Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander contingent at the March for Real Climate Leadership

Photo by Alec MacDonald

Photo by Alec MacDonald

Photo by Alec MacDonald

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On Saturday, February 7, 2015 eight thousand people gathered in Oakland to send a clear message to Governor Brown: We need real climate change and an end to fracking. In addition to a labor contingent, a South Asian contingent, and a student contingent, there was a Hawaiian Pacific Islander contingent which stood behind the Native American First Nations indigenous bloc. Robynn Takayama went out to talk with them before the march began with support from Alec MacDonald.

Photo by Alec MacDonald

Photo by Alec MacDonald

Photo by Alec MacDonald

07/31/2014 -Fun(d) Drive! Makana and Kini Zamora

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Photo from makanamusic.com

First we hear from Marie Choi and her interview with Hawaiin Slack-Key Guitarist. Slack-key is a style of playing that Makana began learning at age eleven. Since then he’s won several awards, and his music has been featured in many big-name movies. The guitarist, singer, and composer made headlines in 2011 when he played his protest song, “We Are the Many” at the APEC World Leaders’ Dinner.  Since then, he’s continued to evolve, creating Hawaiian music that speaks to the realities of our time.

We’ll also hear from Kini Zamora, a Native Hawaiian fashion designer on Season 13 of Project Runway!

Community Calendar

• On Monday, August 4, the International Hotel  Manilatown Heritage Foundation is holding a press conference to mark the 37th anniversary of the I-Hotel eviction which led to the displacement of Chinese and Filipino elders who called the I-Hotel their home. That’s Monday from 12 – 1 pm
• On Tuesday August 5 at 7 pm, the Dragon Fruit Project holds a celebration of its work at the GLBT History Museum in San Francisco’s Castro District. The Dragon Fruit Project collects and curates stories from Asian and Pacific Islander LGBT communities and they want you to join them for their first big exhibit!
• On Thursday, August 7 from 2 – 3 pm, join Chinese Progressive Association’s Youth Movement for Justice Organizing at their Rally for Affordability on the steps of the City Hall In SF. Hear stories about their families and struggles to live in San Francisco. There will be guerilla theater performances and more to demand families be able to stay in San Francisco!

1/24/13: API Mental Health: Onipa’a (Steadfast), Joshua, and Wounds We Carry

[audio http://archives.kpfa.org/data/20130124-Thu1900.mp3]

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On this installment of APEX Express:

Queen Lili’uokalani (Source: Hawaii Cultural & Spiritual Services Center)

January 17th marked the 120th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of Hawaiian Queen Lili’uokalani.   APEX Contributor Robynn Takayama attends the commemoration event where she spoke with Paul Kealoha Blake about the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement and its connection with Idle No More.

Contributor R.J. Lozada brings us two pieces that add to the important discussion of mental health. Lozada brings in author and psychiatrist, Ravi Chandra, M.D., to further contextualize these stories.

Joshua Castro (Source: E. Chen)

Joshua, 32, remembers telling his mother that he no longer wanted to live at 5 years old. This was Joshua’s first memory of his depression and ideations of suicide,  which he still battles with today. R.J. Lozada presents an audio profile on Joshua, from receiving emergency psychiatric care, to what keeps him going, Joshua shares his insights on how this deeply personal struggle is shared with his family, his friends, and his communities.

Khmer Rouge Tribunals (Source: Wounds We Carry, M. Siv)

Michael Siv’s film, Wounds We Carry, follows a small group of Cambodian Americans who set out to observe the Khmer Rouge trials.  Siv, who was the subject of Refugee (dir. Spencer Nakasako), is now behind the camera in this compelling exploration of historical trauma, resilience, and justice. In this interview, Siv highlights some of his experiences and realizations that hit close to his soul.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

• On January 24th, from 6:30 – 8:00PM, join Kearny Street Workshop and Slice of Mooncake: SF Asian Literature Club, at the Arc Studios & Gallery for a community reception with Angie Chau, author of Quiet As They Come. Ms. Chau will read from her collection of short stories centered on Vietnamese immigrant life in the United States and their pursuit of the “American Dream.” http://www.facebook.com/events/448673698519513/

• On January 26, 2013, the National Japanese American Historical
  Society (NJAHS) will present an exhibit of JAM posters from the
  NJAHS collection. 30 to 40 posters will be shown. Curating the show
  will be Rich Tokeshi and Leon Sun, ably assisted by Pete Yamamoto. Join them at the NJAHS, 1684 Post St. near Buchanan, in San Francisco.  For more details, please contact Rich Tokeshi at (415) 418-0441

• The Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education is excited to celebrate Korematsu Day 2013 by honoring 16 American civil rights heroes who’ve been long overlooked (see list below). This will be a historic gathering of civil rights heroes and the descendants of heroes who have passed on.The event also features celebrity emcee DANNY GLOVER, actor, community activist and humanitarian, as well as a special performance by American Idol star and international recording artist JASMINE TRIAS.WHEN: Sunday, January 27, 2013. 1:00pm VIP reception with honorees, 2:30-4:30pm program
  WHERE: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
  TICKETS: Available for purchase at: http://bit.ly/kdayheroestix
  $100 VIP reception with honorees + program admission
  $25 program general admission
  $10 senior (65+)/student/youth admission
  WEB SITE: http://FredKorematsuDayHeroes.org/
  MORE INFO: email info@korematsuinstitute.org or call 415-848-7737

3/3/11 Hawaii – A Voice for Sovereignty

This week, as a premium for a pledge of $60, we’re featuring the ground-breaking documentary DVD “Hawaii – A Voice for Sovereignty,” by award-winning director Catherine Bauknight, telling the real story and issues facing Native Hawaiians.

“Hawaii – A Voice for Sovereignty” is a documentary film by photojournalist Catherine Bauknight that explores the culture of the Native Hawaiians and their connection to the land. At the forefront of the film are social, economic, and ecological issues that have developed in Hawaii since the takeover by the U.S. in 1893, revealed in interviews with grassroots indigenous people and scholars such as author, Haunani-Kay Trask.

With Hosts Ellen Choy and Karl Jagbandhansingh.

Produced by Karl Jagbandhansingh.

3/18/10 Asian American theater and film

Tonight we interview members of Asian American Theater Company about their world premiere of “Macho Bravado.” This play is about a Korean American soldier returning home from fighting abroad, in his quest for love, identity, and masculinity.

We also interview Lewis Kawahara, coordinator of the College of San Mateo Ethnic Studies’ Asian Pacific American Film Festival.

And finally we have Apex producer Robynn Takyama interviewing director Anne Misawa and associate producer Connie M. Florez about their documentary, State of Aloha, currently being screened at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.

Listen:

12/24/09 Mele Kalikimaka!: Apex Holiday Music Mix

Mele Kalikimaka! Tonight we bring you an Aloha! Apex Holiday Music Mix. We feature ukulele and slack key guitar players and singers including Keola Beamer, George Kahumoku Jr, Genoa Keawe, Charles Ka’upu and more. Tune in and bring some Aloha cheer and the sweet and beautiful music from Hawaii to brighten your evening!

Listen: