VOL 33 NO 23 | MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014 by Northwest Asian Weekly

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VOL 33 NO 23

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

PICTORIAL CAPAA’s 40th anniversary celebration » P. 9

Seattle Mariners’ unlikely palace coup The best pitcher in Seattle doesn’t wear a crown. He doesn’t have a regal nickname or inspire a loyal horde to wear yellow T-shirts and shake “K” cards whenever he’s on the mound. In fact, there’s little about Hisashi Iwakuma to indicate Major League star quality, except the box score. The numbers, in this case, do not lie. Since becoming a part of the Seattle Mariners starting rotation in July 2012, Iwakuma has fashioned a sparkling 2.58 ERA en route to a 25-10 record. Both marks lead Seattle’s pitching staff — in fact, are among the best in the entire American League over that span — and catapult the unassuming Japanese right-hander past a much more celebrated teammate in those telling categories. Felix Hernandez has been the gold standard for starting pitching in Seattle ever since Randy Johnson left town. More than that, he has the intimidating duality of pedigree and panache. Anointed baseball royalty by his legion of fans, King Felix has the 2010 American League Cy Young Award and four AllStar selections to substantiate the adoration. As for presence, he has the hard, heavy arsenal

After U.S. war, Vietnamese were stranded 16 years

of an elite power pitcher and the physicality to match. At 6’3” and 230 pounds, he’s big and broad shouldered. He wears his cap askew, just to make sure the impression lasts. Even so, ever since July of nearly two seasons past — when Iwakuma made the Mariners’ rotation almost by default — King Felix has been the secondbest pitcher in a town he’s owned for years. Consider the numbers, particularly earned run average and wins. Hernandez is 24-15 with a 3.05 ERA since Iwakuma joined the Mariners’ starting rotation — very good if not stellar numbers. It’s just that Iwakuma has been better. Given Iwakuma’s inauspicious beginning with the team, his success in the big leagues is all the more remarkable. Signed to a one-year contract for $1.5 million prior to the 2012 season — a low-risk afterthought if ever there was one — he arrived in Seattle with so many more questions about his place in American baseball than answers. He’d been a star in Japan for over a decade, but suffered a series of injuries during that time as well. Foreign pitchers with repaired arms and uncertain, distant legacies rarely inspire much confidence {see IWAKUMA cont’d on page 15}

Photo by LiAnna Davis

By Rob Nishihara Northwest Asian Weekly

Hisashi Iwakuma

Art of origami on display

{see NGUYEN cont’d on page 15}

{see ORIGAMI cont’d on page 15}

Photo by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW

“Immigration is such a huge topic, and it leads to so many different political and geographical and ecological arenas,” Duc Nguyen said at a screening of his documentary “Stateless” in Seattle last week. “Immigration is really hard to pinpoint, to understand. What we’re doing with the film through community screenings like this is to explore more

Elegantly folded animals, pentagonal prisms, and architectural creations line the halls at “Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami,” the latest exhibition to debut at the Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) in Bellevue. The show explores the history and evolution of paper folding and features 140 creations from 45 master folders from around the world, including Japan, the U.S., and Russia. Designed to be an immersive exploration, the show includes videos, photographs, and books, as well as interactive opportunities to fold paper. Origami, or Japanese paper folding, began centuries ago in Japan, most likely through religious ceremonies and rituals. It also served as a recreational activity for court nobility. Meanwhile, a form similar to origami began in Europe. The two forms merged in the 19th century when the Japanese adopted the German kindergarten schooling system founded by Friedrich Fröbel, a German paper folder. Paper folding eventually spread to the general population. Though people commonly associate origami as a children’s arts and crafts pastime, the exhibition

Duc Nguyen at a screening of his documentary, “Stateless,” at the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Theater in Seattle on May 23.

By Stacy Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly

Photo by Vivian Nguyen/NWAW

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly

Crane Garland by Miri Golan

The Inside Story NAMES Awards, appointments, and more » P. 2

■

COMMUNITY A memorable Memorial Day in the ID » P. 3

MOVIES SIFF: Mystery and intrigue » P. 7

ARTS Poetry across the generations » P. 8

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MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Artist Trust gives fellowships

Mari Ichimasu

Roberto Ascalon

Lions make pancakes for charity, install new officers

Donna Miscolta

Mari Ichimasu, Roberto Ascalon, and Donna Miscolta, all of Seattle, are three of 15 artists to receive a 2014 Fellowship from Artist Trust. Ichimasu is an animation artist originally from Japan, Ascalon is a Filipino American poet, and Miscolta is a Filipino/Mexican author. Each artist was selected for their artistic achievement, dedication to an artistic discipline, and potential for further professional development, and will receive $7,500. 

Barot new director of PLU Rainier Writing Workshop Pacific Lutheran University Associate Professor of English Rick Barot has been named the new director of PLU’s Rainier Writing Workshop, part of the school’s 10-year-old Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. Barot is the author of two award-winning collections of Rick Barot poetry, including “The Darker Fall” (2002), winner of the Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry, and “Want” (2008), a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award and winner of the 2009 Grub Street Book Prize. His third collection of poems, “Chord,” will be published by Sarabande in 2015. For the last 10 years, Barot taught at the low-residency MFA program at Warren Wilson College, the oldest program of its kind in the country. 

Front row: Alma Kimura, Connie Davaney, Bea Kiyohara. Back row: Elaine Ishihara, Darryl Hue, Heidi Wong, Julie Ann Oiye, and Jeffrey Hattori.

Seattle First Hill Lions Club held its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser in February to benefit the Keiro and Kin On nursing homes and Kawabe Memorial House. The event also raised $2,400 for the George Tsutakawa Fountain repair and maintenance project at Seattle Central College. In March, the club installed new officers, including Elaine Ishihara as president, Jason Nakaya as first vice president, George Yates as second vice president, and Steve Nakamura as third vice president. Other officers included Karen Ko, Ellen Suzuki, Mel Fernandez, Jerry Chihara, Bea Kiyohara, Victor Mizumori, Gordon Umino, Brenda Handley, and Judy Lui. 

Lin of Starbucks wins award for leadership in diversity The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) honored Diane Lin, director of Global Sourcing and Supplier Relations for Starbucks Coffee Company, on May 21 for her outstanding commitment to supplier diversity and minority supplier development. Along with seven others, Lin was recognized at a

leadership gala at the Hilton New York Midtown. More than 1,200 guests attended the black-tie event, including CEOs and executives of Fortune 500 corporations and Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American business owners from across the country. Lin won the Catalyst Award, Diane Lin given to a corporate leader and change agent who actively engages internal and external peers in support of advancing business opportunities for minority suppliers in the global corporate supply chain. Lin joined Starbucks in 2001. Under her leadership, Starbucks was named the 2011 Corporation of the Year by the Northwest Mountain MSDC. She was also selected to DiversityPlus magazine’s list of the Top 30 Champions of Diversity. 

Judge Chung appointed to King County Superior Court Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Sam Chung to King County Superior Court. Chung is filling the seat of Judge Mary Yu who Inslee recently appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court. Chung is currently a partner at Lee Anav Chung and has served in private practice since 1989 Judge Sam Chung with a focus on commercial litigation, arbitration, and mediation. He also serves as a Pro Tem Judge for King County District Court. “Sam’s legal experience is exceptional and his service for the district court will serve him well as a judge,” said Inslee. “He has a stellar reputation and strong ties to the community. I know he’ll be a great asset to the bench.” Chung, who is originally from Korea, has deep ties in the Korean American community and has served in leadership roles on numerous boards. 

Northwest Asian Weekly / Seattle Chinese Post presents

Children’s Recycling Fashion Contest

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Children’s Parade Competition Schedule: • 1 PM — Lining up • 1:20 PM — Judging begins • 1:40 PM — Parade begins • 2 PM — Contestants appear on stage • 2:45 PM — Results announced and presentation of awards • Contestants must be present at the announcement of finalists (1:50 PM). • Finalists will be lined up in numerical order. • All contestants will receive a fortune cookie. • Everyone is welcome to come to Northwest Asian Weekly’s office to pick up old copies of the papers for free. Registration/Sign-Up: • You may pre-register for the contest by filling out this application and sending it in, or sign up on the day of the contest (Saturday, July 12) before 1:15 PM at the registration table located in front of Seattle Chinese Post/ Northwest Asian Weekly – 412 Maynard Ave. S. • Contestants are chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis. • Contestants must sign in at the registration table 15 minutes prior to parade. Rules/Guidelines: • Children ages 12 and under can participate in the contest. • Parents are welcome to accompany their children during the parade. • Children will be given a contestant number for order of parade lineup. • Recyclable materials must be used in contestants’ outfits. (Materials are listed online.) Judging: • All contestants will be judged by the provided judging criteria. • Prizes will be awarded to first ($100), second ($50), and third ($25) place winners, plus there will be many other prizes. • All decisions made by competition judges are final.

