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The Daily Aztec
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JMS students embark on a culturallyenriched journey to Thailand
February 7 - March 5, 2024 EDITORS: Eugénie Budnik & Hannah Ly • news@thedailyaztec.com
Students experienced culture shock, explored landscapes and created social media content By Sumaia Wegner & Hannah Ramirez MANAGING EDITOR & STAFF WRITER
San Diego State University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) rang in the new year by taking 19 students to Thailand for a nine-day study abroad program created by Temple Northup, JMS director. The purpose of the trip was to give students the opportunity to gain experience, as international journalists and develop skills in content creation by exploring a culture outside of their norm. “What I liked about a place like Thailand versus a country like Italy is just that it is very different from the United States,” Northup said. “The food is different, how you get around is different, everything is different. So I feel even though it’s a short trip, you can really get a sense of things.” The program was constructed to show a three-dimensional Thailand through cuisine, history and lifestyle. Students produced videos and written work to translate their findings to their audience back home. JMS students visited night markets,
restaurants (only reachable by boat) and even went on a cruise overseeing Iconsiam, one of Bangkok’s luxurious malls. Multiple excursions were dedicated to visiting temples, such as The Golden Mount and Wat Pho, which houses the famous reclining Buddha. Making an appearance at Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) was also facilitated through the program. Students from both universities showcased the work they curated as undergraduates. SDSU students also gained insight into how social media fostered different international career opportunities. On the last day of the trip, students ventured to the outskirts of Bangkok, into the waters of Pattaya Beach, visited an elephant sanctuary and Erawan Park, which boasts ethereal waterfalls. Students also experienced daily life as traveling journalists. Observations, such as the absence of free toilet paper, the expectation of silence on public transportation and the prevalence of households without kitchens, sparked interest. As an Asian American media studies major, senior Marissa Evangelista found
Students pose for a photo while bathing the elephants at Elephants World elephant sanctuary on Jan. 10. Photo by Monica Watson
the visit to have a personal impact. “I think it was cool for me to see a different Asian culture. It is important for not just me, but for anyone to see,” Evangelista said. “It was also my first time traveling internationally.” Navigating Thailand were tour guides Somchai “Tommy” Wisawasompop and Peach H. Honghem. The pair presented the historical context of famous landmarks and shared stories about the day and nightlife in Bangkok. JMS lecturer, Peggy Peattie, who accompanied Northup on the trip, mentioned that the daily interactions gave students a chance to appreciate other cultural perspectives as aspiring journalists. “You need to be able to read body language — if you can’t understand the language, you need to be able to understand human dynamics,” Peattie said. “You need to be able to be patient
and be respectful of other cultures. I think that is something that can translate into your immediate environment.” Whether it is getting into media studies, public relations, newspaper or radio, Northup believes first-hand learning experiences will help students broaden their minds and prepare them for a better future in global industries. “Our tagline is, ‘We make storytellers.’ And another reason for doing this (program) is to be really great storytellers. I think the more you travel (and) the more culturally adept you are, the better your stories will change stories on the market,” he said. Northup, hopes the program inspires faculty members to coordinate study abroad programs within their departments. For those interested in studying abroad, Northup suggests that SDSU students reach out to the JMS Instagram.
‘It’s like a jail to them’: Lahaina wildfire survivors seek long-term, dignified housing solutions Lahaina residents aim to restore community after 2023 Maui wildfires By Hannah Ly NEWS EDITOR
For months, Lahaina residents have made Kaanapali Beach — a popular tourism spot in Hawaii — their temporary refuge, residing in tents as protection against the sun and scorching sand. With a canopy of donated food as their kitchen and the ocean as their front yard, the people living in these tents utilize fishing poles for legal beachside camping. These aren’t vacationers; they are here because they have lost homes due to the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires. The “Fishing for Housing” protest, organized by Lahaina Strong, advocates for affordable long-term living solutions
for wildfire survivors. Their fight is for dignified housing. Following the devastating Maui wildfires, over 6,500 people found themselves without homes in what became the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history. This has only exacerbated the pre-existing housing shortage. Those who lost their homes are currently staying in rental houses or hotels, but the options are both limited and limiting, according to residents. “There’s about 5,000 people along the Kaanapali Coast here in these resorts and hotels that are shuffling around from room to room,” said Carlos Lamas, a Fishing for Housing volunteer. “(The Red Cross) mean well, and they are helping,
A destroyed house sits in the burn zone in Lahaina on December 10, 2023. Photo by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
but there’s a lot of red tape. You can’t have guests over, you can’t cook in your units. It’s just not dignified housing.” Unlike tourists who have more flexibility with guests and amenities, many Lahaina residents face stricter rules and risk eviction for not complying with resort regulations — restricting items like microwaves and pet accommodations. “Many people don’t want to live (at the hotels), but at this point, they don’t have a choice. … A lot of people I’ve talked to say it’s like a jail to them,” said Vince Bagoyo Jr., a Hawaii housing developer. A few proposed government initiatives include tax incentives for short-term rentals to convert to long-term housing, a moratorium on short-term rentals and incentives for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs). While the state and county propose short and long-term answers for displaced individuals, residents share mixed feelings about the solutions. According to Lamas, he wants to see an end to short-term rentals in West Maui. “It’s hard to have empathy for upperclass tourists or settlers with their second or third house while you have somebody who is working two or three jobs to support their family and doesn’t even have one,” Lamas said. If the tax incentive falls short, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green is open to utilizing emergency powers for a short-term rental moratorium. However, this approach may face legal challenges as property owners, like Bagoyo, argue it could be deemed a constitutional taking without fair compensation.
Bagoyo also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of ADUs, suggesting that it may only appear politically appealing. “I think that they’re trying to impose something that looks politically good, but in terms of its implementation, it may not work,” Bagoyo said. “It’s going to be interesting to see how many takers of that subsidy. $100,000 is not a lot of money.” While opinions on proposed solutions vary, residents share that government action is crucial for clearing the debris and rebuilding the Lahaina community. “I understand the cleanup wasn’t going to happen overnight. But I did anticipate a lot more work to be happening I guess,” said Leila Baqui, a Lahaina resident. “It’s been five months now and it feels like it’s all just faded. (It’s) a whole lot of talking but not a whole lot of doing on the government’s part.” According to Hawaii Sen. Angus McKelvey, legislative sessions are in the process early this year to discuss public infrastructure funds, housing bills and establishing a community land trust. “We have to rebuild Lahaina in the right way because it was going in the wrong direction,” McKelvey said. “And I think the people who are sticking it out, and (risking) their health through being in toxic dust every day, they demand the return of Lahaina that I remember when I was a kid — and now we have a chance to recapture it.” For more information on the developing hazardous debris removal process, visit the Maui Recovers website.
