On April 14, President Joe Biden named Erika Moritsugu, a Capitol Hill veteran and vice president of a women’s rights advocacy group, as his liaison to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. In a statement announcing her appointment, the White House said Moritsugu will “be a vital voice to advance the president and […]
Hua receives 2021 Mayor’s Award for Achievement in Film
On April 8, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan presented Vivian Hua and Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) the 15th Annual Mayor’s Award for Achievement in Film. The award recognizes an individual or entity for exceptional work that has significantly contributed to the growth, advancement, and reputation of Seattle as a filmmaking city. Hua is a writer, filmmaker, […]
Ang Lee awarded BAFTA’s highest honor
Ang Lee, the Oscar-winning director of “Life of Pi” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” is the first Chinese to be awarded the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)’s lifetime achievement award. The 74th BAFTA Awards ceremony was held on April 10 and 11 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. “Lee is one […]
Paull Shin dies
The first Korean American elected to the Washington State legislature has died peacefully in his home April 12. Dr. Paull H. Shin was 85 years old. Born in Korea in 1935, Shin lost his family at an early age and survived, often begging for food on the streets of Seoul. He became a houseboy for […]
Shouan Pan receives Virgil S. Lagomarcino Laureate Award
The chancellor and CEO of the Community College of Seattle, Shouan Pan, received the Virgil S. Lagomarcino Laureate Award from Iowa State University College of Human Sciences. This award honors graduates who are nationally and internationally recognized for their meritorious service or distinguished achievement in the field of education. A virtual ceremony was held on […]
Biden announces intent to nominate judicial candidates
The White House announced on March 30 that President Joe Biden declared his intent to nominate Florence Y. Pan to fill a judicial vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (D.C.). Pan is an attorney and jurist serving as the first Asian American Associate Judge of the D.C. Superior Court. She […]
Horsing around in the ID
Two mounted patrol officers did their rounds last week in the Chinatown-International District. We spotted Stephan Arulaid and Matt Chase at Hing Hay Park. While most people think it’s fun that these officers get to ride horses as part of their job, it’s not so fun when there is horse poop. The mounted officer must […]
Asian Americans will represent WA at Miss USA, Miss Teen USA
For the first time in the history of Pageants Northwest, the two state queens crowned recently are of Asian descent. Novalee Lewis, who’s Japanese American, and Christine Brodie, who is Filipino American, will represent Washington at Miss Teen USA and Miss USA, respectively. Lewis is a junior at Life Christian Academy. She is on the […]
Katherine Tai confirmed as U.S. trade representative
The Senate confirmed Katherine Tai to serve as U.S. trade representative on March 17, giving her a key role to smooth supply chains shaken by the pandemic, implement a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada, and address a multitude of challenges with China. Tai, 47, is the first Asian American and the first woman […]
Virtual celebration of Tomio Moriguchi and family
Former chairman and CEO of Uwajimaya Tomio Moriguchi and his family were named as Seattle-King County First Citizen Award recipients. Outside of Uwajimaya, Moriguchi, 84, is revered for his volunteerism, generosity, advocacy, and dedication, and he is quick to credit his family. The March 25 event included video tributes from Yuka Shimizu, […]