The shape contrast among the five characters in the play “Kindred Spirits” is where the humor lies. As a newcomer of the house, sensible Henrietta is eager to learn more about the rest of the residents. Camille, a sweet old lady who lives in the house, loves to talk about the happiest time of her life. Max, on the other hand, is the sad shy man who stays in the attic for most of the time. Lane and Hilshire come and go at odd times. As Henrietta learns more about everyone, the truth of the rumors reveals.

Director David Hsieh said he and playwright Maggie Lee tried to look for Asian Americans when they casted the roles of Henrietta and Lane. May Nguyen who plays as Henrietta is Vietnamese American and Hana Lass who plays as Lane is Japanese American. Hsieh said though the story was not a portrait of Lee’s life, since Lee wrote from her experience and encounters, Asian Americans were more preferable for the roles.

Hsieh said while an average play takes about six weeks to prepare, the cast of “Kindred Spirits” only had three weeks prior to their first show on July 16.  I felt the short amount of time is not a problem for the crew. The performance was an outstanding one with the sophisticated acting skills.

The story of the play, though set in a haunted house, did not give me chills or nightmares. Lee’s take on the idea of ghosts and spirits is a total creative surprise. Rather than worrying about unexpected effects that would make me jump, the story put a smile on my face the whole time. Like Henrietta in the story, I went to see the play without knowing what to expect but I left the theater with kindred spirits of my own.

“Kindred Spirits”, a play by Repertory Actors Theatre, runs July 16 to August 8 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the Richard Hugo House at 1634 11^th Ave., Seattle. Tickets range from $6-$15.

For more information, visit www.reacttheatre.org

A comprehensive report released in May by the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs examined issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

“The State of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Washington” is a collaborative work between the Commission, the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at the Seattle University School of Law, and some attorneys from Perkins Coie, LLC. The issues were divided into several topics in the 52-page report.

“The current contributions, needs, and challenges highlighted in this report indicate the significant role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders play in the future of Washington,” said Executive Director Kendee Yamaguchi.

Some pertinent issues addressed in the report:

Immigration

“Undocumented Pacific Americans (APAs) in Washington live “under the radar,” according to the report.

While a lot of them are being exploited by low wages and limited access to social services, they contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Indeed, Washington ranks eighth in a list of states that would suffer the highest per-capita loss if the undocumented workforce, which makes up five percent of the state’s total workforce, were removed.

The majority of the undocumented workforce comprises students brought to the country by their parents at a very young age. Under the DREAM Act, which is pending before Congress, undocumented students will be eligible for a conditional path to citizenship in exchange for completion of a college degree or two years of military service.

Education attainment and unemployment rate

Data show wide educational disparities among AAPIs in Washington. Compared with Asian Indian and Chinese who have the highest education attainment rate, 58 percent and 49.6 percent, respectively, only five percent of Laotian and 6.6 percent of Cambodian have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Despite the differences in education levels between Asian groups, AAPIs as a whole have the lowest unemployment rate at 3.3 percent, out of all the ethnic groups.

Access to quality healthcare

Because of the diverse background and language barrier of many AAPI immigrant populations, poor communication between providers and patients can add extra costs to the national healthcare system, says the Institute of Medicine.

“Federal regulations require that any federally funded healthcare program must provide interpreter service,” according to the report.

Criminal justice system

Though the AAPI community does not have a high rate of reported domestic violence or hate crimes, this could be because many cases are not reported.

“Cultural beliefs and practices rationalize and deny the existence of domestic violence among those communities,” according to the report.  “Given the isolation of many APA communities and tendencies to distrust law enforcement, it is highly likely that racially motivated incidents are underreported.”

Political participation

“National APA voter registration has skyrocketed over the past two decades,” states the report.

Washington had the highest percentage — 66 percent — of APA registered voters among battleground states in 2008. ♦

Copies of the report are available online at www.capaa.wa.gov. The Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs is a statewide government agency aiming to improve the well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by ensuring their access to participation in the fields of government, business, education, and other areas.

Jocelyn Chui can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

The Women of Color Empowered honorees with master of ceremonies Bobbe Bridge (far left) (Photo by Rebecca Ip/SCP)

When the first woman received her license to practice law 120 years ago, society was in awe.  Nowadays, when women become successful in the justice system, people acknowledge their contributions with rounds of applause.