Sponsors:

Cathay Post 186

Please submit completed application through one of the following methods: Mail: Northwest Asian Weekly Children’s Parade Contest 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104

Name: ________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________________________

E-mail: ________________________________________________________

Contestants must adhere to all rules and regulations. Contest officials will remove any contestant failing to cooperate with officials or failing to comply with the rules and regulations. If you have any questions, please contact Northwest Asian Weekly at 206.223.5559 or via email at rsvp@nwasianweekly.com.

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ community news

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

Photos by George Liu/NWAW

War dead honored

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith and King County Assessor Lloyd Hara stand at attention as members of Cathay Post 186 display flags in Hing Hay Park.

CDT Ernesto Noceda, commander of the Seattle University ROTC Color Guard heads up the rest of the guard, who are Cadets Huang, Milat, Hoffer, Whang, Firn, and Daffon.

From left, Cathay Post 186 members Tom Lenhing and Bill Chin; Nisei Veterans Committee members Bruce Inaba and Les Higa, and Cathy Post members Cal Fung, Lip Mar, Milton Wan, and Jackson Chan.

Seattle’s Cathay Post No. 186 held a Memorial Day event at Hing Hay Park on Monday with an 18-gun “salute to the dead” from Seattle University ROTC members, a flagraising ceremony, and a performance by the Seattle Chinese Drill Team. Speakers included U.S. Congressman Adam

Smith, King County Council member Joe McDermott, and King County Assessor Lloyd Hara. Color Guards from both Cathay Post and the Nisei Veterans Committee participated. Also on Memorial Day, the Nisei Veterans Committee Foundation presented a program at Lakeview Cemetery in

Seattle, with keynote speaker Major General Kenneth R. Dahl. The ceremony was held at the Nisei War Memorial Monument. At the Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, Brigadier General John M. Cho gave the Memorial Day address. 

Korean American photos requested The Korean American Historical Society is seeking photographs for exhibits and publication in a book about the Korean community. Photos are needed by June 30. Photos of memorable occasions and everyday situations between 1900 and 2000 are being sought. Submissions should include the date and location of the photo, and the identity of subjects when possible. Originals or high-resolution (600 dpi) images are preferred. Send photos, along with your name and contact information to KAHSinfo@KAHS.org or mail them with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Korean American Historical Society, c/o Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle, WA 98104. Photos may also be brought to the Tacoma H-Mart parking lot from 2–5 p.m. on May 31; to the Korean War Memorial East Campus Plaza in Olympia from 10 a.m. to noon on June 21; or to “Explore Korea!” at the Shoreline Arts Festival, June 28 and June 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more information, call 206-778-7446.

Justice Yu to ride in Pride Parade Seattle Pride, the lead organizer for Seattle’s annual Pride Parade, has invited newly appointed state Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu to ride at the front of the upcoming 2014 Seattle Pride Parade as a special guest. Governor Inslee appointed Justice Yu to the state Supreme Court on May 1. She is the first openly LGBT Justice to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court. Justice Yu was the first judge in Washington state to officiate for same sex weddings. Throughout her career on the Superior Court bench, Justice Yu also presided over hundreds of same sex parent adoptions. For the last three years, Justice Yu has also served as a Pride Parade judge. This year, she will ride behind the grand marshals, with campaign supporters and volunteers walking along side. This year’s parade is on June 29, starting at 11 a.m. at Fourth and Union in downtown Seattle, and heads north on Fourth to Denny Way.  For more information about the parade, call 206-322-9561 or e-mail parade@seattlepride. org.

asianweekly northwest

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

■ national news

3 Chinese students among UCSB gunman’s victims By Associated Press GOLETA, California (AP) – A gunman went on a rampage May 23 near the University of California, Santa Barbara that left seven people dead, including him. Three of the killer’s six victims were Chinese: Weihan Wang, Cheng Yuan Hong, and George Chen. A family friend said Weihan Wang, who went by the name David, and two other students who shared the Isla Vista apartment with the gunman Elliot Rodger had planned to move out because they weren’t getting along with him. “That guy was always playing music very loud in the middle of the night,” Sherry Fang told KNTV-TV on Monday. “They complained to the manager of the apartment and they were planning to move out.” “Normally, they don’t talk to each other,” Wang’s mother, Jinshuang “Jane” Liu, told the station. “They don’t have much interaction.” The tearful mother said her only son was supposed to come home to Fremont for the summer, go on a family

Three of Rodger’s victims were, from left, Weihan Wang, Cheng Yuan Hong, and George Chen.

vacation to Yellowstone National Park and celebrate his 21st birthday in July. The station said the father, Charlie Wang, could only stand in the doorway, hugging his wife and uttering deep,

guttural cries. Wang, 20, and his parents immigrated to the country from China 10 years ago. He graduated from Fremont Christian School and was studying computer engineering at UC Santa Barbara. Liu called her son “the joy of the family,” someone who aced his college aptitude exams and never bragged about it. “I wish I could go in exchange of my son’s life,” she said. “I’m just heartbroken. You can’t imagine for a mom.” Cheng Yuan Hong, 20, who went by the name James, grew up in Taipei and was pursuing a degree in computer science, according to his Facebook page. Friends said he was a hard-working and bright student who was always willing to help others. “He would always smile at everyone he knows,” said Han Chou, who knew the victim at UC Santa Barbara. He graduated from Lynbrook High School in San Jose. His drama teacher remembered him as a quiet student who {see UCSB cont’d on page 13}

China ends ban on West Coast geoducks By Associated Press SEATTLE – China has lifted a five-month-long ban on live shellfish from U.S. West Coast waters. U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer’s office sent out a statement May 23 saying the ban had been lifted. The ban had particularly affected the Washington and Alaska shellfish

■ briefly

Filipina to share her story of being trafficked A woman who left the Philippines in 2010 for what she believed would be a teaching job in the United States will share her experience of instead finding herself a victim of human trafficking. Ethel Paat, currently of Spokane, will speak at the Beacon United Methodist Church in Seattle on Thursday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m. She, along with Gabriela Seattle member Precious Butiu, recently participated in a New York summit on human trafficking, organized by the Asiamerica Ministries of the Episcopal Church and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns. Paat and Butiu will provide an update on the work being done to hold criminal traffickers and governments responsible. The New York summit focused on Asia America, highlighting the experiences of survivors from countries in the Asia-Pacific region who had been trafficked to U.S. cities. Worldwide, 21 million people, including 11.4 million women and girls, are victims of trafficking, according to the Episcopal News Service (ENS). The United States is a major destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of labor and sexual exploitation, said ENS.  Beacon United Methodist Church is located at 7301 Beacon Avenue South in Seattle. For more information, e-mail Carmie Estandian at carmie.be@gmail.com.

industry. China imposed a ban in December on the import of clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops harvested from Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Northern California. China detected high levels of inorganic arsenic in geoducks from Puget Sound. It also found paralytic shellfish poisoning in geoducks harvested in Alaska.

U.S. officials had traveled to China in March to discuss lifting the ban, including highlighting new methods for sampling, surveillance, and monitoring of inorganic arsenic. Despite the ban, Washington growers had been shipping shellfish to Asia, with the two main destinations being Hong Kong and Vietnam. 

Inmate escapes from Adams County Jail in Idaho By Associated Press

Robert Michael Williston, with and without hair

BOISE, Idaho (AP) – The Idaho Department of Correction says a 47-year-old inmate escaped from the Adams County Jail in Council, Idaho. Robert Michael Williston, formerly of Coeur d’Alene, escaped May 31 by apparently scaling a fence. Williston is an Asian American with a shaved

head, brown eyes, and an olive complexion. He is 6’1”, and he weighs 195 pounds. Williston’s criminal record includes convictions for grand theft and first-degree burglary, grand larceny and fraudulent use of a financial transaction card, and burglary and attempted strangulation. His sentence was to be completed in August 2025. 

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ world news

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

Thailand to junta: Please change your soundtrack By Jocelyn Gecker Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) – First, Thailand’s junta seized power, then they commandeered every TV channel for round-the-clock broadcasts of dour announcements and patriotic hymns. The public’s verdict: DJ, please change the soundtrack. And after about 24 hours, they did. Gen Prayuth ChanAs the sun set on Bangkok May 23, ocha Thailand’s sappy soap operas flickered back on just as suddenly as they’d vanished a day earlier. After a full day of marching music and military ballads of a bygone era, things began returning to normal — at

least on television. In this day and age, it’s not surprising that the generals who launched Thailand’s coup have set up a Facebook page. But it was a sign of the times that the junta’s vintage tunes didn’t resonate with the Facebook generation. “Since you’re reforming politics, you might as well reform your music,” said one of many postings on the page, which had over 230,000 likes by evening, up exponentially from earlier in the day. Song requests poured in — for Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, the Disney hit “Let It Go,” and for foottapping Thai folk music. “Please give us something more uplifting,” said another comment on the page, which bears the junta’s self-declared name: National Peace and Order Maintaining Council.

The running commentary offered a lighthearted and lively sideshow to the otherwise dramatic events unfolding in Thailand, where the military declared martial law on May 20 and then announced two days later it was overthrowing the government. The country’s powerful army chief, Gen Prayuth Chanocha, justified the coup as a means of restoring stability and avoiding more violence in a crisis that has left 28 dead and hundreds injured since it escalated seven months ago. But some on social media joked that the nationalistic hymns could unleash old aggressions. “Play other songs, will you! Your marching music is making me so patriotic that I want to wield a sword {see THAILAND cont’d on page 14}

Reward for tips on ferry New India PM meets with rival leader of Pakistan owner up to $500,000 By Hyung-Jin Kim Associated Press

By Muneeza Naqvi Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – South Korea has boosted to half a million dollars as a reward for tips about the mysterious billionaire who the authorities believe owns a ferry that sank last month, police said on May 26. Meanwhile, five employees at the ship’s operator have been indicted. The ten-fold increase in the reward comes as officials struggle to find Yoo Byung-eun on allegations of tax evasion, embezzlement, and professional negligence. Prosecutors have said that a failure to spend enough money on safety may be a reason for the April 16 sinking. The sinking of the Sewol ferry left more than 300 people dead or missing, most of them high school students.

NEW DELHI (AP) – New Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the leader of rival Pakistan on May 27 and asked that his country “abide by its Prime Minister commitment” to prevent Narendra Modi its territory from being used in terrorism against India and speed up investigations into the 2008 attack in Mumbai. Modi met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the leaders of Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Mauritius, Bangladesh, and Maldives, a day after they attended his inauguration. But all eyes were watching the meeting between Modi and Sharif for signs of a thaw in the relations

The $500,000 bounty is the same amount given if a South Korean citizen provides information about a North Korea-dispatched spy. South Korea is also offering a bounty of $100,000 from May 25, up from the previous $30,000, for Yoo’s eldest son, according to the National Police Agency. He faces embezzlement allegations. {see SEWOL cont’d on page 12}

between the often-hostile, nuclear-armed neighbors. “The prime minister underlined our concerns related to terror. It was conveyed that Pakistan must abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and territory under its control from being used in terrorism against India,” Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh told reporters. Sharif told reporters that the meeting should be “a historic opportunity for both our countries.” Sharif said both leaders were elected with popular mandates and could succeed in “turning a new page” in their countries’ often-hostile relations. He said both shared the goal of economic development, which could not be achieved without peace and stability in the region. “I urged that we had to strive to {see INDIA cont’d on page 14}

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The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.” The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article. Subscriptions cost $30 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $25 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission. 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

asianweekly northwest

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR THU 5/29

WHAT: AAPI Heritage “No Longer Invisible: In Their Own Words” story exhibit and reception WHERE: UW Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center WHEN: 1 – 3 p.m. COST: Free INFO: riziki@uw.edu

FRI 5/30 WHAT: ID Spring Roll 2014 WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 6-8:30 p.m. COST: $100/general admission INFO: idspringroll.org

FRI 5/30 & SAT 5/31 WHAT: Seattle Butoh Festival WHERE: Taoist Studies Institute, 225 N. 70th St., Seattle WHEN: 7:30 p.m. COST: $15–$25 INFO: 206-729-2054, www. daipanbutoh.com

SAT 5/31 WHAT: “Taste of Korea” food competition WHERE: Art Institute of Seattle, 2601 Elliot Ave., Seattle WHEN: 8:30 a.m. INFO: 206-441-1011 ext. 303, koreanconsulateseattle@gmail. com WHAT: 10th anniversary fundraising dinner for Washington State Chinese Cancer Network Association WHERE: China Harbor Restaurant, 2040 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle WHEN: 5:30–10:30 p.m.

COST: $65 INFO: 206-850-5914, info@ wsccna.org WHAT: Pride Asia’s “Rice Ball” LGBT show WHERE: Neighbors Nightclub, 1509 Broadway, Seattle WHEN: 7 p.m. COST: $20–$25 INFO: info@prideasia.org WHAT: CISC’s 42nd Annual Friendship Dinner & Auction WHERE: The Westin, 600 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue WHEN: 5:30 p.m. DRESS CODE: Black-tie optional RSVP: by May 9, 2014 COST: $125/person INFO: kevinc@cisc-seattle.org, 206-624-5633, extension 4117 WHAT: Concert of an awardwinning musician, artist, and teacher, Debi Prasad Chatterjee WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 3 p.m. RSVP: 206-623-5124

THU 6/5 WHAT: Book Reading, “Topaz, Brian Dempster’s debut poetry collection” WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 4 p.m. COST: Free

SAT 6/7 WHAT: “Farewell Shikata Ga Nai” dance/theater/music exploration of the Japanese American experience of World War II WHERE: Wing Luke Museum,

719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 3–4 p.m. COST: $5 (free for members) INFO: 206-623-5124 WHAT: Performance of Gabrielle Nomura weaves dance, theater, and live music by Seattle Kokon Taiko WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 3 p.m. COST: $5/general, free to members RSVP: 206-623-5124

INFO: www.prideasia.com WHAT: Family Fun Day WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 1-3 p.m. COST: Free WHAT: Book Reading & Performance of Community activist Michelle Myers WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 4 p.m.

WHAT: Seattle Center Festál – Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival WHERE: Seattle Center Armory and Mural Amphitheatre COST: Free INFO: festálpagdiriwang.com WHEN: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

WHAT: “Relief to Rebuild” Auction Fundraiser for Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan WHERE: Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402 WHEN: 7 p.m. COST: $40 INFO: 253-921-5788, zencs@ comcast.net

MON 6/9

SUN 6/22

WHAT: Artists’ mixer WHERE: ACRS, 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Seattle WHEN: 5:30 p.m. INFO: artistsup.org, marcia. iwasaki@seattle.gov, 206-2333949

WHAT: Pride Asia WHERE: Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 12-6 p.m. INFO: www.prideasiaseattle.com

SAT 6/7 & SUN 6/8

THU 6/19 WHAT: Jamfest WHERE: Wing Luke, 719 S. King St., Seattle WHEN: 5:30 p.m. COST: $8/general, $6/students & seniors, $5/members

SAT 6/21 WHAT: Pride Asia celebration WHERE: Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle

2nd & 4th TUES OF MONTH WHAT: International District Special Review Board meeting WHERE: Bush Asia Center, 409 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle WHEN: 4:30 p.m. INFO: 206-684-0226 www. seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ preservation/historic_districts. htm

EVERY TUE WHAT: Asian Counseling and

Referral Services Employment Program Orientation WHERE: ACRS, 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle WHEN: 3–4:30 p.m. INFO: 206-695-7527, employmentprogram@ acrs.org, acrs.org/services/ employmentandtraining

EVERY WED WHAT: Seattle University School of Law Citizenship Project WHERE: Yesler Community Center Computer Lab, 917 E. Yesler Way, Seattle WHEN: 5–6:30 p.m. COST: Free INFO: 206-386-1245

EVERY TUE, WED & THU WHAT: After School tutoring for Vietnamese students 6-14, conversational ESL classes, and computer classes. WHERE: Helping Link, 1032 S. Jackson St. #C, Seattle WHEN: 3-6 p.m. INFO: 206-568-5160, helpinglinkadmin@gmail.com

