VOL 33 NO 11 | MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

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VOL 33 NO 11

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Creator of landmark buildings elevated to top-level architect group

DIVERSITY It makes a difference for students » P. 7

Woos: The Louisa will be back

Photo by James Tabafunda/NWAW

By James Tabafunda Northwest Asian Weekly Photo by Sue Misao/NWAW

Ming Zhang’s heart is both cultivated and enriched, qualities that the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright once said makes for a great architect.

It became even more enriched when he was selected to the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) College of Fellows {see ZHANG cont’d on page 12} Ming Zhang is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

Plans are underway to save Chinatown's Hudson/Louisa Building. Here, in a photo taken in January, owners Tanya and Teri Woo walked the perimeter of their building while showing it to an architect.

Hing Hay will Three years later, Japan earthquake still resonates expand; you’ll

By Sue Misao Northwest Asian Weekly

U.S. Navy photo/Released

Photo by Sue Misao/NWAW

still have mail

After the earthquake and tsunami, an SH-60B helicopter assigned to the Chargers of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 14 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi flew over the city of Sendai to deliver more than 1,500 pounds of food to survivors.

Hing Hay Post Office

By Marino Saito Northwest Asian Weekly

By Sue Misao Northwest Asian Weekly

Across Japan, people will pause and pray at 2:46 p.m. on March 11.

Three years will have passed since the March 11, 2011, 9.0-magnitude earthquake — called the Great East Japan Earthquake — and tsunami

that killed or left missing about 18,500 people in the Tohoku region of Japan. It was the largest earthquake to ever hit the country.

The tsunami also caused a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, leading to the emergency evacuation of hundreds of thousands of {see FUKUSHIMA cont’d on page 6}

The new post office in the International District will be about 140 steps from the old one. Patrons with P.O. boxes at the current post office will have their same P.O. boxes at the new one. And all the moving will be done over one {see P.O. cont’d on page 12}

If everything goes according to plan, the burned Hudson Building in the International District will not only be saved, but also reconstructed to retain its historic façade, according to the Woos, the owners of the building.

The Woos have finalized plans to stabilize the building and begin the demolition that will remove the damaged western portion that faces the alley. They are in the process of preparing plans for the Building Department for permits. Work is expected to begin toward the middle or end of March, they said “We won’t be able to save any of the murals, as they were all in the damaged portion of the building,” said Tanya Woo. “Several pieces of artifacts will be lost, too. Because we are in the historic landmark district, we plan to reconstruct the building to look as it did before the fire.”

Also known as “The Louisa,” the building caught fire on Christmas Eve 2013. The western half of the building was burned, compromising its structure and

leaving the roof and floor caved in at some places. The streetlevel businesses are all closed and empty. No one can enter the building before stabilization.

Firefighters were never able to investigate the cause of the fire due to the possibility of collapse of the western wall.

According to the project manager Maria Barrientos, the stabilization will take about eight weeks. Fences will remain on 7th Avenue and King Street.

While the building is unstable, Maynard Alley will be blocked during the day, with emergency exits available, and opened in the evenings.

The renovations are expected to take 10 to 12 months, said Barrientos. Pedestrian traffic and parking will be impacted.

During the reconstruction, upgrades will be made so that the building will meet all seismic and building codes. The Woos plan to add residential units on the top floors and retail spaces on the lower level.

“Once the building is complete, we hope all the retail tenants will return,” said Tanya Woo.  Sue Misao can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

The Inside Story NAMES Who’s doing what » P. 2

■

TRAVEL Imagine Hawaii » P. 8

SPORTS Who wants to be a ninja? » P. 9

PICTORIAL Uncle Bob’s 80th » P. 10

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

asianweekly northwest

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MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS

Kenyon Chan

The University of Washington announced that Kenyon S. Chan, who retired from his chancellor position at UW Bothell last year, will become interim chancellor at the University of Washington Tacoma on March 16. He replaces Debra Friedman, who died Jan. 26 from lung cancer. The process of picking a new permanent chancellor

has not yet started.

Chan took the leadership post at UW Bothell in 2007 and held it until his retirement last year. Chan attended UCLA, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s degree in special education, and a doctorate in educational psychology. He will be paid $18,720/month as interim chancellor. 

New Year gala raises money for Seattle Children’s Hospital

on more than 8,000 criminal cases in 46 countries. He was celebrated for his work on sensational crime cases such as the O.J. Simpson murder case, the reinvestigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and Taiwan’s famous 3-19 Shooting Incident of President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu in 2004 (they survived), among others. Lee talked about his life experience during the lecture. 

live auctions. The 2014 Outstanding Philanthropist Award was given to Herbert M. Bridge, and the 2014 Outstanding Business Leader Award was given to Chang International Inc. The event raised more than $300,000 for Seattle Children’s Hospital. 

Watanabe will run for senate Louis Watanabe, 1st vice-chair and precinct committee officer for the 37th district Democrats, has announced his candidacy for the Washington State Senate. He is a former Bellevue College teacher and software engineer.

He has served on the boards of the Louis Watanabe Asian Counseling & Referral Service, the UW Consulting & Business Development Center, the National Association of Asian American Professionals, and the Japanese American Citizens League. His priorities are jobs, education, and union work. 

Caucasian woman sells Chinese pancakes on Seattle streets

Photo by John Liu/NWAW

Photo from UW

Kenyon Chan named as UW Tacoma interim chancellor

Henry Lee gives talk at UW Anastasia Searfoss and the “Bing of Fire”

Photo by Rebecca Ip/SCP

Master David Leong Dragon & Lion Group kicked off the event.

Herbert M. Bridge

The Hong Kong Association of Washington Foundation Gala held its 2014 Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel on Feb. 22. More than 600 people attended and enjoyed a Luly Yang fashion show, Master David Leong’s Lion Dance performance, and

Anastasia Searfoss sells Chinese pancakes called Jianbing — which people can get from street vendors in China — early in the morning on the streets in Seattle. Searfoss taught English in Anji, of east China’s Zhejiang province, for a year and a half. During that time, she traveled around China and ate various kinds of Chinese food. After she came back to the United States, she found out that there was nobody making Jianbing in Seattle. She started making and selling them full time. Her “Bing of Fire” food truck can be found at various locations around Seattle. She also has a website, bingoffire.com, where customers can see where she will be on certain days. 

Henry Lee meets with local students.

Henry Lee, one of the world’s foremost forensic scientists, gave a lecture at University of Washington Odegaard Undergraduate Library on Feb. 20, as part of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting. Lee has consulted

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

3

Tibetan Buddhist master visits UW

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche will be giving a public talk on “Karma & Loving Kindness” in Seattle on Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m. at the University of Washington, Kane Hall, room 210.

Rinpoche, said to be the eighth incarnation of Garchen Triptrul Rinpoche, is a Buddhist teacher and yogi in the Drikung Kagyu tradition.

At age 22, Rinpoche was imprisoned for 20 years during the China’s Cultural Revolution. While he was incarcerated in a labor camp, he received meditation

instruction in secret from the Nyingma Buddhist master Khenpo Munsel, who called Rinpoche “an emanation of a Bodhisattva,” meaning a person “completely dedicated to the welfare of others.”

“The most important thing is to have a really good understanding of karma,” says Rinpoche. “Once we have understood the law of karma, half of our misconceptions about suffering are gone.”

In 2013, Rinpoche established a nonprofit Tibetan Buddhist group in Seattle called Drikung Seattle, where

he is overseeing the spiritual program. Drikung Seattle has open Tibetan dharma practice every Sunday in the Wallingford area. Its weekly practice includes meditation and prayers.

H.E. Garchen Rinpoche’s public talk is open to people of all faiths. Tickets, which range from $15 to $20, are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/530019.  For more information, see drikungseattle@gmail.com.

Join the Immigrant and Do you “like” the Refugee Commission government’s efforts in AAPI communities?

The City of Seattle is opening up the application process for new commissioners to serve on the Immigrant and Refugee Commission. Appointees serve two years and are responsible for the following: • Advising the mayor, city council, and city departments and offices on ways to enhance and improve access to city services and resources for immigrants and refugees, as well as strengthening opportunities for immigrants and refugees to participate in civic life.

• Advising the city on successful implementation of the Immigrant and Refugee Action Plan and on future updates to the plan.

• Advising all city departments and offices in matters affecting immigrants and refugees, as appropriate.

• Encouraging understanding between and among the various immigrant and refugee communities and the larger Seattle community.

• Advocating on behalf of immigrant and refugees in the larger Seattle community.

• Assisting in informing the direction of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.  Applications will be accepted through March 10. Send a resume and a cover letter or short bio to IMR_OIRA@seattle.gov.

Last week, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) hosted its first National AAPI Community Google+ Hangout and announced the release of the 2014–2015 Federal Agency Plans.

Twenty-four federal agencies created plans to improve data disaggregation, workforce diversity, capacity building, and language access for AAPIs across the nation. These plans were created to outline how the federal government is actively working to support the AAPI community in areas such as: • Disaggregating data to better understand and more accurately define the needs of the AAPI community.

• Improving programs for Limited English Proficient (LEP) AAPIs. • Opening up the federal workplace to more AAPI applicants.

• Increasing awareness on funding opportunities to the AAPI community.

An Agency Accomplishments Report highlights the major accomplishments of 2012-2013: • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) awarded $600,000 to organizations providing training and resources to hair and nail salon workers • The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) conducted a webinar to address the AAPI community’s

needs during disasters and increased outreach to AAPI media.

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) made over 7,200 loans totaling over $4.7 million to AAPI small business owners in FY 2013.

WHIAAPI created an interactive Community Feedback Module to give the public a chance to provide feedback. The module allows users to “like” different agency objectives and submit comments through the “Submit Feedback” option.

