate. We told the maid to pack only her basic needs, mostly clothes. see BLOG on 13

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMENTARY

asianweekly northwest

11

OPINION

The law caught up with me and I served my time

I was summoned to Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 for jury duty. I really wanted to use the line, “I would make a great juror, because I can spot a guilty person just by looking at him/her.” But alas, I was dismissed early on both days.

Admittedly, I did try to get exempted, citing the hardship it would have placed on my employer, but that request was denied.

A friend of mine told me, “You should go. You’re smart.

If I was on trial, I would want smart people on the jury.”

Good point.

to the courthouse and as I mentioned, my group was dismissed quickly and early in the day.

The first time around, I took the bus to the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle. I recall getting a bus ticket in the mail and getting paid $10 a day. I spent a lot of time sitting and waiting. Then, I got called into a courtroom and was questioned by attorneys for both sides and the judge, and was almost seated. I got off the hook when I revealed I worked for the media and someone decided that I couldn’t be impartial.

The same thinking holds that defense lawyers favor Black jurors because they believe this group is more likely to have witnessed or experienced abuses of authority (especially law enforcement) and are more likely to believe it is possible for someone to be arrested and accused of a crime they did not commit.

Obviously, these are stark generalizations and do not hold true across the board. But these beliefs exist and according to Saris, definitely play a role when lawyers decide who stays and who goes.

What’s it like?

What lawyers want

Both sides want fair jurors. But they really want jurors who will favor THEIR side over the other. Lawyers are limited to the kinds of questions they can ask, and they have time limits. So stereotypes come into play.

According to Elena Saris, a veteran criminal defense attorney, prosecutors favor Asian American jurors because they believe that culturally, Asians have more respect for authority and are more likely to believe a person who is arrested must have done something wrong.

Be a good juror

As you may have guessed, many people were glued to their smartphones in the waiting room, some had books, others like me brought along their laptops, so they could work remotely.

I saw a pretty good cross-section of the community — Black, white, Asian, Latino, old, young, and everyone in between.

This was my second time serving. I was able to walk

Alongside military service, being part of a jury is considered to be one of the most important civil responsibilities of an adult U.S. citizen.

Imagine if you or a loved one was accused of a crime.

Imagine the jurors in the courtroom who will sit in judgment of you. What qualities would you want them to have?

Remember that the next time you are called to jury duty and be the person you would want someone else to be. 

■ GUEST EDITORIAL

identity. I am finding how I belong. For me, and like many others, the path to belonging has been challenging.

Growing up, I was a chubby, painfully shy girl who didn’t fit in. But I am grateful for that girl. She taught me that stepping out of my comfort zone is well worth the sweaty palms and apprehension. Most importantly, she taught me to live with integrity. By doing so, I found my familial tribe of queer folk, band geeks, tree huggers, and underdogs.

By the time high school reared its ugly face, I was just becoming comfortable with my sexuality. Being gay was somewhat of a taboo in my conservative hometown, so I felt isolated. I found solace in nature — places for reflection where I didn’t have to fear judgment, but I desired to find people to relate to. It wasn’t until my first Pride Parade in Los Angeles that I felt a connection to the Amanda Hsu in North Cascades National Park this summer during an intern field trip.

LGBT community.

On June 24, 2016, President Obama National parks belong to you. No matter I am a Chinese Filipino student currently designated Stonewall Inn National who you are, what you look like, or where taking a year off from attending the Monument as the NPS’ first unit dedicated you come from, our national parks are University of Washington. At this moment spaces where we all belong. in my life, I am finding my passion and selfsee HSU on 15

By Amanda Hsu NATIONAL PARK SERVICE “IN MY BACKYARD” INTERN When I first applied for an internship with the “In My Backyard” program with the National Park Service (NPS), it seemed almost impossible for someone like me to join. As a young woman born and raised in the suburbs of California, I didn’t grow up with a hiking pole in hand, but I soon realized I hold a key to helping people belong in national parks. National parks hold our histories. They tell our stories.