EVERY THU WHAT: The Rotary Club of Seattle International District meets WHERE: New Hong Kong Restaurant, 900 S. Jackson St., Seattle WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. WHAT: Japanese Conversation Club WHERE: JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller St., Seattle INFO: 206-568-7114, admin@ jcccw.org

King County Invitation to Bid Project: WTD Crane Repair Work Order, C00901C14 Sealed Bid Time/Date: 1:30 p.m., June 11, 2014 Location Due: King County Procurement & Contract Services Section, Contracts Counter, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 Engineer’s Estimate: $400,000. Scope of Work: The work under this Contract includes furnishing all labor, tools, equipment, materials, incidentals, superintendents, manufactured articles, transportation and services including fuel, power, water, and essential communications; and performing all work or other operations required for the fulfillment of the Contract, in strict accordance with the Contract Documents. Provide work complete. On short notice (4 hours), the Contractor shall mobilize and perform crane repairs on King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division Facilities cranes and hoists. This Contract includes work at West Point Treatment Plant, South Treatment Plant, Brightwater Treatment Plant, Carnation Treatment Plant, Vashon Island Treatment Plant, and all off-site facilities. Crane repair work may include load testing, lubrication, routine maintenance and replacement of load markings, chains, wire ropes, hooks, bearings, brakes, limit switches, sprockets, gears, gear boxes, resistors, wheels, shafts, bumpers, guard, warning devices, controls, pendants, rails and drums. King County is unable to determine the precise schedule or amount of work that may be performed under this Contract. The work will be assigned to the Contractor by Work Orders; each Work

Order will address the scope of work and time of completion, and shall be performed as directed by the Project Representative and in accordance with the Technical Specifications issued with each Work Order. Work sites: potentially any of the facilities of King County Wastewater Treatment Division, Washington. The work performed under this Contract shall not exceed $400,000.00 and the initial Contract Time shall not exceed 365 calendar days from the date of Contract execution by the County. The County does not guarantee any minimum amount of work or that the dollar amount of the Work Orders issued will total $400,000.00 during the duration of this Contract. At the County’s sole discretion, this Contract may be extended for one additional year or until the Not to Exceed Contract Price is reached, whichever occurs first. In no event shall the Contract Time be greater than two years from the date of Contract execution by the County. Contact Information: Mark Hoge, Contract Specialist, 206-263-9325. TTY Relay: 711, Fax: 206-296-7675, or mark.hoge@kingcounty.gov. A bidder may be asked to put a question in writing. No verbal answers by any County personnel or its agents and consultants will be binding on the County. Pre-Bid Conference: 10:00 a.m., June 5, 2014, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. A site tour is not scheduled. Subcontracting Opportunities: None. Apprenticeship Requirements: No minimum Apprentice Utilization Requirement.

SCS Utilization Requirements. The Contractor shall ensure that at least 0% of the total price for all executed work orders shall be performed by King County Certified SCS Firms over the life of the Contract. Bid Bond: Not less than five percent (5%) of the Total Bid Price. Bid Documents Electronic copies of the plans, specifications, reference documents, and any addenda for this solicitation are available on the King County Procurement website shown below. Printed documents may also be ordered by contacting United Reprographics at 206-382-1177. Copies of documents are not available for purchase from King County, but are available for review 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. M thru F. at the Contracts Counter: Chinook Bldg, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue Seattle, WA 98104. To receive email notifications of addenda or other important information concerning this solicitation, you must register to be a planholder under the “Solicitations” tab at the following internet link: Website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/ procurement/solicitations This information is available in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities upon advance request by calling 206-263-9400, TTY Relay: 711. Notes: Bids received after Sealed Bid Time will not be considered. Bidders accept all risks of late delivery, regardless of fault. King County is not responsible for any costs incurred in response to this Invitation to Bid.

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

■ at the movies SIFF brings mystery and intrigue By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), running through June 8, brings more fascinating Asian films to town, many of them not available for viewing elsewhere. Here are three preview picks for the final week at SIFF.

“Siddarth,” a joint production between India and Canada, is a film by up-and-coming director Richie Mehta, playing June 3 and June 4. It features Rajesh Tailang as the main character, and Mahendra Saini, who works in New Delhi as a “chain-wallah,” repairing zippers along a certain route he walks along.

As with several interesting films in the festival this year, “Siddarth” concerns a disappearance and search. In this case (inspired by a true story) the disappearing person is Mahendra’s son, Siddarth, who goes off to another part of the city to work in a factory. He drops out of sight completely, and the father drops everything to search the huge urban landscape for him.

“Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter,” playing June 1 and June 2, takes its inspiration from another, even odder, true story. In 1996, Joel and Ethan Coen released “Fargo,” a slowly-building and darkly humorous tale of kidnapping, conspiracy, and revenge. They opened their film with the legend, “This is a true story,” even though it wasn’t. Over in Japan, a lady named Takako Konishi, depressed after losing her job, flew to Minneapolis in late 2001 and was eventually found dead outside a Minnesota town called Detroit Lakes. The media insinuated that she thought a cache of hidden money shown in “Fargo” might be real, and she died looking for it. The official determination, though, supported by some of Takako Konishi’s actions during her final day, was that she went to take her own life in Minnesota because she’d visited there earlier with a lover. The film, directed by David Zellner, takes this misunderstanding and proceeds as if it were true. Kumiko, played by Rinko Kikuchi, travels several thousand miles from her home to search for the money. Traveling alone and speaking very little English, she’s up against non-

comprehension, alienation, and just plain loneliness in Minnesota. The movie should be a bracing, if not strictly truthful, account of the power of delusion.

The legendary Sammo Hung, who trained with Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao at the Chinese Drama Academy, heads up a remarkable cast in “Once Upon a Time in Shanghai,” playing May 28, June 3, and June 8. It is a remake of the 1972 film “Boxer from Shantung,” starring Kuan-tai Chen, who also takes a small role in this new version. The story still concerns a phenomenally gifted young fighter, played by Philip Ng here. He travels to Shanghai to seek his fortune, but runs into a young crime lord on the rise, played by Andy On. The two men quickly become friends and resolve to fight together. They destroy the Axe Gang, scourges of the city…or do they? Hung plays the memorable “Iron Leader,” a retired martial arts master who helps the youngsters.  For more details, show times, and venues, visit http:// www.siff.net/festival-2014. Andrew Hamlin can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

asianweekly northwest

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

■ arts & entertainment

Asian American Sur brings ‘ohana’ to poetry keeps evolving Carnation festival

Kim An Lieberman

Arlene Kim

By Irfan Shariff Northwest Asian Weekly By the late 1890s, Asian Americans were already leaving their mark on the American Sharon Hashimoto literary canon. The writer Sadakichi Hartmann, a Japanese-born American of German and Japanese descent, was a contemporary of Walt Whitman and a regular in New York City’s Bohemian scene. He produced poetry, plays, and criticism, and is sometimes credited with creating one of the first English-language haikus. In the 1940s, Carlos Bulosan wrote poetry and a memoir about activism and the plight of migrant workers. He was born in the Philippines, worked as a farmer, and eventually settled in Seattle. He died in 1956. There is a permanent exhibit dedicated to him at the Eastern Hotel in the International District. Poets such as Seattle-born Brian Komei

Brian Komei Dempster

Alan Chong Lau

Dempster are literary descendants of these pioneers. Alongside Alan Chong Lau, Sharon Hashimoto, and Arlene Kim, Dempster will present his poetry at the University Bookstore on June 3. The event, “Asian Pacific American Poetry Across the Generations,” will also pay tribute to KimAn Lieberman, who died in December. Dempster organized the reading to showcase two distinct generations of Asian American poetry. Lau and Hashimoto comprise an earlier generation, whose writing has influenced and informed Kim, Lieberman, and Dempster. “They were a generation of Asian American poets breaking into the mainstream,” said Dempster. Lau taught him poetry at the University of Washington and has been the arts editor for the International Examiner for over 30 years. Both Lau and Hashimoto’s works are featured in Garrett Hongo’s 1993 anthology, “The Open Boat: Poems from Asian America.” “It was groundbreaking for the time,” said {see POETRY cont’d on page 12}

Kevin Sur, producer of Timber! Music Festival.

By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly In Hawaii, the concept of family emphasizes the importance of community, cultural ties, and remembering one another. Known as the word “ohana” in the Hawaiian language, it also speaks to a larger sense of community that includes one’s immediate family, as well as extended relatives, friends, and neighbors. For Kevin Sur, a musician, composer, and owner of local music festivals, ohana drives his business ethos in the music industry. Sur grew up in California, but spent his youth vacationing in Hawaii during the

summers. His Hawaiian father, who is of Chinese and Korean descent, raised Sur with a deep understanding of the culture. Sur grew up speaking Hawaiian pidgin, and carries the idea of ohana close to his heart. Eight years ago, Sur moved to Seattle. At the time, he was performing and touring with punk bands, and became involved with Seattle’s punk scene. Because mainstream music and record labels eschew punk music, this forces those in the community to rely on one another for support and exposure. Sur finds this camaraderie compelling. “Punk music is too confrontational of an {see SUR cont’d on page 12}

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ PICTORIAL

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

40th anniversary of the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs On May 15, the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) brought youth, community leaders, elected officials and commissioners together at the Holiday Inn in Seatac for a celebration of history and to inspire a new generation. Attendees were treated to performances by the Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team, Seattle Kokon Taiko drummers, and Samoan dancers Tautua. The evening was emceed by KING 5’s Lori Matsukawa, and featured welcoming remarks by CAPAA Executive Director Michael Itti. After a panel discussion on the four decades of CAPAA, Gov. Jay Inslee spoke, followed by Voices of the Next Generation.  1. Debadutta Dash and former Ambassador Gary Locke 2. Panel discussion 3. Gov. Jay Inslee and Charlyn Garcia, Miss Kitsap 2014 4. Bob Santos, center, community leader 5. Staff and students at CAPAA 6. Ellen Abellera, former director of CAPAA 7. The delicious buffet 8. Tautau, Samoan dancers 9. Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team 10. CAPAA Executive Director Michael Itti 11. Seattle Kokon Taiko drummers Photos by George Liu/NWAW

asianweekly northwest

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

OPINION

■ publisher’s blog

Photos by George Liu/NWAW

A win-win program for students, businesses, and UW Foster School

Left to right: Student Jonathan Matson, business owner Kirby Grey, and students Paige McCleary and Katie Emoto.

Minority business owners sailed on an Argosy cruise ship to celebrate success on May 20. The success they discussed wasn’t about making a million dollars or landing a big deal — far from it — but the significant results of a project they participated in are evident. What these entrepreneurs received was a guiding light to reach the tunnel through a group of student volunteers. What they gained, after a 10-week program, were not only “aha” moments, but also tools, support, and insights into how they can improve,

Grey credited the students for giving her “positive directions to really dig into,” and helping her to “implement ideas.” Kristi Brown-Wokoma, owner of That Brown Girl Cooks, said, “We (business owners) are so busy every day, we don’t have time to plan.” But the students helped Brown-Wokoma put everything in perspective and on paper, which evolved into a planning process. Her vision has translated into written words, so she could clarify her thoughts and strengthen her vision. It became her plan for expansion. Lillian E. Hill, of Brown Sugar Baking Company, said the students told her that her business had no infrastructure. She needs one if she wants to succeed. She has to organize herself and her business. The students came up with lists and helped the owner put her ideas into writing. Another store owner who participated in the program two years ago said the students recommended she hire a controller. She did. It literally changed her business, she said. One fast-food restaurant manager who joined the program last year said she didn’t believe in the program at first. When the students were able to turn the impossible to the possible by providing important recommendations for business growth, she was very surprised and touched.

survive, strive for success, or take on their next challenges. “The students help me to reach my goals,” said Kirby Teuila Grey, an acupuncturist on Beacon Hill. “For instance, if I want to make an annual income of $50,000 a year,” she said, “the students would break it down into monthly goals. What amount of business does she need each month to achieve her goal? How many new clients does she need to have every month? What assets and connections does she have in order to attract new clients?

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The team

Statistics show that one in every four small businesses fails after the first year; one in every three businesses fails after second year; and one in every two businesses fails after the third year. To avoid being a statistic, many minority businesses have signed up with the University of Washington’s Foster Business School’s student consulting program, called Management 449. Three to five students work together on a business’ problem and come up with deliverable solutions. The students are not alone by themselves. Organized by UW Consulting & Business Development Center (CBDC), this program was founded in 1995. It has coordinated the class with a business school instructor, so students can learn both the theories and acquire real-life practical experience by consulting with these businesses. The Rotary Club of Seattle and former business school alumni voluntarily serve as mentors

Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW

From left to right: Michael Chau, Vivi Nguyen, Sheetal Chhabra, mentor Faouzi Sefrioui, Simran Singh, and Rushika Mehta on a cruise courtesy of Argosy.

From left, students Emily Fullmer, Ashley Kim, and David Liang, and mentor Andrew Hamada.

and advisers to these students on their consulting project. For self-disclosure purposes, I am one of the students’ mentors. I have seen how students rolled up their sleeves to give a facelift to a Rainier Valley restaurant by painting the walls, developing marketing strategies, and redesigning its menu and seating arrangement to make its space more functional. Students can select the diverse businesses to consult, including restaurants, grocery stores, yoga studios, acupuncturists, construction companies, real estate agencies, trade associations, galleries, private schools, bakeries, media, services, nonprofit organizations, and food industries. The students visit the business just like regular consultants, observe, and ask questions. The students spend several hours researching and studying other successful businesses’ models to apply their knowledge to their own clients. In reality, the business is tapping into many brains of experienced professionals. Student Emily Fullmer said, “My student consulting experience with Marination was one of the most valuable experiences I have had within the UW Foster School. It provided me with the opportunity to establish relationships with mentors and advisers from the business community. Their input and guidance added incredible value to our final project, as well as helped to cultivate our understanding of real world business problems.” CDBC Associate Director Wilfredo T. Tutol said, “What I love most about this work is the impact that it’s had on both our students and the business owners that we’ve assisted. Not only will students learn {see BLOG cont’d on the next page}

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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.

32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

OPINION

The American war in Vietnam wreaked well-documented havoc on the lives of so many — not only innocent civilians, but on those South Vietnamese who trusted the United States and its many empty promises. After the massacres, the poisonous chemicals, and the country-wide devastation came the betrayals as Vietnamese citizens and even some soldiers who helped the United States in its losing attempt to stifle communism were left behind to face the enemy. There is an iconic photo of people, mostly Americans, scrambling up a ladder to a hovering rooftop helicopter to escape Saigon as the enemy closes in. So many Vietnamese who colluded with the United States during the war never made it up that ladder. Many with means and connections were able to escape soon after Saigon fell. It took longer for a million more “boat people” to get out, although hundreds of thousands of others died in their attempts to flee by sea. Now, in the film “Stateless” (see story on front page), we learn of 2,000 Southeast Asian refugees who managed to get as far as the Philippines, but got caught in limbo there for {BLOG cont’d from the previous page} skills that will benefit them many years after they’ve graduated from the UW Foster School, but they’ll also learn the important role that business plays to help build strong communities. The impact that Wilfredo T. Tutol Michael this ultimately makes on our Verchot business owners is huge.” The mentors and advisers serve as a sounding board and also help brainstorm ideas and solutions with the students to solve the business’ problems. Andrew Hamada, an advisor and former business alum, said, “I had a great time helping the students this quarter. Roz and Kamala (Marination Restaurant’s business owners) were

Photo by Hubert van Es

■ editorial How the West failed 2,000 Vietnamese

The evacuation of Saigon, April 29, 1975.

16 years as the West slowly edged them out of resettlement options, leaving them to live stateless lives until they were all but forgotten. This is a tragedy by any means, but an especially unconscionable one on the part of the country responsible for these fun and engaged clients, and I think they got real value from having the students’ perspective on their business. the team came up with creative ideas that were adopted by the business faster than I’ve seen in the past.”

