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VOL 35 NO 31
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
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34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
RNC, DNC Washington delegates make their voices heard
Closing in on 3,000 hits, Suzuki is on the upswing at age 42 By Steven Wine AP Sports Writer MIAMI (AP) — Closing in on 3,000 hits, Ichiro Suzuki isn’t inclined to stop there. He’s 42, and for some time has said — in Japanese and English — he wants to play until at least 50. He’s joking, right? “Probably not,” says New York Mets manager Terry Collins, who managed in Japan and is a friend of Suzuki’s. “I’ll tell you one thing about the Japanese — they don’t kid. And if anybody could do it, he’s probably one guy who could.” It’s hard to argue against Suzuki’s chances, given this year’s upswing in his career as a fourth outfielder for the Miami Marlins. Despite flecks of gray in his short black hair, he’s playing with youthful zeal. “What Ichiro has been able to do right now is phenomenal,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly says. “We talk about his age but we really shouldn’t, because you just watch him play, and if he used that hair dye Keith Hernandez uses, we wouldn’t know he wasn’t 30.” see ICHIRO on 4
Edward Chow, Jr.
By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY By Tim Gruver NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Months before the presidential election this November, thousands of Americans attended the Democratic and Republican national conventions to nominate their next commander-in-chief. The Democratic National Convention (DNC) was
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held in Philadelphia from July 25–28. Hillary Clinton entered the convention with 2,205 bound delegates and 602 superdelegates (unelected delegates not bound to vote for any party candidate) — more than she needed to clinch the Democratic nomination. Her opponent Bernie Sanders entered the
Edward Chow, Jr., the son of Seattle civic activist and Chinese community pioneer Ruby Chow, died at his home from pancreatic cancer on July 22. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Secretary Ed Chow, a
see WA DELEGATES on 16
see CHOW on 15
K-12 education, according to KumRoon Maksirisombat By Arlene Kiyomi Dennistoun Northwest Asian Weekly KumRoon Maksirisombat (he invites you to call him Mr. Mak) is running for the top job at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). He’s one of nine candidates, and as the only Asian American running for that office, we asked him to share his ideas and concerns about the superintendent’s responsibilities for K-12 education. Mak’s speech is rapid fire, as if he’s in a race against time. He’s passionate about state education. He’s been teaching in Washington’s public schools for 30 years. Mak ran for superintendent back in 2004 and lost. He wasn’t ready then, he said, and was facing stiff competition from candidates who were “enmeshed in the system” (Teresa Bergeson, incum-
AAPI CANDIDATES ON THE aUG. 2 BALLOT Get to know your AAPI candidates » see 8 & 9
Champion of veterans, Edward Chow, Jr., passes away
KumRoon Maksirisombat
bent, and Judith Billings, former superintendent). Mak’s ready this time — the playing field is wide open and equal now that Randy Dorn is not running for another term. He has firm positions on standardized testing for students, supporting teachers, and funding education. Funding education — “is it
ever enough?” “If a candidate says there’s not enough money, I don’t understand that, because there’s no way in the world you’ll ever be satisfied. If you give people $10, they’ll soon want $20. Is it ever enough?” Mak believes school funding is adequate. He wants to use and maximize existing resources and doesn’t think the answer to producing successful student outcomes is to throw more money continually at the system. “Every superintendent attacks the legislature — give me more money or we’ll shut down the schools. What’s the sense in that?” Mak would rather work with lawmakers and show them proof in improved grades and successful graduation outcomes. Legislators can show the data to see K-12 on 13
To diet or not to diet?
Seattle's waterfront plan
Publisher Ng offers suggestions on designing your own weight-loss formula. » see 10
Opponents and supporters of Initiative 123 make their case. » see 11
Calendar » 6
Sudoku » 6
Astrology » 15
Hawaii Democratic congressman Mark Takai dies
U.S. Rep. Mark Takai
By Cathy Bussewitz Associated Press HONOLULU (AP) — U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, a war veteran and long-time legislator known for his bright nature and deep commitment to service, died in his home after a months-long battle with cancer. Just 49 years old, the firstterm Democrat from Hawaii was surrounded by family when he died of pancreatic cancer July 20, said Rod Tanonaka, Takai’s chief of staff. Takai had “a servant’s heart, full of aloha,” said U.S. Rep. Tulsi see TAKAI on 12
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34 YEARS
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
■ names in the news Quang Nguyen farewell party
Mandarin. IDEA Space serves as a catalyst for spurring dialogue and mobilizing community members to participate in the decisions that will shape the neighborhood.
on, marching bands, clowns, and floats. Many local community groups around the Seattle area, including the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team, performed.
Photos by John Liu/NWAW
Photo by John Liu/NWAW
Chinatown Seafair Parade
Quang Nguyen
Miss Seafair Nella Kwan waves to the crowd during the Chinatown Seafair Parade.
Eric Chang
Eric Chang won the inaugural Dragonfest Dumpling Eating Contest, beating four other competitors on July 16. The rule was simple. Whoever ate all 15 dumplings first, won. However, they had to use their non-dominant hand to pick up the dumplings to make the competition more exciting. Chang won two season passes to Stevens Pass valued at $1,400.
Annual pig roast
Photo from DWCG
Community members gathered to celebrate Quang Nguyen’s retirement from Hing Hay Coworks on July 15. Since January 2015, Quang was a project initiator and manager at Hing Hay. He was passionate about growing a community of entrepreneurs. Prior to that, Quang spent seven years as a Senior Economic Development Specialist at Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIDpda), and helped to launch many important projects. After taking two months off to spend time with his family, Quang said he will restart his journey as an entrepreneur.
Dumpling eating champ at Dragonfest
Ballot drop-off location IDEA Space will be a dropoff location for the Aug. 2 election. The Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority’s (SCIDpda’s) design and resource center held a ballot party on July 21 where community members were invited to bring their ballots. Volunteers handed out voter education materials and offered translation services in Vietnamese, Cantonese, and
Pig roasting over an open fire.
Ladies in qipao (traditional Chinese dress).
The International District (ID) got into the Seafair spirit with the Chinatown Seafair Parade on July 24. The Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce organized this annual event to highlight the diversity of the ID. The parade featured lion and dragon dances along with a 100 foot drag-
The 41st Annual Danny Woo Community Garden Celebration and Ceremonial Pig Roast took place on July 15 and 16. Nearly 200 people, including more than 30 volunteers, gathered at the garden and enjoyed the 124-pound pig that was served. Also, speakers talked about how the community garden strengthens the area and they promoted the importance of food safety.
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YOUR VOICE
■ COMMUNITY NEWS
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
Remarkable Asian artists at Bellevue Festival of the Arts By Kirara Kamo Northwest Asian Weekly
Hung Nguyen, painter
Ashmita Gulati, painter
Ashmita Gulati was born in Mumbai, India, and has been living in the Northwest since 1996. In 2005, Gulati picked up her paint brushes again after a long break. Inspired by the surrounding natural beauty and the glorious hues through the different seasons, she worked on a series of abstract canvases called The Many Moods of the Northwest. “My art creations reflect color and let my viewers enjoy their own interpretations of what they see.” Noticing a change in women’s lives in her travels back to India, she created
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Statement from Donnie’s family Dear Community,
The 32nd Bellevue Festival of the Arts (BFoA) will take place this weekend (July 29–31) as a part of “Bellevue Arts Fair Weekend.” With many amazing artists and enthusiastic fans, BFoA has become one of the leading and long-awaited annual cultural events in the City of Bellevue. This year, the festival will feature 49 local and regional artists from the Pacific Northwest including several Asian artists. Hung Nguyen was born in Vietnam. When he was studying design art at Indiana University, he got an opportunity to learn three different painting techniques: watercolor, oil and acrylic. After college, he spent over 20 years working as a graphic designer for Boeing, KIRO-TV, KING-TV, and Walt Disney Internet Group in Seattle. He did watercolor as a hobby at first. Then, Hung decided to turn his hobby into a job as his second career. He is now a full time artist. “I hope audiences are able to look at my paints and feel not only beauty but tranquility, peace, atmosphere and mood,” Hung said. This year, he will exhibit multiple works of boats, seascapes and landscapes. Hung told the Northwest Asian Weekly that his biggest inspiration is nature, water, and the forest.
asianweekly
Artwork by Hung Nguyen
another series on canvas called “Women’s Empowerment.” “Often I look at my work in progress and take away whatever experiences I feel at that time. Chances are on return that I would interpret the same work into a different language — more related to my feelings at that exact moment.” She hopes that her viewers have a similar dynamic experience as they see her art. see ARTS on 15
Saturday (July 23) [was] the one-year anniversary of Donnie’s passing. We would like to thank everyone for their support in the past year and the many ways that you all have honored Donnie and his legacy. It’s been a difficult year without Donnie. His passing has changed the International District in so many ways. We miss him dearly. All who knew him had their own personal experiences with Donnie. Please remember Donnie in your own way. Share your Donnie stories with each other. [Editor’s note: The family invited the community to Sun May this past weekend — they left cards out for people to write a message to Donnie, origami to make cranes, remembrance ribbons to tie, and sidewalk chalk and incense to light for him. They also provided maps for community members of Lakeview Cemetery, so that they are able to visit him.] When you see someone in need, remember Donnie. Think to yourself, “What would Donnie do?” Honor Donnie today by helping a friend, a neighbor, or our community. Our family, IDEC members, and a few close friends will be celebrating Donnie privately. There will be no formal event. Thank you for allowing us this private time. Sincerely, — Connie Magorty Donnie Chin’s sister
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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
34 YEARS
■ national news
South Vietnamese officers reunite to ‘relive’ their youth By Hayat Norimine The Daily News
LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — In 1975, American troops pulled out of Vietnam after 60,000 troops were killed and 300,000 injured. The South Vietnamese Army lost the war shortly afterward. South Vietnamese Army officer Quynh Dang left his home country on a boat to Thailand in 1979. He never returned, reported The Daily News. But the bond between him and his army comrades remains strong. Recently, the Dallas resident was among a group of South Vietnamese officers from the class of April 1972 who traveled to Longview for a reunion. It was a well-educated class of 1,000 South Vietnamese college students, who were pulled out of school in their early 20s to fight “a hopeless war,” said Thuy Vo, who organized
Curator Chong to lead New Hampshire museum MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — A former curator of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston will be the next director of the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, N.H., the Currier’s board of trustees announced July 25. Alan Chong currently is director of the Asian Civilisations Alan Chong Museum and the Peranakan Museum in Singapore. He heads Singapore’s Cultural Academy and Curatorial Forum of the National Heritage Board, which oversees four national museums. As curator at the Gardner from 1999 to 2010, Chong oversaw major exhibitions. In 2003, for the museum’s 100th anniversary, he took readers on a tour of the museum’s diverse collection, including Italian art and ancient Chinese sculpture, in “Eye of the Beholder: Masterpieces From the see CHONG on 12
the gathering. Vo, a Longview businessman and former city councilman, has hosted previous reunions at his home. This year, about 30 people attended from all over the world. Vo said they spent their prime years fighting in a war that was impossible to win. They were kids forced to fight without adequate weapons or supplies, he said. Vo left school and trained in the Air Force. But by the time he completed his training, the war was over. As many as 440,000 South Vietnamese military personnel were killed. “We still feel very bitter about it. ... We feel cheated out of our youth,” Vo said. “We were so, so young. We’re naive. We think we can make a difference. There was no hope for us.” Vo said that experience was stronger than a blood bond between the officers. The reunion, Vo said, was a chance for the men to relive their youth. When they’re together, they spend their nights drinking and talking until they get tired. Anh Nguyen, Thuy Vo’s wife, said the reunion is like a kids’ ICHIRO from 1 Suzuki enters a four-game series with the Arizona Cardinals this weekend (July 28–31) at 2,997 career hits. The approaching milestone has brought a fresh wave of attention to Japan’s most famous athlete. In his 16th major league season, he’ll become the 30th player to reach 3,000, and only all-time hits leader Pete Rose did it faster. Suzuki played for nine years in Japan’s Pacific League, totaling 1,278 hits, before coming to the majors as a 27-year-old rookie with the Seattle Mariners in 2001. Despite the late start, he’ll soon join Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Eddie Collins, and Paul Molitor as the only players with at least 3,000 hits, 500 stolen bases and a career .300 average. A year ago, it looked as if Suzuki might not ever reach 3,000. Pressed into everyday duty because of injuries to other Marlins, he batted a career-low .229, and his .279 slugging percentage ranked 230th and last in among hitters with at least 325 plate
sleepover. “We really share the pain, and we really enjoy the time we have with each other,” Vo said. Vo said he was one of the lucky ones. Dang and Pierre Sinh Nguyen, who flew into Longview from Canada, spent years in a “re-education” camp — in other words, a concentration camp — where the North Vietnamese starved and brainwashed South Vietnamese people after the Fall of Saigon. After the war, Dang walked 700 miles across Vietnam to the capital to escape from victorious Communist forces. Shortly afterward, though, he was captured and sent to the camp. Dang was 145 pounds when he entered the camp. When he was released four years later, the 5-foot-7 former 2nd
appearances. Worn out, he went 12 for 97 (.124) over his final 36 games, and it was uncertain whether Miami — or anyone else — would bring him back for another season. This year, he’s playing less and playing better, the part-time role his only concession to age. “I tell him every day he’s the best player in the world,” says Jose Fernandez, the Marlins’ 23-year-old ace. “It’s just an honor to watch him play and be a part of it.” Suzuki is the second-oldest player in the majors, trailing only 43-year-old Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon. He has made it this far with a rigorous training regimen that has been his hallmark since he broke into the majors. “He became a superstar in the United States and never changed his routine,” says Reds manager Bryan Price, who was the pitching coach in Seattle during Suzuki’s first six seasons there. “He was steadfast and kept working hard for what he got. I’ve been very impressed by that.” Suzuki’s fastidious nature is apparent even while he’s seated at his locker, trimming loose threads from
see REUNITE on 14 his jersey or using a lint roller to clean the carpet, and he exercises the same discipline in his workout routine. He has his own weight equipment at the ballpark, and stretches perhaps more than any player in the history of the sport, whether it’s hours before a game in the clubhouse or in the ondeck circle. “The way he goes about his business and teaches all of us young guys, he’s a role model you want to follow,” Fernandez says. The last major leaguer to play past his 50th birthday was Minnie Minoso, who took the field in two games for the White Sox at age 54 in 1980. Suzuki joined the Marlins last season, and was talking even then of playing until at least 50. One day, he and Fernandez discussed the idea. “I looked at him like ...” Fernandez says, scrunching his face in an expression of disbelief. “But now I don’t doubt it at all. Look at him. He’s playing perfect. He’s doing everything he has been doing for the last 20-something years. So why not? Keep doing it.”
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
YOUR VOICE
■ WORLD NEWS
asianweekly northwest
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Letter foretold Japan rampage that killed 19 disabled people
By Mari Yamaguchi and Yuri Kageyama Associated Press SAGAMIHARA, Japan (AP) — A young Japanese man went on a stabbing rampage July 26 at a facility for the mentally disabled where he had been fired, officials said, killing 19 people months after he gave a letter to Parliament outlining the bloody plan and saying all disabled people should be put to death. When he was done, Kanagawa prefectural authorities said, 26-year-old Satoshi Uematsu had left dead or injured nearly a third of the almost 150 patients at the facility in a matter of 40 minutes in the early morning attack. It is Japan’s deadliest mass killing in decades. The Satoshi Uematsu fire department said 25 were wounded, 20 of them seriously. Security camera footage played on TV news programs showed a man driving up in a black car and carrying several knives to the Tsukui Yamayuri-en facility in Sagamihara, 30 miles west of Tokyo. The man broke in by shattering a window at 2:10 a.m., according to a prefectural health official, and then set about slashing the patients’ throats. Sagamihara fire department official Kunio Takano said the attacker killed 10 women and nine men. The youngest was 19, the oldest 70. Details of the attack, including whether the victims were asleep or otherwise helpless, were not immediately known. Kanagawa prefecture welfare division official Tatsuhisa Hirosue said many details weren’t clear because those who might know were still being questioned by police. The suspect calmly turned himself in about two hours after the attack, police said.
Tiger mauls woman to death in Chinese wildlife park
Uematsu had worked at Tsukui Yamayuri-en, which means mountain lily garden, from 2012 until February, when he was let go. He knew the staffing would be down to just a handful in the wee hours of the morning, Japanese media reports said. The facility employs more than 200 people, including parttimers, with nine of them working the night of the attack, Hirosue said. All those killed were patients. “They were working at night and got questioned by police after witnessing graphic violence, making them a little emotionally unstable now,” he said. Not much is known yet about his background, but Uematsu once dreamed of becoming a teacher. In two group photos posted on his Facebook, he looks happy, smiling widely with other young men. “It was so much fun today. Thank you, all. Now I am 23, but please be friends forever,” a 2013 post says. But somewhere along the way, things went terribly awry. In February, Uematsu tried to hand deliver a letter to Parliament’s lower house speaker that revealed his dark turmoil. It demanded that all disabled people be put to death through “a world that allows for mercy killing,” Kyodo news agency and TBS TV reported. The Parliament office also confirmed the letter. Uematsu boasted in the letter that he had the ability to kill 470 disabled people in what he called was “a revolution,” and outlined an attack on two facilities, after which he said he will turn himself in. He also asked he be judged innocent on grounds of insanity, be given 500 million yen ($5 million) in aid and plastic surgery so he could lead a normal life afterward. “My reasoning is that I may be able to revitalize the world economy and I thought it may be possible to prevent World War III,” the letter says. The letter was delivered before Uematsu’s last day of work at the facility, but it was unclear whether the letter played a role in his firing, or even if his superiors had known about it. The letter included Uematsu’s name, address and telephone number, and reports of his threats were relayed to local police BEIJING (AP) — Siberian tigers at a wildlife park in Beijing mauled a woman to death and wounded another when they stepped out of their car in an enclosure, a Chinese state-run newspaper said. A tiger pounced on one of the women after she got out of a private car in which she was touring the Beijing Badaling Wildlife World on July 23,
TAITUNG
where Uematsu lived, Kyodo said. Kanagawa Gov. Yuji Kuroiwa apologized for having failed to act on the warning signs. Some people in the area said they were shocked that Uematsu is accused, and described him as polite and upstanding. Akihiro Hasegawa, who lived next door to Uematsu, said he heard Uematsu had gotten in trouble with the facility, initially over sporting a tattoo, often frowned upon in mainstream Japanese society because of its association with criminal groups. “He was just an ordinary young fellow,” he said. Yasuyuki Deguchi, a criminologist, said Uematsu’s alleged actions were typical of someone who bears a grudge and seeks revenge, because it appeared he planned out the attack, and then he turned himself in to police. “Accomplishing his goal was all he wanted,” Deguchi said on TV Asahi. Michael Gillan Peckitt, a lecturer in clinical philosophy at Osaka University in central Japan, and an expert on disabled people’s issues in Japan, said the attack speaks more about Uematsu than the treatment of the disabled in Japan. “It highlights the need for an early-intervention system in the Japanese mental health system. Someone doesn’t get to that state without some symptoms of mental illness,” he said. Mass killings are rare in Japan. Because of the country’s extremely strict gun-control laws, any attacker usually resorts to stabbings. In 2008, seven people were killed by a man who slammed a truck into a crowd of people in central Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics district and then stabbed passers-by. In 2001, a man killed eight children and injured 13 others in a knife attack at an elementary school in the city of Osaka. The incident shocked Japan and led to increased security at schools. This month, a man stabbed four people at a library in northeastern Japan, allegedly over their mishandling of his questions. No one was killed.