On May 14, 15 women were honored at the Women of Color Empowered luncheon at the China Harbor restaurant in Seattle.   Facing a view of Lake Union under a clear blue sky, these women shared their journeys in law.

Aspirations

Having practiced law in King County for 20 years with an emphasis on family law, immigration litigation, and criminal defense, lawyer Susan Amini is now serving as judge pro tempore in King County District Court. She said, “I still believe the court today needs the similar experience that I have.  That’s why I continue to serve the bench.”

Lawyer Moni Law produced a documentary film, “Female Faces of War,” after the start of the Iraq war in 2003.  “I want to give voice to the voiceless.  I still cry every time I watch it,” Law said.

Chief judge Raquel Montoya-Lewis, who devotes her career to the area of tribal law and jurisprudence, said, “I spend time with family and use the degree of social work and traditional law methods to work with families to solve problems.”

Power of the community

Speaking of her responsibilities as an attorney, Jenny Durkan said that it is her job to keep people safe. She then asked attendees to stand up if they thought they could make a change. The whole crowd stood up. “This is the power of the community, this is what keeps us safe,” Durkan said.

Specializing in taxation, business and estate tax planning, and probate matters, law firm partner Gloria Lung Wakayama said, “I help people with my special legal training. In my life, I’ve been helped in many ways. It takes a village to raise a child, it takes all of us to make a better community.”

Kellye Testy, the first woman to join the group of permanent law school deans at the University of Washington, believes feminist power is one of the most important elements in the community. Though not able to attend the event because of her daughter’s graduation, Testy passed on a quote from Madeleine Albright to the crowd, “Let’s us be good to each other. There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

Inspirations

Lorraine Bannai, professor of law at Seattle University, loves the collaborative work in the field.  “I’m inspired by young people wanting to work in the name of social justice and equality,” said Bannai.

Senior managing attorney Barbara Harris said her motivation came from the volunteers she works with.

“When they show up saying we’re here and we’re ready to serve, we’ve got your back. To me, that’s not insignificant,” Harris said.

Keys to success

Once a schoolteacher, attorney Lourdes Fuentes told people to remember their ABCs. “A is absolutely be true to yourself and define what success is by yourself.  B is to believe in yourself, follow your heart and live your aspiration. C is to care for yourself. We women do not care enough for ourselves,” Fuentes said.

Law firm managing director Sheryl Willert wakes up every day with the same motto in mind. “Get up and have a sense of purpose that is greater than personal success.  Do your best, be inquisitive, stay true to your ethics, keep you sense of humor, and have balance,” she said.

King County superior court judge Mary Yu, who was appointed by Gov. Gary Locke in 2000, said, “Maintain relationships and really embrace forgiveness. Pay it forward and invest in young people.”

Family support

Tulalip Tribal court associate judge Theresa Pouley inherited the values of Native American women. “I stand here with all of my grandmothers.  It’s the job of Indian women to identify what people’s strengths are and encourage them on what they can achieve,” Pouley said.

Sharon Sakamoto, law firm partner, thanked her family for providing her with the best education and environment possible.  “My parents created a home for me that is filled with love. It keeps me wanting for others as my parents wanted for us,” she said.

Setting examples

King County superior court judge Mariane Spearman has been a judge for 15 years. “People coming to the courthouse are curious about me.  I feel the pressure to do well, to do my job. I want people to follow me,” Spearman said.

Lam Nguyen-Bull, president of the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington, said women are all “game changers.” Having lived in different cities and worked in different fields, Nguyen-Bull said, “Everything I’ve done in my law career is outside my expertise. I’ve played the game, changing the game.” ♦

Jocelyn Chui can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

The White House’s Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) Initiative held a live web chat with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on May 4, who addressed questions raised by the AAPI community.

During the 30-minute web chat, Locke and Executive Director of the AAPI Initiative Kiran Ahuja addressed questions frequently asked about immigration reform, focusing on the government’s priorities during the immigration application process.

A family who has been waiting to bring a family member into the States for more than 20 years, raised the question of why it takes so long for people “to play by the rules.”

“We need to continue to ensure that we are bringing in new people to this country, enabling them to contribute. However, the first priority has to be family reunification,” said Locke.