The site is only open until March 31, 2014, so time is limited to be a part of the interactive feedback tool.

To comment, log onto aapi.ideascale. com and register using your e-mail address.

More opportunities WHIAAPI is calling for submissions of ideas to expand opportunities for AAPI communities. Proposals may include innovation, enhanced infrastructure, and effective outcomes for a focused amount of time on a project of choice that serves the needs of and has meaningful impact on the community. Examples include overlooked populations, or issues for which community-based organizations have solutions but lack government support. Submit ideas to Challenge.gov by March 28, 2014. 

asianweekly northwest

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MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

■ national news

Days after SF Asiana plane crash, families were neglected

LOS ANGELES (AP) – When anguished family members first called for information about their loved ones aboard a wrecked Asiana Airlines plane, instead of getting answers, they had to navigate an automated reservation system.

Even once Asiana finally set up a proper hotline, it would be five days before the South Korean airline connected with the families of all 291 passengers.

Asiana’s response to the deadly crash last summer near San Francisco earned quick criticism for its disarray. On Feb. 25, it also earned a $500,000 penalty from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

It’s the first time federal officials have concluded that an airline broke laws requiring prompt and generous

Photo from the National Transportation Safety Board

By Justin Pritchard Associated Press

Wreckage of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 on July 6, 2013

assistance for the loved ones of crash victims.

Three people died and dozens were injured July 6 when Asiana Flight 214 clipped a seawall, while landing at San Francisco International Airport. One of the victims, a

16-year-old girl, apparently survived being ejected onto the tarmac, only to be run over by a fire truck.

Many families live in South Korea or China, meaning the airline was their main source of information on the crash half a world away.

“The last thing families and passengers should have to worry about at such a stressful time is how to get information from their carrier,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a prepared statement.

Under a consent order the airline signed with the department, Asiana will pay a $400,000 fine and get a $100,000 credit for sponsoring conferences and training sessions through 2015 to discuss lessons learned from the situation. {see ASIANA cont’d on page 13}

Inslee signs bill expanding Confused Japanese college aid to students tourists trigger without legal status highway pursuit

Photo courtesy of OneAmerica

By Brady McCombs Associated Press

Gov. Jay Inslee poses for pictures with students while signing “The Real Hope Act” in Olympia.

By Associated Press OLYMPIA, Wash. – Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure on Feb. 26 that expands state college financial aid to students who don’t have legal status in the United States.

The law is a key victory for immigrant advocates. Washington joins California, Texas, and New Mexico in approving similar legislation.

The Senate and House versions of the bill were almost identical, but had two dueling names. The Senate’s version, which was the one signed into law, was dubbed “The Real Hope Act,” while “The Washington Dream Act” was the name the bill had in the House.

“Whatever you call it, what’s important is what it will do for thousands of bright and talented and very hard working students across the state of Washington,” Inslee said at the bill signing ceremony. “Today, we’re allowing dreams to come true.”

Signed in a ceremonial room in the Capitol, Inslee was surrounded by dozens of students, many of whom identified themselves as “Dreamers” — the moniker students without legal status have taken in their cause.

The mood was festive with a high school mariachi band from Wenatchee serenading the crowd before Inslee arrived. As Inslee signed

the bill, the young crowd closed in and formed a circle, with smart phones held high to take pictures.

As Inslee sat down to sign the bill, the crowd began chanting, “Si se puede!” or “Yes, we can.”

To which the governor replied, “That’s right.”

After the bill was signed, Moses Chege’s hands were being held tightly by his mother.

She had a wide smile as she looked up to her son.

Born in Kenya, Chege arrived in the United States when he was 6 years old. He graduated from high school last year and he’s currently applying for a temporary legal stay in the country under the federal program of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

“I don’t get teary, but it’s definitely emotional inside,” he said.

The House version didn’t identify a funding source, but the Senate proposal allocates $5 million through June 30, 2015, from the general fund, to pay for the financial aid payments under the state need-grant program. The bill requires students to have received a high school diploma or equivalent in Washington state and to have lived in the state for at least three years before getting aid. {see COLLEGE AID cont’d on page 13}

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The first night in the United States for a family of Japanese tourists ended with the parents being pulled from their rental car at gunpoint, with their young son watching, after their confusion about American traffic laws set off a highspeed pursuit in southern Utah.

The pursuit began at 1 a.m. on Feb. 22 on Interstate 15 near the UtahArizona border. The couple’s car was spotted going just 37 mph and swerving between lanes, said Lt. Brad Horne, Utah Highway Patrol’s DUI unit commander.

More than a dozen patrolmen were working the area in a special DUI operation, and Horne said he figured the car was being driven by a drunken driver. Horne turned on his lights and siren to pull the car over.

Instead of pulling over, the driver sped up to 75 mph and began driving erratically, he said. Her speeds fluctuated between 40 and 75 mph, as she weaved across lanes and into the shoulder.

Soon, there were three patrol cars in pursuit with other officers closing highway off ramps and setting tire spikes miles ahead, Horne said.

“It was literally red and blue lights in every direction,” Horne said.

The couple’s car skidded to a stop about seven miles north of where the pursuit began, after three of the tires deflated after hitting the spikes.

A patrolmen bellowed commands from a loudspeaker in his patrol car, telling the couple to exit and walk backward. Both directions of I-15 were closed as officers prepared to encounter hardened criminals.

Instead, a Japanese woman in her early 40s emerged.

“She would walk forward, backward, spin around — obviously she had no clue what we wanted her to do,” Horne said.

Still bracing for the worst, officers approached the car with guns drawn and pulled the woman and a man from the car. That’s when they saw the couple’s 7-year-old son in the backseat and realized the family didn’t speak English.

The boy was crying, and the parents appeared nervous and confused, Horne said.

“I think they were terrified,” he said.

Realizing they were dealing with language and cultural barriers, and not a drunken driver or fugitive, officers changed their strategy, Horne said. One officer consoled the boy and reunited him with his parents, as others worked to get a Japanesespeaking officer on the phone.

They found one in northern Utah who spoke to the couple and learned they had arrived from Japan the previous day and rented a car to drive from California to Bryce Canyon in southern Utah.

The woman said she had no idea what she was supposed to do when the patrolman put on his lights and siren, so she sped up to get out of the way.

She kept apologizing for crashing the car, not realizing they ran over tire spikes, Horne said. Patrolmen took the family to a motel and wished them safe travels.

Nobody was hurt and no cars damaged other than the flat tires, he said. About a dozen law enforcement officers were involved in some way.

Authorities don’t plan to pursue charges.

Horne said the couple didn’t have Japanese driver’s licenses with them.

Horne said he’s encountered many tourists in his three decades working with the Utah Highway Patrol, but he’s never seen a situation escalate like this.

“Red and blue lights are a pretty universal signal,” Horne said.

“Regardless of nationality and language, when we put lights on, people pull over and stop.” 

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

■ world news

5

Chinese media uses racial slur at Ambassador Locke

By Didi Tang Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) – A major Chinese government news service used a racist slur to describe the departing American ambassador in a mean-spirited editorial on Feb. 28 that drew widespread public condemnation in China.

The article — which called Gary Locke a “rotten banana,” a guide dog for the blind, and a plague — reflected Chinese nationalists’ acute loathing toward the first Chinese American to have been Washington’s top envoy to Beijing.

Locke’s ethnic background particularly interested the Chinese government and people. Locke won public applause when he was seen carrying his own bag and flying economy class, but he drew criticism from Beijing as his demeanor was an unwelcome contrast to Chinese officials’ privileges and entitlements.

In Washington, top diplomat John Kerry paid tribute to Locke as “a champion of human dignity and a relentless advocate for America’s values.”

Asked about the China News Service commentary, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters Friday, “We are not going to dignify the name-calling in that editorial with a response.”

In his two and a half years in Beijing, Locke oversaw the defusing of two delicate diplomatic episodes when a powerful police chief fled to a U.S. consulate and later when a persecuted blind activist sought shelter in the embassy.

The Chinese public also credit him with making them realize the harm of the tiny pollutant PM2.5 and severity of China’s foul air by posting the embassy’s hourly readings of air quality.

“I think it shows the unfriendliness and impoliteness by the Chinese government toward Gary Locke, and it is without the manners and dignity of a major power,” legal scholar Hao Jinsong said. “It is unfitting of China’s status as a diplomatic power. As a Chinese, I am very angry and feel ashamed of it.”

The editorial “Farewell, Gary Locke” took direct aim at Locke’s identity as a third-generation Chinese American, calling him a “banana” — a racial term for Asians identifying with Western values despite their skin color.

The author Wang Ping — likely a pseudonym — slammed Locke’s portrayal as an official judicious with public funds, but criticized him for being hypocritical as he retreated into his multimilliondollar official residence and special-made, bullet-proof luxury vehicle.

Wang belittled Locke’s inability to

speak his ancestral language and accused him of failing to understand China’s law, but fanning “evil winds” in the ethnically sensitive regions of Tibet and Xinjiang.

“Not only did he run around by himself, he even served as a guide dog for the blind when he took in the so-called blind rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng and led him running,” the editorial said. Chen later was allowed to leave China and now lives in the United States.

The editorial made a malicious Chinese curse at Locke, suggesting Locke’s Chinese ancestors would expel him from the family clan should they know his behaviors.

Wang also made the innuendo that Locke should be blamed for the smog. “When he arrived, so did Beijing’s smog,” Wang wrote. “With his departure, Beijing’s sky suddenly turned blue.”

“Let’s bid goodbye to the smog, and let’s bid goodbye to the plague. Farewell, Gary Locke,” ended the article, which was clearly inspired by Mao Zedong’s 1949 piece, “Farewell, Leighton Stuart,” that

scoffed at the last American ambassador under the collapsing Nationalist government in Nanjing.