Win-win

Led by Michael Verchot, CBDC serves as a connector between small businesses, communities, and the academic world. It provides support and networking opportunities for small businesses. It gives students valuable life skills and experiences they can add to their resumes, improving their chances of getting their first job. Through this program, CBDC builds wonderful bridges between the UW Business School and the community. Verchot, a Caucasian himself, has been involved with the program since it began. Why does a white man want to get involved with minority

people having to leave their homeland in the first place. Two thousand people is a relatively small number to fret over, but even one person is too many when you think about the disruption in life — living in fear and poverty, being separated from family, not having access to health care, and not having citizenship. The worst part is that we did it again. During the U.S. war in Iraq, another country we invaded that didn’t attack us, we enlisted the help of many Iraqi citizens as interpreters, guides, and construction workers. When the United States finally left that shattered country, it abandoned a large number of Iraqis to fend for themselves, this time in a land awash in chaos. Many have been killed, imprisoned, or are in hiding. Some have fled to other countries and are living stateless. Perhaps the best they can hope for, after a few decades, is that the United States will finally do right by them. Hopefully, by then, there won’t be yet another country full of people suffering the same fate, and another country after that, and another country after that.  communities? Verchot, of Irish heritage, said not too long ago that Irish immigrants were discriminated against. “No Irish Need Apply” was in many job postings, he recalled. “Unequal opportunity is a problem for our entire country,” he said, “not just for the individuals that lack opportunity to succeed. I got my MBA because I was convinced that if people in low- and moderate-income communities could have access to jobs and if people of all backgrounds could build wealth, then not only would our country live up to its promise of equal opportunity for all, but our country would be more competitive and stronger which would benefit all of us.” If you are interested in CBDC’s service, you can email Michael Verchot at mverchot@uw.edu. The consultation fee is $500 for about 400 hours of assistance. 

asianweekly northwest

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

{POETRY cont’d from page 8} Dempster, who considers Hongo a mentor and pioneer. A decade later, Dempster’s own work was featured in Victoria Chang’s “Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation.” In her introduction, Chang compares writers such as Dempster to those in Hongo’s compilation. She noticed new voices, with different backgrounds and different stories to share. Between the two generations, Chang saw a decrease in Chinese, Japanese, and South Asian American poets and an increase in Korean and Vietnamese American poets, as well as those of mixed race. Thematically, the younger poets also broaden the scope and tend to write more about issues of power dynamics in addition to race. Dempster teaches at the University of San Francisco, where he is a witness to an emerging, subsequent generation. “I’m excited by the work I’ve seen them doing,” he said. The work they are producing has influences ranging from pop culture to hip hop. Like Chang, he notices writers of multiple ethnic backgrounds growing. “The new generation is broadening the definition of Asian,” said Dempster. “They are still evolving.” Hashimoto, a third-generation Japanese American (Sansei), has taught writing for 24 years at Highline

{SUR cont’d from page 8} art for major record labels. They wouldn’t dare touch it,” said Sur. “You just have musicians making art for art’s sake, instead of depending on the record industry for publicity. I learned that you don’t need anyone’s permission to do something. You just do it anyway. And it brings a sense of pride — that people in the punk community take care of their own, whether it’s through creating their own booking agencies, or letting each other sleep at one another’s place.” Much like ohana, the punk community, too, values inclusivity and looking out for one’s own. Sur sees the shared values between the two cultures, and credits them both for influencing his perception and execution of music festivals. Over the years, Sur has launched a few micro music festivals in the greater Seattle area, including Doe Bay Fest and Slack Fest. Sur is currently producing Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, a three-day event that celebrates music, nature, and community, against the natural backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. The festival will take place from July 24 through July 26 at Tolt-Macdonald Park in Carnation, Wash. The festival will feature both local and national acts. In addition to showcasing artists, Timber! hopes to recreate a summer camp vibe throughout the three days.

Community College, where she’s also seen an evolution. “It’s wonderful to see the growth and diversity of younger writers and how they are treating old subjects with new insights,” she said. Hashimoto’s work often touches on the notion of family and history. “Memories of my parents and grandparents grow stronger as I grow older,” she said. Executive Order 9066 and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II is a recurring theme in Hashimoto’s work. Dempster’s poetry and scholarship are also informed by family history. He is half Japanese American and half European American. Dempster also sees his generation of poets branching out more often. “The prior generation is a little closer to those events by virtue of what generation they are,” he said. “We are inheriting the history.” While Dempster’s work does draw on personal histories, he focuses on other things that intertwine with race. Issues of gender and power play a strong role in his writing. His debut poetry collection, “Topaz,” published by Four Way Books, was released last year. It draws on the histories of the internment camps and its effects on future generations of Japanese Americans. Kim’s parents migrated from Korea in the 1960s. She considers herself as much American as she is Korean. Her

Attendees have the option to stay on adjoining campgrounds and partake in extracurricular activities typically found at a summer camp, such as hiking, kayaking, or guided astronomy walks at night. “It’s a ‘choose your own adventure’ scenario,” said Sur about Timber!’s activities. “In Hawaii, there’s this emphasis on letting the day take you where you want and doing as you please. There’s no pressure to follow a schedule, and our festivals are a lot like that.” Sur recalled a childhood anecdote from Hawaii, where it’s common to wear flipflops, or rubber slippers, given the state’s sunny weather. In preparation to leave his grandma’s house one day, Sur laced up his tennis shoes to leave. His aunt, hovering over him asked, “Why are you getting so dressed up to go out?” Sur theorizes that his aunt, a Hawaiian local, thought the closed-toe shoes were too formal. She wanted Sur to feel comfortable enough to wear rubber slippers out because he was in Hawaii — a home for culture, comfort, and family. Sur used the Hawaiian word “kama’aina” to capture his aunt’s reaction. Kama’aina refers to all local Hawaiian residents, regardless of race. “It’s this idea that everyone is cool and belongs here, as long as they’re local,” said Sur about kama’aina. “It doesn’t matter if they’re native Hawaiian or not. It’s like a sense of pride — the more comfortable

TAITUNG

2011 debut poetry collection from Milkweed Editions, “What have you done to our ears to make us hear echoes?” picks from Korean folk tales as much as Western folk tales, she said. “I think that being one of these hyphenated identities, an ‘Ethnic’-American, sometimes has me focusing on the nonAmerican part,” she said. “But to ignore all of the Western influences in my life would create some kind of black hole in my writing.” Lieberman’s writing drew from her mixed Vietnamese and Jewish heritage before her tragic death from cancer at age 39. “She was a really talented poet,” said Dempster. Her second book of poetry, “In Orbit,” was published posthumously by Blue Begonia Press. Dempster considers two things to be important in his success as a writer and as advice to younger writers: persistence and mentorship. “Find people who will be longterm mentors,” he said. “Develop mentorship, community, and friends.”  “Asian Pacific American Poetry Across the Generations” will feature readings by Brian Komei Dempster, Sharon Hashimoto, Arlene Kim, and Alan Lau, and a tribute to KimAn Lieberman, at the University Bookstore (4326 University Way N.E.) on June 3, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

you can be in someone’s home, the more you’ll be accepted there.” “This is the comfort level that I try to replicate in my festivals,” said Sur. “I want people to feel like they’re kama’aina in my ‘home,’ and reach that same level of comfort that I find with my family.” Sur believes the relaxed and intimate atmosphere of Timber! is what differentiates it from mainstream music festivals that cater to as many people as possible, while micro festivals focus on entertaining a smaller demographic. His team achieves this intimacy by putting a cap on the number of attendees in order to give them space to enjoy the music. There are no premium levels in their ticket sales, and artists come on stage as easily as they exit it with little fanfare. The audience, in turn, feels at home and part of the festival as much as the artists and the staff. “We had a review last year where they talked about Timber! as not being a big deal and that’s what made us so great,” said Sur. “We just create a true sense of community that is incredibly comfortable and free, and this is what inspires people to congregate and come together here.”  For more information, visit www. timbermusicfest.com or www. cargocollective.com/artisthome. Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

{SEWOL cont’d from page 5} Yoo, head of the now-defunct predecessor of the ferry’s current operator, Chonghaejin, allegedly still controls the company through a complex web of holding companies in which his children and close associates are large shareholders. Senior prosecutor Kim Hoe-jong said authorities believe Yoo is the chairman of Chonghaejin. Five Chonghaejin employees, including its CEO Kim Han-sik, were indicted May 26 for charges of professional negligence and violating a law on measures required for a safe maritime navigation, according to the Gwangju District Court in southern South Korea. Court officials didn’t elaborate, but prosecutors have said Kim was facing allegations that he was aware that the ferry exceeded its cargo limit, but didn’t do anything to stop it from leaving port. Officials suspect improper stowage and overloading of cargo may have contributed to the disaster. Calls to prosecutors seeking fresh comments Monday weren’t immediately answered. Prosecutors earlier this month indicted 15 crew members tasked with the ship’s navigation, four on homicide charges. Nearly six weeks after the disaster, 288 bodies have been recovered and 16 people are missing. Efforts to retrieve the missing people have made little progress in recent days amid strong currents and bad weather, with divers failing to locate a new body from the sunken ferry since May 21. 