NPS photo

Creating a sense of belonging in our national parks

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asianweekly northwest

12

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

LANEY from 7 needed to, went to trial, and a lot of times, he got to see justice happen right before his eyes. But ultimately, Laney chose not to pursue criminal law.

Laney was born in Washington and went to Redmond Junior High and Lake Washington High School. His mother is from the Philippines, and his father from Washington.

They were one of the few Filipino families living on the Eastside at that time.

Filipino Americans are typically small business owners and do not have the resources to support Laney’s fee structure, so he doesn’t work with many Filipino American companies. He does, however, take a serious role in mentoring. He’s a board member of the Asian Bar Association of Washington Student Scholarship Foundation. Laney recalled a recent $10,000 scholarship awarded to a woman from India who was unable to qualify for any federal grants because she was undocumented and had no idea of her status until she applied for college. As a result, she struggled to pay the enormous cost of higher education. Awarding the (Takuji) Yamashita scholarship to this woman was particularly meaningful to Laney.

Takuji Yamashita immigrated to the United States from Japan and graduated from the University of Washington

SANTOS from 1 Washington students, closing what many refer to as an education opportunity gap, which represents everything from unequal access to current textbooks to disproportionate assistance from teachers.

“You do not throw an English learner into an advanced placement English composition course and expect that student to excel,” Santos said. “Why? Because they are an English learner. That student needs additional support and additional time to perhaps achieve the same level as his or her peers or perhaps it’s a satisfactory performance, but not at the same level.”

According to Santos, part of the problem stems from a lack of trained educators who share the same cultural values or even the skills necessary to interact in increasingly multicultural classrooms.

“We talk a lot about the need to increase the number of educators who reflect the culture, the students in the American public educational system. We talk about the need to promote cultural competency training among all teachers,” Santos said. “All teachers are necessary to educate a well-rounded student body, but not when you have teachers who are unskilled in interacting with all students.”

Moving with her parents to the Seattle area from San Francisco as a young child, Santos spent much of her childhood in Beacon Hill. She would go on to attend Franklin High School, which enjoyed the distinction of being one of the most racially desegregated schools in the nation at the time.

There, she and other student activists would then volunteer to be bused to Seattle’s Nathan Hale High School as part of the Seattle School District’s attempts to racially integrate its student populations in the late 1970s. The hourlong bus rides every day from Nathan Hale and back proved difficult for students like Santos, whose Japanese American heritage became the object of her teachers’ biases.

“When I needed extra assistance in my precalculus class, I was not able to receive it,” Santos said. “As a result, I raised this issue with a teacher who told me, ‘You orientals are all smart in math, you don’t need extra help.’ I lost interest in math and

GOT A TIP?

School of Law in 1902. Despite passing the bar exam, the Washington State Supreme Court held that Yamashita was ineligible to become an American citizen because of his Asian ancestry and he was not allowed to practice law. Ninetynine years later, in 2001, the decision was overturned, and the Washington State Supreme Court admitted Yamashita to the bar posthumously (Yamashita died in 1959).

As part of mentoring, Laney now has three Asian American attorneys working for him at Stoel Rives. Ten years ago, when Laney started, no Asian Americans were practicing in his area of law, so he’s pleased he’s played a role in helping to diversify the firm.

If Laney had a magic wand to change laws that would help the Filipino community, he’d focus on immigration.

“I don’t really understand the immigration policies. I don’t understand why my relatives have to wait 20 years to come to the United States, especially given the fact that his grandfather served in the U.S. Army. His grandfather was promised a right to immigrate, but ended up having to be on the waitlist like everybody else, and so did his grandfather’s children.

Benefits promised for serving in the U.S. military have started to trickle out now, but Filipino veterans are a “dying class,” said Laney. He explained that military service records of Filipino veterans were destroyed decades ago in

up to that point, I loved math and I was good at math.”