The piece shocked members of the Chinese public, who denounced the editorial as distasteful and offensive.

“This article by China News Service is the most shameless I have ever seen — not one of them, but the most shameless,” the popular online commentator Yao Bo said.

“Without him, we probably still would not have known what PM2.5 is, and how did he bring the smog? You have played the snake in the Farmer and the Viper.”

Another commentator Fastop Liu, known for his sharp tongue, said the piece is ungraceful. “When you call him a plague, you become a national shame as you lack diplomatic etiquette, damage the manner of a great power, and lose the face of all Chinese,” Liu wrote.

Locke gave his final news conference as ambassador on Thursday. His replacement, former Montana Sen. Max Baucus, was sworn in last week and is expected to arrive within weeks. 

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asianweekly northwest

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MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR THU 3/6 THRU SAT 3/8

WHAT: Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan performs Songs of the Wanderers by choreographer Lin Hwai-min WHERE: UW Meany Hall WHEN: 8 p.m.

COST: $43–$48 INFO: 206-543-4880

SAT 3/8 WHAT: Women of Courage: Bridging the Divide Gala WHERE: HUB Ballroom, UW Husky Union Building, 4001 Stevens Way NE, Seattle WHEN: 6 p.m.

DRESS: Cocktail attire TICKETS: $150 INFO: hzhudson@uw.edu, 206685-7570, engage.washington. edu/womenofcourage2014 WHAT: International Women’s Day March and Rally WHERE: Pratt Park to Hing Hay Park, Seattle WHEN: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

INFO: pinayinfo@gmail.com WHAT: “Visualizing the Grand Prospect Garden in 19th-century China” lecture by Wei Shang WHERE: Seattle Asian Art

Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle WHEN: 9:30–11 a.m.

COST: $5–$10 INFO: 206-654-3100

SAT 3/8 WHAT: Seattle Chinese Orchestra and Lion Dance by Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness WHERE: Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave. NE, Shoreline WHEN: 7 p.m.

COST: $15-$20 INFO: 206-817-6888, www. uschinamusic.org

SUN 3/9 WHAT: “Act for Japan: The Third Memorial Event for the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster” with discussions on preparedness, recovery, Pacific Northwest salmon testing, business, tourism, and film “Light Up Nippon” WHERE: University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 N.E. 43rd St., Seattle WHEN: 1:45–5:15 p.m.

INFO: 206-632-5163

{FUKUSHIMA cont’d from page 1} residents.

Three years later, tens of thousands of people are still unable to return to their homes around the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant. Some scientists have warned that certain areas may have to be abandoned altogether.

But according to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), except for the neighboring areas of the nuclear power plants, there are no dangerous levels of radiation detected in Japan. Tokyo is not within the radiation contamination area, as it is located over 124 miles away from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant facilities. The radiation level in Tokyo is similar to that of New York City.

According to JNTO, products distributed to the public, such as food and water, are rigorously inspected and approved by Japanese authorities for contamination safety. The Japanese government has instituted a food product monitoring system from the world’s highest level of standard, screening over 412,000 agricultural products. There are only 2,866 items (0.69%) with exceeding levels of radiation so far, and those have been removed from distribution and disposed.

According to a poll conducted by Kyodo News, more than half of the 42 mayors of towns, villages, and cities from the Tohoku region of northeastern part of Japan damaged by the earthquake and tsunami believe that recovery has slowed down or halted.

In the survey, conducted in February ahead of the third anniversary of the disasters, 22 mayors said the region’s recovery is behind schedule, and 17 said it is proceeding as planned. None said the work was ahead of schedule.

Songs of Hope In Seattle, an organization called Songs of Hope is planning to hold a benefit event commemorating the disaster.

Songs of Hope was founded three days after the Great East Japan Earthquake, with its first benefit on May 1, 2011.

One of the founders of the group is Fumi Tagata, who said she started it because after the earthquake, she couldn’t reach her musician friend in Iwate by phone for three days, which made her nervous. “I couldn’t help her, her family, and the people in Tohoku, as more and more pictures and videos of the disaster were broadcasted,” Tagata said.

A few days after the earthquake, Tagata decided to channel her energy into putting on a concert. “I originally started organizing this concert with my childhood friend, Akiko,” she said. “Then Lisa Maria, who loves Japan more than we do, and had been searching for a way of fundraising as well, joined us.” The initial idea was to find a venue with about 300 seats and have music performed by their musician friends. “However, the more people who were willing to

TUE 3/11

THU 3/20

WHAT: Author Jamie Ford reads from “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” WHERE: King County Library, Sammamish branch, 825 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish WHEN: 7 p.m.

COST: Free INFO: 206-634-3400, www. ubookstore.com

WHAT: Vietnamese Friendship Association benefit dinner WHERE: University of Washington HUB Ballroom WHEN: 7 p.m. (Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m.)

COST: $100 (VIP tickets $150) INFO: 206-760-1573

SAT 3/15

WHAT: King County Library System “Literary Lions Gala” with keynote by author Amy Tan WHERE: Hyatt Regency, 900 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 6–9 p.m.

COST: $200 INFO: www.kcls.org/ literarylions

WHAT: “The Lover, the Sufi and the Friend: Modes of Longing in Medieval Persian Poetry” lecture

by Richard Davis WHERE: Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle WHEN: 9:30–11 a.m.

COST: $5–$10 INFO: 206-654-3100

SUN 3/16 WHAT: Reading and book signing of “Into the Storm: Journeys with Alzheimer’s” WHERE: Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 Tenth Ave., Seattle WHEN: 3 p.m.

INFO: collintong.com

SAT 3/22

WHAT: 5K Superhero Run WHERE: White Center Heights Park, Seattle WHEN: 9–11 a.m.

COST: $25–$35 (free for ages 10 and under) to benefit White Center CDA, the YES Foundation of White Center, and White Center Food Bank INFO: www.facebook.com/ WhiteCenter5kWalkRun

Korean TV Drama” lecture by Bonnie Tilland WHERE: Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle WHEN: 9:30–11 a.m.

COST: $5–$10 INFO: 206-654-3100

SUN 3/23 WHAT: Washington State Chinese Language and Talent Competition WHERE: Chief Sealth International High School, 2600 S.W. Thistle St., Seattle REGISTER: www. culturalexploration.og REGISTER FEE: $5 per item INFO: ce2014competition@ culturalexploration.org

TUE 3/25 WHAT: Asia Business Dinner Round Table WHERE: Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant, 18230 E. Valley Hwy. Ste. 116, Kent WHEN: 5:45-8 p.m.

INFO: 425-656-0999, tiangreatwallmall@gmail.com

WHAT: “Cursing at the Screen Yet Can’t Look Away: Watching

help the victims in Japan got involved, the larger the scale of the concert became,” Tagata said.

Songs of Hope is a community of Seattle-area musicians, artists, and others who are dedicated to offering ongoing support to the disaster recovery effort. Through concerts and events and providing the latest information about the aftermath of the devastation, they are attempting to create a sense of connectedness that can be extended to the people in Japan from Seattle.

“As a mother myself, I empathize with how parents in Fukushima feel and how they are struggling with the situation in Fukushima, said Tagata. “That’s why we decided to support the ‘Tenohira ni Taiyo no Ie Projec’ housing retreat for children and families who cannot play outside freely in the radiated areas in Fukushima.”

Tagata visited Tokyo last November, and said she was surprised by the complacency.

“I was shocked to see that everything and everyone seemed to not change at all after the disaster,” she said. “Also, what I saw during my stay was only one donation box for Tohoku at a restaurant, and one small musical event preparing for the Tohoku recovery.” Time in Japan passes so quickly, Tagata said, that it “may make people forget things very easily.”

Many of Japan’s mayors also expressed concern that public attention is increasingly shifting from Tohoku’s plight to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Tagata thinks Japanese people in Seattle care more about Tohoku than some people do in Japan. “I think it’s because we live here across the ocean and out of the intense speed of living in Japan,” she said. “We cherish the memories of Japan and anchor on them. As a Japanese living abroad, I might have wider perspectives because I don’t live in Japan. From outside of the homeland, I want to keep sending messages and cheers as much as I can for a better future.”

Songs of Hope will hold its Japan benefit concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, at the University Temple United Methodist Church. More information is available at http:// songs-of-hope.tumblr.com/.

Help from Red Cross American Red Cross funds have also contributed to the progress of the Japanese Red Cross in the past three years, providing nearly 338,000 survivors with necessary appliances for their temporary housing, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and rice cookers. Red Cross has also helped residents winterize their homes and build community centers, and contributed to soup kitchens, radiation checks, and health and relaxation workshops. In addition, the organization has provided transportation, medical beds, vaccinations, and emotional support for families.

“Three years after the Japan earthquake and tsunami,

donations from the American public have continued to help survivors recover and have enabled the Japanese Red Cross to rebuild its medical capacity and disaster preparedness stocks,” said Colin Downey, director of communications for the American Red Cross, Western Washington Region.

“The Red Cross continues to provide material and emotional support to survivors as they rebuild.”

First hand accounts Several Japanese international students now studying in Seattle recalled their memories about the Great East Japan Earthquake.

“I was in my hometown when that earthquake happened,” said Sari Yoshioka, who is from Shimane Prefecture in Japan. “I still remember when I tried to call my friends in Tokyo, but I couldn’t. I sent an e-mail too, but it took one day to contact them. In the near future, I want to contribute by donating some money for the Tohoku region.”