Some people may think that being in the country illegally for a certain time will allow them to eventually obtain citizenship. But Locke said, “There is no reward for having been here improperly. You need to stand in line like everyone else and take the test to obtain citizenship.”

Locke and Ahuja also talked about the initiative’s purpose and touched on other concerns raised by various Asian groups.

“There is a myth about AAPIs being the model minority, when, in fact, we have some of the most desperate figures with respect to various subgroups within the AAPI community, whether it is Hmongs or Cambodians, who have the lowest education or [number of] bachelor degrees in America,” Locke said.

Locke said the purpose of the initiative is to make sure these subgroups understand and take advantage of “the huge array of programs and services already made available to the American citizens.”

During the web chat, Ahuja pointed out that one of the major obstacles AAPIs face is the language barrier.

Ahuja said her first priority is to reach out to the Pacific Islander (PI) community.

“Often times, PIs have been in the shadow,” Ahuja said. “I want to make sure people have the tools to be able to do well in the country.”

Locke said there is a need for AAPIs to learn English because it is the dominant language in the nation, but at the same time, he encouraged them to “hold on to their native tongues” because it can be a unique skill that leads to success.

There were also concerns of the lack of AAPI history in classrooms and the representation of AAPIs in the country’s administration.

Locke thinks that community pressure could urge textbook publishers to include more complex details about modern history.

“With the Internet and social media, we should take it upon ourselves to supplement on what the publishers are not providing in our textbooks,” Locke said.

In response to the diversity of Obama’s administration, Locke said that he was proud of the incredible number of AAPIs who are part of this administration.

“I think it is a record number,” Locke said. ♦

To watch a full version of the web chat, visit www.whitehouse.gov.

Jocelyn Chui can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Musician Peter Ellis didn’t expect to perform on the Ave this past weekend, but he decided to bring his cello to play for a crowd of thousands at the University District Street Fair.

“I had no idea the fair was going on,” said Ellis, who played at the fair for the first time this year. “I just decided to come out and play. It’s been good, somebody bought me a soda.”

He joined thousands of people who flocked to the fair under the spring sun this past weekend to walk along the pedestrian-only streets filled with musicians, performers, vendors and festival-goers. Bus stops became stages, the streets became dance floors, and the sidewalks hosted makeshift kitchens.

The two-day fair, the largest annual event in the U-District, drew more people than in previous years to enjoy its food, music, arts and crafts on the Ave this year.

The 41st-annual street fair, which was organized by the Greater University Chamber of Commerce, stretched from Northeast 41st Street to Northeast 50th Street. The event is usually a boon for businesses, attracting thousands to the Ave.

“We came close to 50,000,” said Teresa Lord Hugel, executive director of the Chamber. “It has been very successful.”

The city permit for the event allows 50,000 attendees, and this is the second year in a row that the fair has almost reached its capacity.

Sounds

Aside from Ellis, other musicians brought interesting instruments to the streets.

Dean “the Dreamweaver” stood out from the crowd with his tie-dye T-shirt, tablecloth and drum. It was his first time at the fair.

“I call it a dream drum, but it’s actually a Hapi drum,” he said.

Members of the Seattle Swing Dance Society twirled throughout the event, and the band Slimpickins played roots music for the people in the crowd from a bus stop on the 4500 block of University Way Northeast.

Sights

Apart from the music, the fair offered visitors much to look at.

Gordon Anderson sat at the back of a booth, holding a torch with the blue flame — 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit — melting clear glass tubes for sale.

“We come up with our own designs, and my wife paints them,” he said.

Barb Owen sold Tillandsia, commonly known as “air plants,” with her husband Rick.

The plants grow without any soil, soaking up water through their leaves, Rick Owen said.

David and Brandi Egnatz’s booth with hammock chairs caught the public’s attention. The couple traveled from Idaho to sell at the fair.

UW freshman Anthony Vazquez tried out the hammock chair with a friend.

“It’s comfortable,” Vazquez said. “It’s hard to get in, but once you get into it, it’s hard to get out.”

Tastes

Makeshift kitchens offered food from throughout the world for hungry street-fair attendees. Two blocks of eateries featured foods from places such as Kenya, India and the Philippines.

Pioneer Popcorn was always surrounded by people waiting for the “kettle korn” it sold.

The booth of Ron and Chris Peterson was another hit, selling honey in seven flavors. “Buckwheat honey, which has the highest nutrition value, is good for allergies,” Ron Peterson said.