Such experiences impressed upon Santos the importance of state and local government in meeting the educational needs of its citizens, in addition to matters such as public safety.

For Santos, the murder of Chinatown community leader Donnie Chin highlighted Seattle’s failure to include Asian Americans in its efforts at ensuring public safety measures.

“That we continue to be brushed off by the Seattle police, who fail to remain in communication with the community, as to what they are doing with facts of the investigation into Donnie Chin’s murder, is unacceptable,” Santos said.

“It is a clear signal as to how the Seattle Police Department continues to disrespect and marginalize the Chinatown International District.”

Santos praised efforts by local leaders, such as Seattle City Councilmember M. Lorena Gonzalez, whose push for the creation of a public safety survey and coordinator step forward for better protecting Chinatown residents. “[Chinatown residents] are city taxpayers, they are state taxpayers, they are county taxpayers,” Santos said. “We have as much right to public safety and security for individuals, for businesses, as the downtown business core, or any individual who lives in a richer part of town.”

Regarding the passing of her husband, activist, and International District community leader Bob Santos, Santos recalled a man whose work and life reaffirmed her commitment to her communal and political service.

“It was around core values and seeing that we shared the same vision for our community and that we could be more effective and supportive of one another as a unit,” Santos said. “If anything, Bob reinforced for me the lessons that I had learned both as a youth and throughout my adulthood about the effectiveness of activism.”  Santos will be honored on Dec. 2 at the Northwest Asian Weekly’s annual Top Contributors Awards Dinner, held at the House of Hong Restaurant in Chinatown.

Tim can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

editor@nwasianweekly.com

KING COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ADVERTISEMENT Proposals will be received for E00453E16, Work Order Geotechnical Engineering Services for King County Water and Land Resources Division; by the King County Procurement and Payables Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 12:00 PM on December 6, 2016.

Estimated Total Price: $500,000 each for up to two Contracts There is a 2% minimum requirement for King

County Certified Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) firms on this contract.

All solicitation documents are published at: https:// procurement.kingcounty.gov/procurement _ ovr/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fprocurement_ ovr%2fdefault.aspx Contact: Paul Russell, 206-263-9317, paul. russell@kingcounty.gov or Esther Decker, 206263-9323, esther.decker@kingcounty.gov

34 YEARS a fire. Sadly, most Filipino veterans didn’t keep their paper records from the 1940s, mostly because if they were caught by the Japanese with documents of their U.S. military service, they’d be condemned to death.

While Laney does a lot of work for clients that people are not familiar with — mostly solar and wind projects — most people recognize companies like Darigold or Method. He’s helped Darigold with a lot of their corporate transactions and financing and gets excited when he sees their trucks on the road and/or sees new Darigold products in the stores.

His wife knows not to buy other products, he shared. Laney appreciates Darigold keeping their plant on Rainier Avenue and what that means to the local community.

Method is another client, and he respects Method because it is very thoughtful about what’s going on in the world and he likes that it is environmentally conscientious and focused on sustainability. “It’s something I see a lot in friends’ bathrooms,” he laughed.  John Laney will be honored at the Top Contributors award dinner on Dec. 2 at the House of Hong Restaurant in Seattle from 6–9 p.m.

Arlene can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

MOANA from 9 Polynesian culture. They visited the South Pacific Islands multiple times from 2011-2014 and formed the Oceanic Story Trust, a South Pacific Island consulting group, to ensure every single detail was as accurate as possible, and their way of life was not misrepresented. This involved character design, music, mannerisms, and dancing.

In the opening scene, we see the Polynesian tribe gathering coconuts, basket weaving, etching tattoos, and learning to dance. After watching Moana, I had a new appreciation for Polynesian culture and their way of life.

Although Maui was stocky, he demonstrated strength and agility throughout the movie. I did not see any blatant stereotypes or jokes about eating or being overweight. For 3D lovers, you are in for quite a treat. Lush landscapes get a whole new dimension. Disney Animation Studios has been very consistent with its 3D effects. The ocean’s water effect was very realistic. Many times, I ended up staring at the water in the background instead of watching the film.