“I was in Tokyo for an entrance test for the university when the Great East Japan Earthquake happened,” said Taichi Ichikawa, an international student from Iwaki city, Fukushima Prefecture. “I could not contact my family living in Fukushima right after it happened, but after a couple of calls, I could. I think I was very, very lucky because most of my friends from the Tohoku region couldn’t contact their family at all.”

Fortunately, Ichikawa said, his family and relatives did not suffer much damage from the earthquake. After the earthquake, he volunteered with a local church, cleaning up a disaster area near the ocean in his hometown of Fukushima.

“As a Japanese, I want to tell to Americans to prepare for everything, assume the worst thing would happen suddenly,” said Hiroshi Fujita, an international student from Nagano Prefecture in Japan. “There are still many people suffering because of the earthquake. I want to go there and see what is going on and find what I can do to help the Tohoku region.”

Ichikawa wants everyone in the world to remember the people who are still in temporary housing in Japan.

“They lost their jobs, especially farmers and fishers who received critical damage to their businesses,” he said. “For example, my hometown faces the ocean, and it is very sad to see the seaside area, which used to have many people and seafood stores. There were seafood festivals before, but not anymore.

“I want to visit some areas in the Tohoku region more and more to see what is going on and how people are doing there now,” Ichikawa said.  Marino Saito can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ EDUCATION

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

7

Diversity Makes a Difference —Part 1—

Compiled by Sue Misao Northwest Asian Weekly The Northwest Asian Weekly’s Diversity Makes a Difference scholarship program celebrates high school students from Western Washington — nominated by teachers, counselors, principals, mentors, and community members — who encourage and actively promote diversity.

Each student submits an essay on what diversity means to them, along with a letter of recommendation.

From these nominations, a judging panel will choose five winners to receive $1,000 scholarships, and several other finalists who will receive $200 scholarships. The scholarships honor young people who take action to increase cross-cultural understanding and awareness in the community. These scholarships have been awarded every year since 1994.

The Diversity Makes a Difference awards dinner will be held at the New Hong Kong Restaurants on March 28.

Adora Nwankwo Olympia High School “I see Adora as one of the great leaders of this senior class,” said Olympia High School principal Matt Grant in his nomination of Adora Nwankwo. “She serves in our academic student body leadership, holds the president role in our Rotary Interact Club, and has been an active member of STAND (Students Together Advocating for

Adora Nwankwo

Ana Cervantes

Austin Moungchanh

Ava Gharai

Barbara Biney

Christina Nguyen

Cici West

Llanteo Okamura

Barbara Biney

Nicola LaGuardia

Non-violence and Diversity).”

Adora also found ways to bring students, teachers, parents, and community members together on social justice, said Grant. After helping to organize and lead a community Common Book read on Stride Toward Freedom, she spoke at the school’s Martin Luther King Jr. assembly about “the importance of love, forgiveness, and how to make a change in this world.”

“I look forward to seeing her powerful impact in later years,” said Grant.

“Valuing diversity recognizes the differences between people and acknowledges these differences as

significant,” wrote Adora in her student essay. “It respects individuality, while promoting respect for others. It emphasizes the importance of people sharing their stories and learning from the stories of others.”

Ana Cervantes Squalicum High School “Once you meet Ana Cervantes, you will never forget her,” wrote Squalicum counselor department chair Aramis Johnson. “She has an amazing personality and her dedication to her community should be emulated.

Chloe Batara

Ana was a founding member of the Unified Special Olympic basketball team.

“Ana was able to look past their disabilities and treat them like teammates, not just disabled athletes,” said Johnson. “She laughed, joked, and supported our team throughout practice and games.”

When the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was enacted in 2012, Ana not only boldly applied, but also encouraged others to do so. “She let students know that it was safe to speak about their immigration status to their counselors,” Johnson said. {see DIVERSITY cont’d on page 15}

Friday, March 28, 2014 • 6-9 p.m. • New Hong Kong Restaurant • 900 S. Jackson St., Seattle • 206-223-7999 diversity.nwasianweeklyfoundation.org • rsvp@nwasianweekly.com • $25 for students & family • $45 regular ticket price Abiel Zewolday

Caleb Walin

Hannah Stulberg

Llanteo Okamura

Sarah “Cha Cha” Sawyer

Adora Nwankwo

Charly Nelson

Hayden Kim

Leonel Reyes

Schrag, Katarina

Alexis Cavagnaro

Chloe Batara

James Nelson

Leta Ames

So Yeon Jung

Alyssa Chow

Christina Nguyen

Janae Chan

Marissa Yamane

Stephanie Rey

Amanda Levenson

Christopher Adams

Jessica Allen

Monisha Gonzales

Tammy Yu

Ana Cervantes

Cici West

Jiawan (Demi) Tu

Nicola LaGuardia

Tanner Hoang

Angela Geyer

Courtney Gu

Josh Bean

Nicolas Garcia

Tulasa Ghimirey

Asosa Sailiai

Courtney Vu

Juliana Da Cruz

Nicolas Tonel

Veronique Soriano

Austin Moungchanh

Daniel Kim

Kayla Wheeler

Oscar Mwaba

Vy Tang

Ava Gharai

Erick Yanzon

Katherine Chun

Priyanka Kompella

Zeena Rivera

Barbara Biney

Gary Wang

Kevin Dominguez (Sosa)

Rahwa Beya

Bryan Contreras

Genevieve Macdonald

Kyle McCrohan

Rose Yasukochi

Edmonds-Woodway High School Nominated by Shana Lipscomb Olympia High School Nominated by Matt Grant Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Inglemoor High School Nominated by Kieran McCormick Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Squalicum High School Nominated by Aramis Johnson Lynnwood High School Nominated by Don R. Ide Highline High School Nominated by Laura Weist Chief Sealth High School Nominated by Jol Raymond

Squalicum High School Nominated by Gabriel Mayers Mountlake Terrace High School Nominated by Nancy Paine Edmonds-Woodway High School Nominated by Brad Serka

Corporate Sponsor:

Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Holy Names Academy Nominated by Megan Diefenbach Chief Sealth High School Nominated by Jol Raymond O'Dea High School Nominated by Jeanne Eulberg Holy Names Academy Nominated by Alice Tanaka Edmonds-Woodway High School Nominated by Frances Chapin Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Mountlake Terrace High School Nominated by Ashley Johnson Inglemoor High School Nominated by Jan Fitzgerald Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein

Supporting Sponsors:

Women’s Foundation

Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Squalicum High School Nominated by Michelle Nilsen Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Inglemoor High School Nominated by Katrina Allemeier Squalicum High School Nominated by Michelle Nilsen Sehome High School Nominated by Jim Gaines

Roosevelt High School Nominated by Eugene Edwards Sehome High School Nominated by Lindsay MacDonald Sehome High School Nominated by Ashleigh Bobovski Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Sehome High School Nominated by Jeff Smith

Roosevelt High School Nominated by Dr. Littlebrave Beaston

Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Mountlake Terrace High School Nominated by Nancy Paine Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Inglemoor High School Nominated by Bryan McNiel Inglemoor High School Nominated by Lonnie Tighe

O'Dea High School Nominated by Jeanne Eulberg O'Dea High School Nominated by Jeanne Eulberg Chief Sealth High School Nominated by Jol Raymond Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Edmonds-Woodway High School Nominated by Nancy Branom Holy Names Academy Nominated by Alice Tanaka

KEYNOTE SPEAKER David Santillanes

Sponsors:

Ying Kam Chan Eng

President D. Lark, Inc.

Holy Names Academy Nominated by Alice Tanaka

Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Issaquah High School Nominated by Cathy Blankenstein Sehome High School Nominated by Lindsay MacDonald Ingraham High School Nominated by Angie Allemand O'Dea High School Nominated by Jeanne Eulberg Foster High School Nominated by Lori Penor Ingraham High School Nominated by Angie Allemand Ingraham High School Nominated by Angie Allemand Holy Names Academy Nominated by Alice Tanaka

asianweekly northwest

8

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

■ travel

Photos by John Liu/NWAW

I close my eyes and think, ‘Aloha’

Ko Olina's lagoons

Chapel at Ko Olina

Groom Michael Chen and Bride Nancy Ng

Pearl Harbor

By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly

Resort is a 642-acre vacation and residential community, 17 miles northwest of Honolulu.

What you see is not just beaches, but four beautiful man-made lagoons, bordered by 2.3 miles of beaches. It’s a pleasant and easy hike.

Ko Olina is a popular place for weddings.

My son and I saw as many as three weddings in one day. There is even a chapel on the waterfront. The wedding we attended was held on the lawn of JW Marriott Hotel, facing the Pacific Ocean. The ceremony was arranged in the late afternoon to capture the sunset. A two-member band sang Hawaiian songs and played native music. How romantic!

After the wedding, a buffet dinner of East and West cuisine, including sushi, prime rib, and many kinds of tasty desserts, was set on the hotel lawn, where 60 guests could dance or just enjoy the sound of the ocean and the crickets chirping.

wedding.

How expensive? For instance, I bought bottled water at the Sea-Tac International Airport for less than $2 dollars. I did the same at the Hawaii Airport before I flew back to Seattle. Guess how much the Fuji bottle water cost me — $4.19! I almost punched myself when I saw the price tag at Uwajimaya: 99 cents.

Even though I had been to the Aloha state a few times, I still carry assumptions that were proved wrong. Disney is part of the Ko Olina resort. Disney bought the property for $144 million, in addition to construction costs.

My son said, “It must be expensive to eat at a Disney restaurant.”

“We should eat at least once for the experience,” I said. It turned out the price was decent.

There are five restaurants inside the hotel. We picked AMA AMA, the casual one facing the lagoon. We didn’t order any entrees, just a seafood platter appetizer, which cost $26; a vegetable side dish, $6; a mixed salad, $12; and a fresh papaya, $6.50. The appetizer was filled with fresh

ingredients, consisting of one big Alaskan king crab leg, live oysters, fish, and prawns.