Police officers were there to monitor the crowd and the traffic. Officer Jim Van De Bogart said the event was “family-oriented and peaceful.”

“It’s a large and well-behaved crowd,” said Sgt. Steve Martin. “Everyone has been overwhelmingly positive toward us.”

Reach contributing writer Jocelyn Chui at development@dailyuw.com.

Rat mom (1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972)

Rat mom is quick-witted, inquisitive, and hardworking. She is an opportunist and always pays attention to small details. Though she may be looking for sales and the best prices, she is generous to her loved ones and may have the tendency to over-indulge her kids (not a bad trait at all).

How to celebrate with a Rat mom: Pre-order a puzzle of your own family picture and aim to finish it with your mom on Mother’s Day. That way, you can tickle her mind and, at the same time, spend tons of family time together.

Ox mom (1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973)

Ox mom is usually patient and calm. You probably don’t see her stumble out of the house often unless you get on her nerves by being too adventurous, as she likes to stick with comfortable routines. She also believes in equality, so she is not going to give your brothers or sisters bigger shares of a meal.

How to celebrate with an Ox mom: Start your family day with a Sunday brunch buffet and then take her to the Smith Tower Observation Deck in Pioneer Square, where she can enjoy a peaceful afternoon watching the beautiful skyline of Seattle.

Tiger mom (1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974)

If you have not noticed the power dynamics in your family already, Tiger mom is born to be a leader. She is ambitious and adventurous. She follows the latest fashion trends and takes pride in her appearance.

How to celebrate with a Tiger mom: If you can afford to take your mom to a Mother’s Day sale and cover the expenses, go for it! If not, pick a fashionable item that allows your mom to gush to her friends, “My kid got me this!”

Rabbit mom (1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975)

Rabbit mom has a sweet nature and hates arguments. She is sociable and likes to meet new people. As much as she cares about her appearance, she loves decorating even more. If she is cooking, she needs her dishes to look as well as taste good.

How to celebrate with a Rabbit mom: What is better than making her a fruit bouquet that is colorful and delicious? Strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, honeydew, kiwi, and grapes are good ingredients to start with. Put them on bamboo skewers and place them nicely in a vase to make her day.

Dragon mom (1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976)

Dragon mom is enthusiastic and confident.  She is always on the go with a tight schedule.  She may not be the kind of mom that is sentimental who tells you she loves you all time, but she certainly loves to join in all sorts of activities with you.

How to celebrate with a Dragon mom: Plan a one-day tour with her. Begin your day with an early-bird breakfast at Pike Place Market and then take the Seattle Underground Tour before having lunch at Pioneer Square. Then enjoy a walk at Gasworks Park before dining on Lake Union.

Snake mom (1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977)

Snake mom is charming and physically attractive. She has a good sense of humor and knows the best ways to stand out in her social circle. Her beauty is her greatest possession, after her family, of course.

How to celebrate with a Snake mom: Get her an anti-aging skincare set and a make-up combo. Remind yourself to take a sneak peek on her choice of brands and colors before purchasing because she can be very specific on cosmetic products.

Horse mom (1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978)

Horse mom is known for her cheerful and sporty nature. She has a passion for traveling and wants to explore the world. But she is also hot-tempered, so make sure plans with her run smoothly.

How to celebrate with a Horse mom: Plan out a weekend getaway road trip to Vancouver where she can check out the market on Granville Island, take lots of pictures in downtown Vancouver, and enjoy a wonderful Asian meal in Richmond. Remember to charge your camera so you don’t upset your mom in the middle of the trip.

Sheep mom (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979)

Sheep mom is creative and artistic. She is gentle and caring. If you run into problems in your life and need someone to talk to, you mom is often the best listener. She likes to be flexible with her time and hates fixed schedules.

How to celebrate with a Sheep mom: Do not rush her because you will ruin her day. Take her to a place like Meridian Park in Wallingford and check out the organic garden. Stop by vintage stores in the area and let her pick out her own gift.

Monkey mom (1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980)

Monkey mom is curious and smart. She is highly sociable and loves to have her own life even though she cares a lot about her family. She is a problem-solver so if you ever need advice, you know who to go to.