Unfortunately, I ended up with a headache afterwards.

The story begins where we learn Te Fiti, a mythical goddess, created all life on all islands. After Te Fiti’s heart was stolen by Maui, darkness spread across the islands. Thousands of years later on the island of Motunui, the chief prepares his daughter, Moana, to be the next ruler. But Moana’s heart is set on sailing and exploring the ocean.

One day, the darkness reaches Motunui and we learn Moana was chosen to return Te Fiti’s heart. Moana begins her journey to find Maui and seek his help to return the heart to Te Fiti.

Lin Manuel Miranda, creator of the hit musical Hamilton, sang and wrote some of the spectacular music in Moana. I always look forward to the next featured song that tries to top Frozen’s “Let It Go.” In Moana, we have Alessia Cara singing, “How Far I’ll Go,” which is Lin Manuel Miranda great but not quite as catchy as “Let It Go.” Although there were a number of great songs, you’ll wonder if you are dreaming when you hear Maui sing “You’re Welcome.” Dwayne Johnson is singing? Yes he is, and it’s great!

Throughout the movie, there is repeated emphasis that Moana is not a princess. Other than the love of family, there’s no love interest for Moana. There’s one particular scene where Maui tells Moana to stay behind, and he begins the journey without her. Not one to wait around, Moana easily keeps pace with Maui and explains that she was chosen by the ocean, but not by her tribe. The princess without a prince trend was started in 2012 and has continued in the latest Disney movies, as there has been backlash that Disney princesses did not make good role models for children.

My only complaints are there were too many Heihei, the chicken, and Maui’s tattoos scenes. However, I’m sure those scenes may have been a hit with the kids. I was hoping the adorable pig Pua would get more screen time.

Moana crushed the box office during Thanksgiving weekend, raking in $81.1 million. Don’t miss Moana playing in theaters right now.  John can be reached at john@nwasianweekly.com.

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

YOUR VOICE VAUGHN from 5 child would go to an international school, live with a foreign host family during the week and stay with her nanny Fumi Yamaguchi on weekends.

That wasn’t the only change the deal required. Until then, the girl had been known as Mary Ann Yamaguchi.

“From now on,” Yamaguchi told her, “your name is going to be Marianne Wilson.”

It was a name she hated. Marianne is the Swedish version of Mary Ann, and in her 9-year-old mind, it was the source of all her troubles. She struggled to learn English, and while she met other mixed-race children, it didn’t help her understand her own family.

On her deathbed in 1975, Yamaguchi told Marianne everything. James Vaughn was her father, and he hadn’t abandoned her, but had tried to find her. She gave her old photos, and said, these are your parents.

BLOG from 10

The first and last day

Seven of us (my brother, my cousin, nephew, maid, aunt, my husband, and me) took her to a lavish dim sum lunch on Nov. 12. After lunch, we accompanied her to her new home.

There was no champagne to welcome my mom. But better yet — there was a mahjong table and games set up in a multi-purpose room.

Mom hadn’t played for years due to her painful spine and disappearing mahjong friends. As she sat down to play like she used to, you wouldn’t believe she has Alzheimer’s.

Later, a young social worker interviewed her in her room. Mom loves to talk to handsome men and she was flirting with him. We had never seen her laughing and smiling so much.

Her room is small (six by eight feet) compared to those at Kin On and Keiro NW nursing homes.

In addition to her bed and television on the wall, she has two pieces of furniture — an end table and a shelf. So my son moved her old lazy chair in her room the next day, something she is familiar and comfortable with.

Yes, her private room with a bathroom is costly.

A doctor visits every Monday, and the nurse’s station is just outside mom’s room. Every day, social workers and nurses engage the elderly with activities and programs. That’s the reason we preferred her living at the nursing home, rather than living by herself and the Indonesian maid.

The exchanges between mom and the maid were restricted to, “Eat, stomach full, sleep, or toilet.”