I made a good decision by ordering myself just a salad. The salad was mixed with quality ingredients. All the dishes were served in a gorgeous presentation. As for the papaya — it was one of the best papayas I have ever tasted.

My son swam and snorkeled. I was tempted to follow. The 79-degree temperature created an illusion that the water was warm. So I put my foot in the water, but quickly pulled it out. It was about 50 degrees. No wonder there were not very many people swimming at the beach. People would rather swim in the hotel’s pool.

We ventured into a local fast-food restaurant one afternoon. To my surprise, the menu was loaded with heavy and greasy stuff. Most of the items had buttery sauce and were deep fried. You don’t see steamed or baked items without sauces (cooking out the fat from the food) on the menu. No wonder a study found obesity is a problem in Hawaii.

I was in Hawaii’s Ko Olina Resort for a wedding when snow hit Seattle on Feb. 8.

I long for snow every once in a while, but when I get my wish, I really hate it.

I felt the misery of Washingtonians, stuck in the freezing cold with tightened muscles and dry skin, wearing layers of clothes, while I was enjoying the lovely lagoons, warm weather, and fresh-smelling flowers in Hawaii. The temperature was perfect — 76 degrees.

The last few days in Seattle were unbearable — gray, rainy, and cold. I had to close my eyes, listen to a CD of Hawaiian music my friend Jane gave me, then think Aloha, hold the palm trees, touch the sand and ocean, and enjoy watching the surfers riding the unbreakable waves. Like the song, "Live a little, Hawaiian style," instantly I felt better. Hawaii has become my therapy when bracing for a cold, blue winter.

Wedding Aloha-style

On the leeward coast of Oahu, Ko Olina

Questioning assumptions

Hawaii is an expensive city. Not many people from the continental U.S. can afford to pay the airfare and hotels just to attend a

■ at the movies

Movie review: Fists of Legends

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly Mixed martial arts is the backdrop for this South Korean DVD release of the movie “Fists of Legend.” The 2013 sports drama, directed by Kang Woo-suk, is based on a popular South Korean web cartoon.

“Fists of Legend” is a MMA-inspired reality TV show that recruits middle-aged weekend warriors to participate. The goal of the contest is to find the best fighting legend through a grueling tournament. The makers of the show will do anything to provide good television, despite the health of its combatants.

In the film, three estranged high school friends, now past their prime, are among those chosen to fight in a sensationalized ultimate fight for a huge money prize. The three men, former street-fighting legends, broke apart during high school and have since been living troubled lives. The reality show is their shot at redemption.

The main character, Deok-kyu, runs a meager noodle shop and takes care of his own problematic daughter. He discovers that there’s more to the show than he had planned for when he signed up.

The movie is reminiscent of Jean Claude Van Damme movies, in which the hero must fight for money and honor, but does not compromise his values, despite temptation.

“Fists of Legend” is in English subtitles, and may lose something in its translation as

the plot leaves a little to be desired. The fight sequences — and there are a lot of them — are the best part of the film.

There are many questions that could be asked — the first being, why have “middleaged” men fight in a cage? How would that be entertaining to anyone?

The film attempts to be more than just a platform for gratuitous fighting, as it follows three friends as they return to their former greatness. However, the story is predictable and I found myself hoping for more from it.  “Fists of Legend” is not rated. The DVD is available at www.cj-entertainment.com.

Jason Cruz can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

{see HAWAII cont’d on page 16}

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ arts & entertainment

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

9

February's culture wars

That Sochi snub, and that Jeopardy! guy

Adelina Sotnikova takes the gold while Kim Yu-na takes silver.

After her performance, Sotnikova gets a hug from one of the judges.

Alex Trebek, host of Jeopardy! and Arthur Chu, contestant.

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly

nearly as invested in the 2014 Games compared to her run in 2010, she was still considered the favorite to win gold in the women’s figure skating event. But Kim suffered an upset to Russian upstart skater Adelina Sotnikova, who took home the gold with a five-point margin over Kim, leaving the South Korean with a silver medal.

The skating world and viewers expressed outrage over the perceived gold medal snub. Fans even launched an online petition to investigate the judging decisions of the women’s figure skating event, which generated so much attention that the website initially crashed due to the overwhelming response.

It was also revealed that the judging panel included a Ukrainian judge with Russian ties, who had previously been suspended for a year due to fixing the ice dancing competition at the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. A Russian judge on the panel was also revealed to be the wife of the president and general director of the Russian Skating

Federation. Television footage of Sotnikova hugging the Russian judge after the announcement of her gold medal win also casted doubt. While there is no hard evidence of a set-up, it’s hard not to view the situation with some level of skepticism.

In my opinion (based purely on my credentials as a pro casual viewer), I thought Kim had the stronger performance. Kim’s program, though simpler, showcased a cleaner and fundamentally more artistic routine than her Russian counterpart. Sotnikova, though talented, stumbled on a landing, and lacked the maturity and grace that Kim’s program possessed.

But Sotnikova was able to edge out Kim by executing one extra triple jump in her routine, earning her more points under a new judging system that favors technicality over artistry. It’s not a decision that the world may agree

Welcome to the latest edition of Apop! In this month’s column, I talk about the Olympics and a talented — yet controversial — game show whiz. Read on to find out more!

An Olympics recap: Skating and scandal in Sochi The Sochi Olympics dominated primetime television for most of February. Asians from around the world took to the international sports stage in Russia to represent their countries. Figure skating has historically been one of the Games’ more controversial sports, and it was not without its share of drama this year.

South Korean Kim Yu-na, the women’s figure skating gold medalist from the 2010 Vancouver Games, returned to Sochi to defend her title in hopes of winning back-to-back gold. Although Kim made it clear that her heart was not

{see A-POP cont’d on page 13}

■ sports

By Jason Cruz Northwest Asian Weekly

After completing a workout in the gym one night, a local man decided that he wanted to be a ninja — but not just any ninja. Hoan Do hopes to make it on the next season of the NBC reality TV series “American Ninja Warrior.”

Starting its sixth season, the series is a sports entertainment event in which contestants compete in “the world’s most difficult obstacle course.” Former military, athletic, and fitness enthusiasts have competed on the show. While these individuals are in peak physical shape, they find the course challenging and many are unable to complete it.

Do, a 28-year-old motivational speaker, has begun his training to make it on the show. He created a YouTube audition video in which he goes through the various workouts needed to compete in the physically challenging obstacle course, including intensive climbing, jumping, and overall strength.

Do shot the three-minute video with a friend, sent it out via Twitter, and received rave reviews. More than 1,700 people have seen it, including the show’s hosts, who replied with supportive messages to Do. Do has competed and participated in

Photo courtesy of Ross Coyle Media

Motivational speaker wants to be an American Ninja Warrior, of course

Hoan Do is seriously training to be a Ninja Warrior.

many athletic events, and says he is up to the challenge of making it onto the reality show. “This has encouraged me to exercise in fun and new ways,” he said. His rigorous schedule involves morning workouts on his agility, grip strength, and motion, followed by evening CrossFit training sessions.

Do says his biggest obstacle in preparing for the show is his motivational speaking

travel schedule to high schools and colleges all over North America.

“I’d trade in my frequent flier miles for more time at home,” Do said. He traveled 116 days last year and will likely travel the same, if not more, this year. This has forced him to get creative with his workouts when a gym is not available, such as finding playgrounds in various cities.

Do attended Pepperdine University and majored in economics. He went to Decatur High School in Federal Way, where, as a freshman, he befriended senior Benson Henderson. They were both on the wrestling team. “He was a super calm guy, nice and relaxed,” recalled Do. Henderson went on to become a mixed martial arts fighter and Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion. The two were able to catch up when Henderson came back to Seattle for a UFC event a couple years ago.

Do has also written a book, “How to succeed in the Real World: What Schools Won’t Teach You.” The book aims to teach young people how to succeed in life.

The process for making it onto American Ninja Warrior is nearly as difficult as the obstacle course itself. For Do to get on the show, the producers would have to choose his audition video from the thousands they receive. If chosen, he would compete at a regional site. If selected as a finalist, Do would then go on to compete in the national finals at Las Vegas.

Do should know by mid-March whether he will be in the running to be the next American Ninja Warrior.  Jason Cruz can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

asianweekly northwest

10

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

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Proceeds from this advertisement will benefit IDEC International District Emergency Center.

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

11

OPINION

■ editorial

President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, which he announced last week, is a well-named first step in a lofty goal — calling on everyone to embrace the much needed empowerment of boys and young men of color.

Things turn out so much better when we take care of each other. Now that we’ve seen a black man become the most powerful leader in the world, we know that skin color doesn’t determine one’s potential. But pathways can, and this initiative is all about clearing the pathways.

Too many young men of color begin life on a path already cluttered and blocked by circumstances not of their making. It’s nice when people with tools and trucks are willing to come along and haul some of the debris away.

Sometimes all a kid needs is to see someone bigger moving stuff out of his way to make him suddenly realize there’s something up ahead. Add that one special ingredient — knowing somebody cares enough to clear the path — and he is on his way. Everyone wants to live in a world in which men of all colors are working in satisfying jobs, raising healthy families, enjoying life, and contributing to society, instead of becoming a drain on it by sitting in prison or abandoning their children because they never found a way to escape the poverty they were born into.

Why is “My Brother’s Keeper” such a great name? It’s no mystery why people of color are disadvantaged in America, but there are those who refuse to acknowledge it. Let’s stop debating why and just fix it. The name, of course, harkens

■ publisher’s blog

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Clear a path for your brother

A student eyes the Emancipation Proclamation as the President gave students from William R. Harper High School in Chicago a tour of the Oval Office, June 5, 2013.

back to the biblical story of Cain and Abel.