the Legal Evening News reported. The second woman was killed by another tiger that leapt at her after she stepped out of the vehicle to try to help her companion, the report said. The Yanqing district government confirmed in an official microblog post that the tiger attack took place at the park, which lies at the foot of the Great Wall. It offered few details but said the
injured person was being treated. Visitors are allowed to drive their own vehicles around the park, but are forbidden from getting out while in certain enclosures, the report said. A woman who answered the phone at the park refused to comment on the attack, saying only that the park was closed for two days due to forecasts of heavy rain.
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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
34 YEARS
■ COMMUNITY calendar JULY
AUGUST
28
2
CID Pokemon Go: Happy Hour Pokewalk Hing Hay Park, Seattle 6–8 p.m. Free
29 SAAFF Outdoor Film Series, “Top Spin” Hing Hay Park 7:30–10:30 p.m. Free
29-31 BAM Arts Fair Bellevue Square and Bellevue Arts Museum Free bellevuearts.org
30 Mid Summer Arts Eve: Poetry Reading by Shin Yu Pai Shoreline City Hall 5–7:30 p.m. shorelinewa.gov/art Seattle Dragon Boat Festival Lake Union Park, 845 Terry Ave. N., Seattle 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade Seattle Center 7:30 p.m. $35–$50 seafair.com
King Street Dance Party, a national night out Underneath I-5 on King Street 5:30–8:30 p.m. scidpda.org
5 6th Annual White Center Promise Celebration Greenbridge Plaza, White Center 9800 8th Ave. S.W., Seattle 4–7 p.m. RSVP at tinyurl.com/WCPromise2016 tony@wccda.org, 206-694-1082 NAAAP/Ascend Mentors Night Out Optimism Brewing Company, 1158 Broadway, Seattle 6:30 p.m. Free–$5 SAAFF Outdoor Film Series, “Shaolin Soccer” Hing Hay Park, Seattle 7:30 p.m. Free
Tea Experience: China Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 10 a.m. $10 asiapacificculturalcenter.org Taste of Asia, cooking lesson: China Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma 12 p.m. $25 asiapacificculturalcenter.org
13 Asia Pacific Cultural Center’s 19th Annual Polynesian Luau APCC, 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma 1–4 p.m. apcc96.org
14 International Music and Arts Festival Othello Park, Seattle 12–6 p.m. Free admission othellopark.org
18–27
6
"Do It for Umma," by Seayoung Yim and directed by Sara Porkalob 8 p.m. theatreoffjackson.org
Seattle K-pop Contest Hotspot, Seattle Waterfront 4–8 p.m. info@kmadang.com
20
71st Anniversary of Atomic Bombings, “From Hiroshima to Hope” Green Lake, Seattle 6–9 p.m. 206-453-4471 fromhiroshimatohope.org
A Chinese-inspired, participatory art project, “Let’s Burn Some Money Together!” Celebrate Shoreline Festival, Cromwell Park, 18030 Meridian Ave. N., Shoreline 12–5 p.m. shorelinewa.gov/art, 206-801-2661
21 THOMAS BATTY’S “IKEBANA, A CONTEMPORARY APPROACH” Nagomi Tea House, Seattle 1-3 p.m. $15/members, $20/non-members Registration at friendsofasianart.org
22 Salute to Japanese Baseball Night Safeco Field 7:10 p.m. $21–$42 Promo code: Japan seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/ticketing/ special_event.jsp?group=japan
24 70th Anniversary Celebration of Cathay Post 186 and to honor WWII Veteran members Palisade, 2601 West Marine Pl., Seattle 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. $110/person Registration by August 19, at hara9@ comcast.net 206-283-9681
Pruning & Wire-Checking of your Bonsai Oriental Garden Center, 30650 Pacific Highway S., Federal Way 10 a.m. $15 253-839-1639
View the solution 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 $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 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
YOUR VOICE
■ at the movies
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
“Ip Man 3”
asianweekly northwest
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“Star Trek Beyond”
Ip Man 3 packs a punch, but lacks cohesion
By Eric Card Northwest Asian Weekly In the third and quite possibly the final installment of the Ip Man series, actor and martial artist Donnie Yen and director Wilson Yip team up once again for “Ip Man 3.” The series is loosely based on Yip Man (played by Donnie Yen), grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and teacher of the legendary Hong Kong martial artist Bruce Lee. While the first two films revolve around the Japanese invasion of Fo Shan and British occupation of Hong Kong, respectively, this film involves an American property mogul named Frank (played by none other than boxer Mike Tyson) trying to forcibly buy up valuable land in Hong Kong. His plans coincidentally involve taking over Yip Man’s son’s school, immediately pulling Yen into action. Two other plot lines are interwoven, including a set of chal-
By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly
lenges for Yip Man’s family following tragic news and his prominence as the best Wing Chun martial artist
■ on the shelf
being threatened. The cast is rounded out by Zhang Jin, see IP MAN on 13
Book recommendations
Finding your true self By Samantha Pak Northwest Asian Weekly
Quackers
Written and illustrated by Liz Wong Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2016 Meet Quackers. Quackers is a duck. He may have paws and whiskers instead of a bill and feathers. And he may not enjoy typical duck activities such as going in the water and eating duckweed. But Quackers is a duck. This he knows. He lives in a duck pond with all the other ducks. But then he meets Mittens — another duck who looks just like him. But Mittens calls himself a cat and then takes Quackers to meet other cats, who also look like him. Quackers loves spending time with his new cat friends, but after a while, realizes he also misses his duck friends. And so, he finds a way to combine the best of both worlds. “Quackers” is a fun and adorable story about finding yourself and embracing and loving that person. Quackers may be different from the other ducks but that doesn’t matter to him or to his friends. All they care about is spending time with each other and having fun. This is a story about acceptance, both on Quackers’ part for accepting himself, as well as his duck and cat friends’ part for accepting him. In a world that focuses
so much on our differences and how they could tear us apart, Wong shows readers — young and old — how easy it is to overlook those differences — an important lesson for everyone to learn and remember. “Quackers” features fun and colorful illustrations — also by Wong. These illustrations show how different Quackers is from his duck friends. Among a pond full of white ducks, Quackers’ bright orange fur stands out. But Wong also shows how little those differences matter as she depicts the whole group having fun see SHELF on 15
Justin Lin, born in Taiwan and raised in Southern California, has come a long way from modest beginnings. Working frequently with actor John Cho, he’s directed such hits as “Better Luck Tomorrow,” and several installments of “The Fast And The Furious” franchise, he’s made a big name for himself. “Star Trek Beyond,” the new installment of the “Star Trek” metanarrative, finds Lin’s knack for action sequences unabated.
Sadly, the rest of the story, co-written by Doug Jung and Simon Pegg, who appears as chief engineer Scott, fails to ignite between the huge set pieces. The action gets the momentum flowing onscreen. But everything falls flaccid in between. Pegg has quite a knack for comedy, as he’s proved in “Shaun Of The Dead” and “Hot Fuzz.” But Jung and Pegg don’t seem to have any flair for, or even any interest in, the classic “Trek” characters on display. Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk, com see STAR TREK on 14
asianweekly northwest
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■ politics
AAPI candidates on the Aug. 2 ballot
Compiled by Staff Northwest Asian Weekly
Cyrus Habib
Lt. Governor State Sen. Cyrus Habib was born in Baltimore, Md., to parents who emigrated from Iran. A three-time cancer survivor, Habib lost his eyesight and became fully blind at age 8. Shortly afterwards, his family moved to Bellevue. Habib, 34, is also a Rhodes Scholar, Yale Law School graduate, and intellectual property lawyer at Perkins Coie.