When I visited her last July, she complained that it was too quiet. The good thing was, she recognized her lonely environment. The bad thing was, she didn’t know what to do or say.

“Where are the people? I want to be with people.”

That’s when it dawned on me that she should join a nursing home.

The first few days, she nagged us that she wanted

Marianne did not investigate further until after she had a family of her own and had become Marianne Wilson Kuroda. Even then it took years to get answers. In 2004, the Japanese Red Cross told her: We found James Vaughn, but unfortunately he died 11 months ago. And you have a younger brother in America.

Three months later, she was flying to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She and her 56-year-old half-brother, Steve Vaughn, compared photos. They found they had similar ones of their father. They visited the grave of their father, who had died on Feb. 3, 2003, at the age of 77.

“I had to give him respect, you know. But, um, hmm, it was like, you know, `Why did you die 11 months ago?”’

Marianne said. “You could have lived a little bit longer after all these years.”

She decided to claim her U.S. citizenship, in his honor. It would take 12 years. U.S. officials had questions about the

to go home. “Tomorrow,” we would simply reply.

The next day, she would forget about going home.

In the past, she would lose her temper.

On the second day, she protested by refusing to eat, or spit out her food. Suddenly, we played the tough-love parents. I forbade the maid from sneaking in egg tarts and barbeque buns for mom, and violating the nursing home’s rules.

The fact was, she would eat eventually when she got hungry. And she did. The nursing home serves healthy, but not deliciously-cooked, food.

The maid usually prepared tasty, unhealthy food like deep-fried shrimp and greasy soy sauce chicken. The home’s rule for treats is fruits only, no sugary and high-calorie items.

Most days, I visited her twice a day. I stayed in a nearby hotel, so I could walk to the home in the morning and late afternoon. I never stayed more than an hour (except the first two days), so I wouldn’t get depressed. It can drive one insane, to be in an environment constantly with the sick, old, and dying. One of my mom’s neighbors told us that he suffers from nine different illnesses. “I wish to die,” he said. So I excused my husband’s absences.

Mom would jump up with joy every time she saw me, as if she hadn’t seen me in a long time.

She had forgotten that I was there in the morning or the day before. She would kiss and hug me.

She liked kissing my hand and those of the people she likes.

Whenever she said she wanted to go home, I would reply, “This is home.” I reinforced that many times. This went on for 10 days until the last day when I had to say goodbye. Every time I told her that I was leaving, she would get emotional and weep. “Mom, I leave tomorrow,” I told her.

“Where?” she asked.

“I am going back to America,” I responded.

“I will come to see you soon.” This time, her sensible and calm response startled me. “(Have) a safe and smooth ride,” she said. Her

TAITUNG

asianweekly northwest

13

law, and about why someone who did not intend to move to America wanted citizenship.

“Her case is a consequence of this history of discrimination from immigration law and citizenship law that I thought really needed to be corrected,” said Rose Cuison Villazor, a professor at the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of California, Davis, who helped Marianne. “There was ... this awful history that I felt needed to be addressed as a matter of justice.”

The U.S. ultimately granted Marianne citizenship.

A photo posted this June on Facebook shows a smiling Marianne standing outside the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, holding up the oath of allegiance she had just signed.

She says she has one more task. She wants to visit the cemetery in the west Texas city of Spur where her paternal grandparents are buried.

“I want to show them my American passport and say, ‘Grandpa, Grandma. I’m home.”’ 

answer wasn’t the one I expected.

Ironically, I was the one crying. For a moment, the sound mind belonged to her, functioning well without being uncontrolled by the terrible disease. Mom’s ability to recognize reality is not something our family could take for granted. That was one of the good mother-daughter moments we shared together, as we hugged.

I had anticipated this journey to be tough, joyless, and tumultuous. To some extent, it was. It was also a relief. And kudos to all those who care for seniors — thank you for your service.