Cain was a farmer and his brother Abel was a shepherd.

Cain harvested his crops and gave some to God, who apparently didn’t like being offered vegetables. Meanwhile, Abel killed a sheep and gave that to God, which he loved.

This made Cain mad, so he killed Abel. Later, God said, “Where’s Abel?” (as if he didn’t know) and Cain said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” God, angry, sent Cain packing.

The point is, life makes no sense sometimes. For example, who knows why God doesn’t like veggies? Did he

even bother to tell Cain that? It doesn’t matter. Cain needed to stop dwelling on it and move on. He should’ve been his brother’s keeper. Instead, he became a murderer and was forced to wander homeless for the rest of his life, with some kind of mark on his head. In the end, life works out much better for everyone when we are our brother’s keeper.

No one knows what great things Abel might have accomplished, had he lived. In those days, according to the Bible, people lived to be hundreds and hundreds of years old.

Maybe, at age 572, Abel would’ve found a cure for cancer.

Sometimes our president is too smart, trying to solve the world with long-term investments and solutions. But Americans are impatient. We have a very short history. We don’t have time for the “big picture.” We see a first-day glitched-out health insurance website and call the entire plan a failure. Obama seems to see problem solving as something you begin now, so that your children’s children will have a better life. It’s logical, but we sort of want everything now, for us, today, this minute. And that’s how we solve things. With Band-Aids.

So it’s good that Obama is finally focusing on boys and young men of color, instead of looking too deeply at the root causes of their troubles and trying to find a cure for all of society’s ills. Race is the issue, but race is swarming with historical complexity that we simply cannot solve.

Maybe the best we can do is clear pathways for the people who are stuck. 

Uncle Bob still fools us

Bob Santos, unofficial mayor of the International District, who hardly looks 80, celebrated his 80th birthday at the Nisei Vets Hall last Saturday with more than 200 guests. Well, Uncle Bob, if you follow comedian Billy Crystal’s advice, you are going to celebrate your birthdays for at least 20 more years.

Crystal wrote in his book, “Still Foolin’ ‘Em,” that the older you get, the more you should celebrate your birthday. “… every day that I’m here, I am grateful,” he wrote.

“I believe birthdays are to be celebrated, especially when you turn 65.”

Just look at Santos. He’s fit and trim, energetic, young at heart, and his mind is sharp. He still plays a vital role in collaborating with diverse leaders to do good for the community. People like to pick Santos’ brain. The Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation invites him to speak every year at our summer youth leadership program.

The students rave about his feistiness, wits, and leadership. Born and raised in Seattle’s Chinatown, Santos is perhaps one of the last Asian leaders living and carrying through our struggles and ensuring that the Asian community receives its share of recognition.

And during his six decades of community involvement, he has built many bridges across all sorts of lives — the rich and poor, passive and militant, and doer and talker.

You name it, he knows them all. He knows how to mobilize them do something positive for the community.

At home, Santos is taking care of himself and his wife, Rep. Sharon Tomoko, who has a demanding job as a legislator. He said he’s a good cook and especially enjoys preparing dinner for his wife when she comes home late from legislative sessions. He has never been idle after his retirement. Those are the

secrets to longevity. Have a purpose at home International students pay as much as and in the community. $30,000 to $40,000 a year for tuition and room and board, while in-state students pay Simplify a party much less — about one third of that amount.

Santos set up new rules for an enjoyable The trouble with these wealthy Chinese party: No dinner, no speeches, just dance, students is that parents give them too much and have fun. Organizing a dinner requires money. They are just kids — 17 or 18 years lots of time-consuming planning and money. Even First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated her 50th birthday at the White House without a dinner. Her invitation asked guests to wear dancing shoes and implied that everyone should eat before showing up.

Santos’ invitation said, “Uncle Bob’s Dance Party.” That’s the kind of party I like — not too much sitting around, more mingling with friends. Santos’ party served lots of delicious items, such as Chinese barbecue pork and yummy potatoes. Sharon kept bugging me to eat. I guess she didn’t want to bring home any leftovers.

Santos loves to talk, sing, dance, and entertain. It’s delightful to watch him dance and sing. And no speeches, just party! How cool was that!

Money is the evil for Chinese students Did you read the news lately about two Chinese students involved in two different fatal car accidents close to Olympia and Auburn? It also happened in California, in which one Chinese student was arrested after a high-speed police car chase on Feb. 20. Fortunately, this one did not result in any fatalities.

For the past few years, universities and community colleges dealing with financial crises have actively recruited Chinese nationals for one reason — they have money.

Why not? Rich students help to pay the bills, compensating for what the state budget fails to provide for higher education.

Want to get the inside scoop on the latest happenings of Seattle’s Asian American community? Follow Publisher Assunta Ng’s blog at nwasianweekly.com under the Opinion section.

old, not adequately supervised, and they love to show off their money by buying fancy cars.

Parents, show your love by giving them just enough to get by. Never allow them to buy cars. Don’t think you can just dump your kids here and say goodbye. Otherwise, you will have to face ugly consequences later. 

asianweekly northwest

12

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

{ZHANG cont’d from page 1} last month, an election to fellowship bestowed on only 139 AIA members this year. Fewer than 2 percent of all registered architects in the United States are elected.

Zhang will be formally honored at the 2014 National AIA Convention this June in Chicago, earning the professional designation FAIA (Fellow of the American Institute of Architects) after his name.

“This is especially meaningful to me because I came to the United States in Chicago,” he said about emigrating from China in 1986 to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology for his master’s degree in architecture.

The AIA’s 2014 Jury of Fellows said he was chosen because of his “notable contributions to the advancement of architecture” and for his work in improving the standards of design and practice in China for over 20 years. He has also designed hotels, retail centers, and corporate offices in the United States and several other countries, projects that have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession.

The AIA stated, “Election to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual, but also honors before the public and the profession a model architect who has made a significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level.”

Born in Nanjing — about 558 miles southeast of Beijing — in Jiangsu province, he became the president of MulvannyG2 Architecture in 2010.

Zhang, 51, says his father, a high school Chinese literature and calligraphy teacher, influenced him as a child, so much that he practiced Chinese calligraphy twice a day, every day, for many years.

Zhang said about his commitment, “I fell in love with art.”

In 1973, at age 10, he noticed that none of the buildings in Nanjing were taller than 10 stories. But when he visited Shanghai, his curiosity about structures changed the moment he saw a 24-story hotel for the first time, turning on his passion for architecture.

{P.O. cont’d from page 1} weekend.

That’s the plan, says Ernie Swanson, Seattle Post Office Communications Program Specialist.

“Everything that’s available to customers at the current location will be available at the new one,” said Swanson — same employees, same hours, same everything.

The new location will be just around the corner, in a smaller, empty space at the Bush Hotel on Jackson Street between Maynard and 6th.

The process of relocating is already in place, said Swanson, but the final move of the boxes will occur in about two months.

It’s not clear if the newspaper stands currently in front of the post office will also

“It was really amazing when I saw that building. I could not believe you could build buildings this tall,” Zhang said.

At Hefei University of Technology in China, his architecture professor showed some slides of buildings by world-famous architects. He said, “That also blew my mind away. The most striking project I saw was Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater,” a famous house in southwestern Pennsylvania that hangs over a waterfall.

During his final year, he won a national competition for the design of a high-rise office building in Taiyuan, in Shanxi province, an experience that proved to be the first of many international and domestic design wins to come for MulvannyG2. He later graduated in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture.

Zhang moved to Washington state in 1990 and worked at Callison Architects.

“I’m probably one of the earliest ‘pioneering’ architects.

I went back to China, practiced architecture, and represented U.S. firms as early as 1993,” he said. In 1995, he started his own design firm, ZGA Architecture.

He merged ZGA Architecture with MulvannyG2 in 1998, bringing his design expertise and strong professional relationships in China with him.

The economy of China continued to grow at that time with the country developing a building boom in its urban areas. For Zhang, this was the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his creativity and fill the need for grandiose, high-rise buildings.

In 2003, he became one of MulvannyG2’s senior vice presidents.

Zhang was named as one of the top 20 most influential designers in China during the 2006 China Landmark Summit in Beijing. His work can be described as combining values and philosophies that have endured in Eastern culture for thousands of years — “the harmony between the people, the building, and nature” — with modern technology.

“Each one is very unique,” he added.

Participating in China’s meteoric growth and development continues to be a privilege to Zhang, one that

allows him to use his communication skills to serve as a bridge between American and Chinese cultures. He said, “I started influencing them about American architecture practices, about privatization, and about a (professional) license system. The design process, I would say, is a very exhausting process even these days.”

In 2008, he was invited to be a speaker at the World Architecture Congress in Shanghai, an international gathering that featured best practices in innovative and sustainable development and design among Asia’s best real estate designers, consultants, and developers.

“Most architects will tell you, ‘My favorite job is the last (one),’” Zhang said, but admits one of his favorite designs is the 31-story headquarters of the Fujian Provincial Electric and Power Company in Fuzhou, which underwent construction in 2007 and features roof gardens and sky lounges. It also has a 22-story communications tower.

MulvannyG2 won an international competition to design Suning Chengdu, a mixed-use development in Chengdu, China. The 1.6 million-square-foot building includes a 45-story luxury hotel and office tower atop a 12-story retail podium with an undulating glass façade.

Locally, MulvannyG2 unanimously won the design competition for the Redmond City Hall. It’s an atypical, four-story office building consisting of glass, stone, wood, and copper that Zhang calls “the living room for the community.” It is split into two steel-framed wings, one positioned toward the nearby Sammamish River, the other oriented south towards the main road.