Steve Hobbs
34 YEARS
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
Lt. Governor Sen. Steve Hobbs is best known for his work on a state transportation bill passed
by the legislature in 2015. Hobbs, 45, was born in Everett and raised in Lake Stevens, where he lives with his wife, Pam, and their three sons. Hobbs’ mother was a Japanese immigrant and his father was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He graduated from the University of Washington.
Phillip Yin
Lt. Governor Phillip Yin, 41, the son of immigrants from Hong Kong, was born in Mesa, Ariz. He received his International MBA from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., an undergraduate business degree from the University of Washington, and completed a summer program at the Harvard Business School.
Yin launched CCTV America in Washington, D.C. and also worked for Bloomberg and CNBC.
KumRoon “Mr. Mak” Maksirisombat
Superintendent of Public Instruction KumRoon Maksirisombat has been in education for over 30 years and was chosen as a Distinguished Educator of the State of Washington for three years. Mr. Mak, as he prefers to be called, has a bachelor’s in Business and Psychology and a master’s in Counseling and Special Education. He moved to Seattle from Montana in 1987 and worked for the Seattle School District for 10 years as a counselor in both elementary and middle schools. He speaks nine languages and is a certified translator in Thai and Chinese.
Pramila Jayapal
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US Representative Congressional District 7 Pramila Jayapal is a native of India. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C and an MBA from Northwestern University in Chicago. Jayapal became a civil rights activist and served a stint in the nonprofit sector, including founding Hate Free Zone, a resource for immigrant communities after 9/11. In 2015, Jayapal won a seat in the state senate in Olympia, representing the 37th Legislative District. If elected, Jayapal would be the first Indian American woman to be elected to Congress.
Arun Jhaveri
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US Representative Congressional District 7 Dr. Arun Jhaveri has 40 years of experience in the private sector as a research engineer for Boeing’s 747 airplane program and the U.S. Corps of Engineers. He was also the first mayor of Burien. Jhaveri holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in Physics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Seattle University. Originally from India, Jhaveri is married and lives in Burien.
Bob Hasegawa
Washington State Senate, District 11 Bob Hasegawa is a lifelong resident of Beacon Hill in Seattle and is a longtime labor and social justice activist. He led many worker struggles to win top wages and benefits for working families and retirees, and collaborated in many social justice
struggles to protect civil rights, democracy, the environment, and constitutional rights. Hasegawa serves on the Boards of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies at the University of Washington, the Japanese American Citizens League, and the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
Kazuaki (Kaz) Sugiyama
Washington House of Representatives, District 1a Kazuaki (Kaz) Sugiyama states that if elected, he will serve only one term. He said, “Politicians have become indebted to special interests and not the voters. … I am looking to make a political difference, not a political career.” Sugiyama graduated from the University of Oregon. He is a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard Reserve and works as a social services specialist working with the mentally ill, elderly, and children.
Darshan Rauniyar
Washington House of Representatives, District 1b Darshan Rauniyar is a longtime Bothell resident, businessman, and community organizer. He has over 20 years of experience in the high-tech sector holding senior level positions in management, marketing, sales, and engineering. Rauniyar earned his bachelor’s from Oregon Institute of Technology and an MBA from Portland State University. He is married with two sons.
Kyoko Matsumoto Wright
Washington House of Representatives, District 1b Kyoko Matsumoto Wright has been a Realtor for over 30 years. She is currently a Real Estate Commissioner with the State of Washington and serves as a commissioner for the Snohomish County Housing Authority. A graduate of the University of Washington, Wright resides in Mountlake Terrace and has been a member of the City Council since January 2008.
Mohammed Riaz Khan
Washington House of Representatives, District 21b Born in India, Mohammed Riaz Khan lives in Mukilteo and works at Boeing as a manufacturing engineer on the Air Force Tanker program. Khan serves as a Washington State Labor Council member and Snohomish County Labor delegate. He teaches in an after school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program, and is a member of the budget committee for the Mukilteo School District.
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
YOUR VOICE
asianweekly northwest
Cyrus Habib
Steve Hobbs
Phillip Yin
KumRoon Maksirisombat
Pramila Jayapal
Arun Jhaveri
Bob Hasegawa
Kazuaki Sugiyama
Darshan Rauniyar
Kyoko Matsumoto Wright
Mohammed Riaz Khan
Cindy Ryu
Mia Su-Ling Gregerson
Sharon Tomiko Santos
Sameer Ranade
Dan Shih
Mary Yu
Dean S. Lum
Samuel S. Chung
John H. Chun
Susan Amini
Patrick Oishi
Alicia H. Nakata
Cindy Ryu
Washington House of Representatives, District 32a Elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2012, Cindy Ryu represents the citizens of the 32nd Legislative District. Ryu immigrated to Washington state in 1969 from Korea. She is married with three children. Ryu holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and an MBA from the University of Washington. While serving as a Shoreline Councilmember, Ryu was elected Mayor in 2008, becoming the first female Korean American mayor in the United States.
Mia Su-Ling Gregerson
Washington House of Representatives, District 33b Mia Su-Ling Gregerson’s parents lived in Taiwan when her father was in the Air Force and they adopted her as
an infant. She attended and graduated from the Tukwila School District, Highline College, and the University of Washington. Gregerson started her public service career when she was elected to the SeaTac City Council in 2008 and served as Mayor of SeaTac. In December 2013, she was appointed to the State House of Representatives to serve the constituents of the 33rd Legislative District in 2013.
Sharon Tomiko Santos
Washington House of Representatives, District 37a A community activist for more than 40 years, Sharon Tomiko Santos was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1998. Her key policy interests include civil rights, women’s rights, economic and environmental justice, affordable housing, and quality public education.
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Rep. Santos has served on dozens of boards and foundations, including the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. A graduate of the Evergreen State College and of Northeastern University, Santos resides with her husband in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood.
Sameer Ranade
Washington House of Representatives, District 43a Sameer Ranade was born in Kansas City, Mo. to parents who both emigrated from India. Ranade got his first taste of politics working as an intern to Sen. Maria Cantwell. Across both Washington D.C. and Seattle, Ranade did see CANDIDATES on 16
asianweekly northwest
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34 YEARS
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
OPINION
■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG
EXERCISE VS. DIET
PART 1
By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly
People often say I look fit. Beneath the surface lies the secret of my struggles with maintaining a steady weight. Despite the compliments, I was 10 pounds overweight several years ago, which was a lot for my small frame. As a journalist, it’s not in my character to conceal my eating habits and consumption of unhealthy food, filled with sugar and carbohydrates. Between the truth and denial, I chose to confront the facts. Trying to lose those extra pounds revealed many painful endeavors and repeated mistakes. It is a lengthy selfdiscovery process, which involves emotional, physical, and mental changes, to achieve the right formula for my body.
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Many have paid for a coach for weight control. I did not have the time or patience to do that. I became my own coach and chef, preparing food for myself to maintain my ideal weight. I have been doing that for the past five years. With my tips, you can design your own formula to lose weight.
The right attitude
I had an ongoing weight problem 20 years ago. I didn’t join Weight Watchers or any of those groups. I didn’t binge, take any pills to curb my appetite, or try a crash diet. You see, I have always been a foodie. It would kill me to pass up delicious food. It took me five years to lose fat. I learned that vanity can only go so far. If you diet just because you want to fit in a size 6 instead of an 8, it won’t last long. If you want to impress your friends at a wedding with your figure, and go on a diet months before the actual event, you will likely gain all the weight back later. If you know you can keep up the diet for only two months, you shouldn’t even start it in the first place. The goal is not to look slim or shed a certain number of pounds. It should be achieving overall health, maximizing your energy and vitality, and feeling fantastic. Maintaining a healthy weight is just one of the benefits. The point is, there are no shortcuts. If you read the New York Times, you will find that many participants in NBC’s television
program, “The Biggest Loser,” have gained back much of their weight. If you weigh yourself every day, you set yourself up for failure. Fortunately, my scale broke during my “fat” days, which turned out to be a blessing in the long run. So don’t rush it. Be patient. Don’t be hard on yourself if you weigh the same as you did during the first year. You have to understand that it is a process, but do work on it every day and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Exercise vs. diet
Several studies have shown that simply going on a diet is not as effective as exercise. If you can do only one, pick exercise, according to health experts. The sin of modern life is inactivity — sitting too much and too long — watching TV or browsing the internet. If you have to work in front of a computer all day, schedule breaks so you aren’t sitting all the time. However, many people are unwilling to exercise, even though they are aware that exercise is important. So how do we motivate ourselves to work out? Look for part 2 of this blog in next week’s issue. Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
YOUR VOICE
asianweekly northwest
11
OPINION
■ editorial
Does it matter who’s in the White House?