Meanwhile, we worked with the maid’s employment agency to end her contract. She had served mom for five years. It was not easy to tell her our decision. We gave her a retirement fund and a one-month grace period, so she could visit mom every day to help mom adjust. We also made sure she found a place to live, and paid for her room and board.

Dining fun

What took my mind off matters at times was working on the Northwest Asian Weekly’s Top Contributors dinner through emails. Isn’t it wonderful that I can work remotely, from 6,000 miles away? No one even knew that I was out of the country.

Since we lived in two different hotels, we ate out around the hotels’ districts — North Point and Tai Koo Shing. Every meal turned out to be a feast, it gave us something to look forward to during this stressful period. My son, who works in Hong Kong, took us to some of the most interesting restaurants in town, including French and Nepalese restaurants. And my former high school friends treated us to all kinds of fine dining, including private clubs. How can I deny that Hong Kong is a food paradise!?  Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

FUND from 3 that except for police investigating felonies, city employees aren’t allowed to inquire about immigration status. It’s not clear how the city will direct $250,000 to help undocumented immigrants without inquiring about their status.

Mayor Ed Murray

Murray said the city cabinet will also develop public awareness efforts around hate speech and crimes, review how the incoming presidency of Donald Trump might affect city departments, and consider ways Seattle can help build a coalition of cities to work together on such issues.

Murray says the order is consistent with his prior promises that Seattle will remain a “sanctuary city” for immigrants even if Trump’s administration cracks down on those who are in the U.S. illegally. 

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asianweekly northwest

14

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

34 YEARS

SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6.

TRUMP from 5 minority groups.

“I feel during the election, the candidate has more freedom to express. Now once they (are) elected, having the responsibility, then they have to carry their cooperation, their work, according (to) reality,” he told reporters in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar. “So I have no worries.”

Tenzin Dhardon Sharling, spokeswoman for the self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile in the northern Indian town of Dharamsala, said she was not aware of any plans for a meeting between the Dalai Lama and Trump.

She said the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan exile community have enjoyed good relations with successive U.S. presidents and expected that to continue under a Trump administration.

China had demanded Mongolia scrap his visit for the sake of the “general picture of a sound and steady development of bilateral ties.” Mongolia’s fragile economy is heavily dependent on China, and the countries are in discussions of a $4.2 billion Chinese loan to help pull it out of a recession.

China has apparently delayed talks on the loan in response to the visit by the Dalai Lama, who has lived in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959. Mongolian government spokesman

Otgonbayar Gombojav said that China had indefinitely postponed a visit to China on Nov. 28 by Mongolian officials to discuss the loan. China’s Foreign Ministry offered no confirmation but demanded Mongolia take measures to “eliminate the negative impact” of the visit.

“The incorrect actions of the Mongolian side regarding the Dalai’s visit harmed the political foundations of China-Mongolian relations and caused a negative impact on the development of the bilateral relations,” spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a daily briefing.

In his comments in Ulaanbaatar, the Dalai Lama said his visit to the landlocked, primarily Buddhist nation ”had no political purpose and that he had not publicly advocated independence for Tibet since 1974. The Dalai Lama has long called for Tibet to remain under Chinese rule, but with greater political participation by Tibetans and stronger protections for its traditional Buddhist culture.

China says Tibet has been part of its territory for centuries, although many Tibetans say they were effectively an independent country for much of that time.

Asked to comment on climate change — which Trump has denounced as a hoax — the Dalai Lama said he was heartened by the turn to alternative energy sources such as solar

and wind power.

“I think ... we must now concentrate on these things. I don’t know whether we can reduce cars or not. People everywhere busy, busy. I don’t know if it will be possible,” he said.

Referencing past efforts to minimize damage to the ozone layer, the Dalai Lama said that raised the chances of similar cooperation on climate change.

“So that gives us hope, there is possibility,” he said.

While the U.S. has in the past called on China to respect civil liberties in Tibet, Trump has praised authoritarian rulers such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin who have been strongly criticized by human rights groups.