“Art is an important part of architecture design, but it requires [and] is limited by so many other things, such as the functionality, the cost, the local materials, the regulations, and also the tastes of the owner,” he said.  For more information about MulvannyG2 Architecture, visit www.mulvannyg2.com.

James Tabafunda can nwasianweekly.com.

be

reached

at

info@

make the move, since they are privately owned and sit on city property.

The biggest impact on local residents, said Swanson, is that they will be enjoying the new expanded Hing Hay Park when it takes over the space of the current post office, which will be torn down.

The final community Hing Hay Park design meeting was held Feb. 25, in which a variety of park features were discussed, such as landscaping, events, ping pong and other exercise areas, play areas, seating, lighting, and art. The next step for the Parks and Recreation Department is to develop construction documents, get permits, finetune the details, and figure out costs.

The name “Hing Hay” means “Park for pleasurable gatherings.” 

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

13

For the week of March 8–March 14, 2014

By Sun Lee Chang Rat — The full force of your desire to succeed will take you far. If you back it up with solid action, it will take you even farther.

Dragon — As much as you want to leave the past behind, it can be a useful exercise to look back at where you started as a way of seeing how far you have come.

Monkey — You can either divide and conquer or succeed by bringing people together. The latter is preferable for relationships going forward.

Ox — Your feelings of guilt may be unfounded today.

You are allowed to take some time for yourself for once.

Snake — Does it seem like you have gone through the motions of the current scenario before? Build on what you learned previously and you will prevail again.

Rooster — Although you have been dropping hints left and right, your partner isn’t picking up on them. Say something before frustration gets the better of you.

Horse — Something that fits well for one person won’t always work for another. Personalization is the key to making things truly your own.

Dog — There are some days where being silly and the ability to laugh can carry you through. Don’t underestimate the power of humor.

Goat — The uncertainty that has been bothering you is about to be resolved. Knowing what is coming should be beneficial because you can start planning.

Pig — You want to finish the job, but you’re not exactly sure how. Although it won’t be easy, completion brings many rewards.

Tiger — The quickening pace at work is starting to wear on you. Perhaps scheduling a short vacation will do wonders.

Rabbit — A quiet whisper can turn into a loud roar very quickly. Listen to what your body is telling you — ignoring it can have negative repercussions.

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 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 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

*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.

{ASIANA cont’d from page 4} In a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press, Asiana spokeswoman Hyomin Lee said the airline “provided extensive support to the passengers and their families following the accident and will continue to do so.”

Asiana said in the consent order that its response was slowed because the crash occurred on a holiday weekend when staffing was short. The airline said it was not alone among foreign airlines with “few trained employees to attend to postaccident responsibilities.”

Asiana argued that it recovered quickly, noting that within a few days of the crash, it had assigned a special representative to each passenger and family, flown in family members from overseas, and provided professional crisis counseling.

The consent order also laid out findings from the Department of Transportation’s investigation. Among them: – Asiana generally “failed to commit sufficient resources” to help families.

It wasn’t until five days after the crash that its employees were meeting all responsibilities under U.S. law. The airline lacked translators and personnel trained in crash response.

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– It took Asiana more than 18 hours to staff a reliable toll-free hotline.

– The law requires family notification as soon as practical, but Asiana had contacted just three-quarters of families within two days. It would take five days to contact every family.

Last fall, the AP reviewed plans filed by two dozen foreign airlines and found cases in which carriers had not updated their family assistance plans as required.

Since AP’s story, several airlines have updated their plans with the Department of Transportation. Among them is Asiana’s bigger rival, Korean Air. Many airlines invest in crash preparedness and family assistance planning, but a minority are “using lip service and euphemisms in their plans,” said Robert A. Jensen, whose company has contracts with hundreds of airlines to help after an accident.

“It’s time that some of the airlines that have been flying under the radar be held accountable,” said Jensen, CEO of Kenyon International Emergency Services.

“Somebody finally got caught.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the cause of the crash. Family members of some passengers have sued the airline in federal court. 

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{COLLEGE AID cont’d from page 4} Following the formation of the predominantly Republican coalition that includes two Democrats, the fate of the bill was in the hands of senators. In 2013, the House approved a version of the bill with bipartisan support, but the measure died in the Senate.

This year, the House passed the measure on the first day of the legislative session, immediately putting pressure on the Senate to act on it. The senators did, underlining their bill with $5 million in funding.

The measure was the first bill to be signed into law in the 2014 legislative session.

“The large bipartisan majorities that supported the Dream Act in our House and Senate is in striking contrast to what we have seen in Congress lately. Washington legislature’s action is a testament to the power {A-POP cont’d from page 9} with, but I suppose that is why professional figure skating is so fascinating, infuriating, and controversial — all the subjectivity that goes into the judging decisions.

Elsewhere, Seattle’s own beloved short track speed skater J.R. Celski entered the Olympics as the de facto leader and main hope for the U.S. team. Although Celski failed to podium for three of his four eligible events, he helped the U.S. team take home the silver medal in the team relay event. Congrats to Celski and his fellow teammates!

Game show controversy There’s a new game show champ in town and his name is Arthur Chu. As of this writing, Chu is on a nine-time “Jeopardy!” winning streak. He appears to be on track to continue kicking butt and taking names on the show. However, Chu’s winning streak

of organizing and the growing influence of the immigrant vote in Washington state,” said Rich Stoltz, executive director of OneAmerica, an immigrant advocacy group.

Republicans Rep. Bruce Chandler of Granger and State Sen. Barbara Bailey of Oak Harbor both said they had a lot of push back from conservative constituents in their districts.

Both spoke to students in a ceremony hosted by the Latino/a Educational Achievement Project, a program funded by Sea Mar Community Health Centers, which also lobbied lawmakers. The group has been working on the issue for years, bringing in students to testify at panels and talking directly with leadership.

“We all can’t live in a cul-de-sac or in gated communities,” Chandler, his voice breaking, told the students. “We have to live as one community.”  has been a polarizing one, as he employs extensive game theory, aggressive buzzing, and a brash manner in order to bulldoze his competitors. It’s a different playing technique than what long-time viewers are used to. Chu plays the game with ruthless pragmatism, while it seems as if fans prefer game contestants that come off humble and, well, effortlessly genius.

Because the show’s traditional fans dislike Chu’s swagger, a major audience backlash resulted in social media slams against him, targeting his race, appearance, and personality on the show. Still, Chu proves that he doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, and often slams his detractors right back. It doesn’t look like Chu’s winning streak, or his confidence, will be letting up any time soon. Catch “Jeopardy!” later this week to watch Chu in action.  Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

{DIVERSITY cont’d from page 7} “Ana has accepted her role as a leader in our Latino community and serves as a role model to other immigrant students. Her actions have encouraged many to believe that they too can achieve the American Dream and attend a four-year university. Having Down syndrome won’t stop her from becoming and accomplishing everything she sets her mind to.”

Austin Moungchanh Chief Sealth International High School “It is my pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for Austin Moungchanh,” wrote Jol Raymond, counselor at Chief Sealth. “He is a bright, hard-working, perceptive, caring, and unassuming young man.”

Last year, Austin was elected National Honor Society president. “He has strong listening skills,” said Raymond, and “a great sense of humor.” His father died two years ago.

Austin provides care for both his developmentally delayed sister and grandmother.

Next year, Austin plans on going to South Seattle Community College, and wants to study engineering and aeronautics. “He has the aptitude to be successful,” wrote Raymond.

“I believe diversity is important because it guides us to accept one another even between the things that make us different,” Austin wrote in his essay. I know I would learn more from someone who is completely different than me, as opposed to someone who is practically the same.”

Ava Gharai Squalicum High School “Ava is a strong and diligent student, a mature and conscientious young woman who divides her time between community involvement and academics,” wrote Squalicum High School history teacher Gabriel Mayers.

President of the Squalicum Rotary Interact Club and recognized as an “AP Scholar with Honor,” Ava has been on her school’s honor roll ever since her freshman year, and is an inducted member of the National Honor Society.

“New students in our school, especially freshmen, see her as an approachable and kind person always willing to listen and give her time to them and any good cause,” said Mayers. “She has my highest recommendations with no reservations.”

“I find diversity to be the ultimate teacher,” writes Ava. “It provides a vast knowledge of the world and the way its people live. I am able to continuously meet with others who have different ethnicities and values than I do, and, by being different from me, they are able to school me on their way of life. By meeting someone with a different ethnic background than myself, my eyes are opened up to what their country, tradition, and culture is like. I have purposely shown a small window into my life as an Iranian to prove exactly what the power of diversity can do — educate the world enough to have people change their views of societies that, like Iran, would otherwise be deemed venomous.

Barbara Biney Mountlake Terrace High School In summer 2013, Barbara Biney interned at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. She is currently focusing her studies on biotechnology.

“The importance of diversity is critical in science and can create a circumspect viewpoint,” Barbara wrote, “and by doing so, it improves communication between each other, breaks the societal norms, and can lead to self-growth.”

During her internship, Barbara experienced a bit of an epiphany. “The scientists in the lab were welcoming and valued my opinion. No one ever connected my skin color with my opinion. It was all about the science.”

“Barbara‘s many outside interests and desire to make a difference in the world are evidenced by her community service work through the Honor Society,” said Mountlake Terrace High School math department chair Nancy Paine.

“She works with struggling students in the after-school study club and is coordinating the Honor Society members to do the same.”

Diversity is important, says Barbara. “It allows you to expand from your comfort zone, broaden your view of the world, and be more accepting of others. Diversity shows us what we have in common.”

Chloe Batara Holy Names Academy Chloe is “an extremely hard working and consistent student with a great demeanor and a positive, upbeat attitude,” says Megan Diefenbach, Holy Names Academy college counselor. She wants to attend college with a double major in Spanish and teaching.