The Democratic and Republican National Conventions are over. Each party has picked its nominee to move forward and face-off with the other in the November general election. People are passionate about their candidate of choice. Or they are passionate about who they don’t want in the White House. No matter who takes the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2017, does it really matter? Borrowing from a post on Facebook that a friend of mine made: “Political spoiler alert: Hillary chooses Bernie. Hillary wins. She only does 4 years. There is a terrorist attack. Trump gets enough steam. Trump wins 4 years from now. In conclusion Hillary supporters, Bernie
supporters, Trump supporters. You all get your wish. Now turn off politics, and go create your life and stop expecting the government to do a thing. Because when has the government ever built your future? You build your future. You create your dreams.” And to quote financial guru and money expert Dave Ramsey in a tweet, “Presidential Election Cycle: Where a group of people tell you they will fix your life. Bad news. They can’t. Good news: YOU can!” The powers-that-be in Washington, D.C. move at a snail’s pace. After you’ve cast your vote and let your voice be heard (in my opinion, if you don’t vote, you lose the right to complain), then you sit around and hope
your candidate wins, and you wait for that candidate to fix your personal life — you’re going to be waiting a long time. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Taking care of your own life, fixing your own messes? When did we become such an entitled society? The government owes you nothing. Your boss owes you nothing except a fair wage for a fair day’s work. Your family owes you nothing. Life doesn’t owe you a thing. It doesn’t owe you health, happiness, abundance, success, comfort, or immunity from pain and problems. It doesn’t owe you a job, a house, a bed, or a single meal. No one owes you kindness, love, recognition, empathy, apologies, or understanding. You aren’t entitled to a single thing. Borrowing again from Ramsey, in
regards to finances, “You’ve got to make your own personal economy better, then you’ll be able to stand tall no matter what’s going on in Washington.” The downside to this is — you have no one to blame but yourself. The upside is — you get all the credit when things go right. While some find that this is a difficult concept to grasp, it is actually very empowering. You have the power to improve your life in any way you want. And you can do it now. You don’t have to wait for an election cycle. How many of you are willing to look in the mirror and see the problem and solution for what it really is?
■ commentaries Initiative 123 would establish a public development authority (PDA) to build and operate an elevated park and other amenities along the Seattle waterfront, integrating one block of the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct into the design.
“Yes” on Initiative 123 “No” on Initiative 123
By Octavia Hathaway and Kate Martin
Alaskan Way Elevated Park — a new garden bridge stretching one mile from Pike Place Market to CenturyLink Field is proposed by Initiative 123. It leverages our spectacular public view 55 feet above Alaskan Way in a park investment that will pay our city and the people of Seattle back in spades culturally and economically forever. Initiative 123 offers us the choice to make huge improvements to the SDOT plan while we have time. The SDOT plan puts our promenade on street level where you can hardly see the water or the mountains, and where ferry loading and unloading and service driveways to the piers interrupt the space. Additionally, the SDOT plan offers view access from an enormous ramp and step structure that is inaccessible to so many with mobility impairments. Remember, it’s not Alki down there. With four to six lanes of arterial freight traffic on the surface, we’ll be walking hand in hand with 25,000 trucks a day as Alaskan Way will become one of the busiest streets in Seattle when the tunnel is done and the viaduct comes down, because the new tunnel will have no downtown exits. Yes, the viaduct must come down; it’s old and structurally unsound, but a new garden bridge with Seattle’s favorite view can keep the legacy going. We can make the right choice for Seattle’s future without spending more than the current plan and without extending the construction timeline since absolutely nothing can happen now until the tunnel is completed in 2019 and the cost of the elevated park ($165M) is more than covered by the cost of the components it replaces. The street level promenade is right-sized so we’ll still have a fun touristy boardwalk, but it won’t be too wide and the viewing ramp is eliminated in favor of the level elevated park. So let’s join cities like New York, Paris and Chicago while we have an opportunity to create a unique elevated park that celebrates our region and
speaks to the people who live here. Visitors will surely love it, too. Detractors resist making these improvements to the status quo plan saying they’ve worked on their plan for so long and had so many meetings, but that doesn’t mean the plan should persist. In a way, that plan is long in the tooth already after what is now decades and it will be even more so when construction continues four or five years from now. Change is hard when you’ve worked long on a project, but we must pivot to a plan worthy of our city and take some solace from the fact that the two activists who brought the High Line to fruition in New York City faced opposition for eight years. We all know how that ended up. Eating crow never tasted so good because not only does the High Line improve the culture and quality of life in New York City, but those resistors are making a lot of money from it as well. Seattle will be no different. Our downtown badly needs the kind of healthy and safe six-acre open space that Initiative 123 creates. It will be like having a Green Lake downtown where we can gather with friends and family, get some exercise, be inspired by the views, walk the dog, play with the kids on bikes and more in a car-free environment. 123 creates an unforgettable park that we’ll all visit and take so much pride in that view we’ve adored for over 60 years. Future generations will thank us. Ballots have arrived. Even if you don’t vote on anything else this election, please open your ballot and vote YES on 123. The current SDOT plan misses the mark. It fails to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to create Alaskan Way Elevated Park, a visually stunning new centerpiece that would offer residents and visitors glorious panoramic views of all that makes Seattle so memorable. Seattle’s favorite view is worth about a billion dollars and it belongs to you and me right now. Let’s keep it that way. Vote YES on 123 today.
By Leslie Smith Executive Director of the Alliance for Pioneer Square
City of Seattle Initiative Measure 123 is on your August primary ballot. The initiative concerns building and operating a mile-long elevated park on Alaskan Way. This unvetted and undeveloped plan could have devastating effects to our waterfront, our neighborhoods, and our city’s budget. Our concerns center around five main issues: Cost: I-123 requires the city to make unlimited funds available from any source, including the general fund, to pay for this undefined project. Other city priorities — public safety, affordable housing and other vital city services — will be put at risk. In addition to tapping into the city’s general fund, I-123 also requires the City Council to hand over any underutilized or surplus city property to this board to use or sell as they see fit. These properties should be used for budget items that have been established as high priorities, including affordable housing, local parks, and other public benefit uses. Unelected board oversight: I-123 appoints and empowers an unelected board to develop their idea that the city will then be legally obligated to pay for, no matter the cost. I-123 hands over power to this self-appointed board to use undetermined millions in public funds. Transparency: I-123 has been sold as a way to maintain a view of the Puget Sound by building a park on an elevated structure, but what many don’t know is
the project keeps only a small portion of the current viaduct and calls for a new, massive replacement structure to be built. The public has also been told by I-123 organizers the project would be “the same cost and use the same funding sources” as the current waterfront plan. However, it is impossible to estimate costs without a plan. Takes us backward: City planning and construction for a new revitalized, accessible and vibrant waterfront is already in place. I-123 would undo work on a surface level waterfront park, based on years of public input, collaborative neighborhood meetings and broad based, inclusive planning work for an environmentally responsible waterfront park immediately adjacent to the shoreline. Elements of the current park plan are already under construction, including a major addition to Pike Place Market. Reconnecting our city: Over 60 years ago, the viaduct was built and divided our city from our waterfront. It’s time to reimagine our city and look towards the future. Rather than keep a structure that blocks our views, let’s implement our plan to take it down. Let’s embrace the opportunity to view the Sound from not just one, but many places from Belltown and Pike Place Market to Pioneer Square. Please join the Alliance for Pioneer Square, American Institute of Architects, League of Women Voters, Friends of Waterfront Seattle, Seattle Aquarium, the M.L. King County Labor Council, Seattle Parks Foundation and many, many more in opposing I-123. Vote No on I-123.
Have a story idea that you think would fit perfectly in Northwest Asian Weekly? We want to know about it. Send it to us at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016 TAKAI from 1
OPINION
■ letter to the editor
Reader angry over publishing of crowdsourced open letter about Black Lives Matter
Dear Editor, We need to talk. Your inflammatory antipolice hysteria has gone too far. The July 16 article, “Dear Mom, Dad, Uncle, Auntie: Black Lives Matter to us, too,” stated that, “Last week in Louisiana, two white police officers killed a Black man named Alton Sterling, while he sold CD’s on the street.” Such a dishonest reporting of the details in that incident is outrageous, making it seem as though Sterling was peacefully selling bootleg CD’s on the street and those police officers just came along and shot him dead. No, what happened was that a homeless man called 911 to report that Sterling had threatened him with a gun. The police officers went to investigate. He resisted arrest. The two police officers first tried to use their Taser. Sterling just shrugged off the electrical shock. The officers then tried to wrestle him down. While wrestling with him, Sterling tried to pull his handgun to shoot those two police officers. They shot him to save their own lives. So first, they CHONG from 4 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.’’ He also was the writer/editor of the Gardner’s collection catalog, “Furnishing a Museum: Isabella Stewart Gardner’s Collection of Italian Furniture’’ in 2011. Before the Gardner, Chong was curator of European art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, and associate curator of paintings at the Cleveland Museum of Art. M. Christine Dwyer, president of the Currier board of trustees, said Chong “brings to the museum significant expertise in curatorial manners, operations and
34 YEARS
tried to tase him, then they tried to wrestle him down. They were trying to subdue him without shooting him. But the argument seems to be that police officers are supposed to prove that they are not racist by letting Black criminals kill them. Why are police officers supposed to let criminals kill them? Oh, and since Sterling was a convicted felon, that meant that he couldn’t legally buy or own a gun. The publishers of Northwest Asian Weekly should be ashamed of themselves for publishing such a dishonest piece of garbage like that and making it seem as though two Baton Rouge police officers killed Sterling for no reason whatsoever. When the news media regularly whips up such inflammatory hysteria that police officers are engaged in a war on Black males, that causes people like the shooters in Dallas, and now Baton Rouge, to murder police officers. You journalists should be ashamed of yourselves. — Peter Karr Bellevue fundraising.’’ Chong called the Currier “a true cultural centerpiece of Manchester and the region.’’ The museum is home to works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, O’Keeffe and others. It owns the Zimmerman House, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Raised in Hawaii, Dr Alan Chong received his Ph.D. in art history at the Institute of Fine Arts at the New York University and his undergraduate degree at the Yale University. Chong starts Sept. 8. He succeeds Susan Strickler, who retired June 30 after holding the position since 1996.
Gabbard, who served with Takai in Congress, the Hawaii Army National Guard, and the state Legislature. “No matter where he was, he always kept his service to Hawaii’s people at the forefront of his actions,” Gabbard said. “Mark’s smiling face and ready laugh will truly be missed, but the impact that he made through his life of service to the people of Hawaii will always be remembered.” Born on Oahu, Takai served in the state House of Representatives for 20 years before he was elected to Congress, first winning his statehouse seat at age 27. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard for more than a decade and was deployed to the Middle East as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Congress, he sat on the Armed Services and Natural Resources committees. “Mark was always a fighter,” said President Barack Obama, who recorded a radio ad for Takai during his congressional campaign, in a statement. “His relentless push for cancer research inspired countless Americans fighting the same battle as him. Simply put, our country is better off because of Mark’s contributions,” Obama added. Takai was first diagnosed with cancer in October and initially expressed optimism that he would recover. But in May, he announced he would not seek re-election after he learned the cancer had spread. Takai’s passing was mourned among his colleagues in Hawaii and Washington, with politicians recalling his gentle, kind nature. “All of us were moved when he announced his cancer to Vice President Biden and the Members at the House Democrats’ Issues Conference earlier this year,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, in a statement. “Mark confronted his diagnosis with the spirit we all hope we would share when facing such an awful disease. As we mourn the loss of our friend, we draw fresh resolve to find cures.” Adm. Harry Harris of the U.S. Pacific Command described Takai as a powerful
and respected voice for the Pacific-based military community, adding that Takai was a “tough, but fair, questioner who always had our nation’s interests at heart” when Harris testified before the Armed Services Committee. “Mark was everything a public servant should be,” said presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in a statement, adding that Takai fought to support veterans and their families, supported ambitious steps to protect the planet from the perils of climate change and championed the rights of the Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian communities. Hawaii Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Matayoshi remembered Takai as a staunch advocate for public schools who pushed tirelessly for education funding. “In the often tumultuous world of politics, he has been a shining example of what it means to be a public servant,” Hawaii Gov. David Ige said in a statement. Takai is survived by his wife, Sami, and two young children, Matthew and Kaila. “The Takai family thanks the people of Hawaii for their support during this difficult time,” said a release by his office. His family requested privacy. “This is the deepest of losses and one that I feel very personally because of my friendship with Mark,” said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. “Throughout his life, he was all about serving the people of Hawaii. He gave so much, and had so much more yet to give.” The Hawaii Office of Elections will likely hold a special election in November for a replacement to serve through the remainder of Takai’s term, which would have ended in January, spokeswoman Nedielyn Bueno said. In the same election, voters will also choose who will replace Takai for the twoyear term starting in January, she said. Former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who previously held Takai’s seat in Congress but left to run unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate, is already running in the general election to replace Takai for the two-year term that starts in January.
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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
YOUR VOICE IP MAN from 7 who plays Cheung Tin-Chi, a displaced martial arts expert trying to open his own school to teach Wing Chun, and Lynn Hung, who plays Cheung Wing-shing, Yip Man’s wife. With this story comes one of the central themes touched on in the series, the role of a grandmaster. Yip Man serves as a teacher of fighting techniques, moral virtues, and discipline, a leader and role model for the community, and a father and husband. Serving one role can sometimes affect and diminish the effectiveness of another. This is especially relevant when focusing on the relationship between Yip Man and his wife, which is one of the bright spots of the film. While the other two films have bigger cultural implications at stake, this film zooms in closer, and takes a more introspective look at Yip Man and his inner conflict in balancing his priorities. Between their chemistry and Jin’s measured and convincing performance, their struggles breathe life into the film. While there’s heart to Ip Man 3, this is certainly not to say that the story is without its flaws. The main culprit is the seeming lack of an overarching plot to anchor the film. These interwoven plot lines serve more like separate epi-
K-12 from 1 their constituents, and taxpayers will be happy because their children will do things they never thought their kids could do. “It’s a win-win situation.” “I will be the champion for teachers and instructional assistants.” Mak believes if you want teachers to work harder, you must support them. Their morale must be high. Stop using evaluations to oppress and scare teachers. Mak wants teachers to be creative thinkers, rather than asking, “What do you want me to do? The superintendent must support teachers, must be a role model, and should put his money where his mouth is and not just give lip service,” said Mak. The starting salary for teachers is about $34,000. After taxes and union dues, “They’re lucky to take home $20,000. No one in their right mind with skill and education would want to go into poverty.” Mak wants to start teachers at about $42,000 and subsidize their certification costs for at least 10 years. Teachers will feel like the superintendent cares, that he wants them to succeed. Teachers will want to teach students to be doctors, lawyers, and scientists. “If we don’t give teachers decent starting salaries, they’ll be in debt the rest of their lives.”
A “top heavy” system
Morale for teachers has been getting lower and lower over the past eight years, said Mak. What he hears from other teachers (when their administrators aren’t around) “boggles his mind.” Teachers have good ideas, but can’t express their opinions because supervisors tell them, “You have to teach this way and that’s it.” Sometimes leaders use data from standardized tests to get rid of good teachers, asserts Mak. He’d like to see the data gained from testing
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sodes forced upon each other, leaving the audience to pick up the pieces and make sense of how they relate and affect one another. At one point, what was thought to be the main storyline seems to resolve and shifts the narrative to something completely different, as these separate occurrences are merely strung together by employing some of the same characters. As a result, the film at times can feel like a collection of martial arts battles, connected by scenarios that ultimately feel disjointed. Despite all this, if there’s one thing that this film gets right, it’s the fight scenes. From a claustrophobic combat taking place in an elevator and narrow stairway, to showcasing the superiority between boxing and Wing Chun (also explored in Ip Man 2), to martial artists duking it out to see who carries the torch as the face of Wing Chun, this film delivers a wide range of styles and settings. Yuen Woo-Ping is the action choreographer this time around, taking over Sammo Hung’s duties from the first two films. Whereas the earlier films utilize an almost effortless, gravity-defying, and fluid style of fighting, Ip Man 3 takes a more furious and hardhitting approach. On the surface level, this is a bit ironic as Woo-Ping is well-known as the choreographer of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” which uses a style that allows
fighters to glide, soar, and hover. This film only proves his range and skill as the mastermind behind the action. As hinted earlier, Ip Man 3 breaks away from the tone of its predecessors in the series. The theme of oppression, Chinese identity, and the ever-changing world is not as central in this film. In the earlier installments, Yip Man fights to maintain his traditional ways, culture, and morality through adversity and conflict. However, this film flips that idea and allows him to grow and reconcile with what’s left when all is said and done. One can certainly argue that this film is more character-driven than plot-driven, and as a result, the stakes around the action is not as high. And that’s okay. But high stakes are what audiences want, it’s what has made prior Ip Man movies successful, and director Wilson Yip understands this. Thus, the stakes are raised, and it feels forced. It feels like plot points were rearranged to build up momentum. Motivations behind characters are at times confusing and contradicting, and seem to be dictated by the film’s attempts to make fight scenes matter more than they actually do. In the end, much like the protagonist, Ip Man 3 attempts to do too many things at once. Eric Card can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
used to improve instruction and curriculum. Mak is quick to point out he’s not against testing and knows there has to be a way to measure progress and successful student outcomes, so people know state educators are doing their job. “If it helps teachers to develop and improve strategies to deliver the lessons to students, I say go for it,” added Mak. “We need to cut back on administrative costs and get these resources to teachers.” Mak views the state public school system as top heavy, with far too many administrators, and far too little support for teachers and instructional assistants. He teaches at Chief Sealth International High School, in the Seattle Public School district, and said, “There are three floors of administrators, and I don’t know a single one of them.” There are about 307 administrators in the Seattle Public School district,the state’s largest, costing the state about $24,560,935 in salaries in 2014 figures, according to data posted by the State Office of Financial Management (OFM). OSPI has 400 state employees. About 138 are administrators with salaries costing taxpayers about $5,022,969 in 2014. Mak thinks the superintendent should cap these salaries. Mak also believes too many school administrators travel across the state for seminars and education and don’t share what they’ve learned with the teachers who do all the work. School districts must be more transparent and accountable for funds, said Mak, and he believes independent audits are needed. When Mak tried to schedule a major field trip, and there was no money, despite the $1,800 that every teacher is supposed to get for field trips and other tools to enhance study. Mak asked what happened to the money. No one could, or would, give him an answer. “We can never give up.”
