Tony Award-winning costume designer Willa Kim died on Dec. 23 on Vashon Island, where she had been staying with a niece, according to the New York Times. She was 99 and had been in poor health. Born Wullah Mei Ok Kim in 1917 to Korean immigrants, Kim attended the Chouinard Art Institute (now the California […]
New VP at The Seattle Times
Sharon Pian Chan has been named vice president of innovation, product, and development for The Seattle Times, effective January 2017. She first joined The Seattle Times as an intern and spent many years as a reporter. Chan is currently director of journalism initiatives and deputy managing editor for audience development. In her new role, Chan […]
President of Athena University
Chow Lee has been named the CEO of Athena University in Seattle. Athena University is a subsidiary of MingDao University of Taiwan. Lee is responsible for the operations of the Seattle campus and its overseas locations in China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Hong Kong. He earned his MBA from the University of Alberta and a BA […]
Holiday caroling
The Seattle chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) and MulvannyG2 Architecture entertained seniors on Dec. 22. The caroling event was held at Keiro Northwest Nursing Home and Kin On Health Care Center for its residents. After caroling, gifts were handed out and attendees enjoyed light refreshments.
Annual mochitsuki
The Puyallup Valley Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) hosted its annual mochitsuki (pounding rice to make mochi/rice cakes) on Dec. 3. The public got to observe and participate in making this traditional Japanese treat. Fifty pounds of rice and five rice cookers provided a morning of mochi making, conversation, and catching up […]
Japanese community thanks Congressman Jim McDermott
The Seattle JACL and the Consul General of Japan gathered on Nov. 10 to celebrate retiring Congressman Jim McDermott’s 28 years of service, and his support and advocacy for the local Japanese community. Consul General Masahiro Omura read a letter of appreciation from Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, community representatives shared their appreciation and stories, and […]
Typhoon kills 6, spoils Christmas festivities in Philippines
By BULLIT MARQUEZ Associated Press BATANGAS, Philippines (AP) — A powerful typhoon blew out of the northern Philippines on Dec. 26 after killing at least six people and spoiling Christmas in several provinces, where more than 380,000 people abandoned celebrations at home to reach emergency shelters and other safer grounds. Typhoon Nock-Ten cut power […]
‘Super Mario Run’: Price, connectivity missteps for Nintendo
By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Super Mario might be running, but a hefty price tag for a mobile game just won’t fly with the masses. The world so far is underwhelmed by “Super Mario Run,” which Nintendo released for the iPhone two weeks ago. This is no “Pokemon Go,” which […]
Honolulu police chief on paid leave amid federal probe
By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER Associated Press HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha surrendered his gun and badge on Dec. 20 and went on paid leave from the department after receiving notification that he is the target of a federal investigation. The investigation began more than a year ago. A federal grand jury is […]
Richard Marx says he’s no ‘big hero’ after incident on Korean Air flight
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Richard Marx says he wasn’t a hero for apparently intervening after an unruly passenger disrupted a Korean Air flight and had to be restrained. Marx and his wife, Daisy Fuentes, documented the incident on Facebook and Instagram on Dec. 20. The “Right Here Waiting’’singer and Fuentes, a former MTV VJ, were […]