“Her Catholic faith is extremely important to her,” says Diefenbach, with an “authentic love of community and fellowship.”

Chloe is a Teen Leader of her church’s youth group, and is a Campus Ministry and Community officer at her school. She helps plan school-wide liturgies, retreats, and community service opportunities. “She is a natural, yet quiet leader,” said her counselor, “and she is incredibly effective in this role.”

Diversity is a combination of various beliefs, values, cultures, traditions,” Chloe wrote. “Despite these differences, they are not necessarily meant to divide one another. On the contrary, it is indeed these unique aspects of each person that unites the worldwide community.”

Christina Nguyen Chief Sealth International High School Christina Nguyen is a “bright, extremely hard working, perceptive, self-motivated young woman,” said her school counselor, Jol Raymond. She carries a 4.0 GPA, while taking honors and International Baccalaureate courses throughout high school. One of her most impactful endeavors, she said, was her participation in her school’s Change Project, in which students designed a project to implement positive change in the world.

“The topic that fired my group of four into action was racism,” wrote Christina. “Our goal was to educate young people about the consequences and effect of bigotry and intolerance. Christina’s team constructed their message around the Anti-Defamation Leagues’ “Pyramid of Hate” model. She involved people of all ages both inside and outside the school, and learned how seemingly insignificant attitudes can develop into acts of prejudice.

Christina volunteers on the yearbook, as a tutor, in the public library, and is very active in her church. She has logged nearly 500 hours of community service, said her counselor.

“Christina is organized, positive, and very caring,” said Raymond, adding that she is in her second year of an after-school leadership class to continue developing her communication skills.

Cian “Cici” West Holy Names Academy “Diversity can be a powerful and innovative tool for shaping one’s immediate community, as well as the community at large, which is ultimately my goal as a lifelong leader,” says Holy Names senior Cici West. An ASB officer and Black Student Union leader, Cici says she has learned to honor and value the experience of diversity.

She helps create school-wide activities, including dances, a “High-Five” zone (anyone walking through the zone has to high-five another person), and the school’s Martin Luther King Jr. assembly.

“Cici is an outstanding young lady who has developed into quite a leader,” said Holy Names college counselor Alice Tanaka, who quoted the school principal’s description of Cici as “super excited about everything, she is the perfect [ASB] officer. She can inspire people without trying. She is so positive, never complaining about anything. The responsibilities of the officers move forward because of her personality.”

“She has become a leader in our school and she plans to become a leader in her community,” said Tanaka, who quotes Cici in saying “I intend to make a change in the world. I am not quite sure what it is going to be, but I am going to help people.”

Llanteo Okamura Roosevelt High School “Diversity is the key to global consciousness,” writes Llanteo Okamura.

“With the collaboration between people from different cultures and backgrounds, brilliant solutions to complex problems are possible.”

Eugene Edwards, Globalmix Design life coach and personal trainer, calls Llanteo “exceptional.”

“Llanteo has demonstrated outstanding motivation and capacity for learning,” said Edwards.

“He is always pleasant and open to taking initiatives, doing his best with every challenge. Llanteo has a genuine curiosity and thirst for knowledge.”

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

15

Monisha Gonzalez Sehome High School “If I were to single out an individual who has totally proven that she is resilient, indomitable, bright and incapable of being distracted from her goals, it would be Monisha,” says her high school counselor Jeff Smith. “With a vengeance, she has pursued information about colleges, different majors that might be a good fit for her and how to make sure that she is knowledgeable about financing college.”

Monisha has immersed herself in the world of diversity that differs from most young people — she volunteered at Grancell Village Jewish Nursing Home. With her peers, she helped form an “Adopt a Grandparent” program.

“I realized many elderly are overlooked,” said Monisha.

“All they desire is company, someone to hear their voices.

Like us, they don’t want to leave life feeling invisible – and they deserve better. The elderly hold so much history, lessons, and essential life – and their stories and experiences enrich us. Anyone of any culture and age is part of the fabric of life.”

Monisha challenges herself with rigorous courses, plays tennis and plays in the orchestra. She loves science, and wants to pursue a career in medicine.

“Monisha is capable of meeting the highest of expectations at the most competitive colleges,” said Smith.

Nicola LaGuardia Roosevelt High School Nicola LaGuardia found one particular aspect of diversity almost accidentally — she joined the Unity Club, out of curiosity. The program, which she had never heard of before, unites disabled students with mainstream students in the pursuit of organized sports.

“Until this point I was unaware that some students did not have the opportunity that I had taken for granted,” she said. “The students’ excitement to simply wear a Roosevelt jersey and represent their school was unparalleled.”

Nicola has been on the Debate team for four years and is the current president. She has served on the ASR (Associated Students of Roosevelt) for two years, and has been on the Key Club for four years. She was on the winning Roosevelt Dance team for two years. She’s been the Unity Club president for two years.

“I was able to foster lasting friendships with several of my teammates and came to understand that they are not so different from me,” she said. “Some of them may not be able to express their thoughts, emotions, and opinions in the same ways that I do, but it is important to realize that they still have them.”

Nicola has goals of attending a four-year college, majoring in chemical engineering. Her goal is to become an engineer. “Every indication is that Nicola will succeed in achieving her goals,” said her school counselor, Dr. Littlebrave Beaston. “And in my estimation, her academic abilities and her outstanding personal qualities will make her a valuable member of the university community.”  Sue Misao can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly. com.

asianweekly northwest

16

MARCH 8 – MARCH 14, 2014

Disney Aulani Resort's AMA AMA seafood platter

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Swimming pool at JW Marriott Ihilani

{HAWAII cont’d from page 8}

discount,” I responded. “Can I see the room with a view and the room without, to compare?”

Without pausing, he said, “I’ll give it to you.” We were pleasantly surprised. Why did he change his mind so fast?

I had no clue. All I did was ask.

want to waste food. My son always likes to order his own dish. Later, I learned to order side dishes only, while my son ordered main dishes. I was content to nibble on his leftovers.

It didn’t make sense to me that to save money, he wouldn’t rent a GPS with his rental car. I would have rented it. It’s only $15 a day. My son argued, “Everything adds up, Mom!” Yes, we got lost. Is this a generational difference, or is he simply frugal?

Anyway, I was happy that my son could finally visit Hawaii, and most happy that mother and son could spend time together — sharing a memory for a lifetime. 

Photos by John Liu/NWAW

Lobster and spaghetti from Mariposa Restaurant inside Neiman Marcus

Unexpected surprise

Paul Ishii, manager of the Mayflower Park Hotel, said it is better to book hotel rooms directly from the hotel, and not Expedia or other tourist websites. We did. Chinatown travel agents also do a nice job of getting good deals from hotels for customers.

When we arrived at the hotel at about 9 p.m., I asked for a room upgrade. The clerk said he had to charge $50 more if I wanted a room facing the ocean.

“It’s actually $150 additional, but I’ll give you a discount, $50 (more),” he said. “We only have one room left (facing the ocean).”

“If you charge me extra, you are not giving me a

Mother and son

This was the first time I traveled with my son, just the two of us. I wasn’t sure if we were compatible travel companions. I have to confess that I am a very picky traveler. But with my son, I tried to keep my mouth shut and be a good sport.

Still, our habits are different, including spending money and eating. When my husband and I travel together, we often share one entrée because I am not a big eater. I just don’t

Assunta Ng can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly. com.

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Erica Buckley

Lawyer Buckley & Associates

Annya Pintak

Connection Desk Program Manager Global to Local

Mavis Orr

Regional Director of Operations Panda Express Group

Courtney Gregoire Commissioner Seattle Port Commission

Mia Gregerson

House Representative Washington State (Democrat)

CO-CHAIRS: Bonnie Miller, Lourdes Sampera Tsukada, Winona Hollins-Hauge

Sara E. Asatiani

Second Vice President Morgan Stanley

PLANNING COMMITTEE: Carol Cheung, Kiku Hayashi, Charlene Grinolds, Chayuda Overby, Connie Sugahara, Francine Griggs, Kathy Purcell, Leny ValerioBuford, Diane Martin, Elizabeth Younger, and Assunta Ng RESERVATIONS FOR LUNCHEON: Discounted price of $35 if purchased

by April 29. Full price of $45 after April 29. Walk-ins $45. Student price of $25 with I.D. before April 29; $25 after April 29; student walk-ins $35. No tickets will be mailed; confirmation is by e-mail only. $350 for a table. To sponsor the event including logo online and print and table is $1,000. (For details, visit womenofcolorempowered.com). Men are welcome!

To purchase tickets, call us at 206-223-0623, or email rsvp@nwasianweekly. com. For more information, visit womenofcolorempowered.com.

Monisha Harrell Campaign Manager For Bruce Harrell

Name: ___________________________________________________

Rebecca Saldana Program Director Puget Sound Sage

Sahar Fathi

Policy Analyst Office of Immigration & Refugee Affairs City of Seattle

Address: __________________________________________________

Tera Beach

check

us out!

_________________________________________________________

Deputy District Director Congressman Jim McDermott

Telephone: ________________________________________________ Master of Ceremonies

Marci Nakano

Program & Event Manager Executive Development Institute

Fax: _____________________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________ Organization: _____________________________________________ Title (if applicable): _________________________________________ Name of guests: ___________________________________________ _________________________________________________________  Mastercard

 Visa

Card no.: _________________________________________________ Exp. date: ____________ Signature: ___________________________

To reserve your space, fax this form to 206-223-0626 or email to rsvp@ nwasianweekly.com or mail the form along with check to: Women of Color Empowered, P.O. Box 3468, Seattle, WA 98114.