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

■ astrology

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

For the week of May 31–June 6, 2014 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — You must be present to enjoy the moment. Don’t get left behind, for some experiences only come around once.

Dragon — Are you willing to go the distance to pursue your dreams? You may not have to go as far as you think to find opportunity.

Monkey — Searching for a way to become more involved? A chance to do that will become available later this week.

Ox — If you listen, you will hear what is being told to you. There are important details to be relayed, so pay attention.

Snake — As you explore your new surroundings, a few surprises will crop up. Soon, however, it will all become quite familiar to you.

Rooster — Bigger isn’t necessarily better. Small and tasteful can be just as good — if not better — than the former.

Tiger — Is it time to dust off your old dancing shoes? Whether it is dancing or another hobby, do something that makes you happy.

Horse — Have you been quite tense recently? Perhaps you need to find a different way to relax as the pressures mount.

Dog — Are there times when you are not sure whether to laugh or cry? Let your sense of humor carry you through the day.

Rabbit — There is beauty all around you, if you just stop to look. Open your eyes to what you have been taking for granted for so long.

Goat — The makings of a good day are right there for you. All it takes to make it a reality is for you to go forward with a positive attitude.

Pig — The standard solutions aren’t going to cut it today. Instead, you will need to think outside the box and opt for a unconventional approach.

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.

{UCSB cont’d from page 4} was happy to work backstage to ensure that his classmates could shine. “James was shy, quiet, gentle, sweet, kind and most respectful,” Laurel Cohen told the San Jose Mercury News on May 23. “Not someone who easily could engage in conversation. But I remember his earnest nature, conviction, honesty and mostly his smile; it lit up a room.” Authorities said Hong was among the three young men found dead in Rodger’s apartment. In January, Rodger accused Hong of stealing three candles, valued at $22, said Joyce Dudley, Santa Barbara County district attorney. When Hong said he didn’t know where the candles were, Rodger performed a citizen’s arrest and called police. Sheriff’s deputies found the candles on Hong’s bed. He was arrested and charged with a petty theft infraction. The strange incident was one of three contacts authorities had with Rodger before he went on the deadly rampage. George Chen’s parents visited a makeshift memorial set up for their son, Hong, and Wang in Isla Vista on Monday

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night and added their names in chalk to the sidewalk. They told KABC-TV the country needed tougher gun laws to avert another mass killing. “We would die a hundred times, a thousand times, but we don’t want our kids to get hurt,” Chen’s mother, Kelly Wang, said as she fought through tears. “This shouldn’t happen to any family. This should be the last one in the United States.” A family friend said Chen, 19, was a gentle soul who had a fondness for working with children. “He was a very good kid, very smart,” Sherry Shih told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday. “This is just a terrible, and (his parents) cannot understand at all how something like this could happen,” Shih said. Chen, who was also studying computer science, graduated from Leland High School in San Jose and was originally from Ottawa, Ontario. The three other fatalities in the shooting were Katherine Breann Cooper, Christopher Ross Michaels-Martinez, and Veronika Elizabeth Weiss. Several other people were injured. 

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Thank you for recycling this newspaper! {INDIA cont’d from page 5} change confrontation into cooperation. Engaging in accusations and counter-accusations would be counterproductive, I emphasized,” Sharif said, adding that “my government, therefore, stands ready to discuss all issues between our two countries, in a spirit of cooperation and sincerity.” Modi also asked that Pakistan hasten its investigation into the 2008 attack on Mumbai, India’s financial hub, in which Pakistani militants killed 166 people, and put the perpetrators on trial, Singh said. The two leaders also discussed increasing trade between their nations. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both. The two countries fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over the Himalayan region. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States welcomed the Modi-Sharif meeting and “any and all steps India and Pakistan take to strengthen and deepen their dialogue and cooperation.” On May 26, Afghan President Hamid Karzai told an Indian television channel that the Pakistan-based

militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind a May 23 attack on an Indian consulate in western Afghanistan. Gunmen armed with machine guns and rocketpropelled grenades attacked the building in Herat, but the diplomatic staff escaped unharmed. Karzai said he received the information from “a Western intelligence agency.” Lashkar-e-Taiba was also blamed for the Mumbai attack. On May 27, a man who identified himself as a Lashkar-e-Taiba spokesman named Abdullah Ghaznavi denied that the group was responsible for the consulate attack. “We have nothing to do with any attack in Afghanistan,” he told The Associated Press. Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won a solid majority in the 543-member lower house of Parliament, enabling him to set priorities without being constrained by coalition partners. Modi has picked 45 Cabinet ministers, who were sworn in alongside him. Former BJP President Rajnath Singh was named home minister, former opposition leader Sushma Swaraj is the new foreign minister, and BJP spokesman Arun Jaitley will head the ministries of finance and defense. 

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{THAILAND cont’d from page 5} and slash some Burmese!” — a reference to Thailand’s historical enemy and neighbor, now known as Myanmar. The Facebook page was created May 20 to post the military’s announcements and edicts. But the complaints started streaming in May 22, after all TV programming was replaced by a static blue screen showing military crests, as martial music played in the background. There was no apparent crackdown on the criticism, despite an order that asked social media sites to suspend services if any messages opposed the coup makers. Not all the postings were about music. While schools were ordered closed, parents posted pleas for the return of children’s channels, “Can I have my TV back? At least the cartoon channel for

my kid? It won’t hurt national stability,” said one father. One woman posted a picture of a smiling shirtless soldier and asked, “Do you know if he has a girlfriend? I like him.” The coup was the 12th since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. In the coup’s aftermath, there was confusion over many things, including why at precisely 6 p.m. on May 23 that all TV channels returned without explanation and then later in the evening, some relayed the broadcast of the military-run Channel 5. The junta’s Facebook followers posted an outpouring of thanks for stopping the music. “TV is back! Thank you for listening to the voice of the people.”  Associated Press writer Thanyarat Doksone in Bangkok contributed to this report.

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32 YEARS YOUR VOICE

{IWAKUMA cont’d from page 1}

Young. In the 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC), he pitched brilliantly, leading Team Japan to the tournament title. In fact, on a team with Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yu Darvish, Iwakuma got the nod to start the championship game against South Korea. In 20 innings of work in the WBC, he gave up only three runs and struck out 15 batters. As if to emphasize his impressive 2012 Major League debut — which he finished with an 8-4 record and 2.65 ERA as a starter — wasn’t an aberration but rather just a continuation of his winning legacy, he got even better in 2013. And he hasn’t slowed in 2014, despite an injury that cost him over a month of the burgeoning season. He finished 2013 with the third lowest ERA in the American League (2.66), the second fewest hits/walks allowed per innings pitched, and led the league in the sophisticated new statistic — wins above replacement — which is designed to measure how many more wins a player contributes to his team over an average, generic substitute. For all of that, Iwakuma — not Hernandez — was voted the 2013 Pitcher of the Year for the Mariners by the Baseball Writers of America. In 2014, although missing the first month of the season with an injury, he’s been nearly flawless since his return – posting a downright microscopic 1.76 ERA and a perfect 3-0 record (which should have been 4-0 had not closer Fernando Rodney blown a 1-0 lead and eight superb shutout innings by Iwakuma). All the more impressive is that Iwakuma has achieved all of this without the ornate weaponry of his powerpitching brethren. His fastball, which once hit the mid-90s, now resides mostly in the 90 to 92 range. However, he has compensated for the dip by spotting it to set up a hard slider, a decent curve, and his true out pitch — a bottomless splitter. Granted, Hisashi Iwakuma is not the King. For now, at least, he’s been better. 

{NGUYEN cont’d from page 1} about [U.S.] immigration reform — explore exactly what it is we are reforming.” “Stateless” is about Vietnamese refugees who were stranded in the Philippines for more than 16 years after refugee camp closures in Southeast Asia. Many Vietnamese asylum seekers were sent back to Vietnam. Those who refused — the “stateless” — eked out an existence on land they couldn’t own, labored hard for money because they were unemployable, and subsided without any legal status. Stateless people also lack access to health care and education, and are often marginalized and vulnerable to crime and trafficking. The film helped Duc explore “who got accepted, who got rejected, how people come and how people go — immigration,” he said. “This is part of a larger discussion.” “Stateless” follows Trong Nguyen, a Vietnamese man and boat person who was one of nearly 2,000 stateless people in the Philippines, as he nervously waits for and undergoes the screening process to be relocated to the United States in 2005. Boat people are escapees who fled Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. These escapees often cited political repression and persecution by the newly formed Communist government as reasons for leaving Vietnam. They left by small boats or ships oriented toward refugee camps in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other parts of Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian countries took in the refugees based on assurances from Western countries that the refugees would be resettled in the West. The number of boat people who escaped Vietnam peaked in the late 1970s and continued through 1995. It is estimated that more than 1 million boat people have been resettled since 1975 — more than 800,000 in the United States. According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, about 200,000 to 400,000 boat people died at sea, though such figures are hard to estimate.