One of Mak’s accomplishments included raising math levels for special education children — mostly emotionally disturbed children — in the Renton School District. He taught the hardest class that even the principal had given up on, with students who started at ground zero, with no math scores. Mak raised their scores from zero to 19.8 percent. He did this by bonding and gaining students’ trust. “I did not relinquish my responsibility and dealt with students’ problems, including handing out discipline. “When you send kids to the principal’s office every time things get hot and heavy, they know you don’t have any power, and they don’t respect you. These kids looked me right in the eye and said, we will drive you out of this school soon enough. Six months into it, I started to wonder about other professions,” Mak said with a laugh. He stayed for six years, and today, when he runs into his old students, they say, “Mr. Mak, let’s go have a bowl of noodles and talk.” That’s Mak’s reward — when his students recognize and thank him. Twenty years ago, Mak sued the Seattle Public School district for discrimination and lost. But Mak returned, despite a lack of change. He thinks the number of Asian teachers is still small, even though many are qualified. He said Asian teachers get lost in the shuffle because they aren’t very vocal. Asked why he went back to the school district, Mak said cheerfully, “We can’t give up, we can never give up.” Mak relies on his mother’s saying: don’t just get angry, get even by doing better. Make enough noise so that others will hear what you have to say. “State education is where I always wanted to be. I’m not giving up.”
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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
STAR TREK from 7 mander of the starship “Enterprise,” flamboyant, charismatic, intergalactic ladies’ man, irresponsible at times, not a good friend of “by the book,” but committed to his mission and his crew. Spock, played by Zachary Quinto, second in command, halfhuman and half-Vulcan, torn between his lineages, but committed to logic, reason, and to Kirk. The exasperated Dr. Leonard
“Bones” McCoy, played by Karl Urban, the ship’s doctor, fire to Spock’s ice, concealing his admiration for the Vulcan beneath layers of ire. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, chief engineer, heavy Scottish accent, master of the warp drive. Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura, communications officer, fiery and dangerous when cornered. John Cho as helmsman Sulu. The late Anton Yelchin as navigator Pavel Chekov. Well the pieces are all there, but the cre-
REUNITE from 4 lieutenant was 88 pounds. He can still remember the Communist songs the camp blasted from speakers. “Of course you don’t believe it, but you still remember,” Dang said. “That’s what scares you.” Dang traveled by boat to Thailand upon his release and lived in a refugee camp for a few months. Eventually he made it to Pensacola, Fla., where he wanted to pursue an education. More than 40 years later, Vo reconnected with members of his officers class through social media. Quanmong Le flew to Longview from Paris. But as they meet every year, he said their lives continue to change. The 64-year-olds don’t drink as much as they used to
34 YEARS
ative team can’t seem to paint a convincing picture over them this time. I won’t reveal too much of the plot, but I’ll note than from the first crisis point, it’s pretty easy to figure out what’s going to happen and when. Ruins and wrecks collapse in on themselves, forming new ruins and new devastation. Music from our era finds its way into the narrative, which is a decent example of Pegg’s comedy. But nothing grabs on and holds on, apart from the obligatory action.
just a few years ago. “Now we’re tired,” Vo said. “We cherish the moments we have. We become old men.” “We’re not old yet,” Dang chimed back. Vo and Nguyen have both returned to Vietnam a few times, though they feel out of place when they visit. Vo said even the language is different, with the dialect specific to North Vietnamese people. “I probably think more like an American now,” Vo said. “I miss my friends, I miss my people, but I just don’t like the government. To be over there ... it’s a different country.” Dang, who now lives in Dallas, said he hasn’t been back to his native land since his escape in 1979. And he never intends to. “There’s nothing for me.”
The new movie is dedicated to original “Star Trek” cast member Leonard Nimoy, who created the role of Spock, and to Anton Yelchin, who both died recently. Hopefully the film franchise can continue to honor their legacy, and the legacy of the entire “Star Trek” world, with some more captivating installments in future. Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
YOUR VOICE
■ astrology
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Predictions and advice for the week of July 30–August 5 By Sun Lee Chang Rat — It can be hard to pick out what is important amongst too much clutter. Clear out what you don’t need.
Dragon — There are rumors swirling, but you are not sure who to believe. It could be time to look at other options.
Monkey — Did you have to sidetrack something in favor of a higher priority task? Now that it is done, you can go back.
Ox — While it can be easy to let your mind wander, it will be to your benefit to stay focused on the moment.
Snake — You may hear words, but that doesn’t mean you are really listening. Your immediate response isn’t as crucial as understanding what is being said.
Rooster — Has someone unexpectedly revealed their true colors to you? Although initially startling, it isn’t necessarily a complete surprise.
Tiger — When the old way just isn’t working, it takes strength to leave it behind and look for a better method.
Horse — How you test yourself isn’t as important as why you do so. Once you figure out the latter, the first part is no longer necessary.
Rabbit — Are you counting on a lucky streak? While it could happen, it is better to plan for the worst case scenario.
Goat — Instead of looking for a more exciting project, resolve to finish what you have already started and have yet to complete.
Dog — Why make it a race when it doesn’t have to be? Let your competitive streak have a little rest this time around. Pig — You have redoubled your efforts, but the results aren’t quite there. Thinking a few steps ahead is probably a good idea.
What’s your animal sign? Rat 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Ox 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Rabbit 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 Dragon 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Goat 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Rooster 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
*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.
SHELF from 7 together — something we all can take note of.
Lotus Blood
By Dean Norton Amazon Digital Services, 2015
Nam hates her life. She and her family live in Thailand, where she can’t understand the language and can’t stand the heat. She’s also been recently dumped by her boyfriend back in England. Then a tsunami hits, leaving the area devastated, Nam’s parents’ hotel ripped apart and Nam and her mother dead. It is then — while in limbo between her current life and what would be her next life — that Nam discovers the truth about hers and her mother’s bloodline. They are descendants
ARTS from 3
Jing Shi, painter
Jing Shi began her artistic career by designing women’s clothing in Beijing after graduating from college. She moved to the United States in the late 1990s and in 2011, she transitioned to creating traditional Chinese watercolor and sketches, and oil paintings and photography. Shi is eager to introduce beautiful traditional Chinese watercolor art to the public along with various other types of Asian art including calligraphy, photography, and oils.
of the Mara, the Buddhist devil, and he wants Nam for his blood collection. And while it may not be great to learn you’re a descendent from the devil, it does come with the power to blast away demons. Nam’s mother sacrifices herself, becoming Mara’s slave, in return for Nam and her twin brother Junior’s safety. This sends Nam back to the land of the living in Thailand where she learns the true extent of the damage caused by the tsunami, as well as the ramifications of her mother’s actions. Now that she’s back, Nam and Junior — along with a mysterious boy named Simon — hone their newfound powers to find a way back to the Underworld to save their mother. “Lotus Blood” is a story about family and learning about who you are. Initially, Nam doesn’t connect much with her Thai half and comes off as a bit of a brat for the temper tantrums she throws (we later learn there’s a reason for them). But as the story moves forward, Nam begins to appreciate her mother’s half of the family more and even begin to take pride in it. While the story is told from Nam’s perspective, readers are also able to see Junior and Simon grow as the three work together to try and defeat the Mara.
China Rich Girlfriend
Rachel Chu and Nick Young’s wedding is quickly approaching and while it should be the happiest day of their lives, especially considering everything the couple has gone through (see “Crazy Rich Asians”), Rachel can’t help but feel a bit disappointed in the fact that her birth father won’t be there to witness it. A chance car accident changes all this and reveals his identity, and throws Rachel and Nick into the world of Shanghai splendor to a point they hadn’t really experienced. Because while Nick’s family may have been crazy rich, they soon learn that this side of Rachel’s family goes beyond that. They’re China rich. In this sequel to Kwan’s 2013 debut, we meet Chinese mainlanders who take wealth to the next level. We’re talking the type of wealth that looks down on others who have only $1 billion to $2 billion. has all the “China” extravagance as its predecessor — think street racing in multimillion dollar exotic cars and penthouse churches — but it also has a bit more heart and humanity. There is not as much of the cattiness (and sometimes pure meanness) we saw in
Charan Sachar, ceramics
Charan Sachar will provide unique handmade pottery inspired by Indian designs, fabrics, embroidery, colors and Bollywood. Lived in India for most of his life, his works show his love for Bollywood movies and his fascination with life in India. You can see the unique colors, fabrics, embroidery and designs which strongly influenced him. Kirara can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
CHOW from 1
By Kevin Kwan Knopf Doubleday, 2015
Artwork by Ashmita Gulati
“Crazy” and there is a theme of redemption as we see some of the characters, such as Nick’s mother Eleanor, work to redeem themselves after their actions in the first book. Eleanor does everything she can to get back into her son’s good graces after her attempts to sabotage his and Rachel’s relationship. We also see that money can’t buy everything, as is the case of Nick’s cousin, Astrid, as she works to keep her marriage going amidst her husband’s success in the tech world. “China” shows readers that using money to make problems go away just causes them to come back with a vengeance. Samantha Pak can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.
soldier and a public servant who touched the lives of countless veterans in Maryland,” said Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen in a statement. Chow was Maryland’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2009 to 2015. Van Hollen’s statement goes on to say, “Ed was proud of his Chinese heritage and of his service in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve. He was a tireless advocate for veterans.” Born in New York City and raised in Seattle, Chow graduated from Seattle University. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army and served in Germany. Chow left the Army at the rank of Captain in 1967 after serving 11 years. That same year, he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious achievement or service during the Vietnam War. Chow credits many of his accomplishments to the training and guidance he received from his parents, Ruby and Shu Ping Chow. Chow was the city administrator for the City of Kent and during his tenure as Director of Emergency Services, Chow managed the response to natural and other disasters including the Mount St. Helens eruption. Chow was active in advocating for veterans for over 30 years. He served as Washington State President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) in the 1980s and on the VVA National Board of Directors. Chow is survived by his life partner, Sara McVicker; son, Dr. Ward K. Chow (Cynthia) of Spokane and Seattle; daughter, Dr. Elizabeth Chow (Dr. Aaron Smuckler) of Pittsburgh; five grandsons and a granddaughter; and brothers, Shelton, Brien, and Mark of Seattle. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Chow’s life of service may be made to: Charlotte Hall Veterans Trust, 29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, Maryland 20622 (charhall.org) or Georgetown University’s Ruesch Center to support pancreatic cancer research (ruesch.georgetown.edu). Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.
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34 YEARS
JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2016
WA DELEGATES from 1 convention with 1,846 pledged delegates and 48 superdelegates — short of the simple majority needed to receive the nomination. In an emotional moment on July 26, Sanders stopped the roll call vote and pushed for his rival to get the nomination. “Madam Chair, I move that the convention suspend the procedural rules, I move that all votes, all votes cast by delegates be reflected in the official record, and I move that Hillary Clinton be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of the United States,” Sanders said. The Democrats formally nominated Clinton, making history by choosing a woman to be the first presidential nominee of major U.S. political party. A small faction of Sanders supporters walked out in protest. Clinton and Sanders supporters were at odds at the beginning of the DNC. A meeting held the morning of July 25 by the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Caucus, was interrupted by Sanders supporters holding a banner that read “Asian American Pacific Islanders for Bernie.” But for many of those gathered at the AAPI Caucus meeting, Clinton was the clear and best choice for the party and the country. On the eve of the DNC, we spoke to a Democratic delegate who pledged to vote for Sanders. Washington resident Shaun Olsen represented the state’s Legislative District 21 as an alternate delegate for Sanders. It was his first time traveling as a delegate to a national political convention. Such a role doesn’t come cheap. Only half of his estimated $5,000 travel expenses were paid by the Democratic party, leaving Olsen to pay for the rest out of pocket himself. The cost did not dampen Olsen’s passion for the Sanders’s campaign. “I was really, really excited when Bernie announced he was going to run, but I was hesitant at first, because I didn’t know if he was going to resonate with everyone,” Olsen said. “To my amazement, his campaign has been an injection of faith in my fellow Americans as his message has resonated around the country.” Olsen has followed Sanders’ career since the Vermont politician’s election to the United States Senate in 2006. He credits Sanders’ “Brunch with Bernie” Q&A segments on the Thom Hartmann radio program as what initially interested him about Sanders’ progressive politics. “I was impressed with him doing that stuff right off the bat and it endeared me to his perspective,” Olsen said. “He spoke a lot about where we’ve gone off track and how we can make a more equitable situation for everyone.” Like many of his fellow delegates, Olsen believed that the 2016 Democratic platform failed to embody key
CANDIDATES from 9 multiple environmental internships and campaign jobs — including working as a staff assistant to Sen. Patty Murray. Ranade has a bachelor’s from Washington State University and Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Washington.
Dan Shih
Washington House of Representatives, District 43a Dan Shih (pronounced “She”) was born and raised in the Seattle area. His parents were Chinese immigrants. Shih is a partner at law firm Susman Godfrey, which defended the City of Seattle against a U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenge to the city’s $15 minimum wage. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton, and a master’s and a law degree from Stanford. Shih is married with three daughters.
Mary Yu
Supreme Court Justice, Position 1 Mary Yu was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 2014, after serving as a King County trial court judge for over 14 years. She was subsequently elected to a two-year term and is now running for a full term. She said the most important values as a trial judge are to treat everyone with respect and fairness, to approach each case
Donald Trump
Hillary Clinton
liberal interests, such as “I consider [Trump] to raising the cap on social “I like talking about how when you’re driving a be a bit of a bully,” said security payroll taxes car, you have a rearview mirror, but when you High. “But hey, bullies and calling for a ban on make great leaders, so fracking. Chief among spend your time staring in the rearview mirror we’ll see what happens.” these is a stronger stance and everything’s about the past, you get into While several requests against the Trans-Pacific to the Republican National Partnership (TPP), a an accident. You look at it, glance at it, but you Committee to identify or multinational trade move forward.” interview Asian American agreement that would — Washington state Republican delegate Republican delegates from effectively extend more Washington state went Apollo Fuhriman unanswered, a couple of restrictive intellectual Asian Americans took property laws in the U.S., Japan, Vietnam, to the stage at the RNC. Malaysia, and Canada, among others. Kimberly Yee of the Arizona Senate, the first Asian “There are a lot holes in the platform,” Olsen said. “Some American elected to the Arizona State Legislature said, “It of our objections include the party’s weak stance on TPP, is time for us to get back to our conservative Republican which we believe will be detrimental to how our economy values that make our nation great.” will function in the future, and lifting the cap on Social And on July 21, Dr. Lisa Shin, head of Korean Americans Security.” for Trump, called Clinton a “direct threat to the American The week prior, the Republicans held their convention dream” in her speech. “There is only one candidate who in Cleveland, Ohio from July 18–21. Donald Trump, will protect, stand with, and fight for we, the American who clinched the nomination since last May, entered the people,” Shin said to rousing applause and cheers. “There Republican National Convention (RNC) with 1,415 bound is only one clear choice for America: that choice is Donald delegates and 127 unbound superdelegates — more than he J. Trump.” needed to secure the nomination. The RNC was marked by a string of incidents including Despite Trump’s solid victory in Washington’s a speech by Trump’s wife, Melania, who was accused of Republican primary earlier this year, the majority of plagiarizing a 2008 speech given by First Lady Michelle Washington state Republican delegates favored Ted Cruz Obama within an hour of leaving the stage. and unsuccessfully demanded a roll call vote on convention Washington state Republican delegate Apollo Fuhriman rules to unbind the convention’s delegates. believed that Republicans should stand by Trump as the “They shafted all of us,” said Brenda High of Pasco, a Republican nominee regardless of their previous preference. Republican state delegate who spoke to Robert Mak of “I like talking about how when you’re driving a car, you Seattletopstory.com before the start of the RNC. “I just have a rearview mirror, but when you spend your time staring in the rearview mirror and everything’s about don’t know where I’m going to go from here.” On July 20, Cruz declined to endorse Trump and told the past, you get into an accident,” Fuhriman said in an Republicans to “vote your conscience.” Cruz was met with interview with Mak. “You look at it, glance at it, but you boos from the crowd, but didn’t back down the next day, move forward.” saying it was personal because of Trump’s attacks on his Tim can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com. wife and father.
with an open mind, and to decide cases impartially. She is the first Asian, the first woman of color, and the first member of the LGBT community to serve on the Supreme Court.
Dean S. Lum
King County Superior Court, Position 12 Dean S. Lum was appointed to the King County Superior Court bench in 1998, and is currently assigned to the criminal department. After graduating from the University of Washington School of Law, he served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Criminal Division of the King County Prosecutor’s Office for seven years. He has been very active in local, state, and national bar association and civic activities, and was the President of the Asian Bar Association of Washington in 1992. He received the 2002 Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Samuel S. Chung
King County Superior Court, Position 15 Samuel S. Chung earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History at Columbia University, then graduated from the George Washington University Law School with a full scholarship, even though he learned English only after moving from Korea at the age of 12. Chung has numerous ties with the Korean American community. He has served at the Seattle Chinatown International Dis-
trict Preservation and Development Authority. He also was the founding President of the Korean American Bar Association of Washington.
John H. Chun
King County Superior Court, Position 16 John H. Chun was appointed to the King County Superior Court bench in December 2013. He currently serves on the King County Superior Court’s Personnel Committee and Rules Committee, and he serves on the board of the Asian Bar Association of Washington Student Scholarship Foundation. Chun graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, and graduated from Cornell Law School, where he was an editor for the Cornell Law Review.
Susan Amini
King County Superior Court, Position 20 Susan Amini was born in Iran and graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law. Four years after Amini started her legal career as a public defender in south King County, she opened her own law practice in Bellevue. In 2010, Judge Amini was honored by the Northwest Asian Weekly as a Woman of Color Empowered. Judge Amini is the first judge of Middle Eastern descent in Washington state history.
Patrick Oishi
King County Superior Court, Position 24 Patrick Oishi was appointed to the King County Superior Court bench in 2011. Oishi earned his bachelor’s degree in Education and law degree from Seattle University. Oishi began his legal career with the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and currently serves as a board member of the Asian Bar Association of Washington, the Japanese American Citizens League, and the Seattle University Law Alumni Board.
Alicia H. Nakata
Chelan Superior Court, Position 3 Alicia H. Nakata was born and raised in East Wenatchee. She earned her Political Science degree from the University of Washington, and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas. Nakata served for 18 years as a district court judge on the Chelan County District Court. Previously, she worked as the chief criminal deputy prosecutor for Chelan County, an assistant city attorney for Seattle, and a King County public defender. Staff can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.