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Trump in a phone call and the country’s state media have welcomed his election as harkening a less confrontational policy toward China. Those outlets have also applauded Trump’s announcement that he would abandon a U.S.-led free trade agreement in Asia that had excluded China.

However, Trump has also accused Beijing of unfair trade practices and pledged to bulk-up the U.S. military, leaving questions as to his ultimate approach to relations with the world’s second-largest economy. 

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asianweekly northwest

15

Predictions and advice for the week of December 3–December 9

By Sun Lee Chang Rat — If you do not maintain what you have created, then there will be precious little left to show for your initial efforts.

Dragon — Avoid leaning too far in one direction for an extended period, come back to the center as soon as you can.

Ox — Have you remained still when you would have rather spoken out? Now that you have found your voice, there are some things that must be said.

Snake — A weakness identified and acknowledged is the first step to changing it into something else entirely.

Tiger — Going farther doesn’t make as much difference as you might think, unless you are headed for the right place.

Horse — Trading one problem for another doesn’t exactly put you ahead. While it may take longer, keep going until you find a lasting solution.

Rabbit — Don’t waste your time debating just for the sake of argument. Doing so will take your focus off of what is really at stake.

Goat — A worrisome trend should not be cause for alarm. Instead, it is a signal that you need to pay close attention.

Monkey — You have a comfortable lead, but that doesn’t guarantee a win. There is still a slim chance of another outcome, so stay on track until you cross the finish line.

Rooster — Those who question your progress won’t be doing so for long, as your results will show who really had a better grasp of the situation.

Dog — As you gain traction in the new environment, there is no stopping you. Make as much headway as possible while the conditions are favorable.

Pig — A turn for the better is what you are looking for. You have the ability to make that happen where you are now.

What’s your animal sign?

Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

national parks.

I want to evoke a strong sense of belonging amongst high school students. I want them to realize their own unique sense of place within parks. As the lead designer for a mobile national park in downtown Seattle, I am incorporating personal narratives from people of all ages, gender, sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and ability by sharing their stories involving conservation, community, and national parks. It is from these unique personal perspectives that I hope young people discover, like I have, their own interconnectedness within the NPS – and realize they belong. 

HSU from 11 to LGBT rights. Two days later, I attended my first Seattle Pride and was the proudest to see the NPS (and our very own Ranger Kelsey Johnson) bearing a banner that read “#Stonewall.” I didn’t think it would be possible, but to see my passion for environmental stewardship and my sexuality celebrated right before me truly made me feel like I belong. I was able to find a community 1,100 miles away from my friends and family in California, and I knew I could translate that same approach into helping others find their connection to

NPS photo

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

Amanda Hsu (left) with fellow interns at the Wing Luke Museum's Jam Fest this summer.

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Lubas said yes and the instructor told him, “this is your art.” From there, he learned that his father practiced FMA. Lubas was instructed by three main teachers. His systems are from the Visayan region of the Philippines. After learning FMA, he began to teach it. In addition to learning the different types of systems, Lubas states that you must come up with your own interpretation.

Lubas’ passion to learn about FMA included going to the Philippines to train with one of the grand masters of FMA. Lubas’ intense schedule included training 12-14 hours per day.

Lubas teaches FMA for Elite Brazilian Martial Arts in Bellevue. When watching a class, there is the use of open hand techniques, sticks, and training knives. There seems to be a rhythmic thrust and parry between two individuals practicing. As one individual attempts to come forward, the other uses a set of blocks and counterstrikes and vice versa.

To the untrained eye, it appears that they are just doing a pattern. “It looks like we’re just banging sticks,” explained Lubas. However,

it is more than patterns. Lubas explained that many that are drawn to FMA have done their research on the subject and are interested in learning more. Also, people are intrigued when knives (the knives used for training in classes are not sharp) are used to train. The use of a knife in training shows the practical nature of dealing with a real-life situation when one’s life might be in danger. The art helps address the situation and how to defend oneself, as well as a counter to the danger.

As Lubas points out, law enforcement, special forces, and the military have trained in FMA as a way to supplement its combat training. The close-quarter fighting involves short, blunt weapons in subduing a criminal or enemy.

There is no set system of time for promotion in FMA, although the process for achieving a black belt takes time. Testing occurs in some specific systems to promote practitioners to different levels.  For more information, please visit bjjfactoria.com.

Jason can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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asianweekly northwest

16

34 YEARS

DECEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 9, 2016

CHIN from 1

International District community members listen intently to speakers at the Nov. 28 meeting.

more frequent (bi-weekly) garbage pickup and street cleaning, and funding in 2017 and 2018 for a CID public safety coordinator.

“Certainly, not a means to replace Donnie because Donnie was irreplaceable, but an acknowledgment that we have to have more people involved in this public safety effort,” Harrell said.

Kim added, “It will be a civilian position within SPD that is specific to Chinatown/ ID working primarily through the Public

Safety Steering Committee.”

After the meeting, Santos says she is “appeased.”

“I feel for the first time I know they (SPD) are doing something,” she said.

The next community meeting has not yet been set, but is planned to take place in spring 2017.  James Tabafunda can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Photos by John Liu/NWAW

are close to capturing those responsible for his death.

CID community members as well as several firefighters from the Seattle Fire Department, Fire Station 10, gathered on Nov. 28 at the Nagomi Tea House for the third in a series of community meetings.

They left with updated information about the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) 16-month investigation, the knowledge that Chin’s killers are still at large, and current public safety efforts in the district.

Co-hosts State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, and members of the IDEC attended.

“We operate on the basis of a covenant that we will endow our government with authority over our lives. And in return, we expect and demand accountability and responsiveness,” Santos said.

“We’re here to keep our elected officials and our government agencies accountable and responsive to us.”

Looking at panelists Deputy Police Chief Carmen Best and Assistant Police Chief Robert Merner, she said, “We are telling you, figure out what you can tell us and what can be shared. That’s what we want to know.” Seattle Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim joined Best and Merner as a panelist.

Best assured everyone the SPD is working “feverishly” and “diligently.”

“We want to see this homicide resolved just as much as everyone else,” she said.

“We are committed to it today as we were on day one.”

Regarding public safety, Little Saigon residents want police officers from the same precinct that serves CID. SPD is also working on hiring a CID liaison (or community engagement and outreach specialist) to help coordinate issues of concern and recruiting more police officers that reflect the community in which they serve.

Best said, “It is important to us that this community feels as safe as possible. We are a part of the community and not apart from the community.”

Merner followed and addressed what the SPD can tell CID community members.

“There is a fine line that we walk between sharing information and protecting the integrity of the investigation,” he said.

“I can tell you as recently as the past two weeks, we visited a state in the Midwest to interview an individual who potentially had information relative to Donnie’s case,” he said. “Donnie’s investigation has taken us from the East Coast to the West Coast and to the Midwest.”

Merner says the investigation is further along than it was in July. Chin died on July 23, 2015, a victim of crossfire between “two groups of individuals.”

“There isn’t a day that goes by that Chief (Kathleen) O’Toole, Chief Best don’t talk to me about Donnie Chin,” he added.

Sometimes, the third try really is the charm. Santos responded to Mercer’s rundown, “To my knowledge, I’ve been at all three of these community meetings because I convene them, that is the most extensive description of what the Seattle Police Department is doing to track down Donnie’s murderers that we’ve heard.

I think that that is exactly the kind of information that we’ve been seeking all along.”

Questions — criticisms included — came from several people attending the meeting.

Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly publisher Assunta Ng said, “I’m happy that the police department is structured a little bit to serve this community, but to tell you the truth, I am not happy with the progress of the investigation on Donnie’s case, and I’m disappointed.”

Harrell discussed parts of the recently completed city budget targeted at improving public safety: an additional $200,000 for

Lt. Scott Moss addressing the crowd.