How to celebrate with a Monkey mom: Go on a treasure hunt of Washington fossils with your mom. Check out a list of sites that are open on the Burke Museum’s website (washington.edu/burkemuseum/cruisin/wa_fossils.php).

Rooster mom (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981)

Rooster mom is truthful and organized. She is either the extremely talkative type or the somber observer. She likes people to be honest with her, so lying will be seen as a big sin. She can be relatively conservative because she wants things to be in order.

How to celebrate with a Rooster mom: Prepare a family dinner with your mom’s favorite dishes. Start doing some research on the traditional cuisine of your mom’s culture. If you are not too overwhelmed by the recipes, take up the task of house cleaning.

Dog mom (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982)

Dog mom is loyal, honest, and straightforward. Do not be surprised if your mom likes to take part in volunteer work or donate to charities because she is a giving person by nature.

How to celebrate with a Dog mom: Volunteering on Mother’s Day may just be the best family activity for you and your mom. Visit an elderly home and bring flowers and cards to all the mothers living there. Showing off the family’s charitable and caring spirit will surely make your mom feel proud of you.

Pig mom (1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983)

Pig mom is courageous and outgoing. She does not back down during difficult times and is determined to overcome challenges. She does not like to hide her feelings and will want to talk with you if she is concerned about your behavior.

How to celebrate with a Pig mom: If your mom has not been to Mt. Rainer yet, sign up for the Mt. Rainer tour. It will take you to the top of the highest mountain in Washington. ♦

Jocelyn Chui can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe provided more than $4.1 million to nonprofits and other government-serving communities throughout Washington state last year, according to the tribe’s press release.

The Muckleshoot Charity Fund assisted more than 200 Washington schools, churches, and charities, allowing them to continue their programs and services to the public.

“As our tribe has become more economically independent, we have been able to expand our ability to help and support our neighbors throughout the state,” said Virginia Cross, chairperson of the Muckleshoot Tribal Council.

It is the tribe’s tradition to share with those in need. In addition to the charity fund, the tribe’s community impact funds support government agencies and other organizations on limiting the potential impact of casinos.
“We thank them for their important work and reaffirm our commitment to helping our neighbors and building communities,” Cross said. ♦

For more information about the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, visit www.muckleshoot.nsn.us.

Adults interested in learning beginning computer skills can now join free computer classes offered by the Seattle Public Library. Courses will go over how to use a mouse and keyboard, create word documents, make use of the Internet for research, and setup their own e-mail accounts. Classes will take place at Central Library, New Holly Branch, and Greenwood Senior Center. ♦

For more information, contact communication director Andra Addison at 206-386-4103 or visit www.spl.org.

U.S. District Judge Denny Chin was confirmed as a second circuit judge by a 98–0 vote by the U.S. Senate on April 22, 2010, making him the only active Asian Pacific American (APA) federal appellate court judge.

It has been more than five years since an APA has served anywhere in the country as an active federal appellate court judge. Chin is the first APA to have been nominated in 14 years. He is also the first Asian Pacific American federal appellate court judge to be nominated and confirmed outside of the ninth circuit.

While Chin declined to comment on the confirmation, stating it was his practice not to talk with press, Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) said, “Half of the Asian American community is in the ninth circuit, basically the Northwest.  So having someone outside is a breakthrough.”

Narasake also said in a release, “Born to a working class Chinese American family, Judge Chin has lived the American dream and is a great example to all Americans.”

The 56-year-old judge was born in Hong Kong and came to the U.S. when he was 2 years old. He was raised by his father, a cook in Chinese restaurants, and his mother, a seamstress in Chinatown garment factories in the Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. He graduated from Princeton University and earned his law degree from Fordham University.

Serving as a district court judge for the Southern District of New York since 1994, Chin is the longest serving Asian Pacific American federal district court judge to date. Chin has handled many notable cases including that of Bernard L. Madoff in June 2009, in which he sentenced 71-year-old Madoff to the maximum prison term — 150 years — for running a Ponzi scheme that devastated thousands of investors.

Chin was nominated by President Barack Obama in October 2009 and was approved by an unanimous consent by the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 2009.

“ This is a landmark day for us because Judge Chin is a leader and role model for us in NAPABA,” said Joseph J. Centeno, president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA). “He is an extraordinary judge and a true trailblazer in our community.”

The NAPABA is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students.

The AAJC is a national organization dedicated to defending and advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans.