VOL 40 NO 36 | SEPTEMBER 4 – SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA

VOL 40 NO 36 SEPTEMBER 4 – SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 FREE 39 YEARS YOUR VOICE

ISRD board mulls: will new project mend or mar ID? By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY As part of a process that could change the fabric of the Chinatown-International District (ID) yet provide welcome revenue to local businesses, the International Special Review District (ISRD) board reviewed a proposal to demolish Bush Garden, formerly called the Elgin Hotel. The main point of contention at the Aug. 24 hearing was whether the building, at 614 Maynard Avenue South, needed to be demolished. And while the applicant to build a 17-story tower for residents on the site argued that there was no other choice but to demolish it, community voices and the chair of the board questioned if a thirdparty, independent reviewer might come up with an alternate conclusion. Community support for building the tower, called the Jasmine, appeared strong at the meeting. Joan Seko, the see ISRD on 11

Snapshot from ISRD’s Aug. 24 virtual meeting with Vibrant Cities’ Gary Reddick presenting plans for 614 Maynard Ave S.

Moderna co-founder Kenneth Hate crime Chien finds silver lining hotline clears hurdle By Mahlon Meyer NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

If you ask Kenneth Chien about the origins of the mRNA vaccines that are blunting the pandemic, he talks about his ancestors. One of the co-founders of Moderna Therapeutics, Chien is using stem cell and mRNA technology for heart muscle regeneration. But he was reluctant to talk about his own work. Instead, he asked Northwest Asian Weekly to interview his father, who has written a 300-page book about the Chien family out of stories he told

A proposed Stop Hate Crime Hotline is one step closer to becoming reality. It unanimously passed the King County Council’s Law and Justice Committee on Aug. 31. The King County Prosecutor’s Office has reported a significant rise in hate crimes—from 30 cases in 2018 to 59 cases in 2020. At the same time, multiple studies show that hate crimes are still vastly underreported. County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who proposed the hotline, said, “A dedicated hotline would increase access to justice for all communities by providing a direct avenue for reporting incidents of hate crimes.” see HOTLINE on 12

Photo by Jon Chase

By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

see MODERNA on 12

Kenneth Chien

COMMUNITY NEWS Wing Luke School ribbon cutting  3

AT THE MOVIES Finally! The role Sandra Oh was destined to inhabit! For us!  5

COMMENTARY Asian food is not a panacea for Asian racism  8

Why get the COVID vaccine now?

“So we can go out and hang with friends again.” Everyone ages 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe, easy, and free - no insurance or appointment needed.

KingCounty.gov/vaccine

audrey, fl ynn, & no va ce n tr al di st ri ct

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • editor@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com


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