{ORIGAMI cont’d from page 1} aims to showcase its modern-day application in the fields of mathematics, engineering, fashion, and even the global peace movement. For Stefano Catalani, director of art, craft, and design at BAM, “Folding Paper” reveals origami as an art form that also shapes daily life. Visitors may be surprised to learn how everyday items, such as a folded airbag, a street map, or a heart stent, are all examples of modern origami that combine the craft with architecture, math, and science. “Origami requires discipline,” said Catalani. “It demands the hands and mind of the person folding paper. Even though it began as a children’s activity, its purpose was to train kids how to discipline their hands and minds for mathematical precision. It’s not by chance that kids were educated through origami.” The exhibition is divided into four sections: the history of origami, representations of animals and angels in folded paper, geometric forms and conceptual constructions, and a final section where visitors can explore origami’s impact on science, fashion, and more. One display features three white paper animals: a moose, a hawk, and a scorpion. Folded by origami artist Dr. Robert J. Lang, a curatorial assistant for “Folding Paper,” the animals look simple enough to fold. Yet, what most people don’t realize are the countless folds that go into creating a single origami work — an oversight that does not come across in the final product. “There are hundreds of folds that go into one piece, and you don’t see the process that goes into it — how something so diminutive requires so much control of the hand and discipline of the mind,” said Catalani. “There’s also inventiveness. The willingness of the origami artist to create new designs despite being told it cannot be done.” Visitors may notice a wreath of cranes hanging in one section of the exhibition. The cranes, folded from Hebrew and Arabic newspapers, represent peace, and were folded by Israeli origami activist and artist Miri Golan. Golan was inspired by the well-known story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who folded one thousand cranes to overcome leukemia as a result of exposure

Trong first tried to escape Vietnam in 1979. Near the Thai border, he was captured by Vietnamese troops and imprisoned. Additional escape failures colored the ensuing years, which was the norm for many refugees, and it wasn’t until 1989 that Trong landed in the Philippines. He left behind his wife and two young daughters. He wouldn’t be reunited with them in the Philippines until more than a decade later. In 1989, the Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA) program was adopted, 14 years after the end of the Vietnam War. Established by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, CPA’s goal was to stop the influx of “Indochinese” boat people, as refugee camps were beyond overextended. Also by 1989, the humanitarian fervor felt at the end of the war had significantly dulled. Most boat people who arrived in refugee camps after designated dates in 1989, about 115,000, were not considered prima facie refugees. Rather, they were asylum seekers who needed to be screened to qualify as refugees. Most didn’t qualify and were repatriated back to Vietnam and Laos. “[CPA] was a disservice for many stateless Vietnamese,” Duc wrote in a 2005 Nguoi Viet Tay Bac article. “Set up to be a durable solution, the CPA program was plagued with corruption and [mishandled] cases.” In 1989, Trong was among those not recognized as refugees and wasn’t granted asylum in a Western country. Duc reported that Trong was asked for a bribe by Filipino screeners, but Trong could not secure the hundreds of dollars asked. He was supposed to be repatriated back to Vietnam, but he refused, opting to stay in the Philippines as one of more than 2,000 stateless people. “Sixteen years ago, I had many dreams,” said Tan Thanh Nguyen in Vietnamese, in “Stateless.” He sat in front of a sparse cement house that is rented, his young son Dao nearby. “I wanted to be an engineer, a lawyer. After the first rejection, I no longer have my own dreams.” In 1996, CPA was completed and all refugee camps in Southeast Asia closed.

Photo by Nancy Marshall

in the majors. As such, Iwakuma began the 2012 season buried so deeply in Seattle’s bullpen that it took him over two weeks to dig his way out. Even at that, his big league debut was a fourinning mop-up assignment in a blowout loss to the White Sox. In the Mariners’ first 55 games in 2012, Iwakuma made precisely six appearances, nearly all under dispensable circumstances. Meanwhile, 37-year-old Kevin Millwood and inconsistent bookends Hector Noesi and Blake Beavan trumped him for opportunities in the rotation, while he sat and rusted in the bullpen. However, by July, Noesi and Beavan had both pitched their way out of the big leagues, and Iwakuma was finally given a chance to start, albeit under seriously hamstrung conditions. He hadn’t pitched nearly enough to build the arm strength necessary to start or to develop the familiarity with hitters — and their tendencies — in a brand new league and country. Essentially, he was tossed a baseball, given a quick pat on the back, and a rather firm shove out on to center stage. Despite the lack of adequate preparation, Iwakuma quickly established himself as a legitimate Major League starter. His undeniable moment of arrival on the big league scene came in his fifth start — a 13-strikeout, fourhit masterpiece against Toronto. Of course, when healthy, he had always been a winner. So, his seemingly unexpected success as a starter in the majors shouldn’t have come as a complete surprise. In 10-plus seasons in Japan, Iwakuma won 107 games with a 3.25 ERA. His numbers likely would have been significantly better if he hadn’t been slowed by a series of injuries. As proof, in 2008, he dominated the league by going 21-4 with a 1.87 ERA. For his efforts, he won the MVP and Sawamura Award — Japan’s equivalent to the Cy

MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2014

"Spiked Rhombic Enneacontahedron" by Tom Hull

sustained during the Hiroshima bombing in 1945. Sasaki believed in a Japanese legend that described how sick people could chase away illness by folding one thousand paper cranes. Despite her attempts, Sasaki passed away in 1955. A statue was later erected in her honor at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, and garlands of cranes permanently adorn the statue. Origami cranes are now a symbol for world peace. “Origami is also about imagination and fantasy. The ability to create something that is also fascinating to others,” said Catalani, speaking about the origami crane. “With Golan’s cranes, you see how a simple Japanese art form has not only become a symbol of world peace, but has been repurposed by an Israeli artist. Japan and Israel are so different from each other, and this is the message I see about origami: its ability to transcend the craft itself and become a strong art form to the world. It can be both craft and art.” “Folding Paper” is developed and curated by Meher McArthur with tour organized by the Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, and International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC. Dr. Lang serves as an artist and exhibition advisor. The exhibit runs at the Bellevue Art Museum thru September 21.  For more information, visit www.bam.org. Vivian Nguyen can be reached at info@ nwasianweekly.com.

“We live in a foreign country (the Philippines),” said Net Thi Bach, in Vietnamese, in the film. “It feels very lonely, although it is a democratic nation, we still don’t have civil rights.” Net also escaped Vietnam in 1989. “We live here illegally. We feel very isolated and lost. When the native people raise their voices, we must stay quiet and not argue ever, [otherwise] they might cause problems. We must endure. We have no legal documents, nothing to protect us.” On Aug. 16, 2005, more than 16 years after the first screening, and due to many years of lobbying, U.S. immigration officials returned to Manila to review more than 2,000 cases of stateless Vietnamese. In 2005, the United States accepted about 1,500 people for resettlement, including Trong, Thanh, and Net. Canada, Norway, and Australia accepted the remaining 500 by the end of 2007. Net was the first person approved for resettlement in the United States. In a “Stateless” interview, she recounts the moment she was notified. She said she didn’t plan to or want to cry when she received the good news, but she couldn’t stop her outpour of emotion on the spot. She reported that the U.S. official told her not to be afraid and assured her that they were there to help. With tears streaming down her face, Net said that there is no love greater than the love for one’s country. “There’s no pain like being a refugee,” said Net. “Stateless” was screened at the UW Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Theater in Seattle on May 23. Duc participated in a Q&A session after the screening. The film has earned an audience choice award and spotlight award at the 2013 Vietnamese International Film Festival. Duc hopes to get “Stateless” on PBS next year.  For more information on “Stateless,” visit www. statelessdocumentary.com. Stacy Nguyen can be reached at info@nwasianweekly. com.

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MAY 31 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JUNE 6, 2014